St. Pete is losing one of its oldest family-owned businesses this summer. The Chattaway, founded in 1951 with a history that dates back even further, announced that it will be closing its doors this July, ending one of the city’s most iconic runs.
The historic restaurant, located at 358 22nd Avenue South, has been delighting locals with that unlikely combination of juicy cheeseburgers and proper English tea service for decades, thanks to owner Jillian Frers who moved to Florida from England. The family-owned eatery took to Facebook today to share the announcement, confirming the news first reported yesterday by St. Pete Rising. They even passed along a highly official note from King Charles.
“Indeed, Jillian’s & Everett’s Chattaway has been sold,” The Chattaway said in it’s announcement. “We promise to share the information at a later date. In the interim, I propose scheduling a traditional English Afternoon Tea now through July 2026. Please text me at (727) 303-5776 to arrange. Treasured memories! The King approves this message!”
There are, indeed, memories galore at The Chattaway. Like a handful of other local institutions, The Chattaway was practically a museum unto himself, holding decades of St. Pete treasures on its grounds and inside its beloved tea room…