St. Pete Catalyst, Published By Mark Parker
Elihu Brayboy previously said he wanted young entrepreneurs – preferably with a culinary background – to reimagine the Chief’s Creole Café site and “take it to another level.”
He got his wish.
Brayboy, 74, abruptly closed the popular establishment April 7 as the daily grind of running a restaurant for 10 years took its toll. Chief’s Creole Cafe played a significant role in revitalizing the Deuces, and Brayboy wanted to ensure the new operators were also committed to helping the 22nd Street South corridor achieve some of its former glory.
Jason Bryant and his business partner, Jeffrey Copeland, are eager to carry the torch. They enlisted the help of Chris, Sheldon and Andrew Steele, owners of Sid’s Caribbean Grill.
“Jeff (Copeland) is a native as well, and we really want to bring back the Deuces like it was before,” Bryant said. “It’s not just about bringing people to our establishment, but all the surrounding area.
“The Deuces are back.”
The Steeles once operated a brick-and-mortar location on Central Avenue in St. Petersburg’s Grand Central District, and Chief’s Creole Café will transform into Sid’s at the Catalyst. The historic building, built in 1939, will also feature a speakeasy lounge – The Catalyst on the Deuces.
Bryant is a business consultant and founder of New Era Thinking. He is also a member of the Urban Collective, which opened a food hall and event space at the Manhattan Casino in 2021.
Last November, city officials chose not to renew the consortium’s lease, for several reasons. Bryant called the venture an emotional investment and said he planned to take some time away from the hospitality industry.
However, he has a “soft spot” for South St. Pete, and Copeland approached him with the idea after speaking with Brayboy. While Bryant initially declined Copeland’s pitch, Brayboy’s desire to relinquish the facility to “someone local who cares” resonated.
Bryant believes that reimagining a successful restaurant is “a better deal” than trying to restore and attract people to the Manhattan Casino. Bryant also noted the intersection of 22nd Street South and 9th Avenue, known as the Deuces Corner, features more traffic.
He called the new venture a blessing and a continuation of his initial vision for the Manhattan Casino. Bryant said he is proud to participate in the Deuces renaissance after growing up hearing about its glory days.
“We’re really giving people on the southside somewhere to go,” Bryant added. “The Brayboys, obviously, vetted us to make sure we’re good. They’ve been extremely supportive of everything we’re trying to do.”
He has already contacted surrounding business owners and Terri Lipsey Scott, executive director of the adjacent Woodson African American Museum of Florida. Bryant envisions Sid’s and The Catalyst as an alternative to downtown St. Petersburg establishments, and the corridor again becoming a regional destination.
Bryant said his group is planning for the future and how to integrate and evolve alongside a myriad of projects coming to the Deuces.
“It feels good just to be a part of that because I used to always hear stories about what went on in the Deuces,” he added. “Ironically, the place where we are right now used to be a place called George Washington’s – I believe – and it was basically a speakeasy bar. So, we’re going to try to almost revive that, with a modern taste to it.”
Brayboy previously said there was “zero” chance of him selling the property unless someone “waves a check so big I get choked up.” Bryant said they have yet to discuss ownership, and that he would lease the building for the foreseeable future.
The two concepts will utilize the site’s vacant spaces, and Bryant noted the group is enhancing the patio. They are also improving interior aspects, and Bryant said he is applying lessons learned from the Manhattan Casino’s food hall.
Sid’s at the Catalyst will feature live music, poetry nights and art. Bryant said several local musicians have offered their services, and he is calling on connections made through previous ventures.
“Everything St. Pete is what you’ll see in there,” Bryant said. “We really want to make it a destination.”
