by Peter Roos
Walk down Corey Avenue today and you’ll feel it – not a single grand reopening moment, but a steady, confident pulse. Storefronts evolving. Ideas overlapping. Women-led businesses reimagining what success looks like in a changing retail landscape. Together, they are shaping a revival rooted not in expansion for expansion’s sake, but in creativity, collaboration, and community.
At the center of this momentum is a group of women whose businesses tell a larger story about Corey Avenue’s resilience and reinvention. What unites these women isn’t just ownership – it’s mindset. Each has embraced change not as a setback, but as an opportunity to rethink how business can work better for customers, for neighbors, and for the avenue itself. Corey Avenue’s revitalization isn’t coming from a single developer or headline-grabbing project. It’s happening storefront by storefront, idea by idea – led by women choosing collaboration over competition and creativity over complacency.
If the current energy on Corey is any indication, this chapter is only just beginning. Hurricanes Helene and Milton had a major impact across the beaches, and the Corey Avenue area of St. Pete Beach has been steadily recovering. The long-established Corey Area
Business Association (CABA) – which both Renee and I have had the honor of serving as president at different times – worked diligently to support one another through cleanup and recovery efforts. Today, the organization is stronger than ever, welcoming new merchants with fresh ideas while supporting long-standing businesses.
CABA also oversees the contract with the wildly popular Corey Avenue Sunday Market and has been instrumental in adding events that reinforce Corey Avenue as a destination offering far more than shopping alone. For Small Business Saturday, CABA came together to launch a Passport Program encouraging shoppers to visit multiple establishments along the street. The grand prize golf cart winner was announced by CABA President Ken Hautmann during the Holiday Sip & Stroll, with local resident Mike Lewis receiving the keys in the presence of Santa himself.
In addition to live music, creative workshops, wine tastings, trivia nights, and the Sunday market, Corey Avenue also hosts street-level celebrations that bring the district to life. Mardi Gras on Feb. 17 will feature Stormbringer, performing on an outdoor stage around 6pm. The avenue transforms again for an all-day St. Patrick’s Day celebration on Saturday, March 14, sponsored by Swigwam, with live music beginning around 11am from the Sandy Bottom Boys, Beach Rats, Horny Toads, and Big Brother.
Suzie King of SlK Promotions Inc. contracted with CABA to hold five periodic art and craft festivals on Corey. They deliver professional event management for the Corey Avenue Art & Craft festivals built on a foundation of reliability and precision. The company is recognized for consistently drawing diverse, high-volume crowds through strategic community engagement and integrated media outreach. The team handles every facet of event production – from specialized vendor coordination to live broadcast opportunities. At SIK Promotions, rigorous project management is blended with a positive, family-friendly atmosphere to set the industry benchmark for premier craft festival success.
Corey Avenue 2026 Art & Craft Festival Calendar:
- April 4-5: Corey Ave Spring Art & Craft Festival
- June 6-7: Corey Ave Summer Art & Craft Festival
- Oct. 3-4: Corey Ave Fall Art & Craft Festival
- Dec. 5-6: Corey Ave Holiday Art & Craft Festival
727-417-5494, SIKPromotions.com
Karen Powell’s Tiki Bagel menu focuses on fine ingredients, where the flavors of the Big Island meet the authenticity of New York! Their bagels are handcrafted and par baked in NYC to seal in freshness until they finish the baking process in their ovens right here in St. Pete Beach. Most people don’t know, but they also have the best coffee on the beach! Elevation – a Tampa-based coffee roaster delivers beans every Tuesday and are freshly ground for every coffee order. At Tiki Bagel, 455 75th Ave., you can expect authentic NYC bagels, delicious bagel sandwiches and specialty coffees. Their menu features unique creations like the “Maui Zowie” – crafted on the bagel of your choice, topped with bacon sriracha jam, grilled pineapple and crispy prosciutto topped with a sweet and chipotle aioli drizzle. The “Fishy Fishy,” including piles of smoked salmon with dill, onions, capers and your choice of schmear. “Elvis Lives” would have been his choice, with lots of bananas, peanut butter, honey and a dash of cinnamon. For the little ones, smaller bagel meals include a Tiki Bagel Frisbee to take home! Sometimes overlooked a block east, on the south side of Corey facing Gulf Blvd.
