First Hoots In Florida Opens In St. Pete During Risky Times

ST. PETERSBURG, FL — The first Hoots location in Florida opened in downtown St. Pete today, May 4. Today is the first day of St. Pete's phase one reopening that includes restaurants, retail businesses, beaches and city pools.

“We are glad to finally open," said Hoots Director of Development and Operations Will LeBas in a press release. "We are looking forward to being a part of the St. Pete community. We will be following all the new mandates at 25 percent occupancy and offering to go, counter service and delivery."

Hooters Management Corporation owns and operates Hoots.

I stopped by the location located on the corder of 1st Avenue N and 2nd Street N, and noticed the floor has several large orange circles that remind customers to stand six feet apart as they wait for their food order. By the looks of the shoe mark on the photo below, it appears customers adhere to the policy.

LeBas stood near the front counter with a tape measure and jokingly said, "I'm just the guy in charge of measuring the social distance," as he pulled the measurement tape from a tape measure.

He pointed out they are not placing tables inside the venue for customers to dine during this phase. They do have chairs and outdoor tables for customers, and they allow pickup at the counter. In the future under different health circumstances they do plan on having tables and chairs inside.

Only eight customers at a time are allowed inside the downtown St. Pete location.

A rack sits near the entrance for delivery service drivers to grab to-go orders. They offer delivery services through Uber Eats, Grubhub and DoorDash. Orders placed online can also be picked up from the rack.

Don't miss updates about precautions in Florida as they are announced. Sign up for Patch news alerts and newsletters.

The self-checkout kiosk located in the middle of the store is currently unavailable because they want to limit surface contact during the coronavirus pandemic.

Hoots menu offerings include fresh never frozen wings in one of their 11 sauces or rubs, hand breaded jumbo tenders, huge buffalo chicken sandwiches, crab legs, buffalo shrimp, waffle fries and several new dipping sauces. Current hours are 12 p.m. to 8 p.m, seven days a week.

For more information about the establishment or to place an order call 727-220-4607 or visit Hoots online.

Check out these stories on how St. Pete and other Pinellas communities are staying safe during the coronavirus pandemic:

• May The Force Of Health Be With You As St. Pete Slowly Reopens
• Pinellas To Offer Free Coronavirus Testing For All Residents
• Clearwater Beach Reopens: Visitors Greeted By Beach Ambassadors