But, what a difference eight months can make!  As you can see in the photo below (please click on the photo for a larger view), nothing remains of the old center; the new Fresh Market has truly taken shape – and it looks as though it’s going to have room for a lot of great stuff inside!  I’ve been impressed with the quality of construction as it has been going up, and I’m pleased with the look of the building.  It could have been yet another boxy building on the corner, but, instead, it’s an interesting and attractive structure.

I wish that I could give you a precise opening date, but when I contacted Jordan Worrall, the man responsible for Public Relations for Fresh Market, he said that they do not yet have a confirmed opening date – they do feel certain that it will open this Fall, but nothing more specific than that.  He promised me an opportunity to get inside and get some preview photos when the time draws closer, and you can be sure that, when that happens, I’ll update with a new post.   

Fresh Market Coming to Cocoanut Grove Site (click on photo for larger image)

For a good many years, the corner of Fourth Street North and 30th Avenue was the home of the Cocoanut Grove Motel, a grouping of cottages that hummed with activity every winter, as the tourists flocked back down to St. Petersburg to escape the cold north.  But by the 1980′s, the old cottages were getting pretty ramshackle and the motel’s days were numbered.  In February of 1987, bulldozers rolled in and razed the old place, followed soon by the construction of a brand new shopping plaza, one that retained the Cocoanut Grove name. 

For a long time, the new center stayed busy, but a few years back, the place seemed to go downhill and tenants began closing down or moving to other locations.  The very last active business in the center was the Athenian Garden Greek Restaurant, and they moved out several months ago to find a new home downtown, at 21 3rd Street North.

I’ve been wondering about Cocoanut Grove each time I drive by, because it’s on a good sized piece of land and it’s in a very good location, one where the right kind of business should be able to thrive.  And then, a couple of weeks ago, I noticed the new sign spring up in front of the place.  Fresh Market.

For those who don’t know Fresh Market, the nearest one is in Clearwater, at 25961 US Highway 19.  They’ve been there since 1998, and everyone I know who has ever entered the place has become a devoted fan.  Fresh Markets specialize in high quality perishable products, presented in an environment that feels good and by people who seem glad to be working there. 

Just to be clear, I’m not getting any kickbacks from Fresh Market!  But I want you to have a little feel for what’s coming:  Their produce departments have over 400 items, including a large selection of organic produce.  Their bakeries sell 30 freshly baked breads each day and 15 varieties of freshly baked pies each day.  Their delis have more than 200 varieties of cheeses.  They have a full service meat counter with butchers on site.  They sell ‘signature’ sandwiches, and you can call or fax ahead to have them ready for pickup.

In addition to all of that, there are all sorts of specialty items that are hard to find in other stores.  My wife’s brother lives in San Francisco, and he got us practically addicted to Peet’s coffee, a local brand out there.  No chance of finding it here – we either had to wait for her brother to visit or we had to order online.  And then we walked into Clearwater’s Fresh Market, and there was Peet’s!  Similar scenarios abound through the store. 

St. Petersburg’s Fresh Market is scheduled to open in late Summer of 2010.  I’ll keep an eye on progress and will update in a few months.  Meanwhile, my mouth is watering…

Old Cocoanut Grove Shopping Plaza