{"id":291,"date":"2025-10-13T19:23:06","date_gmt":"2025-10-13T19:23:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/291\/"},"modified":"2025-10-13T19:23:06","modified_gmt":"2025-10-13T19:23:06","slug":"lorenes-fish-house-awarded-backing-historic-small-restaurants-grant","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/291\/","title":{"rendered":"Lorene\u2019s Fish House awarded \u201cBacking Historic Small Restaurants\u201d grant"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Lorene\u2019s Fish House, a longtime staple of the historic Deuces neighborhood in St. Petersburg, has been named one of the recipients of the \u201cBacking Historic Small Restaurants\u201d grant for 2025. Located at 927 22nd Street South, Lorene\u2019s is one of only two restaurants in Florida to receive this year\u2019s honor, placing it among a select group of historic eateries recognized nationwide.<\/p>\n

Lorene\u2019s Fish House receives national recognition<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

In Florida, Lorene\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

A cornerstone of The Deuces<\/p>\n

For decades, Lorene\u2019s Fish House has been a cornerstone of the Deuces<\/a> (22nd Street South), once the core of St. Petersburg\u2019s 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\u2019s has remained a gathering place for residents and visitors alike.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\"\"\"\"Food items from Lorene\u2019s fish house| Photo via Facebook<\/p>\n

Preserving the community through food<\/p>\n

The grant will allow Lorene\u2019s to maintain and enhance its space without losing the character that makes it a local landmark. Preservation advocates, including organizations like Preserve the \u2018Burg, have celebrated the recognition as a step toward keeping the Deuces\u2019 cultural institutions vibrant and visible.<\/p>\n

Latorra Bowles<\/a>, Executive Director of Deuces Live, emphasized the broader importance of the award: \u201cWhen businesses in the Deuces receive this kind of recognition, it helps the entire community,\u201d she said. \u201cOur goal is to make sure local restaurants and shops not only survive but thrive, because they are the heart of our neighborhood.\u201d<\/p>\n

As one of the few remaining legacy restaurants on 22nd Street South, Lorene\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

Follow Lorene\u2019s on Facebook<\/a> to learn more about the restaurant. <\/p>\n

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