St. Petersburg city staffers recommend zoning changes to allow for Sam's Club

St. Petersburg

City staff okays zoning changes for Sam's Club

City staffers recommend approval for zoning changes to 8 acres that would allow a Sam's Club at 34th Street near 17th Avenue N.

A public hearing and action by the St. Petersburg Planning and Visioning Commission will be at 3 p.m. Tuesday.

The vacant land, at the northeast corner of 32nd Street and 17th Avenue N, would change from industrial to zoning that allows for commercial development. It's owned by Times Publishing Co., which publishes the St. Petersburg Times at a nearby printing plant.

The land would be sold to become part of the development of a 146,500-square-foot Sam's Club, which would replace a smaller Office Depot. It could provide 325 jobs and open as early as 2013, according to Wal-Mart Stores.

Treasure Island

Sip coffee and light up at Cigar Republic

The Cigar Republic, a new cigar lounge and store, opened recently at 155 107th Ave. (Central Avenue).

The Cigar Republic offers house blend cigars and more popular blends including Arturo Fuente, CAO, Drew Estates, Oliva and Gurkha.

The store also offers port and other wines, imported and domestic beers, and serves coffees including illy espresso, cappuccinos and lattes.

Customers can bring a cigar to enjoy in the sitting area, bar or while surfing the Web on free WiFi.

News of businesses and business people can be faxed to (727) 893-8675, e-mailed to neighborhood@sptimes.com or mailed to Neighborhood Times, 490 First Ave. S, St. Petersburg, FL 33701. Photos can be mailed or e-mailed as jpegs.