455 75th Ave. | 727-258-7314
tikibagel.com
Lemon Tree Spa at Corey and Gulf Blvd. has been a trusted destination for relaxation and results-driven treatments for 25+ years. Lisa took over in 2007 with a simple mission: to provide high-quality services in a welcoming, personalized environment where clients feel cared for from the moment they walk in. Lisa opened a second location in 2013, allowing Lemon Tree Spa to serve even more clients in the community. Today, Lemon Tree Spa is proudly run by Lisa Dressel alongside her daughter, Ashley Epperson, making it a true family-owned and operated business. Together, they continue to uphold the values the spa was founded on while evolving with the latest techniques and technologies in the wellness industry. Lemon Tree Spa offers a wide range of services including customized massage therapy, rejuvenating facials, hydrafacial treatments and body treatments. Services are tailored to meet individual needs, whether clients are seeking relaxation, skincare solutions, or therapeutic relief. The spa also carries a curated selection of professional retail products. With experienced therapists, quality products, and a commitment to exceptional care, Lemon Tree Spa remains a place where wellness and comfort come together.
727-363-0772
lemontreespa.com
Alison & Shannon Milligan’s Metaphysically Me, is St. Pete Beach’s high-vibe crystal shop and a mother-daughter-owned space created for curiosity, connection, and discovery. Some visitors arrive seeking support during a challenging time, while others are simply looking for a beautiful piece of jewelry or a thoughtful gift. Now open seven days a week, the shop hosts a full calendar of experiential offerings that turn it into a true gathering place, including intuitive readings, jewelry-making workshops, Human Design education, gentle yoga, reiki, tea ceremonies, and sound healing. Pre-register on their website or in person at the store. Intuitive readings even take place inside the building’s original bank vault – a feature that feels both symbolic and memorable. Located in a historic former bank building on the 400 block of Corey Avenue, the space was also once home to the beloved Outta Sight Shop, a longtime hippie favorite that still holds a special place in the community’s heart. Original FDIC plaques remain at the entrances, nodding to the building’s layered history and its continued role as a place flowing with abundance, connection, and good energy.
401 Corey Ave. | 727-800-2299
metaphysically.me
Cat Lepetit’s Sun Drunk, is a beach-inspired boutique created for anyone who loves slow days in the sun and the feeling that comes with them. Founded by a French-American mother of three who has spent years exploring the beaches of southern France, California, Florida, and beyond, Sun Drunk was born from a desire to capture the ease, joy, and connection of the perfect beach day. The shop blends coastal style with thoughtful practicality, offering pieces that make time outdoors more comfortable, beautiful, and memorable. The boutique carries a carefully curated selection of beach essentials, including Turkish towels, UPF sun shirts, hats, beach bags, sunscreen, skincare, and apparel, all chosen with quality, function, and sustainability in mind. More than a store, Sun Drunk also hosts creative community events like candle pouring nights and seasonal gatherings, turning the space into a place where locals and visitors alike can slow down, connect, and feel a little more sun drunk – no matter the season.
409 Corey Ave. | 727-202-8859
sundrunkworld.com
Elizabeth’s BARtique is a refined study in reinvention – where thoughtful design, curated taste, and modern hospitality converge. What began as a bar and a boutique – has been elegantly reimagined into a singular destination that feels both intimate and intentional. Defined by the ethos “Where fine fashions meets fine wines,” Elizabeth’s BARtique offers a sensorial experience beyond traditional retail or wine service. Guests can browse curated fashion collections while enjoying a carefully selected glass of wine. Monthly wine tastings are offered, including the signature Wine Down Wednesdays, debuting in March and hosted on the first and last Wednesday of each month, designed as a sophisticated midweek pause – effortless, intimate, and quietly indulgent. Complementing the wine program, Elizabeth’s BARtique features Coco Addiction artisan chocolates, selected to pair beautifully with each pour and add a final note of decadence. Private tastings are available by appointment, while walk-ins are always welcome to shop, sip, and settle into the atmosphere. Elizabeth’s BARtique represents creative restraint and refined vision – enhancing the district not through scale, but through intention, elegance, experience.
