Business Beat: Tyrone’s Trains, Isabelle’s Chef + Chamber News

A Taste of the Business Bites in Gulfport (and St. Petersburg)

By Abby Baker

Tickets, Please!

Tyrone Square Mall has a drop of train culture, thanks to Gulfport filmmaker (and now toy train conductor) Victoria Jorgensen.

Jorgesen recently opened Sunshine Express, a mini train that drives children and adults around Tyrone Mall for seven minutes of unadulterated caravan-goodness.

“I just kind of fell in love with it,” Jorgesen said.

The Gulfport resident was introduced to the concept by a family member who runs Rocky Mountain Railroad in Colorado. Sunshine Express is the Pinellas version of the Colorado parent company.

“It brings out the kid in everybody,” said Jorgensen.

Jorgensen hopes to eventually expand her railroad to other parts of the St. Petersburg area.

Soups Up

Looking for fresh flavors?

Isabelle’s, the front porch style restaurant connected to Gulfport’s Historic Peninsula Inn, has a new chef, Ray Vega. Vega previously worked as a sous chef for Marriott Hotels and has 10 years of experience under his belt. He says his specialty is southern food with a Mexican flare.

“I really want to give a nice twist to the menu and bring some good stuff into the community,” Vega said.

Veggie Fever

A place for vegans, Tampa’s Black Radish Grocer opened on Dec. 21 as a counterpart to the meat-free location in Tampa’s Ybor City.

The tiny downtown spot at 246 Dr. MLK Jr. St. N. will serve vegan sandwiches, grocery items and require masks at all times.

From the Black Radish Instagram account:

“Please prepare yourselves for magic. We have an insane amount of cheese and treats to delight you with. We could not be more excited. SEE YOU IN THE (physically distanced) PIT!!!”

Follow @blackradishgrocerstpete on Instagram for more Brussels sprout-friendly news.

Meet the Members

The Gulfport Merchants Chamber has four new business owners and board members this year. Here’s the lineup: Debbie Amis, Tiki Bar & Grille Jamie Edwards, Beach House 5317 Sarah Laracuente, Sail Marketing Jennifer Lee, Studio 49 See more chamber news at visitgulfportflorida.com.