Photo by Ethan Perelstein
South Pinellas’ food and drink scene stayed busy in August.
From a new hot sauce line to a vegan hot dog restaurant and several pop-ups landing permanent addresses, local entrepreneurs made moves. Here’s a roundup of what opened, closed, and changed across South Pinellas last month.
Gulfport Business News
Heavenly Eats & Sweets
Heavenly Eats & Sweets officially closed Aug. 16. The shop opened in July 2025 at 2025 49th St. S., Gulfport. The owners said they are working toward reopening in Treasure Island or Madeira Beach.
Island Flavors and Tings
Island Flavors and Tings in Gulfport launched Hot Tings, its first bottled hot sauce line, built around Scotch bonnet peppers and Jamaican-inspired flavors. Owner and chef Helena Josephs has operated the restaurant, grocery, and catering business at 1411 49th St. S. since 2006 and added a St. Pete Pier Marketplace kiosk in 2020. The new sauces come in tamarind Scotch bonnet, mango pineapple Scotch bonnet and aged rum Scotch bonnet varieties.
Gulf Beaches & Beyond Business News
Buddy Brew Coffee
Tampa-based Buddy Brew Coffee announced its first Pinellas County location inside Sprouts Farmers Market at 7263 Seminole Blvd. in Seminole part of a partnership that will place Buddy Brew cafes in 10 Sprouts stores across the region.
Creative Pinellas
Creative Pinellas awarded $350,000 to nearly 30 artists and arts organizations for a series of fall events across Pinellas. The Art Everywhere program received almost 140 applications and will support concerts, exhibitions, festivals, theater, dance, public art and other programming from early November into December. Funding comes from Visit St. Pete-Clearwater through Pinellas County’s Arts Tourism Funding program. Funded events include Dockside Sessions at Shopapalooza Festival, TimeWeaving public events by Gulfport Arts and Heritage, Music Under the Stars at the Warehouse Arts District, and more.
Photo by Cameron Healy
St. Petersburg Business News
Belleair Coffee Company
Belleair Coffee Company announced it will open its third location in October at 1211 4th St. N., St. Petersburg, a former home of The Blend. Its other two locations are in Belleair Bluffs and Largo.
Craft Kafe
Craft Kafe plans to open in September at 4725 34th St. S., after about five years in development. The gluten-free bakery and café has two other St. Pete locations: 200 Central Ave. and 6653 Central Ave.
Idyll Vice
Idyll Vice officially opened on Aug. 18 at 667 Central Ave. in St. Petersburg, in the former Sorrento Sweets space. Owner Witney Dupree runs the beverage shop with her husband Jeff and daughter Rene. The concept features build-your-own dirty sodas, coffee, espresso and tea, and alcoholic drinks. A self-serve wine station offers rotating wines in small pours, and the food menu includes baked goods, salads, flatbreads, and sandwiches.
J-New’s BBQ & Grill
J-New’s BBQ & Grill moved from South St. Petersburg to 3730 Central Ave. Chef-owner Johnny Newsome’s restaurant is known for slow-smoked barbecue and soul food, including meats smoked with oak and cherry wood and house-made sides.
Lakeview Farm
Lakeview Farm Store is expanding from Clearwater to St. Petersburg with a second location at 1847 1st Ave. N. in the Grand Central District. The 3,540-square-foot store, more than three times the size of the original, is expected to open in mid-October. The Barbagelata family, which moved from Argentina to Pinellas County in 2021, sources directly from small farms and producers. Plans also include an in-house bakery, cold-pressed juice kitchen, organic coffee, and house-made almond and coconut milk.
Lilya’s
Lilya’s has opened a deli counter inside Earth Origins Market at 6651 Central Ave. in St. Petersburg. The brand comes from the team behind Cybel — French Moroccan Fusion in Historic Kenwood.
Mercado West
Mercado West announced the closure of its 6001 Central Ave. location at the beginning of August. The closure does not affect Mercado in the EDGE District or the original Red Mesa Restaurant on Fourth Street. Red Mesa’s other concepts, Red Mesa Cantina and Red Mesa Events, closed earlier this year.
Mozzarella Mike
Mozzarella Mike is moving from pop-ups into a permanent St. Petersburg restaurant. Mike and Tiffany Deininger are opening Mozza Paninoteca at 2319 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. St. N., in the former Little Llamas space. The Italian shop will feature artisan sandwiches, freshly stretched mozzarella, wine and Italian goods. An opening date is not yet set.
Nah Dogs
Nah Dogs is now open at 18 22nd St. S. in St. Pete, near Black Crow Coffee and Tombolo Books. Jenny and Jeff Howe launched Nah Dogs, a vegan hot dog cart, in 2019.
The Neon Lunchbox
The Neon Lunchbox closed its doors at 1756 Central Ave. in St. Petersburg on Aug. 29. The 1980s- and 1990s-themed restaurant and entertainment venue had opened in 2024.
Rewind St. Pete
Rewind St. Pete opened Aug. 1 at 119 1st Ave. N. in downtown St. Petersburg, bringing a 1990s and early-2000s theme to the former Who’s On First space. The bar combines dive-bar elements with nightclub energy, using retro colors, music, games and nostalgia throughout the concept. Rewind promotes affordable drinks, food, themed events and activities such as 1990s trivia.
Your Business is Our Business
No one knows more about small businesses in Pinellas County than Ester Venouziou, founder of LocalShops1 and Shopapalooza Festival. Send her your business tips and news at ester@localshops1.com.
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