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New owners take over downtown St. Petersburg's Hofbräuhaus

 
The Hofbrauhaus, St. Petersburg, located in the former historic Tramor Cafeteria, St. Petersburg, is under new ownership.
[SCOTT KEELER  |  TIMES]

The Hofbrauhaus, St. Petersburg, located in the former historic Tramor Cafeteria, St. Petersburg, is under new ownership. [SCOTT KEELER | TIMES]
Published Sept. 22, 2017

ST. PETERSBURG — The downtown German beer-hall Hofbräuhaus St. Petersburg has been bought by a partnership led by former Checkers Drive-In Restaurants president Keith Sirois.

Terms were not disclosed for the deal with Lutz-based Bavarian Partners LLC, which closed Aug. 1.

The group quietly takes over with "very little" staff turnover, said Keith Sirois' son Kevin, who is the new general manager.

The partnership, which also includes the younger Sirois and Tamer Afr, takes over for the father-and-son duo Josef and Michael Matuschka, who started looking for a new owner in April. A spokesperson for the Matuschkas at the time said the family wanted to sell because "their hands were full with properties in Chicago." The sale doesn't include the flagship Hofbräuhaus location in the Windy City.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE:St. Petersburg Hofbräuhaus owners looking for a buyer

The brand will remain true to its German beer and cuisine roots under the new leadership. However, management may consider some changes including opening for lunch. In celebration of Oktoberfest, the restaurant is offering nightly live German music, specialty beer and food until Oct. 28.

The beer garden moved into the former Tramor Cafeteria building adjacent to the Tampa Bay Times headquarters in 2015.

Contact Tierra Smith at tsmith@ tampabay.com. Follow @bytierrasmith.