St. Petersburg bar and restaurant Dead Bob’s, at 6717 Central Ave., will relocate to a larger space by the end of the month or early November.
The new space, at 6475 Central Ave., was once home to the longtime Kay’s Family Restaurant, which permanently closed in 2024.
After nearly 30 years, Kay’s owners Gzim and Zafi Xheka decided to leave the industry to spend more time with their families, according to a message posted on the restaurant’s Facebook page.
Dead Bob’s co-owner Ben Scherlis was friends with the Xheka family, and he knew that they had been wanting to close the business.
“We sat down and worked out a deal on a napkin, and sent it over to the attorneys to have them draw it up,” he said.
Scherlis and his business partner, Bill Hepscher, acquired the property in 2024 through their company, Florida Rental Properties Lake Pasadena LLC, for $1.6 million.
The building, approximately 2,000 square feet, offers triple the amount of kitchen space and double the amount of seating. Additionally, the property has its own parking lot — unlike Dead Bob’s current location, Scherlis said.
He plans to host events and gatherings at the new location, including live music on the weekends.
The owners originally intended to open the new Dead Bob’s in January. However, the 2024 hurricane season and construction issues delayed the process.
In 2014, Scherlis co-founded Dead Bob’s with Mike Anderson, the owner of multiple bars and restaurants in the St. Pete area. Before Anderson passed away in 2021, Scherlis bought him out of the business.
Anderson was the one who came up with the name Dead Bob’s, Scherlis said. It is a tribute to an eccentric friend the former owner made during a Miami vacation.
Scherlis and Hepscher would open a second location, Dead Bob’s Too, in Tampa right before the COVID-19 pandemic began.
Choosing the new St. Pete property was an easy decision, Scherlis said.
Both the Tampa location and the former Kay’s building were once Chicken Unlimited restaurants in the 1970s, so they have similar layouts. After seeing the space, Scherlis was able to quickly create a plan for the renovations.
A grand opening celebration will be held later this year or in early 2026.
This content provided in partnership with stpetecatalyst.com.