Blast from the past: Former Hideaway Cafe space to become retro-themed bar The Neon Lunchbox – St. Pete Rising

Urban Development News
The Neon Lunchbox, an 80s and 90s retro-themed bar, is coming soon to 1756 Central Avenue, formerly The Hideaway Cafe | St Pete Rising
St. Pete patrons will get to reminisce about ‘80s and ‘90s nostalgia in a new retro-themed bar coming to the former Hideaway Cafe space in the Grand Central District.
Tom Cruise blockbusters, iconic games from Nintendo, and music videos on MTV helped define the decades that two St. Pete restaurateurs want to pay homage to.
James Castetter and Chelsey Andrews, who owns The Half Baked Potato restaurant in downtown St. Pete, executed a lease in late December 2023 for 1756 Central Avenue to open their newest concept – The Neon Lunchbox.
“We are excited to bring to life what was once there with our spin on it,” Andrews said, acknowledging Hideaway’s 13-year history as one of St. Pete’s most beloved music venues.
“One of our hobbies was to sit down once a week and watch an old ‘80s movie. We are pulling influences from our favorite movies and musicians,” Andrews said, hinting there will be references to the 1988 romantic comedy-drama film, Cocktail.
The building on the 1700 Block, which also houses The Burg Bar and Grill, and Dirty Laundry, among other tenants, was previously planned to be redeveloped into a mixed-use apartment building.
However, Dallas-based real estate firm Trammell Crow Residential is no longer under contract to purchase the land, giving Castetter and Andrews the opportunity to lease the space.
Live bands and DJs will perform onstage at The Neon Lunchbox during the weekend – filling a live music venue void in St. Pete’s night scene.
“We want to pay homage to what the Hideaway had by hosting an indie/locals night,” said Andrews.
EDM/techno, rock & roll, and “throwback” music will also be played on select nights.
The duo is redoing the bar and plans to offer a full cocktail menu, which local bartender Ben Harris, is curating. Harris has worked in the downtown St. Pete bar scene since 2006, most recently at One Night Stand.
Food will also be available at The Neon Lunchbox, but the menu is still in development.
A dividing wall will be demolished to make way for an intimate VIP room in the back area.
The venue space will also feature murals done by a local tattoo artist.
Andrews and Castetter hope to open The Neon Lunchbox within the next two months and will be hiring bartenders, barbacks, and kitchen staff in the coming weeks.
While the duo is focused on delivering their new concept, the couple is also working to lease a new location for their Half Baked Potato operations as their lease at 1626 Central Avenue has expired.
“We want to stay in St. Pete, but we do have eyes and ears out in a few other areas,” Andrews said.
To stay up to date on grand opening plans, be sure to follow The Neon Lunchbox on Instagram.

St. Pete Rising is an online urban development publication covering retail, restaurants, and real estate news in St. Petersburg, FL
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