Downtown St. Petersburg Faces Another Restaurant Loss

Concrete Jungle, a lively spot at 475 Central Ave. in St. Petersburg, closed its doors after operating for a little over two years.

Housed in the historic Kress building, this 1927 Beaux-Arts gem has served various purposes before; it was a beloved five-and-dime store until around 1980–1981 and earned its place on the National Register of Historic Places in 2001.

Concrete Jungle opened its doors in November 2023. The Tulum-inspired setting, created by local restaurateur Stephen Schrutt through his Hunger Thirst Group, replaced the former occupant, Iberian Rooster.

Designed with two floors, it featured a cozy basement bar hosting live performances. The menu offered Central American dishes, heavily influenced by the Yucatán Peninsula, with tropical cocktails and whole fish dishes as signature items.

Despite its vibrant atmosphere, the venue took to social media to announce its closure. It shut down for good on January 9, 2026.

Before closing, financial issues came to light. A lawsuit filed in October 2025 accused Concrete Jungle of owing $104,732 in back rent and bills.

This closure is the third for Schrutt’s Hunger Thirst Group within a year. Previously, The Avenue closed after a long 13-year run, shortly followed by No Vacancy's closure in 2025.

Even with these setbacks, Schrutt's group continues to operate four other establishments. His successful ventures include Dirty Laundry, Good Fortune, Lost & Found, and Park & Rec DTSP.

When it launched, Concrete Jungle became Schrutt's 12th dining project in as many years, reflecting a dynamic approach.

Although now quiet, the Kress building remains architecturally significant, a landmark in downtown St. Petersburg's cityscape.