Pinellas County Living

Downtown St. Pete Coffee Shop Opening New Location At The Factory

A St. Petersburg coffee shop that opened last summer at a downtown hotel will open a second location at The Factory soon.

Tiffany Razzan • July 8, 2026

ST. PETERSBURG, FL — Lucky Cup Coffee, which opened inside the downtown Galaxy Hotel a year ago in July, is planning its second location.

The local coffee brand will open a shop at The Factory in the Warehouse Arts District by August, the owners announced in a social media post.

“As much as we’ve loved this first chapter, we’re SO excited for the next one,” they wrote in the post. “The Factory embodies everything we’re passionate about and everything we hope Lucky Cup can be. It’s a place where artists, makers, entrepreneurs and neighbors come together. A place that celebrates creativity, collaboration, community, and culture.. all the things that make St. Pete so special. We can’t imagine a better place for Lucky Cup’s next chapter.”

The Factory, a recreational destination that’s home to Floridarama and St. Pete Athletic, had 2,150 square feet for a move-in-ready cafe and other retail available, according to Axxos Commercial Group, a boutique real estate firm managing the property.

This offers Lucky Cup more space than its original coffee shop at the Galaxy Hotel.

“A bigger space means more room to create, collaborate, host events, hang out, explore an evening concept (!!), and just continue building the kind of place we always dreamed Lucky Cup could be,” the owners said.

Three new shops on Central Avenue are celebrating a joint grand opening in Grand Central District

July 8, 2026 • By Jose Rodriguez Rivera

There’s something delightfully chaotic about three brand-new shops deciding to share a single grand opening celebration, and it’s absolutely working. On Saturday, July 25, from 6 to 9 p.m., a stretch of Central Avenue in St. Pete’s Grand Central District will become the most adorable block party the neighborhood’s ever seen, when Gypsea Blooms, The Blue Urban Project Thrift, and The Carpenter’s Daughter swing their doors open together at 1622 Central Ave.

Let’s start with Gypsea Blooms, because, honestly, a build-your-own bouquet bar is the kind of concept that makes you wonder why it took this long. Founded by Andrea Harper and led by lead florist Nicole Gebler, this coastal-inspired shop is far more than a flower store. It’s a gifting destination where you can pick individual stems and assemble your own arrangement, or have the staff build a custom gift basket on the spot. The shop also carries jewelry featuring crystals and shells, candles, bath products, and one-of-a-kind artisan goods sourced through Harper’s travels. If you’re among the first 25 guests on opening night, you’ll even walk out with a free flower, which is objectively a good deal.

Right next door is The Blue Urban Project Thrift, and this one’s got a backstory worth paying attention to. It’s a veteran-founded nonprofit, built by Army veteran Kirsten Hutchings and Navy veteran Raymond Salden, and its mission runs a lot deeper than vintage finds. The shop at 1620 Central Ave. channels sales into marine environmental conservation and community support for veterans. Think underwater cleanups, discounted scuba certification classes, and free Blue Urbanism workshops. When hurricane season rolls through, it converts into a full disaster-relief distribution center for affected residents. There’s also a living green wall and a mural by local artist Daniel “R5” Barojas inside, because St. Pete wouldn’t have it any other way.

Rounding out the trio is The Carpenter’s Daughter, owner Ursula Gonzalez’s size-inclusive women’s boutique at 1624 Central Ave. After five years of waiting for the right St. Pete opportunity, Gonzalez has channeled that patience into a shop with a shabby-chic French country aesthetic, carrying everything from dresses and rompers to handbags, jewelry, and designer-inspired perfumes. Sizes run from XS to 3X, and the whole ethos is boutique quality at prices that won’t send you into a tailspin. She’s also planning ladies’ nights, private events, and fundraisers, so this is more than just be a place to shop. It’ll be a place to be.

The triple grand opening runs Saturday, July 25, from 6 to 9 p.m. at 1622 Central Ave. in St. Petersburg. Expect door prizes every hour, a grand prize giveaway, complimentary sips and sweet treats, and grand opening specials all evening.

One of the biggest Beatles museums outside of England opens in Downtown St. Pete in July

July 7, 2026 • By Bob Carskadon

All you need is love for the Beatles. The Penny Lane Beatles Museum, which has operated in Dunedin since 2017, is officially debuting its new and larger home in Downtown St. Pete this summer.

