Ford’s Garage to move into Rowdies Den location at McNulty Station

Rowdies Den is gone: think of the Rowdies Den as free advertising for the Tampa Bay Rowdies for a few years until Bill Edwards could find a better run business to sell that location to.

I went to the Rowdies Den a few times when visiting St. Pete. The food was "meh". French fries were sub-par (tasteless, over processed frozen fries that Americans have become used to thanks to the fast food industry).

I walked down Central Avenue to Central Melt and had a good grilled cheese sandwich and fresh cut french fries. Far superior food, in a grotty hole in the wall. Sports bar "atmosphere" isn't everything.

Nothing but complaints about the Rowdies Den from Ralph's Mobsters on Facebook; not well run at all.

The Rowdies Den had a good draft beer selection at least.

Nancy Bataille (of the Rowdies Gear shop) will get her Rowdies collectibles back (they were loaned to the Rowdies Den for decor). Hopefully we'll have a Rowdies museum/trophy room in a new SSS at Al Lang and they can go there.  
 
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http://saintpetersblog.com/fords-garage-move-rowdies-den-location-mcnulty-station/

Ford’s Garage to move into Rowdies Den location at McNulty Station

Ford’s Garage, a retro service station-themed eatery, continues its expansion throughout Florida by moving into space currently occupied by the Rowdies Den at the corner of 1st Avenue South and 2nd Street in downtown St. Petersburg.

Ford’s Garage Restaurants and The Edwards Group, which owns both the Rowdies Den and the Tampa Bay Rowdies, made the announcement Monday morning.

Ford’s Garage first opened in Ft. Myers in 2012, quickly growing to include locations in Cape Coral, Estero, and Brandon. Other locations are planned for Countryside, Citrus Park, Wesley Chapel, and Dearborn, Michigan, the hometown of Ford Motor Co.

The gourmet burger bar will be outfitted in their signature 1920s service station/prohibition style, making it a unique and memorable dining destination for the area.

“We are thrilled to be a part of downtown St. Petersburg,” said Ford’s Garage Restaurants President Marc Brown.  “We were looking for the perfect location, and we are certain this corner is it. We’re grateful to Bill Edwards and Darryl LeClair for making the deal happen, and we can’t wait to move forward.”

“Ford’s Garage will be a great addition to downtown,” added Rowdies Den owner Bill Edwards. “It’s a fantastic brand. Marc has assured me that it will still be the official gathering spot for Rowdies fans, so it’s a win-win for everyone involved.  We wish him great success.”

Ford’s Garage is scheduled to open summer 2017.