Island Breeze Restaurant Brings Tropical Vibe to Largo

The casual eatery features indoor and outdoor dining, drink specials and live entertainment nightly.

Largo serves as a steppingstone to the Gulf beaches for many residents of and visitors to Pinellas County.  But for those who don’t want to deal with traffic, sand and other inconveniences that come with a trip to the coast, a new restaurant on Clearwater Largo Road offers a tropical vibe in the heart of the city.  Island Breeze Restaurant & Bar opened two months ago in the former home of Pastino’s Pizzeria, and it captures that fun, beachy atmosphere, thanks to an outdoor patio, live entertainment and an extensive food and drink menu. “The reception has been great, we have a lot of repeat customers who come in and say they love the place,” restaurant official P.J. Jarrell said.  “Pastino’s was an institution here, and people are sorry to …

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Roosterfish Grill Now Open on Missouri Avenue in Largo

The casual seafood restaurant offers food and drinks at reasonable prices.

Roosterfish Grill, the newest establishment to take up residence at 776 Missouri Ave. in Largo, is now open for business. The casual family restaurant serves a predominantly seafood menu that also includes traditional "landlubber" items like steaks, burgers and salads, and the menu is peppered with food and drink items at affordable prices.  Owner Fred Hurley, a seasoned veteran of the restaurant industry, realizes he needs to offer quality as well as value in this area in order to be successful.  “I’ve been in the business for 35 years and recently left a successful franchise in Manatee County to open this place here,” Hurley told Patch last week. “We offer very affordable drinks and meals, with about 65 percent of the menu devoted to …

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Viral Facebook Post Puts Marcotte’s On the Map

The architectural salvage and furniture shop is making a mark downtown, thanks to a constant flow of traffic and a savvy social media campaign.

Opening a new business in a developing district can be a dicey affair, especially when said business consists of giant pieces of old furniture and colorful plastic letters.  But Jenni Martin and Chris Turcotte, owners of Marcotte’s Architectural Salvage & Repurposed Furniture, have fared pretty well since opening their West Bay Drive shop about six weeks ago. The success can be attributed to an eclectic collection of original items and the ability to either refinish or help refinish old furniture. Oh, and a Facebook post that went viral didn’t hurt, either. “I was debating whether to paint an old dresser or not, so I put a simple post on our Facebook page asking whether I should or shouldn’t do it,” Martin said.  “Next thing I know, people…

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What's Being Built On That Block?

Clearwater Ice Arena is expanding, a bank and two Walmart stores are being built and a Publix grocery store is redeveloped.

Clearwater Ice Arena is expanding, a bank and two Walmart stores are being built and a Publix grocery store is redeveloped. Check out the interactive map for a look at the seven proposed projects around Largo through April. 1. Clearwater Ice Arena 13940 Icot Blvd. 37,000 square foot expansion of the ice rink Ice skating facility 2. Bank Ulmerton and Starkey roads Development of a 3,750 square foot bank 3. Chase West Bay 801 West Bay Drive  4,352 square foot bank. 4. Publix 11992 Indian Rocks Road  Redevelopment of 46,013 square foot Publix Super Market Grocery store 5. Neighborhood Walmart 9020 Ulmerton Road  Development of a 118,000 retail store. 6. Walmart 990 Missouri Ave. Development of a 118,000 retail store. 7. Ulmerton Crossings …

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Balla’s Steak House Out, Roosterfish Grill Coming In at 776 Missouri Ave.

Another restaurant swap is in the works at the location just north of East Bay Drive.

Balla’s Steak House recently closed its doors after four years in business at 776 Missouri Ave. But as been the case recently, another restaurant is quickly planning to take its place in a spot that has seen a half a dozen eateries come and go in the past ten years. Prior to Balla’s, the lot has been home to the Sports Bar & Grill, the Great Lakes Fish House, 1st & Ten Sports Bar and Rib City Grill, among others. While the reason behind Balla’s closing is unknown, it did receive a number of unfavorable reviews here on Patch as well as on sites like Urban Spoon over the years.  A recent trip to the location revealed the old Balla’s signs have been removed from the building’s marquee and façade, and a printed sheet taped to the door window …

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Family Dollar Store Coming to 8th Ave. SW in Largo

Construction recently began on the lot, which will house the 8,200-square-foot discount retailer.

Soon there will be another Family Dollar store in the greater Largo area. Construction recently began on the newest addition in the discount retailer's chain at 705 8th Ave. SW on the southeast corner of Ridge Road. The old Fifth Third Bank building on the property has been razed to make room for the new, 8,200-square-foot facility, which received the green light from the city just over a month ago. "Construction began on Feb. 21, and everything is on schedule for it to open in about two months," Largo Principal Planner Jesus Nino told Patch. Nino added there was no definitive time frame given for the completion of the project by the applicant, but he said projects of this nature tend to get finished quickly barring any unforeseen setbacks…

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New Business on the Block

New Businesses Coming to Largo: Beauty Salons, Breakfast Restaurant

A couple beauty salons, a breakfast restaurant and an embroidery store recently opened in Largo.

A couple beauty salons, a breakfast restaurant and embroidery store recently opened in Largo through March 9. Have you been to these new businesses in Largo? 1. Largo Salon and Spa  2. A Second Look Hair and Nails  3. Proino Breakfast Club 4. Moston's Business and Sporting Apparel 5. Robert E. Keller, Inc. Sign up for the free Largo Patch email newsletter to stay connected to your community.

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New Business on the Block

New Businesses Coming to Largo: Japanese/Italian Restaurant, Ecigarette Store

A Japanese/Italian restaurant, ecigarette and pet store recently opened in Largo.

A Japanese/Italian restaurant, ecigarette and pet stores recently opened in Largo. Have you been to these new businesses in Largo? 1. CS Kobe & Italian 2. Revolution Vapor E­Cigarettes 3. Playpen Puppies 4. Custom Elite Finishes Inc. 5. Jackson Hewitt Tax Service 6. Doctors Weight Loss Center Sign up for the free Largo Patch email newsletter to stay connected to your community.

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Clean More Than Your Car At Classic Car Wash in Largo

The Rosery Road business boasts a bay to clean boats and RVs, plus it features a unique dog washing machine.

Car washes are an integral part of life for many locals and visitors to the Sunshine State.  The random rain storms and near constant swirl of pollen leave some people washing their vehicles two or three times per week.  But at one Largo area car wash, you can do more than just get your sedan or convertible clean after a mid day downpour; at Classic Car Wash on Rosery Road, you can wash boats, RVs, limos and even man’s best friend. “We are one of the only places in Pinellas County that has a dog wash at the location,” Classic owner and Largo resident Scott Ferguson said. “The only other one I know of is in the Tyrone Square area.” Ferguson, who also operates another location on Cleveland Street in Clearwater, decided to add the dog wash …

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