The new museum, featuring more than 1,000 pieces of Beatles memorabilia, will open at 146 2nd Street North on Wednesday, July 29. Going forward, the museum will be open Wednesday-Sunday from 10 am – 4 pm weekly.

Long a favorite in Dunedin, The Penny Lane Beatles Museum has been a bit of a hidden gem for Beatlemaniacs, Anglophiles, and music lovers alike. The team says the new space will allow them to expand the already sizable private collection of rare memorabilia, one-of-a-kind pieces, and original artifacts. Items on display include everything from signed guitars and old buttons to actual strands of hair from the Beatles themselves.

Penny Lane makes for a fun addition to St. Pete’s growing museum scene, as it marks the first in town to be focused on musical artists rather than visual. Though it should be said, much of The Beatles’ work transcended mere audio. It also adds to the number of spaces focused on single artists, joining icons like Salvador Dalí and Dale Chihuly.

The museum artifacts come from the private collection of co-founders Dr. Robert Entel and Colin Bissett. A Liverpudlian himself, Bissett actually went to school with Pete Best’s brother and was catching Beatles shows long before Beatlemania began.

The museum is an excellent excursion for Beatles fans, of course, but the founders also designed the experience as a gateway to introduce new fans to the Fab Four. Luckily, they didn’t have to go across the universe to bring this dream to life; just a little ways down US 19.

Welch selects housing and arts-based Blake Investment Partners for Gas Plant District redevelopment

July 2, 2026 • By Bob Carskadon

If Mayor Ken Welch has his way, the future of St. Pete is being built by local businesses, local artists, and local voices. Today, Welch announced that he selected the St. Pete-based Blake Investment Partners group and their “Burg Bid” to redevelop the nearly 90-acre Historic Gas Plant District site currently home to Tropicana Field and a whole lot of pavement.

It’s a huge step forward after the deal with the Tampa Bay Rays collapsed in 2025, though it is far from a binding decision. Not only does it still need city council approval, but Welch himself is up for reelection this fall. In fact, that uncertainty was part of Welch’s message on Thursday. In a nutshell: this may end up in a never-ending loop of jumping from mayor to mayor and developer to developer if action isn’t taken now.

Whether action is taken or not remains to be seen, but if it does indeed move forward, then it will do so with a decidedly local flair. Led by Thompson Whitney Blake, the Burg Bid’s proposal was put together in conjunction with significant feedback and support from local artists, from descendants of those who lived in the razed Gas Plant District, from local stakeholders, and from residents of the South St. Pete neighborhoods that have been cut off from the north side of town by the interstate and the sprawling Tropicana Field property.

The core of the BIP plan is to create a world-class arts destination as part of the redevelopment, alongside a record amount of affordable and workforce housing, a huge city park, and an indoor/outdoor event venue, among much else. Blake says their vision for “St. Petersburg 3.0” is based on three key pillars: affordability, economic opportunity, and long-term community benefit while honoring the city’s history.

Here are some key highlights:

• A “Museum Row” anchored by The Woodson and a local art museum
• More than 3,600 units of affordable and workforce housing, both on-site and elsewhere in St. Pete
• A 13-acre Central Park designed by local firm Wannemacher Jensen Architects
• A multi-purpose indoor/outdoor event venue, dubbed the “Booker Creek Cultural Center”
• A potential multi-modal transportation hub designed for light rail to Tampa International Airport
• The creation of The Historic Gas Plant Visionary Panel, “a permanent advisory committee composed of leaders from ~20 organizations representing the heart of St. Petersburg”

Partners in the proposal include a wide range of local, regional and global companies with experience in development, also including Related, Skanska, Greystar, Gilbane, Blue Sky Communities, Open Realty, and Stadler Development, among others.

• Gas Plant District expands St. Pete’s arts hub

The full proposal is extensive in nature, though the biggest highlight is the commitment to the arts. Blake has proposed “ HGP Museum Row,” which would become a cultural destination for the art world. A new Woodson African American Museum would serve as the “crown jewel” of the project, while a mix of local and international artists would fill out the remaining spaces.

Celebrated St. Pete artists Chad Mize and Mark Aeling have been tapped to lead a Museum of Public Art, which would be a showcase of the public arts projects and artists that have made St. Pete a living tapestry. Murals, of course, are a mainstay, alongside sculptures and other three-dimensional artistic installations.

