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Raymond James reshuffles leadership

St. Petersburg-based Raymond James Financial has named a new leader of its Western Division. Effective Oct. 1, Bert White, who was running Raymond James and Associates’ Florida region, will take over as head of the Western Division. White will be replacing Pat Allison, who is retiring this year. The new leadership comes as the firm is reorganizing Raymond James and Associates to better align with Alex. Additionally, the firm announced last week that Clearwater-based firm Keybridge Wealth Management, which has $350 million of assets under management, will be joining Raymond James Financial. 

New restaurant opens at the Vinoy

An outdoor Latin American restaurant, Parasol, is now open at the Vinoy Resort and Golf Club in downtown St. Petersburg. The new eatery overlooks the historic hotel’s pool area and offers views of Tampa Bay. “As the resort’s thoughtful renovations continue, Parasol elevates the Vinoy as an inviting and stylish social hub welcoming both resort guests and the local community,” said General Manager Vanessa Williams in a prepared statement.

Kids clothing shop, portrait studio opens

Little Llamas Children’s Boutique recently opened at 2319 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. St. N. in St. Petersburg. Jon and Alison Brett, St. Pete natives, recently launched the shop to provide a local and environmentally friendly alternative to big box stores. Alison previously founded Little Llamas Portraits, and the boutique also features a photography studio.

Rowdies assistant will join Collins in England

Tampa Bay Rowdies assistant coach Jonathan Stead will join head coach Neill Collins’ staff for Barnsley FC in the English Football League One. Rowdies officials announced Thursday that Collins was leaving the team following Saturday night’s match at Al Lang Stadium. Like Collins, Stead enjoyed a lengthy playing career in England before joining the Rowdies.

Caddy’s closes Gulfport restaurant

The Caddy’s Gulfport restaurant is now permanently closed, according to a sign on the property. Caddy's opened the Gulfport site at 3128 Beach Blvd. S. in 2019. Caddy's has not yet announced the closure on its social media pages. The seafood chain has existing restaurants in Bradenton, Treasure Island, Madeira Beach, John’s Pass and Indian Shores. 

St. Pete’s Acropolis Greek Taverna closes

After 12 years on Central Avenue, Acropolis Greek Taverna’s owners have shuttered their downtown St. Petersburg location. A July 3 social media post attributed the closure to "unforeseen circumstances." The post stated that "We don’t say goodbye, we say see you later! Hopefully, very soon!"

Tampa Bay home prices slightly decrease

According to a recent housing report by Realtor.com, the average listing price for homes in the Tampa Bay metro area decreased by 1% from June 2022. The slight drop coincided with a 30% increase in active listings. Austin recorded the most significant year-over-year decrease, at 6.8%. 

St. Pete condo is an ‘Ultimate House Hunt’ finalist

Two Tampa Bay homes are finalists in HGTV's annual "Ultimate House Hunt” promotion in the “Downtown Dwellings” category. The month-long online competition allows people to vote on their favorite homes for sale. Among the finalists is a condominium in One St. Petersburg at 100 1st Ave. N., and a unit in The Residences at the Tampa Edition at 1000 Water St. To vote, visit the website here.

New yoga studio debuts

A new yoga studio has opened at 131 22nd St. S., across from 3 Daughters Brewing. The new studio, dubbed Beach Town Yoga, will have a grand opening celebration this Saturday, July 8, inside the 2,132-square-foot warehouse. The yoga classes are funded through donations from participants. 

Mayor declares July as BIPOC mental health month

St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch will proclaim July as Bebe Moore Campbell National BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and People of Color) Mental Health Awareness Month in the city. The declaration aligns with a national movement to increase awareness, promote understanding and provide support for mental health issues among minority populations. The Miller Auditorium at Eckerd College will host a presentation at 9 a.m. Friday, July 7. To register, visit the website here.

Audit shows county finances ‘in strong shape’

According to a June audit, Pinellas County's debt per capita remains well below six comparable county governments across the state, "continuing a long-term trend." County officials have no general fund debt, which Clerk of Court and Comptroller Ken Burke called a rarity in Florida. The independent audit showed that Pinellas also has "healthy reserves."

Bridge connecting NE Park and Shore Acres opens

The 40th Avenue Bridge, which replaced the previous bridge and connects the neighborhoods of Northeast Park and Shore Acres in St. Petersburg, is now open to traffic, according to a Wednesday LinkedIn post from the Orion Marine Group. "This historic structure, which has been the center of community discussions since August 2017, revealed hidden structural issues that required immediate emergency repairs and subsequent closure. As the repair process unfolded, further deterioration was uncovered, prompting city officials to determine the need for an entirely new bridge," according to the project description. The bridge replacement design focused on three key factors: user safety, accessibility and aesthetics.

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