Einstein Bros. Bagels and Rita’s Italian Ice are set to open new storefronts along St. Petersburg’s bustling 66th Street corridor.

Einstein Bros. Bagels will be located at 2216 66th Street North in an outparcel retail strip outside the Tyrone Square Mall. Across the street, Rita’s Italian Ice will open at 2141 66th Street North in the Crossroads Shopping Center.

Einstein Bros. Bagels, a Colorado-based chain known for its breakfast sandwiches and fresh bagels, will take over the space previously occupied by Sub Zero Nitrogen Ice Cream, which closed its physical storefront in October but continues to offer catering services.

The Einstein Bros. Bagels brand was created in 1995 by Boston Market to market breakfast foods and is currently owned by Panera. This will be the 9th location for Einstein Bros. in Pinellas County, which also has branches in Palm Harbor, Clearwater, Seminole, and on 4th Street North in St. Pete.

Einstein Bros. Bagels is renowned for its classic and gourmet sweet and savory bagels served with double-whipped cream cheese. Bagel flavors include maple french toast, apple cinnamon, blueberry, cheddar jalapeño, spinach florentine, asiago cheese, and more. Cream cheese options range from rich honey almond and strawberry to zesty garden veggie and onion & chive shmears.

An official opening date for the new Einstein Bros. Bagels location has not been announced, but it will join nearby establishments such as Verizon, America’s Best Contacts and Eyeglasses, and TD Bank.

Meanwhile, Rita’s Italian Ice, a Pennsylvania-based franchise offering Italian ice and frozen custard, plans to open its new store across the street in the Crosswinds Shopping Center, replacing the Doctors’ Weightloss Center, which relocated to East Bay Drive in Largo.

This will be the fifth location for Rita’s in Pinellas County, joining other shops in Palm Harbor, Clearwater, and Seminole, and marking the first location in St. Petersburg.

Rita’s is famous for its sweet Italian ice made from real fruit, frozen custards, and gelati—a combination of layered Italian ice and custard. Italian ice flavors include tropical options like cherry lemonade and pina colada, while frozen custard flavors include birthday cake batter, pistachio, and pumpkin pie. Rita’s also serves milkshakes, custard cookie sandwiches, and drinks blended with Italian ice.

Rita’s will join co-tenants such as Super Cuts, Tijuana Flats, MattressFirm, Tropical Smoothie Cafe, Destiny Nails Spa, and Home Depot in the Crosswinds Shopping Center.

According to Rita’s website, the 40-year-old frozen treat franchise has expanded to 575 locations worldwide, with more locations expected to open by the end of the year. Founded by Bob Tumolo, a former Philadelphia firefighter, in 1984, the business started as a small Italian ice shop on Tumolo’s front porch and was named after his wife, Rita.

Rita’s has not yet announced an opening date for the new St. Pete store.

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Threads, X