South St. Pete’s ‘The Cat’ celebrates two years of success 

Jason Bryant said he wanted to create more than just a new bar when he opened The Catalyst on the Deuces. He and his business partners have accomplished that mission.

The speakeasy-esque lounge and restaurant, colloquially known as “the Cat,” celebrates its second anniversary this weekend. Getting to this point was no easy task, as the business has endured typical growing pains and some that are unique to South St. Petersburg.

“Despite the little turbulence you get with people drinking and just kind of Southside St. Pete stuff, we’re still sticking to what we set out to be, which is a catalyst in that neighborhood,” Bryant said. “And making sure people know there’s something to do over here. 

“I don’t know if you noticed, but there’s a lot of little businesses popping up around there, which is what we wanted.” 

One in three bars fail within the first year. The culturally significant 22nd Street South corridor was once a thriving business district; the predominantly Black area known as the Deuces also fell on hard times following desegregation. 

Elihu and Carolyn Brayboy helped lead the Deuces renaissance with Chief’s Creole Cafe and various other business ventures. Elihu, 77, told the St. Pete Catalyst that he wanted young entrepreneurs to lease the site and “take it to another level” when he closed the restaurant in April 2023. 

Bryant and fellow St. Petersburg native Jeffrey Copeland stepped up to the plate. They enlisted brothers Chris, Sheldon and Andrew Steele, owners of Sid’s Caribbean Grill. Dan Soronen is also a business partner. 

The team has transformed the cafe at 903 22nd St. S. into a weekday networking space and popular lounge with an expansive outdoor patio. They built a full stage to accommodate performances. Sid’s operates from the location, and local food trucks serve late-night patrons. 

The Catalyst’s courtyard has evolved exponentially over the past two years.

Bryant compared the Catalyst on the Deuces to the Southside’s version of Cheers, a fictional bar immortalized in an eponymous 1980s sitcom. “So, that feels good,” he said. 

“Obviously, there’s still some work to do, but it definitely feels good,” Bryant continued. “We’re just trying to make it very clear that we are here to make a positive impact in the surrounding area, including this place.” 

The Catalyst has implemented several security measures and closes at midnight instead of 3 a.m. Still, negative connotations persist in South St. Pete. 

“We were having some issues with people getting into fights, so I’m pretty sure a lot of people thought we were about to get shut down,” Bryant said. “I definitely think there was some doubting there, which is somewhat understandable.” 

He noted that some people associate any negative incidents on the Deuces with the Catalyst. Bryant called that “the annoying part” and said he can “definitely tell the difference” between perceptions of Black businesses and other establishments. 

However, he does not relish proving the naysayers wrong. Bryant said he and his partners focus on ensuring supporters remain happy. “Honestly, that’s really where we put most of our energy.” 

His team continues reinvesting in the facility, particularly its courtyard. Bryant said area residents appreciate their efforts to maximize the space and unify the community. 

The venue frequently showcases local artists and now hosts painting events for customers. While the Catalyst encourages drinking and dancing, Bryant wants patrons to connect and realize “this isn’t just a club.” 

He is also “still in awe” over the Catalyst’s popularity. “Sometimes I walk in there in the middle of the day, and there is a whole party going on,” Bryant added. “And it has nothing to do with us. We’re just open and consistent.” 

Painting events have proved popular with the surrounding community.

The Catalyst, true to its underlying mission, will kick off its anniversary with a community clean-up event today until noon. Bryant said over 100 volunteers, mostly loyal customers and their children, will participate. Several local businesses have donated supplies. 

Customers can then receive free food, non-alcoholic drinks and Robinson’s Italian Ice until 4 p.m. Bryant pledged that the team has a “nice, little community surprise” they will unveil at 6 p.m. 

He said the Brayboys, who also own multiple neighboring properties, now realize the group’s vision for the Deuces Corner and appreciate the ongoing revitalization. The Catalyst also collaborates with other tenants in the area, like Heavy’s Restaurant. 

Bryant wants supporters to know that there “is no Catalyst without them, at least not the way it is today.” He said it is the community’s third space after home and work. 

“They know it’s their haven,” Bryant said. “And we appreciate our family.”