Downtown St. Pete's new Cider Press Café, specializing in raw vegan food, is gearing up for its grand opening from 4 to 9 p.m. Oct. 22. The Naples-based concept recently expanded to 601 Central Ave.
For the already-buzzed-about café, which took home a Best of the Bay award last month, it all started with a cider press from the 1800s.
Stored in co-owner Roland Strobel's family barn in Ohio, the antique device, now displayed at the Naples location, was used to juice apples, grapes and other fruits for generations. It was also Strobel and co-owner and culinary director Johan Everstijn's inspiration for Cider Press.
The café, which doesn't heat anything above 117 degrees, will offer complimentary menu items and drink specials at its official debut. According to Everstijn, the cuisine is influenced by different cultures, but accents Caribbean, Creole and Gulf Coast tastes.
Beginning with a ribbon-cutting ceremony by Deputy Mayor Kanika Tomalin, live music from stride-swing jazz group Gloria West & The Gents will follow at 5 p.m.
There will also be a raffle for prizes like gift certificates and baskets, a month's worth of free yoga from The Body Electric Yoga Company, and a case of kombucha from Mother Kombucha. The raffle's proceeds will benefit PetPal animal shelter.
This article appears in Oct 1-7, 2015.