Hamburger Mary’s, known as a bastion for fun and deep-fried debauchery, is an instantly recognizable staple for the LGBT community in cities across the nation. Aside from the two locations in Clearwater and Ybor City, there is now a new location that will be opening up next month in St. Petersburg.
The new establishment will set up shop at 2901 Tyrone Blvd., across from Tyrone Square Mall.
Though at first a seemingly odd choice for a third location, owner Kurt King, also the owner of the other two locations in Tampa Bay and a longtime resident who hails from Michigan, says he loves the Tyrone Square Mall area and wants to move there. “[Tampa Bay] has been my home for 25 years now, and I feel this is the greatest place to live and own a business.”
No date is set yet, but King is aiming for a grand opening in the next 30 to 60 days. The feedback from the local LGBT community and even the city has already been positive. The mayor and a few other familiar names are expected to be among those coming out for the event.
“Everyone seems to be happy and excited we’re coming,” King shares.
The new location in St. Pete has been five years in the making, with King scouting the area all this time but unable to find the right location. So what will set this spot apart from the other two? “The big patio, great parking and lots of wood!”King says with a laugh.
He says the impetus for originally bringing this saucy persona to the Tampa Bay area was to help others who were searching for jobs with no luck. “In 2009, the economy was bad and I had a lot of family and friends out of work, so I thought the right thing to do was to open and give them jobs. I took a big chance and it worked out.” Worked out indeed, Hamburger Mary’s two current locations are definitely to credit for many fabulous times, successfully living up to its slogan as the place to “eat, drink and be … Mary!”
And there’s good news for those currently on the job hunt: Get your resume ready as the new location will begin hiring in the next two weeks.
For the many patrons who are looking forward to dining at the new location, they can expect a few new special menu items including more seafood and of course familiar favorites from the other two locations.
Weekly themed nights at Hamburger Mary’s in Clearwater and Ybor City are ongoing community favorites, like Monday Night Drag Bingo, Team Trivia Tuesdays and Drag Diva Brunch Sundays – and this location will be no different. King teases that there are a few additional events up his sleeve for this location. “We are planning new things for St. Pete that are different, including a drag queen Bingo show. My big thing is making our community better. St. Pete already has the best Pride, now it has Hamburger Mary’s, too!”
