OPENINGS/CLOSINGS

After almost a decade in St. Petersburg, Cider Press is ‘closed until further notice’
A St. Pete staple for vegans is calling it quits after a decade. Cider Press Gastropub in St. Petersburg is officially “closed until further notice,” according to its voicemail. Originally called Cider Press Cafe, the owners, Johan Everstijn and Roland Strobel, first opened the original location in Naples in 2014, then on St. Pete’s on Central Avenue a year later. “From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for making these past 10 years so special,” Cider Press Gastropub owners wrote on social media. While the owners never intended to leave their location on Central, they were forced to in 2021 after disagreements with the landlord. Rebranded as Cider Press Gastropub, the duo opened in nearby Historic Kenwood in late 2022. – Riley Benson

Voodoo Brewing Co. is finally opening in St. Petersburg this weekend
After announcing the Voodoo Brewing franchise setting up shop in St. Petersburg in 2022, and initially planning to open that same year– and again in 2023— the two-story, punk-rock, pub is finally opening this weekend. The original franchisee backed out causing frequent delays, but Bob Skepnek—who spent three decades in electronic design and manufacturing before a career pivot—stepped in to make the plans come to fruition. Skepnek had been brewing his own beer for decades but decided to take his passion to the professional level when the opportunity came up to partner with Voodoo, which was born in Pennsylvania 20 years ago. The St. Petersburg location—at 220 4th St. N at the old Orange Blossom Catering—was supposed to be Florida’s first location for the franchise. Since the original announcement and frequent delays, Voodoo opened two other locations in Jacksonville and Fort Myers. The brewpub initially planned to open on Oct. 19, but Helene and Milton had other plans Now, the grand opening is tomorrow, Oct. 26, at 11 a.m. – Riley Benson

Westshore Italian restaurant Vela is now closed, citing damage from recent hurricanes
After two back-to-back hurricanes, Westshore Marina District Italian restaurant Vela has had enough.The restaurant, which was from the people behind Cru Cellars, Bouzy and Small Giant, took to social media last weekend to announce the closure. “It is with heavy hearts that we announce the closing of Vela. Unfortunately, the combination of recent hurricane damage and other challenges has made it impossible for us to continue serving you at Westshore Marina,” wrote Vela on Instagram. Officially opening in 2021 as a Cru Cellars outpost, Cru Hospitality Group rebranded the space into Vela in 2023, with a focus on classic Italian dishes like pizza and pasta, as well as Mediterranean staples such as kebabs, fresh salads and hummus.

EVENTS

Tampa’s Meacham Urban Farm offers ‘pay-what-you-can’ entrance to next month’s Harvest Fest
Downtown Tampa’s local farm celebrates two years of growth next month.Meacham Urban Farm is hosting its second annual Harvest Fest—a community celebration that focuses on Tampa Bay’s local agriculture and the beginning of the vegetable season in Florida—on Sunday, Nov. 3.Because of the recent back-to-back hurricanes, the farm is giving back to the community and making tickets to the event “pay what you can.” Tickets were originally set at $35, but now attendees can pay as little as $5 per ticket. As an add-on to tickets, attendees can purchase a “flower crown experience” workshop with Blue House Florals, a garden and flower design studio in Tampa Heights, where purchasers can build their flower crowns made of locally-grown flowers.Throughout the festival, there will be a petting zoo, live music, educational presentations, interactive art, an Olympic competition, a line dancing class and locally grown food. – Riley Benson

Tampa is once again home to ‘Florida’s largest pumpkin’
It’s becoming an annual tradition for Bearss Groves to play host to the state’s largest gourd, and this fall the popular local farmers market is once again showcasing an absolute unit of a pumpkin. This year’s pumpkin, which arrived Friday, Oct.18 from Indiana, weighs in at an impressive 868-pounds, says a spokesperson for Bearrs Groves. Though it is humongous, this years plump-pump is actually the market’s smallest to date. Last year, Bearrs Groves hosted its largest pumpkin ever, weighing in at 1,500-pounds. In previous years, the pumpkins have weighed 969-pounds and 989-pounds. Bearrs Groves, located at 14316 Lake Magdalene Blvd, is open seven days a week, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. The big ole pumpkin will be on display through Oct. 31, and is free for photo-ops or to just stare at and mutter “Oh gourd almighty.”

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