BayWalk in St. Petersburg is an Exciting Shopping Destination

BayWalk is a shopping, dining, and entertainment area located in downtown St. Petersburg, Florida. The mall is owned by local entrepreneur Fred Bullard and includes 130,000 square feet of retail space (including the parking garage) plus an 80,000-square-foot movie theater owned by Muvico Theaters LLC. The mall opened in the fall of 2000.

The shopping center is a mix of Florida contemporary and traditional Mediterranean architectural styles, with stucco-faced buildings and wrought iron touches. The two-story, open-air shopping destination has a central courtyard from which most of the stores can be accessed. The courtyard is trimmed with stately palm trees and attractive lighting features. The mall is especially popular with teens and young adults though current owners are striving to include more upscale stores that cater to a slightly older population, adopting the motto "Uptown, Downtown'' in reference to its new upscale fare and its center-of-St. Petersburg location.

Unlike some other malls or shopping areas, BayWalk does not feature large anchor department stores but instead offers both well-known smaller franchise and locally-owned shops, providing an eclectic shopping experience. Shops located at BayWalk St. Petersburg include Chico's, White House/Black Market, Ann Taylor, Metropolitan Outfitters, Icing, Sunglass Hut, Trade Secrets, Happy Feet, and EB Games.

There is also a number of service-oriented establishments located at this attractive mall, including a salon, a real estate office, a bank, an optician, an insurance agent, and a boating supply company, making this a one-stop shopping area that caters to a variety of needs for both the local and the vacationer.

Many people head to BayWalk to take advantage of a variety of restaurants and casual eateries located there. Patrons have their choice of take-out service or casual eat-in, table service dining. A few restaurants offer outdoor tables in the courtyard area. There are also a few bar/club establishments that serve liquor and remain open after the shopping areas close.

BayWalk hosts a variety of special events all year long, thanks to the pleasant weather that allows outdoor concerts, festivals, and other happenings. On most weekends, live music is featured and may include interactive fun such as salsa or tango lessons. The mall also hosts a number of annual multi-day festivals including the Downtown St. Petersburg Art Festival, a 2-day long January event that is free to the general public. The festival includes displays by about 100 of the most talented artists in the nation, transforming the mall into an outdoor art gallery. Various genres are displayed and pieces are available for purchase.

BayWalk is conveniently located on 2nd Avenue North and the mall has its own sheltered parking garage, connected to the main entrance of the shopping area by an attractive promenade. The center is very family-oriented during the day, but the presence of a few bars makes it rather rowdy after dark.