Coffee biz smells big opportunity with new store

ST. PETERSBURG — Kahwa Coffee Roasters is expanding to a 12th store and fourth drive-thru location, this one in a former Farm Stores in west St. Petersburg.

The location, 5820 9th Ave. N., was built in 1962, when the “T-shaped” structure was one of many Farm Stores statewide. By the mid-1980s, many of the remaining Farm Store structures were transformed into neighborhood bodegas, “losing much of their iconic appeal that was familiar to so many Floridians,” according to a press release.

“We have a special opportunity to restore a unique piece of architecture from an era-gone by,” says Kahwa owner Raphael Perrier in the statement. “We cannot wait to bring our vision for this drive-thru to the public and serve our signature blends to the rapidly-growing western side of St Petersburg.”