Get your s’mores and knapsacks ready – the newest concept from Hunger Thirst Group is taking it back to the old school. Summer Camp St. Pete is opening at 2060 1^st Avenue South this summer, HTG founder and CEO Stephen Schrutt announced today, bringing a nostalgic bar and restaurant to the neighborhood.

With a large outdoor space, the vibe at Summer Camp will be a “great outdoors” campground feel, inspired by retro summer camps. Summer Camp St. Pete will have a “campground” with custom-made tents, campfires and an outdoor stage for live music, DJs and other entertainment, featuring weekly, monthly and annual events.

“I think it’s unique because it’s something a lot of people can relate to,” Schrutt said. “Growing up, we got to experience different types of summer camps – the cabins, the campground, the friends, the events and sports, hanging around the campfires, the fun times and the memories we made.”

A sprawling bar will anchor the indoor space, and Summer Camp will have both indoor and outdoor seating and TVs, opening at 5 pm on weekdays and noon on weekends. Schrutt has tapped Niall McCourt, the bar manager at Lost & Found, to lead the cocktail program at Summer Camp. The concept will also have a talented chef leading the kitchen, featuring “some really fun and delicious food that all ties back to the theme,” Schrutt said.

Summer Camp St. Pete has actually been in the works for four years, as Schrutt has been waiting for the right space to become available for the unique concept. HTG already operates The Avenue, Park & Rec, No Vacancy, Good Fortune, Lost & Found, Dirty Laundry and this latest addition to the hospitality group will bring Schrutt’s nostalgic vision to life.

“I’m really excited about finding the right place for this concept,” Schrutt said. “Ironically, during the summer of 2019, I was looking at a space and what I was really interested in about the location was the outdoor area. That outside space really was the driving force to creating Summer Camp. While I didn’t end up in that space, the concept has been on my mind ever since and I’ve been working almost every day since then to bring Summer Camp to St. Pete.”

Hunger Thirst Group management is currently looking for outgoing, hardworking team members to join Summer Camp St. Pete. Those interested are encouraged to send resumes to mgmt(at)summercampstp.com. Stay tuned to I Love the Burg for updates on the grand opening, and follow Summer Camp St. Pete on Instagram here.