Lowery teamed up with chef Frank Edgar (Creative Catering/Café 1001) and chef Derrick Harmel (GM Iberian Rooster) to establish a new and chef-inspired spin on The Belmark in St. Pete's Edge District at its original location, 1001 1st Ave. N., which was most recently home to Cafe Ten-O-One.
The diner first opened in 1945 and was run by Richard and Donna Lacey for over 40 years until its closure in 1987.
This wouldn’t be Lowery’s first restaurant venture either – he’s known for popular local haunts, including Iberian Rooster, Skippers and Refinery.
Lowery and the team were shooting for the return of The Belmark to feature a menu laced with elevated diner eats, and be accompanied by a renovated parking lot hosting three additional other food concepts.
Initially slated for a February opening, The Belmark’s dreams of “re-opening” were dashed due to the coronavirus pandemic.
“As per the Coronavirus melt down our plans to open the Belmark have faded,” Chef Lowery wrote in an email to CL.
COVID-19 has run with a devastating force since mid-March in the United States – taking down new and longstanding bars and restaurants in its path. Whether it be restrictions on opening, occupancy, or shutting down altogether, many concepts haven’t been able to financially recover.
Instead, Lowery has taken on the role of chef at Seminole Height’s Ella’s Folk Art Cafe. But that doesn’t mean an overhaul on Ella’s classics.
“Not planning on any big changes for the menu but some small tweaks and a few change outs,” reassures Lowery.
The Belmark is scheduled to make its "re-opening" debut on Saturday, February 1.
Although we won’t be able to take a journey back in time to the days of old in Downtown St. Petersburg with the help of reimagined The Belmark, we can, however, show love to the concepts that have survived grave times as well as newbies that are entering the scene with an optimistic outlook.
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This article appears in Oct 22-29, 2020.