St. Petersburg – Craft Kafe’s much‑delayed commissary kitchen in the Skyway Marina District is finally nearing completion. Owner Teddy Skiadiotis, who signed the lease back in 2019, says the facility should open in October, likely within the next two weeks.
Years of setbacks, now a breakthrough
The project has endured a series of construction and plumbing challenges. The kitchen required roughly 300 feet of dedicated plumbing to connect its grease traps, a step that kept the development from sharing infrastructure with neighboring businesses. While the extra work added time and cost, Skiadiotis believes it will protect the operation from future sewage problems during storms and flooding.
“This has been five, six years in the making. I feel guilty even talking about it. I just want to open,” Skiadiotis told the Catalyst. He added that recent condo developments such as SkyTown have validated his original decision to locate the kitchen in the burgeoning Skyway Marina area.
What the new kitchen will enable
The 4725 34th St. S. site will serve as a central production hub for Craft Kafe’s existing St. Petersburg cafés. Heavy‑duty industrial equipment, including automated machinery and ultraviolet technology, will allow the bakery to increase output while maintaining a dedicated gluten‑free environment. Skiadiotis emphasized that scaling up will not compromise product quality.
“It’s going to be the same exact one whether you buy in store or get it shipped,” he said.
Beyond supporting current locations, the commissary opens the door to online sales and the possibility of shipping products beyond the region. Skiadiotis envisions large holiday pie orders and the ability to supply future cafés without each new site needing its own full‑scale kitchen.
Strategic location for future growth
The Skyway Marina District sits near Interstate 275 and the Sunshine Skyway Bridge, positioning Craft Kafe for potential expansion toward Bradenton and Sarasota. The new facility’s capacity will make it easier to launch additional cafés while keeping recipes consistent with the brand’s gluten‑free focus.
Craft Kafe’s story began when Skiadiotis met a customer with celiac disease, prompting him to experiment with gluten‑free baking. Today the bakery stone‑mills its own organic rice and uses almond and chickpea flours, offering a menu built entirely around a dedicated gluten‑free kitchen.
Local impact and community response
The Skyway Marina District has transformed dramatically over the six‑year wait, with thousands of new apartments and condos reshaping the neighborhood. Residents and commuters alike will soon have a new food‑production hub that supports local employment and adds to the area’s revitalization.
While a Tampa location opened in 2022 and closed in 2025 due to building‑access issues, the new commissary aims to avoid such setbacks by providing a purpose‑built, self‑contained production space.
“In a sea of dreams, this idea is what came up for air: a dedicated, gluten‑free environment that offers relatable foods we grew up with,” Skiadiotis said.
With the opening date fast approaching, Craft Kafe is interviewing staff and finalizing logistics. The community can look forward to a broader selection of gluten‑free baked goods, both in‑store and potentially shipped nationwide.
Original reporting: St. Pete Catalyst — read the source article.
