⊲ A modern sculpture by St. Pete artist Cecilia Lueza, inspired by the city’s waterfront, will serve as a centerpiece at the entrance of the 42-story Art House condominium tower, in downtown St. Pete. (Image above)
⊲ St. Petersburg College was designated as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense, recognizing its commitment to cybersecurity education and workforce development.
⊲ Crave Coffee + Market, a new café by Charles and Brittany Frost, is set to open in Seminole’s Oakhurst Plaza, serving locally made bagels and pastries in the former AuLeche space.
⊲ Pepe’s Cantina Mexican Grill is set to open its first Tampa Bay location in St. Petersburg’s Kenwood neighborhood, bringing specialty margaritas and authentic Mexican cuisine to the former Cider Press Vegan GastroPub space, at 3118 3rd Avenue North.
⊲ BayCare Health System is piloting AI-assisted voice technology at St. Anthony’s Hospital in St. Petersburg to streamline clinical documentation and ease the burden on nurses.
⊲ Fit2Run opened a new athletic apparel store at Tyrone Square Mall, in St. Petersburg, expanding its family-owned running footwear and apparel business into the former Furniture Distribution Center space.
⊲ St. Petersburg Mayor Kenneth T. Welch has appointed Economic Development Manager George Smith as chief equity officer, succeeding interim chief equity officer Carl R. Lavender Jr.
⊲ BayCare Health System purchased the former Barnes & Noble, across from Tyrone Square Mall, for $10 million, with plans to convert the 15,456-square-foot space into a freestanding emergency center.
⊲ Cool Vibes Pub & Grub is expanding to St. Pete Beach with a new location, Cool Vibes on the Beach, at 6800 Sunset Way, while continuing operations at its flagship location in St. Petersburg.
⊲ A 13-story mixed-use building, with 60 apartments and 60 hotel rooms, has been approved for downtown St. Pete’s Grand Central District, replacing a previously planned 8-story residential project, at 1663 1st Avenue South.
⊲ The YMCA has sold a 4.5-acre property to GS Blake Owner to develop a mixed-use residential and retail village, using the proceeds to modernize the Jim & Heather Gills YMCA and expand community programs.
⊲ Pagoda Asian Grill, a new fast-casual concept by P.F. Chang’s, has opened in west St. Pete, at 1550 66th Street North, offering customizable bowls and wraps in a counter-service format.
⊲ The Ardent Companies plans to redevelop a vacant property, near Largo’s Horizon West Bay project, into an 11,175-square-foot retail and restaurant destination, at 4th Street Southwest and West Bay Drive.
⊲ Velera, formerly PSCU/Co-op Solutions, has been named to the Forbes list of America’s Best Midsize Employers 2025, marking its second recognition in three years.
⊲ LocalShops1 has donated an additional $10,000 to St. Pete Youth Farm to expand its community-wide compost center, enabling on-site demonstrations and composting at local festivals and events.
⊲ Achieva Insurance Agency, in Dunedin, has expanded its services to offer Medicare health insurance plans and personalized support, helping retirees and those approaching retirement navigate their options.
⊲ Shumaker Partner David Delrahim has been re-elected to the Downtown Business Association Board of Directors.