Story by STEVE TRAIMAN
As the Covid-19 pandemic continues its course, there are some bright spots for the Gulf Beach communities to downtown St. Pete and Pinellas County.
Governor Opening Florida in Steps
As Paradise News went to press, Gov. Ron DeSantis on April 30 issued Executive Orders #111 and #112 after brief remarks about re-opening the state Monday, May 4, “safely, smartly and step-by-step.” Order #111 retains all current restrictions on Vacation Rentals in all communities. Order #112 states “No bar seating with establishments serving food; 25% of allowable indoor space AND outdoor dining groups of 10 or less 6 feet apart. RETAIL establishments can reopen with 25% of allowable occupancy at any one time.” The Governor emphasized, “Fear is our enemy, and we can persevere working together!”
The state of Florida and Pinellas County have both formed “Look Ahead” panels including scientists, health officials, educators and key politicians to frame some excellent guidelines for all size and type of businesses; at least one new eatery is opening and a number of local restaurants have been offering carryout with curbside pick-up and/or delivery; the St. Pete Beach Library restoration project was approved by the Commission and staff is working with movers to relocate to temporary quarters nearby; both Visit St. Pete/Clearwater and VISIT Florida are gearing up with post-pandemic campaigns to revive tourism.
Robin Miller, CEO and president of the Tampa Bay Beaches Chamber of Commerce, has done an excellent job of keeping members and the community up to date on state and local progress toward reopening for business.
She told Paradise News, “We have attended several informative ‘Phase REOPEN’ calls. Please see this link: www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Guidelines-for-Opening-Up-America-Again.pdf from the White House and the CDC, via the US Chamber of Commerce. It is easy to read and provides good information.
“Key point is that all businesses should continue to REIMAGINE operations while we wait for the ‘GO’ to re-open:
- Is your business cleaned and ready for a phased opening?
- Have you reviewed your services, your products or your customer interaction strategies?
- If you have dining rooms or gathering areas; have you considered a different layout for social distancing?
“I also sat in on the recently formed State of Florida Re-Open Task Force call on April 21. There is an impressive group representing all sectors to begin the very important and vital work to execute a proper phase in to restarting our FL economy.
“If you or your business have any ideas or suggestions, you can email them to me at robin@tampabaybeaches.com and I will put a list together to gain support.”
On April 24, she reported, “The TBBCoC REOPEN task force recently met; developed some suggestions and sent them to the state and the county. We will update members as we know more on this approaching and anticipated date to reopen the state.
“It’s also important for all business owners to click the link below and make the time to listen; this is a deep dive from experts on what you can do and answers your (pre-taped) questions: www.uschamber.com/co/events/virtual/national-small-business-town-hall-small-business-resources.
Doug Izzo, Chamber Legislative Affairs Director, added, “VISIT FLORIDA is a public/private partnership that gets state funds and was renewed until Oct 1, 2023 at $50 million in funding for fiscal 2020-21. However, all of Visit St. Pete/Clearwater’s (VSPC) money comes from the bed tax user fee created by hotels. Only hotel guests pay the fee that also helps pay for beach renourishment, dune walks-overs and more.”
VSPC Boosts ‘Brighter Days Ahead’
Mackenzie Comerer, VSPC Senior Media Relations Manager, confirmed to Paradise News that while January and February saw record bed tax revenue, it has dropped significantly since early March.
“The team had been working on a major campaign to capture the optimism and vibrancy of the destination, while taking a pause from our regular advertising campaign. ‘Brighter Days Ahead’ was announced to VSPC partners March 31.
“Through this messaging, we aim to share our commitment to safe travel while remaining optimistic about the future and passionate about all that St. Pete/Clearwater has to offer.
“We have curated a suite of creative assets under this new theme – including digital, social and email graphics – that are available immediately for any local business to use online at www.marketing.visitspc.com/acton/ct/40563/s-0060-2003/Bct/l-0019/l-0019:8a9/ct3_0/1?sid=TV2%3AgisE5Imgd.
“You’ll also find key messaging points and content resources, including a link to www.vspc.info where you’ll have access to COVID-19 related information, local business guides and engaging online activities for your customers. This robust industry partner site has specific COVID-19 resources below:
• Crisis Management Resources
• COVID-19 Industry Resources
• COVID-19 Employee Resources
• COVID-19 Business Resources
“Our aim is to always promote safe, responsible travel and, with that in mind, we have decided to pause our existing paid media campaign in favor of a new direction with ‘Brighter Days Ahead’.”
Library Looking Forward!
