The much beloved 400 Beach Restaurant on Beach Drive has been acquired by a new hospitality group, Volet Hospitality. 400 Beach will be the newest restaurant added to their upscale dining hospitality group. This will be the third restaurant Volet Hospitality has acquired in the last 6 months. The previous two include fellow Beach Drive gems Annata and Alto Mare under the visions of Jacob Linzey and Ashley Castillo.

For several years, 400 Beach has been a pillar in Downtown St. Petersburg, founded by local restauranteur Steve Westphal, “We’ve enjoyed 12 successful years on Beach Drive. We are grateful to the community for dining with us and are especially thankful for our management and staff for all of their hard work and dedication. We congratulate Shawn, Jeanna, and Volet Hospitality and wish them continued success.”

400 Beach Restaurant offers one of the most popular brunches in St. Pete

400 Beach has long been renowned for its bountiful Sunday brunch, expansive outdoor seating, and staple status for most visitors in the area. They also carry dog treat behind the host stand that my pup Kino adores.

While Volet Hospitality is heavily committed to seeing downtown St. Petersburg flourish, it wouldn’t be possible without longtime Pinellas County residents Shawn and Jeanna Damkoehler. Shawn and Jeanna have been in talks with Volet Hospitality since the company purchased Annata Wine Bar and Alto Mare last December. Shawn and Jeanna have played a role in the growth of Florida’s tourist industry. They are active philanthropists, who work to give back to the communities in which they live and work.

The Damkoehlers have always loved St. Petersburg and understand its growth potential, especially in the downtown area. Shawn & Jeanna also desire to see the city keep its hometown genuine feel. Their shared interest in being the best in the restaurant industry, while also preserving the legacy of their bayside town is why they are working with Volet Hospitality.

Helping the local culinary scene flourish

Shawn remarks, “Having witnessed the explosion of the St. Petersburg culinary scene over the years, we are beyond excited to carry on the legacy Steve Westphal began with 400 Beach Seafood & Taphouse.” Jeanna adds, “I come from an Italian family and cooking and entertaining have always been a passion of mine. I’m a lifelong resident of Pinellas County and was born in St. Anthony’s Hospital, so when we decided to enter the restaurant world, we could think of no other place to start than beautiful and vibrant St. Petersburg.”

How 400 Beach may evolve over time remains to be seen. But the news creates hope for a wonderful evolution on one of St. Petersburg’s most trafficked shopping and dining destinations.

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