The Sourdough Co. will shift operations from its EDGE District spot to the Union Trust Bank structure at 895 Central Ave. in downtown St. Petersburg. Owner Ariana Duksa shared news of the move on social media Monday.
The 1926 structure spans almost 11,000 square feet across three floors. It includes the ground floor, mezzanine, and basement. Inside sits a walk-in bank vault. Original windows and brick walls will stay intact during the rebuild. This year marks 100 years since workers finished the original section.
The space has remained empty since Nation’s Bank, which became Bank of America, departed in 1996. That means 2026 will mark three decades since anyone ran a business there.
“From baking inside our home to filling a historic building in the heart of St. Pete … we can hardly believe we get to say that,” Duksa wrote in her announcement on Instagram. “Thank you to every person who has ever purchased a loaf, pastry, coffee, or meal from us.”
The bakery started as a home-based cottage operation in Seminole. It opened its storefront at 1113 Central Ave. in late 2023. Lines now snake out the door most days. People wait for loaves, baked goods, and sandwiches made with fresh-sliced sourdough.
The cafe makes fermented sourdough loaves, pastries, cookies, cinnamon rolls, and breakfast sandwiches on housemade English muffins. They also sell grilled cheeses, sandwiches, wraps, soups, and bread bowls. Duksa told customers prices won’t change after the move.
“This new location will finally give us room to show you just how many wonderful things sourdough can make,” the team said in the announcement, according to I Love the Burg. “More room to bake. More room to create. More room for our team, our community, and the ideas we’ve dreamed about since the beginning.”
The structure went through an interior renovation years ago to become J. Fiore’s Steakhouse, but those plans collapsed. The Sourdough Co. will keep its current EDGE District location open while construction crews prepare the new space.
“We have the honor of bringing this building back to life while protecting what makes it so special,” Duksa wrote. “We’re preserving its beautiful windows, original brick, and massive bank vault with deep respect for its history.”