Jeff Knight's Knight Global Entertainment announced Tuesday that it has purchased the lease for The Garden from Bill Edwards. And just as Jannus Landing morphed into Jannus Live, the Garden will reopen as Calypso Rum Bar & Island Grille.
According to the press release, the menu will offer Bahamian and Caribbean dishes. The Lobby Bar will become the Bacardi Rum Bar. Jon LaBudde, formerly of Jonny Reno's, will work on the project as well.
Knight acquiring the Garden adds another St. Petersburg staple to his portfolio, in addition to Jannus, St. Pete Kitchen, Pelican Pub, Club Detroit and MacDinton's. The restaurant and bar will open by the end of 2013.
The Garden, located in the old Detroit Hotel, was St. Petersburg's oldest restaurant. The building, St. Petersburg's first hotel, was finished in 1890.
