Matt Kaye has been investing in the St. Petersburg community for more than a decade. Born and raised in the city, he’s behind projects such as the Bends, Wild Child and Slim Charmer.
Kaye’s latest venture, Easy Tiger, opened Thursday. The hi-fi listening lounge and bar is located at 915 1st Avenue N. Craig Dragoonis, Chris Stone and Kaye’s wife, Victoria Kaye, are also involved in the effort.
According to Matt Kaye, the project has been in the works for almost three years. The 1,600-square-foot establishment features an “atmosphere blending art deco and brutalism design.”
Kaye and his partners even commissioned a piece of art from the New York-based Erik Jones for Easy Tiger. Born in St. Petersburg, the artist is a graduate of the Ringling College of Art and Design in Sarasota.
Music has been a key aspect of the effort since day one.
Kaye has been a vinyl collector for most of his life. Before opening his own concepts, the businessman was a disc jockey in downtown St. Petersburg. In his free time, he would attend punk rock concerts.
Eventually, Kaye would move to New York City to attend the School of Visual Arts. He would bring his records and turntables with him. This allowed the entrepreneur to “supplement” his income.
“I’ve been a part of this industry for my entire life,” Kaye said. “Music is such a part of the ambience of the night and the feel of the space.”
Owner Matt Kaye commissioned artwork from New York-based Erik Jones, who was born in St. Petersburg, for the new project.
Curated playlists have been an aspect in all of his ventures.
The goal with Easy Tiger was to “foster a creative, sound-focused experience,” Kaye explained. Design elements such as “curved soft corners” and “sleek seating” were intentional. Kaye and Stone collaborated with architectural and design studio Oliver Shaw to create the space.
Tampa-based Justin Layman, known professionally as DJ Casper, serves as Easy Tiger’s music director. He will be “curating a rotating roster of local and traveling DJs who focus on vinyl record sets and long musical journeys,” Kaye added.
The EDGE District building, which also houses the Bends, was the right fit for the project. He explained that the “historic” property was once owned by the late Sanford Goldman, an architect who worked directly with Frank Lloyd Wright. It was originally purchased by Goldman’s father.
“We had a great relationship with Sanford,” Kaye added. “He would come to every one of my projects once they were developed and check them out. He was like a grandfather figure and was always impressed and kind.”
This relationship with Goldman made it possible to acquire the building in 2023. After a real estate developer made an offer, Kaye decided to explore financing opportunities and purchase the site.
He preferred that the property “go to someone like myself that would help grow the community as a local,” Kaye said. The developer had plans to tear the building down and create “micro apartments.”
Easy Tiger’s cocktail selections are curated by Wild Child beverage director Chris Trull. The bar and lounge will be open Thursdays through Sundays.
