The Chelsea St. Pete's British-Flavored Coffee Shop Is Open

ST. PETERSBURG, FL — The Chelsea St. Pete officially opened its coffee and tea shop doors to the community May 1, exuding an Old English tea vibe with its London books, art and decor.

Owner Teresa Chalkley, a Florida native, wanted to tie her love of The Chelsea Hotel in Manhattan with her husband's native England and Chelsea, London, together with the creation of her coffee shop.

Chalkley grew fond of the hotel's architecture and designs when she attended college in Manhattan's Chelsea neighborhood.

"I was inspired by the artist apartments in the Chelsea Hotel," Chalkley said in a Patch interview. The building has red brick, and some of the apartments have colorful interior. A late writing legend who once called St. Pete home, Jack Kerouac, wrote "On The Road," inside the Chelsea Hotel, according to the New York Times.

Batdorf & Bronson, a coffee blend based in Washington, is the drip coffee served at Chelsea. A Patch reporter sampled the coffee and said it has a smooth taste without bitterness.

"There is also a Batdor & Bronson lab here in St. Pete," Chalkley said. "We trained with them so that we could everything right with the coffee."

The menu offers espresso drinks, matcha, cold brew, teas, and there is no extra charge for oat, soy or almond milk for lattes, mochas, and cappuccinos. Chalkley is in the stages of adding food to the menu.

"I'm getting food from local places such as Pop Goes the Waffle, Pete's General Bakery and I'm thinking about getting sausage rolls from Jack's London Grill," Chalkley said.

Greeting cards made by local artists are also available.

There's an outside seating area with shade provided for the hot, Florida soon-to-be summer sun. In a couple months, The Chelsea will have its grand opening and events such as poetry readings and live music will be added.

Dogs are allowed at the venue.

The Chelsea coffee shop is open Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Saturday to Sunday, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information about The Chelsea, 2462 Fifth Ave. S., St. Petersburg, visit its website.