ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (WFLA) — Green benches are a part of the beautiful, yet painful history of St. Petersburg, but the owners of Green Bench Brewing Co. are using their business to reclaim some of the city’s dark past.
Beginning in 1908, green benches began to consume the city of St. Petersburg. Nearly 7,000 green benches lined the streets of St. Petersburg during the time of segregation.
“The city used it as a representation of that community gathering showing we have great weather, community, we’re the city of the green benches,” Khristopher Johnson said. “It glamorized the idea of hanging out with your community and being social.”
A colorful and beautiful memory for some, but a painful recollection for others…