Elizabeth Nowak
350 Corey Ave. | 727-254-9526
facebook.com/ElizabethsBoutique
Owned and operated by Kim Fowler, Twisted Tiki has become a cornerstone of Corey Avenue’s evening energy and one of the street’s most welcoming gathering places. Known for its laid-back tiki atmosphere, the space features an oversized bar with a thatched roof and a playful, boat-shaped open cooler filled with iced beverages, setting the tone for relaxed fun from the moment guests arrive. Alongside live bands, themed nights, and crowd-favorite Bandingo, Twisted Tiki offers an updated menu and house specialties that reflect Kim’s genuine love of cooking, with something happening every night of the week. Beyond food and music, Kim regularly opens her space to support other local businesses by hosting pop-up markets and community gatherings. With its mix of hospitality, collaboration, and consistent programming, Twisted Tiki keeps Corey Avenue lively well after dark. Visitors can follow Twisted Tiki on Facebook for menu specials, special events, and live music schedule:
- Mondays Trivia Night
- Taco Tuesday every Tuesday
- Bandingo every Wednesday
- Karaoke Thursdays
- Live Music on Friday/weekends
340 Corey Ave. | 727-914-8881
twistedtikistpetebeach.com
Sail Market Boutique & Gifts, owned and curated by Sarah Laracuente, reflects her passion for creativity, community, and small business growth. Sarah is also president of Sail Marketing LLC, a local agency specializing in hospitality and small business marketing solutions across the Tampa Bay region. Sail Market opened in 2020, fulfilling a long-time dream of creating a space that blends thoughtful design with meaningful connection. The shop’s tagline, “Carefully Curated to Spark Joy,” captures the experience perfectly – one visit is all it takes to understand what makes Sail Market special. Every item is selected with intention. Shoppers also discover clean skincare, children’s gifts, cozy accessories, home décor, and locally made art and handmade goods. More than a boutique, Sail Market serves as a gathering place for creativity and connection. Monthly artist workshops, Yoga Nidra and sound bath sessions, Fairy Hair Days, and community fundraisers bring people together in meaningful ways. With its welcoming atmosphere and commitment to supporting local makers, Sail Market delivers a joyful, personalized shopping experience that keeps customers coming back.
310 Corey Ave. | 727-946-6168
sailmarket.net
Kim Hautmann and her husband Ken purchased Chill Restaurant & Bar five years ago when it was already a popular dining and entertainment spot. Chill’s menu is a creative offering of American Fusion cuisine, that is carnivore and vegan friendly. Chill serves lunch and dinner Monday to Saturday and brunch on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Dine inside or outside on the patio. Spending all her adult life in the restaurant industry, Kim Hautmann ensures that Chill’s premium full bar has the finest cocktails and the coldest beer on the beach. Her focus on high quality food and service is what makes Chill Restaurant and Bar the go-to spot on St. Pete Beach. The live entertainment schedule, curated by Kim, is available on Chill’s Facebook page. Visit their website to see some photos of their food, peruse the menu, and more. To make party arrangements, contact kim@chillstpetebeach.com or call.
Live music 6-9:30pm:
- Feb. 13 Motel Funk
- Feb. 20 Carlos & Joe
- Feb. 21 Brian Caudill Band
- Feb. 26 The Blue Notes Jazz
- Feb. 27 Motel Funk
- Feb. 28 Saltwater Crush Band
- March 7 Angelo & Company
357 Corey Ave. | 727-360-2445
chillstpetebeach.com
Sissy & Hannah Hockman
After a 13-year hiatus, the historic Beach Theatre has reopened and is once again thriving as the cultural anchor of Corey Avenue. Under the ownership of Hannah Hockman and her family, the 86-year-old landmark underwent a thoughtful historic renovation, carefully restoring its charm while reimagining it as both a classic movie palace and a vibrant performing arts venue. Today, the theatre presents a dynamic mix of film screenings, live performances, and special events that celebrate creativity at every level.
The Beach Theatre screens films nearly seven days a week, showcasing a blend of new releases and beloved classics, alongside occasional concerts and live theatrical productions. Now also a popular rental venue, the theatre regularly hosts corporate events, film premieres, engagement parties, engagement parties, and more.
To explore upcoming events and show times, visit their website.
315 Corey Ave. | 727-340-2866
thebeachtheatre.org