On April 14, the St. Pete Beach city commissioners gave approval to move forward on a long-awaited library renovation project with a $2,121,771 guaranteed maximum price proposal with Hennessey Construction Services. The St. Pete-based firm celebrates its 100th year Centennial in 2020, with long-time employee Mark Stalker buying the firm in 2017, keeping it locally owned. He said, “Our culture and our people make our company successful. We have a legacy of providing the best in class customer services to clients and our talented staff makes this customer-first philosophy a reality.”
Library Administrator Betcinda Kettells told Paradise News, “The next step in the process is to move the library into a temporary space while we renovate the 50-year-old building at 365 73rd Ave. The temporary library will be located at 7470 Gulf Blvd., just two blocks away from our current location and adjacent to the popular P.J.’s Oyster Bar. The temporary site will house all your favorite materials including large and regular print books, audio books in a variety of formats, music, DVDs, newspapers, and magazines. Of course, that’s not all your library provides. We’ll have computers, printers, copiers, museum passes, ukuleles, puzzles, honor books, and the ever-popular Friends of the Library bookstore selections for purchase at unbelievably low prices. We’re excited about the new digs and look forward to seeing you again.
“Looking further down the road, you will be welcomed back to our renovated building and see a grand transformation. Here’s a partial list of what will be refurbished: roof, ceiling, lighting, shelving, furniture, and carpet. Our intent is to return this mid-century modern gem back to its original glory and evoke the feel of the time with furniture, colors, and font styles that exemplify the 1950’s and early 60’s. The building has achieved historic status and we want to honor that past as we move forward. We hope to welcome you to a grand-reopening party by the end of the year.
“In the meantime, please know that your library offers many services digitally, including eBooks, audiobooks, comic books, music, movies, educational materials and more! Visit our webpage www.SPBLibrary.com for the latest information on the move, all our digital services and the re-opening!”
Local Restaurants Coping
Fo’Cheezy partners Craig Munroe and chef Robert Hesse met about 20 years ago and kept in touch, Craig told Paradise News. “He came to me about eight months ago with the concept for ‘Meltz’ (see April cover feature) that sounded good to me. I ended my A Slice of New York pizza operation and we started with the psychedelic food truck. After 17 booked events were canceled just before our planned debut in March, we were lucky that Mastry’s was excited about having the truck in front of their St. Pete Beach brewery, now open Fridays & Saturdays. We had bought the former Fetishes building at 6305 Gulf Blvd. in St. Pete Beach and are busy converting it for a planned mid-May opening. It will seat about 50 with counter ordering and delivery to the table. Initially it will be for curbside pickup and delivery to SPB, Treasure Island, South Pasadena and Gulfport.
Menu will be available at www.focheezy.com/menu with a call to order at 727-498-3205. After the restaurant opens, the Food Truck will continue operating under manager Matt Crowley, whose family owned Crowley’s Irish Pub in downtown St. Pete for many years. Ryan Broder, owner and butcher of the Bayway Country Store & Butcher Shop on the Pinellas Bayway at 5401 Leeland St. S, St. Petersburg, near Point Brittany, said, “Thanks to the support of Paradise News and local community we are proud to still offer a fully stocked service meat and seafood case. Included is our featured $41.99 Fresh Pack for two that includes two 5-6 oz. Bacon-Wrapped Filet Mignon, 1 lb. Extra Lean Ground Beef, two Center Cut Boneless Pork Chops, two Pork or Chicken Dijon, 1 lb. Bacon or Sausage, two Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts, two Chicken Cordon Bleu or Other Chicken Rolls. See the menu online at www.baywaycountrystore.net, with a call for orders to 727-867-7507.
Middle Grounds Grill opened in August 2005 at 10925 Gulf Blvd. on Treasure Island. Owner Dan Coover noted for Paradise News “it’s the second landmark restaurant at that site for our family, which operated Robby’s Pancake House there from 1973. After closing down for a week in March, now we’re open Thursday-Sunday with a limited menu for curbside pick-up between 4 and 8pm. Our original menu did not lend itself to take-out, but we came up with an appetizing selection. We offer delivery south to the Don Cesar in St. Pete Beach, and South Pasadena; north to the end of Madeira Beach; and to the Tyrone Blvd. area. Menu is on Facebook at www.facebook.com/middlegroundsgrill, with a call for curbside pickup and/or delivery to 727-360-4253.
Chill Restaurant & Bar at 357 Corey Ave. in St. Pete Beach since early March has two curbside pick-up menus on its Facebook page, manager Matthew LaLumiere reports. Sunday Funday menu from 10am to 5pm offers brunch favorites including omelets and sandwiches … From 4 to 9pm Mondays, a Prime Rib special is featured, and Thursday-Saturday the new menu includes meatloaf, other Chill favorites, tacos, fajitas, soup, salads, wings and burgers as highlights. A beautiful new Mermaid Mural was added on the patio. Call ahead to order at 727-360-2445 with Menu available online at www.facebook.com/chillrestaurant.
