Anthony Close & Brian Zucker: Co-owners, Publishers of St. Pete Rising

ABOUT US

Anthony

I grew up in the Tampa Bay area and have lived on both sides of the bay.  I moved back to St. Pete after graduating from the University of Florida in 2016. I started St. Pete Rising while I was in college as a way to keep up with what was happening back home. At first, I was simply tracking development projects for myself. Then my business partner Brian joined, and we expanded into covering restaurants, retail and everything new and coming soon to St. Pete. Today, our team has the privilege of helping thousands of residents stay connected to how their city is growing while celebrating the people and businesses shaping its future.

I’ve always been invested in the communities where I live and believe local journalism plays an important role in celebrating what makes a city special. St. Pete is full of people taking risks, opening businesses, creating places for neighbors to gather, and helping shape the city’s future. Being able to tell those stories and keep residents connected to what’s happening in their community is one of the most rewarding parts of what our team does.

St. Pete Rising is a locally owned, independent online publication. We are not part of a national media company, and our focus is exclusively on keeping the community informed about what is new and coming soon to St. Pete. At its core, St. Pete Rising is our love letter to the city. We want to celebrate the people shaping St. Pete while giving residents accurate, useful information about how their community is growing and changing.

Brian 

I grew up in Fort Myers and attended college in Orlando before moving to Palm Harbor for a job in 2011. I discovered St. Pete shortly afterward and was immediately drawn to the city. My favorite thing about living here is the sense of community.

My business partner, Anthony Close, started St. Pete Rising in 2013, and I joined him a year later. The publication was born out of curiosity and necessity. Even then, you could walk along Central Avenue and see storefronts under construction and entire blocks being redeveloped, but it was surprisingly difficult to find out what was coming.

Many of the smaller projects and independent businesses weren’t receiving much coverage, so we created a simple WordPress blog and started asking questions. I began picking up the phone, calling developers and business owners and trying to connect the dots. That curiosity eventually grew into what St. Pete Rising is today.

I’ve always been fascinated by how cities grow and evolve. St. Pete is full of people taking risks and bringing new ideas to life, whether they’re opening a restaurant, creating a neighborhood business or developing an ambitious project. I love telling their stories and giving them a platform while helping residents better understand what is happening in their community.

OUR LOCAL KNOWLEDGE

Anthony 

When it comes to hidden gems, Boyd Hill Nature Preserve is my pick. Most people know St. Pete for its beaches, but Boyd Hill is one of the city’s true hidden gems. Its 245 acres of trails and wildlife make it hard to believe you’re still in the middle of the city. It is one of my favorite places to experience a different side of St. Pete.

Bandit Coffee Co. is my go-to breakfast spot. Their breakfast plates and coffee are hard to beat, and it has the kind of neighborhood atmosphere that makes St. Pete special. The line is always worth it.

Grassroots Kava House is my go-to spot to work or meet with the St. Pete Rising team. It has a productive atmosphere, and it is one of those places where you inevitably run into people who are involved in the community. Southside Coffee is another favorite and a sleeper pick for its cold brew and lattes.

When it comes to bars or new restaurants, Bar Mezzo in the EDGE District strikes a great balance. It feels like a classic cocktail bar while still bringing a fun nightlife energy. They have done a great job creating a place that feels elevated without being overly formal. 

Bonu’ Taverna Italiana on the 600 Block is one of my favorites. It is centrally located, has a relaxed atmosphere and is perfect for business meetings. Their pastas and flatbreads are consistently excellent.

For special occasions, I go to Elliott Aster. There is something about dining in the historic Vinoy ballroom that always feels like an occasion. The atmosphere is elegant without feeling over the top.

I wish more people knew about Mullet’s Fish Camp in South St. Pete. It has that classic Old Florida fish camp feel with great wings, fish sandwiches, seafood and live music that never feels overproduced. It is the kind of place that reminds you what St. Pete was like before so much of the recent growth.

For art and culture, the James Museum is incredibly underrated. Their collection of Western art is outstanding. 

The Dalí Museum is world-class, but one of my favorite things about St. Pete is that art is not confined to museums. Between the murals, galleries, festivals and local markets, creativity is woven into everyday life. It is one of the reasons the St. Pete Rising team enjoys covering this city.

For live music, Jannus Live is hard to beat. The open-air courtyard, the giant oak tree and the surrounding downtown skyline create one of the most unique concert venues anywhere.

Doc Ford’s at the St. Pete Pier is always a great choice for live music. You get live music, waterfront views, boats coming and going from the marina, plenty of people-watching and one of the best sunset views in the city.

The best way to experience the area is by boat, and we are fortunate that St. Pete and Pinellas County have some of the best boating anywhere. Spending the day at Bunces Pass or fishing around Fort De Soto is hard to beat.

On land, the downtown waterfront park system is my favorite place to walk, people-watch and take in the skyline. It is classic St. Pete. For a quieter spot, Lassing Park is great.

If I get out for a run, it is usually along the downtown waterfront, through North Shore Park or around Coffee Pot Bayou.

If I were designing a day out with family, I’d start with coffee from Intermezzo and a pastry from The Sourdough Bread Co., then spend the morning exploring the St. Pete Pier and waterfront parks. After lunch, we’d visit one of the museums or head out on the water. One of the best things about St. Pete is that you can experience so much in a single day without ever driving very far.

