News Summary
Southern Grounds, a Jacksonville-based coffeehouse franchise, has opened a new location in downtown St. Petersburg. The venue features a modern design and a diverse menu, serving high-quality coffee and food. With a focus on community engagement and sustainability, it aims to be a hub for local gatherings and plans to host live music on weekends. The coffeehouse is committed to enhancing the local economy by collaborating with nearby businesses.
St. Petersburg, Florida – Southern Grounds, a growing coffeehouse franchise based in Jacksonville, has officially opened a new location in downtown St. Petersburg on August 13, 2023. This coffeehouse aims to create a vibrant community atmosphere focused on high-quality food and drinks.
The new venue is located at 695 Central Ave, St Petersburg, FL 33701, and features a fresh, modern aesthetic accentuated by colorful murals created by local artist Matt Kress. The indoor space is designed with an open floor plan that blends couch and table seating to encourage social interaction among patrons.
Southern Grounds offers a diverse menu that caters to breakfast, lunch, brunch, and dinner. Coffee connoisseurs will appreciate the high-quality coffee sourced from Intelligentsia Coffee based in Chicago, with a variety of beverages available, such as espresso, lattes, drip coffee, and cold brew options. In addition to coffee, the menu includes kombucha, teas, smoothies, wine, and craft beer from local favorite Green Bench Brewing Company.
Breakfast options at Southern Grounds feature an array of delicious choices, including croissant and bagel sandwiches, eggs benedict, French toast, and large breakfast burritos. For lunch, customers can choose from a selection of items that include a house burger made with grass-fed beef, grilled goat cheese and rotisserie chicken sandwiches, and light yet satisfying salads. Unique dessert options such as Lavender Pecan Bars and a variety of cheesecakes add a sweet finishing touch to any meal.
The St. Petersburg location is operated by local partners Jordan Hooten, Nick Presti, and Zach Presti. They aim to foster a welcoming environment that serves as a hub for community gatherings. In addition to providing excellent food and drink options, the coffeehouse is committed to sustainability and local community involvement.
Open daily from 6:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., Southern Grounds features various seating options, including indoor, outdoor, and bar seating, allowing guests to choose their preferred ambiance. The coffeehouse plans to host live music on weekends, further enhancing the community feel of the establishment after the initial opening phase.
The owners have expressed their dedication to engaging with local businesses, contributing to the local economy and culture. This approach aligns with their mission of not only serving quality food and beverages but also enriching the community experience.
Southern Grounds has received accolades for successfully merging the coffeehouse and restaurant experience, consistently prioritizing the quality of food alongside its exceptional coffee offerings. Future growth plans include the establishment of more locations across the Tampa Bay area and Channelside.
As Southern Grounds continues to expand its reach within Florida, it aims to leave a lasting impact on local communities while providing unique culinary experiences that highlight sustainable practices.
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Additional Resources
- St. Peter is Rising: Southern Grounds Cafe and Restaurant
- ABC Action News: Southern Grounds Coffee in St. Pete
- St. Pete Catalyst: New Coffee Shop Coming to Central Avenue
- Jacksonville.com: Southern Grounds Opens in St. Augustine
- St. Peter is Rising: Bayou Court Opens in South St. Pete
- Wikipedia: Coffeehouse
- Google Search: Southern Grounds St. Petersburg
- Google Scholar: Southern Grounds
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Coffee
- Google News: Southern Grounds Restaurant

Author: STAFF HERE PETERSBURG WRITER
ST PETERSBURG STAFF WRITER The ST PETERSBURG STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREStPetersburg.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in St Petersburg, Pinellas County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, Localtopia, and SHINE Mural Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce and St. Pete Downtown Partnership, plus leading businesses in finance, manufacturing, and healthcare that power the local economy such as Raymond James Financial, Jabil, and Bayfront Health St. Petersburg. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREJacksonville.com, HEREOrlando.com, HERETallahassee.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.