Lorene’s Fish House, a longtime staple of the historic Deuces neighborhood in St. Petersburg, has been named one of the recipients of the “Backing Historic Small Restaurants” grant for 2025. Located at 927 22nd Street South, Lorene’s is one of only two restaurants in Florida to receive this year’s honor, placing it among a select group of historic eateries recognized nationwide.
Lorene’s Fish House receives national recognition
The grant, awarded through a partnership between American Express and the National Trust for Historic Preservation, provides $50,000 in support for historic small restaurants that hold cultural significance within their communities. The funds help cover building repairs, operational upgrades, and efforts to preserve the unique identity of these establishments.
In Florida, Lorene’s Fish House joins Snappers Key Largo as a 2025 recipient. Across the country, only 25 restaurants are selected each year, making the recognition a rare and meaningful achievement.
A cornerstone of The Deuces
For decades, Lorene’s Fish House has been a cornerstone of the Deuces (22nd Street South), once the core of St. Petersburg’s African American business and entertainment district. The corridor was home to thriving shops, cafes, and cultural venues during segregation. While much has changed over the years, Lorene’s has remained a gathering place for residents and visitors alike.
Known for its classic seafood dishes, including fried fish and hush puppies, the restaurant is more than just a place to eat. It represents continuity, memory, and community pride in a neighborhood that has fought to preserve its history amid the pressures of development.
Food items from Lorene’s fish house| Photo via Facebook
Preserving the community through food
The grant will allow Lorene’s to maintain and enhance its space without losing the character that makes it a local landmark. Preservation advocates, including organizations like Preserve the ‘Burg, have celebrated the recognition as a step toward keeping the Deuces’ cultural institutions vibrant and visible.
Latorra Bowles, Executive Director of Deuces Live, emphasized the broader importance of the award: “When businesses in the Deuces receive this kind of recognition, it helps the entire community,” she said. “Our goal is to make sure local restaurants and shops not only survive but thrive, because they are the heart of our neighborhood.”
As one of the few remaining legacy restaurants on 22nd Street South, Lorene’s Fish House continues to serve as a living link between past and present. With this national recognition and new resources, it is poised to carry its history forward while continuing to serve the neighborhood that has sustained it for generations.
Follow Lorene’s on Facebook to learn more about the restaurant.
