Demolition of the former Ringside Cafe venue, built in 1912. Credit: Phil Bardi

Demolition of the former Ringside Cafe venue, built in 1912. Credit: Phil Bardi



Four months ago, businesses on St. Petersburg's 2700 block of Fourth Street were told they'd need relocate. The property's landlord informed tenants that he'd accepted an offer from Trader Joe's for the site

St. Petersburg's Ringside Cafe, Casita Taqueria, Classy Closet, Northeast Pyramid Barber Shop, and Fourth Street Boxing Gym have since moved, and demolition on the site began earlier this week. 

The site is being demolished to make room for Trader Joe’s. Credit: Phil Bardi
Tuesday morning, Ringside Cafe's long-standing 1912 locale was crushed by cranes. The site will soon house a 12,000-square-foot Trader Joe's speciality store. Trader Joe's is slated to open this fall.

Cranes took down adjacent Fourth St. Boxing Gym, Classy Closet, Casita Taqueria and Ringside Cafe. Credit: Phil Bardi
Ringside Cafe moved 16 Second St. N., inside the old Club Detroit at the end of last year. Casita Taqueria is currently under construction at its new home at 2663 Central Ave., they hope to reopen in the coming weeks. Classy Closet is at 540 Central Ave., and Fourth Street Boxing Gym has a massive new space at 2575 28th Ave. N. 

This is an updated version of an earlier post.