Meanwhile, Blake has made plans with famed international artists and conservationists Gillie and Marc to create their first-ever permanent museum gallery in St. Pete. The two are famous for their nature-inspired statues and sculptures on city streets everywhere from New York to Azerbaijan. The new gallery would immediately join ranks with the Salvador Dalí and Dale Chihuly collections in St. Pete as must-visit destinations showcasing well-known individual artists.

The goal of the project, as it relates to the arts, isn’t just to create destinations for visitors. The Blake team says it will also prioritize providing opportunities for artists, from housing to education and professional incubation.

With its location, the district would connect downtown’s museums and Waterfront Arts District to the Warehouse Arts District and its many galleries, museums, and studios, creating a bridge of arts across neighborhoods south of Central Avenue.

“We are stewards first, investors second,” said T.W. Blake, Founder, Blake Investment Partners. “We’re weaving together housing, culture, and commerce, with meaningful community accountability to create everlasting value for the city. The Historic Gas Plant District holds deep meaning and our vision represents a long-term commitment to the people of St. Petersburg.”

Atlanta-based Rreal Tacos is taking over the Red Mesa Cantina space in Downtown St. Pete

July 1, 2026 • By Bob Carskadon

There has barely been time for the dust to settle in Downtown St. Pete. Rreal Tacos, an Atlanta-based Mexican street food concept, announced that it is taking over the building recently vacated by Red Mesa Cantina at 128 3rd Street South.

Rreal Tacos opened its first Tampa Bay location in Tampa earlier this year, so you can get an easy sneak peek if you don’t want to wait. The company said it will have three different concepts inside the building. The ground floor will host the Rreal Tacos restaurant and bar, the second floor will be home to a “surprise” restaurant, and there will be a rooftop bar on the third floor.

“This building has stood for over 100 years,” Rreal Tacos said in its announcement. “We’re not here to change it — we’re here to honor it and bring it new life for its next chapter.”

The restaurant itself specializes in street tacos on handmade tortillas that represent various regions of Mexico. They source ingredients from those regions when possible. They take their margarita program seriously, and the food menu also features plenty of appetizers, quesadillas, burritos, bowls, birria and more.

Rreal Tacos will have two bars on the ground floor, as Red Mesa Cantina did, and plans to showcase “that legendary courtyard.”

Rreal Tacos said it anticipates an early 2027 opening, which indicates a good bit of changes are coming to the three-story building and its spaces. You can learn more about Rreal Tacos and check out the menu here.

- https://www.rrealtacos.com/

Downtown St. Pete Red Mesa Cantina Building Bought By Atlanta Taco Chain

The Atlanta-based taco brand said it will transform the three-story downtown St. Pete property into a multi-concept destination.

Tiffany Razzano • Jul 1, 2026

ST. PETERSBURG, FL — Rreal Tacos has acquired the historic building at 128 3rd Street South in downtown St. Petersburg, the longtime home of Red Mesa Cantina, as the Atlanta-based hospitality group continues its expansion across Tampa Bay.

Red Mesa Cantina abruptly closed the doors to this downtown location in early June.

Rreal Tacos said in a news release that the three-story property will be reimagined into a multi-concept dining and hospitality destination under one ownership group.

The acquisition gives Rreal Tacos more than 16,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor space across the building, courtyard and rooftop. The property includes five bars and room for nearly 800 guests across its levels.

Rreal Tacos plans to bring three distinct concepts to the building and said it expects to employ more than 250 workers once all floors are open.

The St. Petersburg project follows the group's downtown Tampa restaurant, which is set to open in late 2026, the news release said. This is the brand’s second Florida location.

Rreal Tacos said it is making a combined eight-figure investment in the purchase and build-out, with the ground floor slated to open first in early 2027. All three levels of the building will be opened in phases.

Preserving the building was central to the deal. Rreal Tacos and previous owner Dean Kucera agreed that the landmark should be kept intact rather than demolished.

Kucera chose to sell to Rreal Tacos because the group committed to preserving the building and converting it into a hospitality destination while highlighting its historic features, the company said.

“This building has watched over downtown St. Pete for more than a hundred years. We didn't buy it to change what it is — we bought it to honor it, fill it with life and hospitality for the next chapter of its life," CEO Damian Otero said.

The deal moved quickly after news spread that Red Mesa Cantina would be closing.

Rreal Tacos said Otero flew to St. Petersburg the same day and met with the building's owner within hours.

The company also credited broker Harrison Gault with connecting the two sides.

The company intends to hire locally as it continues to expand across the region. It said it will employ more than 500 people across Tampa Bay by the end of 2027.