Church to open community café on Central Avenue

Pinellas Park-based Good Samaritan Church, in partnership with the Recovery Epicenter Foundation, recently purchased a 3,150 sq.ft. building in St. Pete’s Grand Central District. The sale price was $1,225,000. 

The owners plan to use the space at 1940 Central Ave. to open Beloved Community Café, a nonprofit social outreach concept where visitors pay what they can. Additionally, the new complex will include a worship center for Sunday brunch services and events.  

It will also be home to a membership-based recovery center run by the Recovery Epicenter Foundation. The Foundation plans to offer wellness programs and recovery circles, among other activities. 

Before Good Samaritan and the Recovery Epicenter Foundation took ownership of the building, it was operated by a consignment shop. 1940 Central’s sale was handled by Smith & Associates Real Estate; realtor Pat Calhoon said the property was sold in about 75 days.

In September 2023, Good Samaritan sold its former location at 6085 Park Blvd. for approximately $2.3 million to King of Peace Metropolitan Community Church. The sale funded the new acquisition.  

“This is a big move for us to move to St Pete,” explained Reverend Jen Daysa, Pastor of Good Samaritan Church. She believes that the café will help spread the Church’s mission and grow its congregation. 

“We’re still developing partnerships,we’re interviewing some contractors and design groups right now and hoping to open in about six to eight months,” Daysa said.Beloved Community Café will be Good Samaritan’s church home.

The church’s goal with the café is to extend “radical hospitality” and create an environment that is welcoming to all, Daysa said. “Our hope is not only do people come and get fed, but people come and find community.” 

Good Samaritan welcomes people of all backgrounds, ethnicities, sexual orientations, genders and faiths.

Daysa explained that the café will have volunteer hosts who will offer to sit down and spend time with guests, if they so choose. “No one eats alone unless they want to at Beloved Community Café,” she said. “It’ll be a place for if you’re lonely you can definitely come find people to be with you.” 

Good Samaritan is a progressive, inclusive, union church between the United Church of Christ and the Presbyterian Church USA. It has served the Pinellas Park community since 1911. The church is recognized for its emphasis on supporting the LGBTQ+ community, anti-racism efforts and hunger relief.