The restaurant dates to 1951, when Helen Lund purchased the business. She was later joined by her son, Everett Lund, and eventually his wife, Jillian Frers.
Over the decades, it grew into one of St. Pete’s most enduring gathering places, known as much for its eclectic personality and afternoon tea service as its food.
The new owners hope that personality remains intact while the restaurant takes on a broader role in the neighborhood.
They are considering live music, community events, and weekend markets, but Mahoney said the goal is not to turn The Chattaway into a crowded sports bar.
Instead, he sees it as a place for neighbors, families, children, and dogs to gather as development continues to move through St. Pete.
Mahoney said the group owns both the land and the restaurant, allowing them to protect it from redevelopment and preserve it for the long term.
“We want to hold onto it in perpetuity,” Mahoney said. “Now that we own it, we want to ensure it doesn’t go anywhere.”
For now, the message to longtime customers is simple: The Chattaway is still here. The burgers are still here. And the garden, the stories, and the slightly imperfect character that made the place worth saving are still part of the experience.