Bayou Catering opened in 2009 and the Market opened last September at 6630 Central Ave. in St. Pete, according to owner David Bilyeu. “We are going to take a year to keep the Market going as we figure out what will work best. Now we offer cafeteria-style meals and prepared frozen foods to go, with on-site party platters available. Our original catering operation had been doing well over the years with a lot of corporate business in the tri-county area – Pinellas, Hillsborough and Manatee. We feel it will snap back faster than the newer retail side. We lost a lot of graduation parties, and it’s the height of our crawfish season with canceled festivals. We’re doing takeout with curbside pickup from the Market from 4 to 7 pm, Monday through Friday, with hot items and others for the cooler or freezer. Menu available at www.thebayoumarket.com/menu with a call to order to 727-914-7500 or 727-644-7805.”
Marquise Café opened at 2525 Pasadena Ave. S in South Pasadena in November and was off to a good start with its French menu of crepes and other specialties, owners Phillippe Florimond and Gwenola De Bouard De Lafore told Paradise News. “Since early March it’s been very tough and we’re asking customers to buy gift cards of any price to help keep us going. We are open with a limited menu for curbside pickup, Tuesday through Sunday from 8am to 2pm, with the menu online at www.marquisecafe.com with order calls to 727-367-2233
or 1-904-760-9772.”
Sesto Ramadori opened Da Sesto Italiano at 7201 66th St. N in Pinellas Park in February 2017 after owning Florida Pasta Co. for 10 years and several Montreal restaurants before that. He told Paradise News “We’ve been able to keep on about 12 of our 25 employees for take-out business with curbside pickup Tuesday through Sunday from 3 to 8pm. They all agreed to a partner system and share 5% of all sales, off about 75% since the shutdown began, and all tips. One big help has been our ‘Pay It Forward’ fund with many customers getting a 30% discount for their donation orders. As an example, we fed 230 meals to the Pinellas Park Sunstar EMS on April 12. Our full menu is available plus a limited grocery list, cocktails and a retail wine list. Menu is on the website at www.DaSesto.com with a call to 727-209-2695 for orders.”
Joy Xayavong opened Nori Thai about eight years ago at 7612 Blind Pass R. in St. Pete Beach and added Basil Leaf Thai Sushi Bar at
6395 Gulf Blvd. SPB about two years ago, she told Paradise News. Nori Thai is open Monday to Friday 11:30am to 2:30pm, and all 7 days from 4:30 to 10pm. Menu features a variety of homemade Thai dishes, authentic Japanese specialties and some of the freshest sushi on the Gulf Beaches. See the full menu online at www.norithai.com, call to order at
727-367-6535. Basil Leaf is open from 2-10 pm 7 days a week. Menu includes appetizers, sushi, special rolls, lunch specials, and dinners, plus a kids’ menu. Full menu online at www.basilthaisushibar.com with a takeout call to 727-360-4000. Joy said, “We’ve been able to keep on most of our staff at both sites, and business has been OK since the shift around March 15. We’re hanging in there till this is over!”
The original Pipo’s Cuban Cuisine was opened in Tampa in 1979 by Ramon Hernandez Sr., his son Ramon told Paradise News. He said, “The first Pinellas location opened in 2009 to currently now three locations with only 9531 Bay Pines Blvd. open now for drive-thru pickup Monday-Saturday from 9am-9pm and Sunday from 9am-8pm. Menu is available online at www.pipos1979.com, with orders called in to 727-394-7476. Once we can, we hope to reopen our Pipo’s To Go North at 84th St. North, and Pipo’s To Go South at 642 22nd Street South in the historic Manhattan Casino building along with our Callaloo restaurant and larger group party room upstairs. Our business is down about 70% since the pandemic hit. but we had a carryout business with a loyal local clientele in place to sustain some business. We’ve been able to keep our three main managers on part-time and just like everyone else, are looking forward to getting back soon to ‘near normal’.”
Everyone at Paradise News hopes this look ahead will provide a lot of good information as we all expect to see a lot more light at the end of this tunnel!
[Editor’s Note: special thanks to Robin Miller and Doug Izzo at the TBBCofC; Mackenzie Comerer at VSP/C; Betcinda Kettells at the SPB Public Library; and the many local restaurant owners who need your support.]
[Steve Traiman is President of Creative Copy by Steve Traiman, St. Pete Beach, providing business writing services at traimancreativecopy@gmail.com or by phone to 727-363-7531.]