CONTACT: Tyna Middleton, Midtown Economic Development, (727) 893-7894

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

39 GRAND OPENINGS IN GRAND CENTRAL!

St. Petersburg, Fla. (August 24, 2007) – More than 39 new businesses in the Grand Central District celebrated their grand openings at a ribbon cutting ceremony at 2501 Central Avenue, Friday, August 24 at 3:30 p.m. Mayor Rick Baker, District 8 City Council Member Jeff Danner and other community leaders participated in the ribbon cutting.

“We want to invite people to experience the dramatic difference in Grand Central,” said Mayor Rick Baker. “The transformation here, as in downtown, midtown and other areas of the city can be described as nothing less than a renaissance.”

Following the ribbon cutting the Grand Central District Association plans to host its monthly Grand Central Stroll where businesses remain open until 8 p.m. The Stroll takes place between 20th to 30th Streets and will feature live music, free transportation on the pirate land cruiser and a free outdoor movie at 8:15 p.m. at 2501 Central.

“The Grand Central District is a modern representative of an old Florida main street,” said Jeff Danner, City Council Member for District 8. “The business community is home grown, with friendly owners, and is within walking distance of the local neighborhoods.”

The 39 business that have opened in the last year include: Lakeview Jewelers, Mehmet Eligur Antiques, Callahan & Martinez, Augustine – Ludovico Studio & Academy of Art, Urban Body Mens Clothing Studio, The Verandah, Basset Law Offices, Art, Herf Jones, Cybles Hair Care Solutions, Central Ave Antique Market, Kenwood Fitness, Lucky Cat Vintage, DiMarino Signature Floor Studio, Lisa’s Unique Antique Shoppe, Studio XP, Blue Wave Media, QuickBooks for Small Business, Beaks Old Florida, Wahoo Mortgage, Pet Planet, Hygeia Home Health, Robert Walton, Grand Central Stained Glass & Graphics, Lucky Star Salon, Gillie’s Bar-B-Que, Amazing Soft Ice Cream, Lucky Lucy Vintage Clothing, The Bike Room, hometownMD, Press 2315, Total Beauty Salon & Spa, Art Du Monde, Tan Central, Antiques 2016, Gentle Touch Chiropractic & Wellness, Look Salon, St. Pete Café, Professional Health Care Pinellas.

Steve Graves, executive director of the Grand Central District Association said, “Just a year ago, this section of Central was vacant and now it is a thriving business community packed with unique shopping, dining and service companies.”

For more information go to www.grandcentraldistrict.org.