P.F. Chang’s is planning to open a takeout-only concept in St. Pete, a first for the Tampa Bay area. A map on P.F. Chang's website shows the restaurant would be located at the intersection of 5th Street S. and Charles Court S. The chain started opening the to-go-only concepts during the pandemic. P.F. Chang's has existing full-operating restaurants in Tampa at the Westshore Plaza and in Clearwater.
According to a report released Tuesday from Redfin, the U.S. cities with the largest influx of new residents during the pandemic now have the highest rates of inflation. Four metro areas experienced double-digit year-over-year inflation hikes in the second quarter of 2022 - Phoenix (11.3%), Atlanta (10.9%), Tampa Bay (10.6%) and Miami (10%). All four were also among the most popular for relocation by Redfin users, with Miami and Tampa Bay leading the pack. Conversely, cities with a significant outflow of residents during the pandemic have comparatively low levels of inflation. San Francisco was the lowest at 5.6%, followed by New York at 5.9%.
St. Petersburg-based BayFirst National Bank, formerly known as First Home Bank, has launched a new SBA-backed loan program that will expedite loan approvals for small businesses across the country, delivering funding within days instead of weeks. The program, called BOLT loans, are ideal for established business owners who have been in operation for at least two years, require an SBA 7(a) loan up to $150,000, and have good personal and business credit scores. Rates for most borrowers are currently 7.5% (prime and 2.75%, adjusting quarterly), with a 10-year term, according to BayFirst's news release.
The David A. Straz Center's ongoing production of the musical comedy Nunsense: A-Men has been postponed through July 31, because a member of the company has tested positive for Covid-19. Performances will resume the week of Aug. 1; additional performances have been through Aug. 14. Ticketholders are asked to call the box office at 813.229.7827 to make adjustments.
ESPN reported Tuesday evening that MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred said he prefers the Tampa Bay Rays to build a new stadium on Tampa’s side of the bay, but a potential site is not the only determining factor. Manfred said that he “always thought that a stadium on the other side of the causeway would be preferable in some respects, but there’s a variety of factors that have to be taken into account in terms of determining if you’re going to be in St. Pete or in Tampa.” Manfred added that potential financing, site availability and how quickly construction can commence will guide the decision-making process. The commissioner noted he has not spoken with Rays owner Stuart Sternberg for an update in recent weeks.
The man caught on camera burning an African flag with a flamethrower was arrested on July 7, according to the St. Petersburg Police Department. Police charged Kenny Raymond with criminal mischief and initiated a Risk Protection Order process. The incident occurred at the Uhuru House community center on 18th Ave. S. in St. Petersburg, and surveillance cameras show a large stream of fire shooting out of the flamethrower toward the flag. Some Uhuru members felt that the man should have received more serious charges.
RockHouse Live International, a hybrid, live and virtual entertainment-themed restaurant and venue, will open a new location in downtown St. Petersburg, according to a news release. The exact address was not disclosed. The St. Petersburg venue will have indoor and outdoor seating, a full kitchen and a full liquor bar. It will also use technologies from its publicly traded sister company, VNUE Inc., which records live events and music. The venue has a flagship location in Clearwater Beach. "For the last year I have had so many people come to me and ask if we were going to put a location there, and I am very happy to finally say that we are! Downtown St. Pete is an amazing, vibrant hub, and we are looking forward to bringing our delicious food, our music, and our vibe to this eclectic and fast-growing area, and becoming an integral part of the community," founder Zach Bair said in a press release.
The Tampa Bay Rowdies extended their unbeaten streak to 10 matches Saturday night, after beating the Loudon United FC 4-1 in Leesburg, Virginia. The two teams entered halftime scoreless before the Rowdies' offense exploded with four goals in the second half. The Rowdies now sit just three points behind Louisville City FC for first place in the USL Championship’s Eastern Conference. Tampa Bay returns home to Al Lang Stadium to face the Atlanta United 2 on Saturday, July 23, at 7:30 p.m.
The Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative announced Monday that St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch will be one of 40 mayors from around the world who will participate in the yearlong education and professional development program. The program is designed to equip mayors with the leadership and management tools to tackle complex challenges in their cities and improve the quality of life of their residents. “I am honored to have been selected to join this year’s cohort of Mayors and global leaders,” Welch said in the city's news release. “It is a great opportunity to tell St. Pete’s story; and exchange ideas and develop resources that will help us achieve our vision of inclusive prosperity for all.” The mayors will convene in New York City this week for a four-day, immersive classroom experience and convening. Two senior leaders from each of the cities will also participate in the program and begin their classroom experience in August.
British motorsports publication The Race published a report Friday stating that St. Petersburg is in the running to host the only Formula E race held in the United States next year. Conceived in Paris in 2011 and launched in 2014, Formula E is similar to Formula One and IndyCar racing - except the cars utilize powerful electric motors. According to the report, St. Petersburg’s downtown IndyCar street course emerged as a prime candidate to host the series in March 2022. New York has hosted Formula E’s only North American competition for the last five seasons. However, the cruise industry is taking over portions of that circuit’s infrastructure. The Race states that talks between organizers and Formula E officials for St. Petersburg to host the event the week before the Grand Prix are ongoing. IndyCar and Formula E team owner Michael Andretti also told the publication that talks “are possibly happening.” Formula E CEO Jamie Reigle said St. Pete is among the tracks of interest for future races and noted the logistical advantages of sharing the venue with IndyCar.
Riding a nine-game winning streak, the Tampa Bay Rowdies head to Leesburg, Virginia, for a match against the Loudon United FC. Saturday’s matchup marks the first meeting of the season for the two clubs, with the Rowdies emerging victorious in all four meetings last year. Tampa Bay has also played well away from Al Lang Stadium, losing just one road game this season. On Thursday, Rowdies veteran Leo Fernandes, the longest-tenured player on the squad, was named USL Championship Player of the Month. Fernandes found the net five times in five appearances for Tampa Bay, as the team went unbeaten through June. The Rowdies now sit in third place of the USL Eastern Conference, just two points behind second-place Memphis 901 and three points behind first-place Louisville City.
More than a dozen vendors will be at the St. Pete Pier Sunday, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., with soft served ice cream, craft scoop ice cream, gelatos, popsicles, and more (for sale). The Pier is celebrating National Ice Cream Day. More information is available here.
