22 South Food Hall is set to open in mid-April inside the Historic Manhattan Casino at 640 22nd Street South in St. Petersburg — and several local restaurants are set to move in. 

The Historic Manhattan Casino is transforming into a food hall, event hall, co-work space, commissary kitchen, and coffee shop. Partners Mario Farias, Greg Murray, Leigh Fletcher, and Tina Fischer are reviving the historic venue and creating an exceptional gateway between the Grand Central District and the Deuces Live area.

In late 2020, the cosmetic finishes to the space neared completion. The owners removed all of the booths from the old Callaloo venue in favor of more cafeteria-style seating. This offers an easier way for guests (and members of the Rising Tide co-work space) to socially distance while they enjoy coffee, pastries, brunch, lunch, and beyond.

St. Pete Bowl Co. joining the sprawling food hall

One exciting development is that St. Pete Bowl Co., an exquisite locally-owned organic fruit company owned by Anja Adams and her daughter, will join the space once a week and will offer up its famous fruit bowls, as well as a few other exciting healthy treats.

Additionally, 22 South Food Hall will also feature baked goods from Swah-Rey, one of the most popular bakeries in St. Petersburg.

Here is the lineup of restaurants set to debut inside the food hall this spring:

Chef Melly’s Three Generations Food Truck will have a home inside the food hall.

Sushi from the former chef at Sake 23 in St. Petersburg.

Ray’s Vegan Soul. This is a plant-based eater’s dream come true.

Ire Mon Jamaican Restaurant, serving up authentic Jamaican cuisine in the Sunshine City. A full menu is still TBA.

A BBQ concept with a soon to be announced menu will also have a station inside the kitchen.

A new concept in honor of Vincent Jackson

VJ’s, named in honor of the late Vincent Jackson, is sure to be a proverbial palate pleaser for every diner. This concept will feature a new twist on classic American cuisine and serve up the kind of comfort food Jackson often craved. A portion of sales at VJ’s will be donated to the Vincent Jackson’s foundation “Jackson In Action.”

Each concept was carefully selected in the 22 South Food Hall concept. The chefs and restaurateurs will be able to focus on their craft in the kitchen, while a dedicated team of bussers, servers, and cooks will assist in creating a seamless dining experience.

Farias and crew are currently filling positions, and once open should have around 35 dedicated employees working in the restaurant.

Those interested in working at 22 South Food Hall can visit Monday through Friday from 10am-4pm with their resume to apply.

Creating a seamless dining experience

Unlike most food halls, 22 South will have a singular operating system, which means guests dining together, but ordering from different restaurants, will be assured that each of their orders comes out together, as opposed to staggered.

22 South Food Hall also has a private dining area available by reservation complete with a Smart TV and speakers.

Guests will notice the main dining area features a kitschy sangria bar surrounded by art. Dink up, dear ‘Burg because brunch just got elevated.

“Today, we completed the first cosmetic phase of our reimagining of the Historic Manhattan Casino…so we can reopen the venue with a bold new joyous color palette that is celebratory… We also worked with Nikkol Patton – South St Petersburg Marketplace, an amazing entrepreneur who is working with us to make the Manhattan an active community hub,” wrote SPHMC organizers on Facebook.

“As a mission driven organization, we will continue to maintain our focus on creating opportunity, honoring commitments, and celebrating the venues history of innovation!”

Creating an incubator for aspiring chefs

In addition to the food hall, a portion of the venue will serve as an incubator for aspiring chefs to learn the business of restaurant ownership. The 22 South Food Hall team pulled inspiration from La Cocina on the West Coast. Mario Farias wants to help give rise to an entirely new generation of restaurants in the Sunshine City, and that begins with learning from the best.

Residents can expect an always rotating roster of chefs cutting their teeth inside one of the most exciting new developments in the Deuces Live District.

Visitors should also be ready for plenty of live music once the food hall is up and running.

Outside, 22 South will offer spacious cafe-style seating. Roughly 60 seats will be available and recently planted shade trees are just about ready to bloom.

“We are focused on creating economic opportunity. One of the key components of our mission is to create an economically self-sustaining business that cultivates entrepreneurs in the food and beverage industry through an incubator program with a focus on CRA residents and low-income entrepreneurs, who otherwise face significant barriers to entry in the formal food and beverage industry due to insufficient financial and social capital.”

Reviving a piece of St. Petersburg history

Built in 1925, the Manhattan Casino is significant for its contribution to entertainment and the culture in the African American community for more than forty years.

The beautifully restored Manhattan Casino events venue is a sprawling 5,000 square feet and can fit up to 300 guests.

In late 2020, an outdoor farmers market also debuted outside the historic Manhattan Casino. Several food trucks and farmers posted up along with musicians for a local, socially-distanced celebration.

The South St. Pete Market takes place every Tuesday from 4-8pm.

“Our goal is to provide the finest ground to market goods accessibly location at the amazing Historic Manhattan Casino. We have USDA/SNAP Retailer support that will match 100% SNAP-EBT benefits.”

Follow The Manhattan Casino on Facebook for updates.

Location: 642 22nd Street South