St. Petersburg's Pete's Bagels drive-thru has more than fresh bagels going for it — the building at 2439 4th St. S is turning 100 this year, and the shop is throwing a free community party to mark the occasion. The structure originally operated as a Standard Oil service station, serving the Harbordale neighborhood from 1926 through 1962, making it one of St. Petersburg's earliest gas stations.
The building has since earned recognition as a registered local landmark, and the restoration project received praise at the Florida Trust for Historic Preservation's conference in May. This Sunday, Preserve the 'Burg Executive Director Manny Leto will give a presentation on the site's history as part of the festivities.
The centennial celebration runs four hours on Sunday, September 20, and is free to attend. Guests can expect family-friendly activities, a mini-market, and special food offerings throughout the event.
The Pete's party is just one of more than a dozen food and drink events scattered across Tampa Bay this week. Other highlights include an Oktoberfest at 3 Daughters Brewing in St. Pete (free, Saturday, Sept. 19), a Tarpon Springs Wine Walk along the Sponge Docks ($35, Saturday, Sept. 19), a honey tasting at the Museum of Fine Arts St. Pete ($40 and up, Thursday, Sept. 17), and a sushi-making class at Armature Works in Tampa Heights ($80, Thursday, Sept. 24), among many others.
The full event roundup was compiled by Creative Loafing Tampa Bay.
