Business Beat: Gulfport Pizza, a Beach Bar + Gulfport Doctors

From Wellness to Beach Beers, Here’s What’s New in South Pinellas

By Abby Baker

The two “Johns” of Slice of Gulfport, John McLachlan and Jon Rowles

Slice of Gulfport

Gulfport residents and fans of homegrown pizza joints have reason to rejoice: Slice of Gulfport, a no-nonsense pizza place at 1414 58th St. S., plans to open anytime between mid-February and March 1, says co-owner John McLachlan.

The restaurant will open at the location of the former Gulfport eatery, Fazio’s Pizza. A fire destroyed the former pizza spot in 2016; the fire also set Suncoast Food Store, Sunrise Laundromat (now Funky Flamingo), and Gulfport Florist ablaze.

Today, McLachlan along with co-owners Jon Rowles and Andrew Radish, hope to start fresh traditions.

“I’m from St. Pete Beach, and I recently moved to Gulfport. Now that I’m in the neighborhood, I want pizza, and there’s not a lot of choices,” McLachlan said. “So I decided to do it myself, that’s the dream.”

McLachlan, a chef, hopes that Slice of Pizza will open for business sooner rather than later, but currently faces challenges due to the pandemic.

Rascals Watering Hole, the newest bar on St. Pete Beach.

Cheers, St. Pete Beach

Manned by two former beach bartenders, Rascals Watering Hole opened as a beer and wine bar on St. Pete Beach at 6670 Gulf Blvd. earlier this month.

Owners George Wales and Jason Bona are adding liquor and food items – such as charcuterie boards – but for now, the bar offers air-fried wings and casual pours.

“It’s definitely a casual place on the beach,” Wales told The Gabber. “We cater to the Sunday football crowd, things like that.”

Previously the bar was a similar watering hole, Barrier Island.

Wales hopes to expand on the original concept but keep Rascal’s an easy going, casual beach bar with draws such as crab dip and aged wine.

The Labrador Primary Care Center is adding a third location in Gulfport on Jan. 19.

Family Practice

Gulfport will become the third location of Labrador Primary Care at 5602 Gulfport Blvd. S., adjacent to the Dunkin’ Donuts. A groundbreaking ceremony will take place on Wednesday, Jan. 19.

The center will open at 5602 Gulfport Blvd. S. Locals know it as the former vacant lot adjacent to the Dunkin’ Donuts.

Owners and primary physicians Dr. Carlos and Kitty Labrador have served community health needs for 18 years. The other two Labrador locations are in St. Petersburg.

The Labrador practice is a family one, but employs 28 health care workers, counting four full-time physicians.

In Gulfport, the Labradors assigned Dr. Christina McCoy as the chief physician.

“It is by wisdom, dedication, and compassion for her [Dr. McCoy] patients that she has become such an admired and trusted family physician within the community,” reads the Labrador Primary Care website.

Find more information at drlabrador. com.