Out with the old: The Dome Grill at 561 Central Ave. has closed

Out with the old … and in with the new.

The developments on Central Avenue in St. Pete keep coming, and long-time tenants keep leaving. Some call it gentrification, others call it the consequences of competition.

The latest in the changing tides: The Dome Grill.

The Dome Grill operated at 561 Central Avenue for 25 years – until this week. On June 10, owner Michael Karamalakos shared via the restaurant’s Facebook page that the restaurant has closed and the building that housed it has been sold.

The Dome Grill’s post nicely sums the community’s feelings toward the controversial breakfast staple’s closing, “We have nothing but love and respect for those who showed us the same, our loyal customers. To everyone else, thank you for the free advertisement. All advertisement is good advertisement, Hasta la Vista folks!!!”

While some loyal customers took to Facebook to express shock and disappointment, the nod to “everyone else” rekindles memories of the shady reputation The Dome Grill had, and the times it was closed due to health code violations, most recently in April 2018 and October of 2017.

Regardless of one’s feelings about the restaurant’s spotted history, the question remains – what will become of 561 Central Ave.?

Central Avenue has undergone an extensive transformation over the last few years, with many older businesses making way for new projects and expansions, including a second location of Craft Kafe, the James Museum of Western & Wildlife Art, and the Chihuly collection’s major move. Not to mention the flip of the 600 and 700 blocks to welcome numerous new projects like the highly anticipated Station House Arcade, Maple Street Biscuit Co. and many more.

The times they are a-changing – fast.