Back to reality. I hope everyone had a wonderful Fourth of July weekend, and a great start to the week so far!

Lots of good stuff to share this week, so let’s dive right in!

After years of false starts and one very long wait, St. Pete finally has its answer. On July 3, Mayor Ken Welch named The Burg Bid, led by St. Pete's own Blake Investment Partners, as his pick to redevelop the 86-acre Historic Gas Plant District, the land underneath Tropicana Field.

We flagged this decision was coming in last week’s issue, and Welch didn't wait long after the holiday. Blake's offer stood out on the money: $275 million in cash for roughly 58 acres, the highest bid of the four finalists, with the city holding onto about a third of the land. The plan runs somewhere north of $8 billion and promises around 3,600 income-restricted housing units (though roughly half would go up off-site), a Woodson African American Museum of Florida, an event center, parks, retail, offices, hotels, and a trail honoring the history of the neighborhood that was cleared in the 1980s to build the Trop.

There's a senior-housing piece too: the Pinellas County Housing Authority will turn a nearby city lot into a seven-story, 94-unit affordable community connected to the Pinellas Trail.

It's not a done deal yet. The pick heads to the Community Benefits Advisory Council for two July meetings (one open to the public) before Welch negotiates terms and City Council takes a vote. But after everything this site has been through, it finally feels like a shovel might actually hit dirt.

I’ve written recently about the St. Pete spots that have been closing down, but the flip side of that coin is all the new businesses coming to town, and in some cases, replacing them. Here’s a roundup of a few recent openings and places that will be coming in the future!

Velvet Coupe opened June 4 at 25 9th St S in the EDGE District. It’s a marble-and-velvet wine lounge pouring sustainable and biodynamic wines by the coupe glass, with small plates and build-your-own charcuterie. The vibe is grown-up without being stuffy. Sunday–Tuesday 6–10pm, Wednesday–Saturday 6pm–midnight.

Also in the EDGE, Bouquet and Bordeaux is targeting a summer opening at 9 Dr. MLK Jr. St S. This one is a flower shop and wine bar under one roof, with a bloom studio, arranging workshops, and a sommelier-led bar. Pinellas native Leigh Catoe Tillman dreamed it up after visiting a floral cafe in Paris.

The Winfield just opened in the basement of Central Park Food Hall at 551 Central Ave. Dark. It’s a dark, moody 22-seat cocktail parlor built for experimental cocktails and upscale spirits. When we visited Central Park, they only had a few of their food concepts open, but they’re now up to 7 in addition to the speakeasy (more still coming). You can walk-in, but with limited seating, I’d try a reservation.

And looking ahead: Rreal Tacos out of Atlanta is taking over the old Red Mesa Cantina building at 128 3rd St S with a three-story concept: tacos on the ground floor, a mystery restaurant on the second, rooftop bar up top. Early 2027 target, so patience is required for that one.

In partnership with CentralPet Express Care.

St. Pete pet owners know that vet visits can’t always happen during normal business hours. CentralPet Express Care is here to solve that problem for you.

I know the classic struggle of after-hours vet care first hand. Our old boy knew exactly how to wait for 7pm on a Friday night to start throwing up, leaving us stuck between waiting for our vet to open back up on Monday or paying the hefty price for an ER visit.

With CentralPet, you don’t have to fret over that decision. They offer evening and weekend appointments, as well as walk-ins at very competitive prices. The staff are friendly and get you in and out quickly, offering high-quality care including routine checkups, diagnostic scans, labs, surgery, and more.

Conveniently located in the Edge District, this is a great primary care option for the downtown crowd, but even if you already have a vet, all St. Pete pet owners should bookmark CentralPet so you don’t have to scramble next time pet parenting throws you a curveball.

On top of that, the good folks over at CentralPet are running some specials right now:

CentralPet Express Care · 19 Dr. M.L.K. Jr St S

Ok, if you’ve been on social media at all over the past couple weeks (and good on you if you haven’t), then you’ve probably already seen Vinoy Park’s newest baby dolphin. But if you haven’t you’re in for a treat.

If you have some free time and can get downtown, I totally recommend walking along the waterfront to catch of glimpse of the calf, because it is so cute! You might think that the folks getting video of the little fella and its mom are just lucky, but anecdotally, I think you’ve got a great chance to see them on your first try.

We went looking in the middle of the afternoon on Sunday, walked right to the small gathering of people by the waters edge, and there they were! It seems like they’re spending a lot of time swimming back and forth between the seawall and sandbar just south of North Shore Park (where you can park if you go see them).

I love reminders of why caring for our nature and oceans is so important and so worth it! I took some video of my own, but it didn’t do justice to the real thing, so here’s some better footage!

Nesting season runs May through October on our beaches, and right about now the first batch of loggerhead eggs is starting to hatch. Hatchlings usually emerge about 60 days after the eggs are laid, which means the next few months bring wave after wave of tiny turtles scrambling for the Gulf.

Some areas, like St. Pete Beach, are seeing loggerhead nests down by 50% this season, with a significant increase in false crawls (when a female sea turtle crawls up the beach but leaves without laying eggs). According to Sea Turtle Trackers, this could be due to a variety of factors like beach renourishment, hotel guests leaving items (such as chairs) out at night, and bright lights from night shark fishing and beach patrols.

On the bright side, Clearwater Marine Aquarium says that their numbers look normal this season, which could point to the decrease being preventable.

