At the end of each year, we at iLovetheBurg like to take a look at the rising local businesses that have made a huge impact in the community and are primed to grow exponentially in the year to come. Last year, we highlights Tidal Boar, Squeeze Juice Works and Calusa Press as spots you had to keep on your radar.

This year we look at young entrepreneurs who infuse the artistic spirit of St. Pete, with the adventurous nature of its residents:

Breezy Boards

Brianna Leigh Enders founded Breezy Boards just days after graduating from USF St. Pete. The company, to put it frankly, designs some of the sickest longboards we’ve ever seen. Currently, Breezy Boards features the Adjective Dragon Collection — a name inspired by an accidental pun.

Enders has skated on custom longboards since she was ten years old. That lifelong passion is evident in each of her designs. It is that very passion that extracts the finest work from the artists she’s partnered with over the past year. She’s worked with local businesses in the Burg, including Local Longboards, Urban Deli & Drafts, WOB and, most recently, Destroyer Fest.

As St. Pete continues to move toward making the downtown/waterfront area more pedestrian/cyclist/boarder friendly, we imagine we’ll see an abundance of Breezy Boards exploring the city. Visit their website and Facebook to learn more about the company.

Texture

The EDGE District is flush with food and fun. The area has become one of the most popular spots to visit in all of St. Pete. Bodega, BUYA Ramen, Bavaro’s and Pizza Box each have impressed food lovers from all over Florida. Green Bench continues to brew some of the best beers in the country and the welcome addition of the Indie Market has certainly helped elevate the district. The Independent, which hosts its Grand Opening on Dec. 3, made its return to St. Pete at 1049 Central Avenue, as well. Adding to the allure of the area is Texture, a fabric and design studio at 1029 Central Avenue.

The store carries a variety of unique home accents and furnishings that can turn your home into a space as dynamic and exceptional as the EDGE. Dot, the shop dog is always in the store ready to assist eager customers. If you’re looking for handmade soaps, body wash, intricately designed pillows and  wall accents. Their stock branches beyond what they have in their store. They can special order textiles from their sister store in Texas.

Texture also offers complete home styling services. With a plethora of new town homes/condo towers being completed all over the Burg, their expertise will surely come in handy for incoming residents. Follow them on Facebook for a closer look at their newest arrivals.

St. Pete Ferments

Tampa Bay’s farmers market scene is on the rise. You’re hard pressed not to happen across a local market on any given Saturday or Sunday. Their ubiquity has allowed local farmers/growers to showcase and share their products with a much larger audience. One vendor we’ve grown to adore is St. Pete Ferments.

St. Pete Ferments is a wild fermentation food and beverage company that creates small batches using old-world methods. Each product is crafted to include local produce, while offering alchemized foods and beverages rich in healthy bacteria, acids and enzymes. From their website: “Fermented foods are best when they contain locally beneficial bacteria, which is present in our sauerkraut, pickles, kimchi, water kefir, kombucha, ginger soda and beet kvass. A healthy alternative to the consumer, St. Pete Ferments is the first traditional and varietal fermentation company in Tampa Bay.”

Their products include ginger and pineapple kombucha, jackfruit kimchi, pickled daikon and fermented ginger carrots. Follow them on Facebook and Instagram.

The Sugar Shack

The stretch of MLK Street North just off of Central Avenue is in the midst of a food, fashion and entertainment renaissance. Engine No. 9 Burgers, The Blue Goose, Star Booty, Planet Retro Records, The Escape Room and Chi-Town Beefs and Dogs have stirred quite a bit of excitement in St. Pete. The Sugar Shack is the cherry on top of the sundae.

The new dessert spot brings the flavor of Key West to St. Pete. The Sugar Shack serves the always sensational Working Cow Ice Cream and Kermit’s Key West Key Lime Pies. You haven’t lived until you’ve tried chocolate covered key lime pie on a stick. Customers can also browse an assortment of Le’Anns Cheesecakes. We see The Sugar Shack becoming a staple spot for those residents who have a profound sweet tooth.

The Sugar Shack is located at 177 Dr. MLK Jr. Street North.