Starbucks to open a new store in Kenwood

Starbucks is planning to serve its lattes and Frappucinos in St. Pete’s Kenwood neighborhood. 

Plans filed with the city show a drive-thru-only Starbucks that would be built on the northeast corner of 9th Avenue North and 34th Street, which previously housed an Exxon Mobile gas station.

The future Starbucks site at 3355 9th Ave., St. Petersburg. Images: City of St. Petersburg documents.

Site plans and elevations show the 1,130-square-foot coffee shop would be one story, although the site allows for a two-story structure. 

The two parcels at 3355 9th Ave. are owned by Catfish Real Estate LLC, according to Pinellas County property records. The developer is Tampa Acquisitions Inc., which is connected to Brandon gas station owner Bill McKnight. 

The elevations for Starbucks. 

Under the lease terms with Starbucks, the landlord would be responsible for additional work such as the installation of rooftop HVAC systems and interior buildout. The plans do not show any indoor or outdoor seating. 

The project team includes Pasco County-based FWH Architects Inc. and the Ohio-based GDP Group Inc. consultant firm. 

Site plan for Starbucks. 

The city has not yet approved the filed plans. 

“There are three building applications in process which are waiting on applicant’s response to comments from numerous disciplines,” staff in the city’s planning and development services department said via email. 

One of the changes includes the addition of a pedestrian pick-up window.

Starbucks has an existing footprint in the city with shops at 8801 4th St. N., 8151 Dr. MLK Jr. St. N., 4946 4th St. N., 900 4th St. N., 2190 34th St. N. and many other locations. 

The Seattle coffee chain isn’t the only operator expanding its local presence. 

West Coast-based Dutch Bros Coffee plans to open a South Tampa shop at 3616 W. Ballast Point Blvd. The Dutch Bros drive-thru site will also not have in-store seating. 

Sources familiar with the coffee chain said they are interested in opening locations in St. Petersburg. 

Meanwhile, the city already has a flourishing coffee scene with non-chain companies such as Black Crow Coffee Co., Bandit, Patrona Coffee and The Blend Coffee and Cocktails, which plans to open several more shops in St. Petersburg.