When visitors are in town, I always start downtown along the waterfront. We’d visit the St. Pete Pier, The Dalí Museum and maybe the Museum of Fine Arts because that’s where you really experience what makes St. Pete special. Then we’d walk Central Avenue, stopping into local shops and coffee spots. It is the perfect introduction to the city.

For date night, I’d start with dinner at Elliott Aster, followed by a cocktail somewhere along Central Avenue, then take a walk along the downtown waterfront. There is something about the lights reflecting off the bay that never gets old.

For an evening out, I’d start at Green Bench Brewing for a beer, swing by Intermezzo and Bar Mezzo for happy hour, then make my way down Central Avenue toward Grand Central for cocktails at Slim Charmer or Wild Child. It is a great way to experience several different neighborhoods in one evening.

My favorite staycation spot is The Vinoy. It is an iconic St. Pete property, and you can walk to the waterfront, the Pier, museums, restaurants and shops. It feels like a true getaway without ever leaving town. If you’re into golf, they have that covered, too.

When I’m not working, I enjoy being outdoors under the St. Pete sun, checking out new restaurants and driving through neighborhoods like Old Northeast, Historic Kenwood and Bahama Shores. Even after all these years, I still love discovering corners of the city I have not explored before. That curiosity carries over into the work our team does every day at St. Pete Rising.

Brian

St. Pete Athletic is one of my favorite hidden gems. A lot of people assume you need to be a member, but anyone can visit the restaurant, have a drink at the bar or reserve a pickleball court. The food is genuinely delicious, and it’s a fun, welcoming place to spend an afternoon.

St. Pete Rising doesn’t have a physical office, so our entire staff is essentially part of St. Pete’s coffee shop circuit. Pour & Décor in the Grand Central District is one of my favorite places to work. I’m also a big fan of Lucky Cup Coffee at the Galaxy Hotel, and I’m excited for its second location to open at The Factory. 

The Hangar Restaurant at Albert Whitted Airport is my favorite breakfast spot. The food is great, but watching planes take off and land makes the experience especially fun, particularly when I’m there with my kids.

Pulpo in the Grand Central District has been open for a little more than a year, but it remains one of my favorite newer restaurants. Everything I’ve tried there has been excellent. The menu is creative without being intimidating, and it’s the kind of neighborhood restaurant you find yourself wanting to visit regularly.

For a casual lunch or business meal, there are so many great options that it’s difficult to choose just one. I’ll often go to Casita Taqueria in the Grand Central District for the Pollo Tinga Casita Bowl or Hawkers in the EDGE District for the roti canai and yaki udon. Both are casual, consistently delicious and great places to meet someone for lunch.

For special occasions, my wife and I usually choose Il Ritorno or Brick & Mortar. Both feel distinctly St. Pete and consistently deliver the kind of meal that makes an occasion feel special.

I wish more people knew about City’s Bistro on Fourth Street North. My favorite menu item is the hot corned beef sandwich with Swiss cheese, coleslaw and Russian dressing on rye. Everything I’ve tried there has been fantastic, and the owners are wonderful people. It’s exactly the kind of locally owned neighborhood restaurant that deserves more attention.

I’m a huge fan of Imagine Museum in the Grand Central District. It doesn’t always receive the same level of attention as The Dalí and some of St. Pete’s other museums, but it has an outstanding collection of contemporary glass art. It’s one of those places that surprises people when they visit for the first time.

For arts and culture, my favorite spot may be Spitfire Comedy House. I don’t think it receives nearly the recognition it deserves. The improv performances are consistently hilarious, and I’ve never left without feeling like I had a great time.

I love catching live jazz at Intermezzo and Copa in the EDGE District. Both offer intimate settings where the music feels like an essential part of the evening rather than background noise.

I didn’t fully appreciate how great St. Pete’s park system was until I had children. The city has more than 150 parks, and each one offers something a little different. Two of our family’s favorites are Seminole Park in Historic Kenwood and Albert Whitted Park near the airport.

My kids love walking around downtown St. Pete, stopping in stores and looking through all the windows. A perfect family day would probably include exploring the waterfront, visiting the Pier, grabbing something to eat and letting the kids run around one of the parks. With young children, sometimes the simplest outings end up being the most memorable.

I usually take visitors to the St. Pete Pier, a few of our museums and then out for a great dinner. The waterfront and arts scene offer a great introduction to the city, while dinner gives me a chance to show off how strong St. Pete’s restaurant scene has become.

My perfect date night is pretty simple. My wife and I will have a nice dinner downtown and then take a walk along Central Avenue. St. Pete is at its best when you can wander without much of a plan and discover something along the way.

For an evening out, I’d start with dinner at Olivia and then see a movie or catch an improv show at Spitfire Comedy House. That’s my ideal mix of a great meal and something entertaining afterward.

For a staycation, The Cordova Inn recently completed a beautiful expansion that honors the character of the historic hotel. It has an incredible café in the lobby called The Scott and a charming bookstore called Pages & Perks. It should become an even better staycation destination with a new ground-floor restaurant and rooftop bar planned for the future.

When I’m not working, I love spending time with my family. My wife and I have two children, Malcolm, 5, and Zeldie, who is almost 2. Most of my free time revolves around them these days, whether we’re visiting a park, walking around downtown or simply exploring the city together.

This interview has been edited for brevity and clarity.