Here is the assignment if you are on the sand at night: kill the lights, since artificial light pulls hatchlings away from the moonlit water and toward the roads. Fill in any holes you dig, flatten your sandcastles, and pack up your gear so nothing becomes a trap. Skip the flash photography. It’s all small stuff, but it’s the difference between a hatchling making it or not. And when there are fewer hatchlings, survival rates become all the more important!

🏗️ The Gas Plant pick now heads to the community. With Mayor Welch's selection of The Burg Bid in hand (see our lead story), the Community Benefits Advisory Council takes over this month, holding two July meetings — including one open to the public for feedback — before Welch negotiates final terms and sends the deal to City Council for a vote.

🗳️ The City Council ballot is getting crowded. With the August 18 primary approaching, candidates are piling into the open council races. District 6, being vacated by term-limited Gina Driscoll, has drawn the biggest field. It's all part of a historic 2026 ballot where St. Pete voters pick a U.S. Senator, Governor, Mayor, and City Council all at once.

🏛️ Council is back this week. After a summer recess, regular City Council meetings resume Thursday, July 9.

Want to spread the word about your business, a project you’re working on, an exciting event, a hiring opportunity, or just want to say hi to 11,000+ neighbors?

DINNER CLUB: July 29 only has 3 seats left! Reserve your seat while you can! Especially if you’re a guy 😁. If you applied to be an ambassador, I’ll be reaching out soon to assign some for the upcoming dinner!

HEATHER TEE: Hand designed by my wife and ready to be your new favorite tee. Get it in your size for a flattering fit or order it oversized to rock it as a beach coverup. Get yours.

CATCH OF THE DAY: Adopt Kira the dog or Abbot the cat. See them here.

FLIGHT DEAL: TPA → Ketchikan, AK. $436 round trip in August (53% less than usual). Misty Fiords, wildlife, and totem poles.

‘BURG ABODES: Tuscan farmhouse on Tierra Verde. $11,000,000 | 7bd 9.5ba | 12,046 sqft. This one is WILD. Let’s crowdfund and buy it as a timeshare?

LAST WEEK’S SCRAMBLE: Fireworks

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If your summer's leaning sober-curious (or you just want something interesting in the glass that isn't another seltzer), this one's for you. Tampa Bay's functional bottle shop Herban Flow is bringing back its High & Dry Festival (billed as Florida's largest 21+ functional and non-alcoholic tasting event) to The Coliseum this Saturday.

Your ticket gets you unlimited samples from 50+ brands: N/A beers and wines, mocktails, kava, and adaptogenic and mushroom elixirs. Whether you're fully sober, taking a break, or just curious what the fuss is about, it's the easiest way to find your new go-to for the nights you're skipping alcohol but still want something worth drinking. Both GA and VIP include unlimited tastings. Ages 21+.

Get tickets.

Voodoo Brewing Co. Trivia Night | Voodoo Brewing Co. | Jul 8, 7:00 PM | Free
Weekly Wednesday trivia night with DJ Robin

Trivia Wednesdays at The Bier Boutique | The Bier Boutique | Jul 8, 7-10pm | Free
Weekly trivia with craft beer

Makers + Shakers Night Market | 800 31st St S, St. Petersburg | Jul 9, 5-9pm | Free
Local makers night market

Art After Dark: A Jazz Night with Fern & Friends | Museum of Fine Arts St. Petersburg | Jul 9, 5-8pm | Free - $16 🎟️
After-hours jazz at MFA

Flick & Splash | Fossil Park Pool | Fossil Park Pool | Jul 10, 7-10pm | Free
Family movie night at the pool

Dome After Dark: Surreal Nature at The Dali | The Dali | Jul 10, 5:30 PM | $25-29 🎟️
Friday night surreal nature experience

Spain vs Belgium Watch Party at Jannus | Jannus Live | Jul 10, 2:00 PM | Free
World Cup viewing party outdoors

American Stage Presents: Beach Please | American Stage | Jul 11, 7-9pm | $38 🎟️
Summer cabaret beach show

The Clay Co-op's 4th Anniversary Celebration | The Clay Co-Op | Jul 11, 6-10pm | Free
Pottery studio anniversary party

Second Saturday ArtWalk | Warehouse Arts District & Central Arts District | Jul 11, 5-9pm | Free
Monthly gallery hop

Creative Cyanotype Printing Workshop | Morean Arts Center | Jul 11, 1:30-4:30pm | $85 🎟️
Sun-print photography workshop

Build A Bird at Boyd Hill | Boyd Hill Nature Preserve | Jul 11, 1-2:30pm | Free 🎟️
Bird adaptation activity for families

Habitat Hike at Boyd Hill | Boyd Hill Nature Preserve | Jul 11, 10-11:30am | $5 🎟️
Ranger-led habitat exploration hike

Kenwood Sunday Market | 2501 5th Ave N | Jul 12, 10am-2pm | Free
Sunday neighborhood market in Kenwood

St. Pete Indie Flea Summer Series | 535 4th Ave N, St. Petersburg | Jul 12, 12:00 PM | Free
Indoor maker & vintage market

Maker Mondays: Watercolor Jellyfish Painting | FloridaRAMA | Jul 13, 6–8pm | $45 🎟️
Beginner watercolor jellyfish painting

Love Island Watch Party at Ferg's | Ferg's Sports Bar | Jul 14, 9-10pm | Free
Weekly Love Island watch party

Want to see the full list of events this weekend and in the coming months? Plus, local shows and concerts coming up? Peep the new Event Calendar page.

Looking for details on markets this week?

Thanks so much for reading! As always, you can reply directly to this email with any feedback.

Stay Sunny,
Josh