8/2/2023 0 Comments Chatterbox restaurant flBut the needs of the community had not been filled – and so, within a six month period, The Box had expanded to four times its original size. What started as a nightclub, soon became a drive-in restaurant as well. And response, to say the least, was overwhelming. Petersburg, a sprouting city of about 30,000, had never been exposed to before. He began this venture with a bar on the top floor and a tiny dancing room on the ground floor.īut modest as the beginning was by today’s standards, this was something St. Petersburg from Evanston, Illinois, in 1935 with all their hopes, dreams and money tied into a small two story building. My Grandfather, advertising agent Kennett (Ken) Cowan and his family moved to St. But unlike the popular superstition, Friday the 13th proved lucky, for it spawned more than three decades of excellence in dining. The Chatterbox Restaurant was opened on Friday, June 13, 1936. of the place my Grandfather had built into a success – 35 years before. trying to keep alive a restaurant that was a mere shadow. I was 12 years old and found life unbearable, involved as my family was with a rapidly sinking business. “I hate this place,” I screamed, as I raked the huge banyan tree leaves from the parking lot. Mark Cowan, grandson of the restaurant’s founder. Then six years ago last week, the establishment was sold. When it celebrated its first anniversary in June 1937, it had already expanded to accommodate 60 and plans were being made to up that figure to 200 and plans were being made to up that figure up to 200.Īnd so The Chatterbox grew and prospered until the 60’s. Not quite 35 years ago, The Chatterbox opened at Central Avenue and First Street South, promoted as a “new and modern cocktail lounge and Grill.” With a seating capacity of 40. It was an exciting place, with plenty of entertainment, including music and dancing, a rarity in the Sunshine City at that time. It was also the first of the city’s buildings to be air conditioned. Petersburg and was once recognized by Diners Magazine as the most superior restaurant on Florida’s west coast. At the time, The Chatterbox was considered the finest restaurant in St. Cages of colorful birds were placed around the room and tropical fish swam in an aquarium behind the bar. Wildlife added to the ambiance of this unique dining experience. The Chatterbox bar was called The Sandbar and was furnished in 1930’s décor accented with black leather. It first opened as a nightclub, but later expanded to a drive-in and finally to a restaurant with interior seating. The Cowan family operated The Chatterbox for thirty five years. (Coincidentally, present day BFT resident, Ken neth Cowan, shares a very similar name, but is no relation). Surrounded by a stand of massive banyan trees, The Chatterbox was opened in 1936 by Kennett Cowan. Pete's most historic meeting spots - T he Chatterbox Restaurant. Long before Bayfront Tower cast it's tall, afternoon shadow over Tampa Bay, this site was the home of one of St.
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