Bay Area Bites
O-Ku has opened on the ground floor of Bayshore Gardens in South Tampa, bringing modern Japanese cuisine and seafood sourced from Tokyo’s Toyosu Market to the neighborhood. Beach House Coffee, located on Manhattan Avenue in South Tampa, is part bakery, part cafe and part boutique with a coastal vibe. In St. Petersburg, Texas-based Shipley Do-Nuts debuted at 4946 Fourth St. N., serving more than 40 doughnut varieties. Also new to St. Pete are Jackson’s, a locally owned, family-friendly sports bar at 1700 34th St. S., and Say Coffee House in the Grand Central District, specializing in Vietnamese coffee, matcha and green tea drinks.
Luxury Lounges and Speakeasys
The Saphire Tampa, newly opened at 4410 W. Boy Scout Blvd. in Tampa, blends refined cuisine, crafted cocktails, private dining suites and choreographed entertainment in a nightlife setting inspired by 1950s supper clubs. In St. Petersburg, 31 South has opened inside St. Pete Distillery as a 45-seat speakeasy featuring Prohibition-era design details, locally sourced furnishings and elevated bites curated by Chef Johnathan Rodriguez, whose background includes Michelin-rated venues.
Retail Roundup
In Tampa, Engrained Lifestyle Apparel, a Tampa-born brand inspired by the city’s culture and community, is opening its first storefront at Sparkman Wharf. Also coming soon is Ebisu Life Store, a viral Japanese lifestyle retailer opening its largest location at 6234 Commerce Palms Drive in Tampa Palms. The 21,597-square-foot space, formerly occupied by Joann Fabrics at Market Square shopping center, will feature imported Japanese snacks, collectibles, blind boxes and claw machines.
14-Story Apartment Tower Opens in Pete
ClearView at Echelon City Center has begun leasing its 363 luxury apartments at 101 Main St. N. in St. Petersburg. The community is part of the larger Echelon City Center project, a 20.5-acre mixed-use development planned to include residential units, retail space, offices and a hotel. The 14-story apartment tower is located within Carillon Business Park, one of the region’s largest employment hubs.
New Hotel Takes Over Former Postcard Inn
The Luce, part of Marriott’s Tribute Portfolio, is now open and welcoming guests to one of its 200 beachside rooms. Located at 6300 Gulf Blvd. in St. Pete Beach on the former site of the Postcard Inn, The Luce features three on-site dining options, including Sundrop, an indoor-outdoor dining venue with an outdoor cocktail lounge; Baby Turtle Beach Club, slated to open in early fall; and Frankie’s Pizza Parlor.
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