After four years in business, Room 901, referred to as “The Conversation Bar,” has closed for good in St. Pete’s Edge District (stylized “EDGE”).
Room 901 pivoted into operating as a bottle shop when regulations prohibited on-site consumption, but inconsistent reopenings (bars were allowed to open for on-site, limited-capacity consumption from June 5-26 before being shut down again) meant Room 901 has been closed temporarily twice in the last six months
The venue joins other local concepts (like Four Stacks Brewing) that have been unable to bounce back.
In an interview with Tampa Bay Times, owner Peg Wesselink said that she decided not to reopen in early August, “when it was clear that the financial backlash from COVID-19 coupled with the current ban on on-premise alcohol sales would be too much to overcome for her business.” Wesselink went on to say that she hasn’t received rent abatement from her landlord and can’t afford to reopen although her lease on the space isn’t up until February 2021.
The light at the tunnel for bars to reopen—let alone survive in the meantime—looks dim, but Tampa Bay must stick together to support locals in any way possible. Buy a gift card, merch, or snag a bottle or six-pack to go.
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