A new pizza shop named Kitty’s House of Pizza is set to open in early 2026 at 4059 Fifth Ave. N in St. Petersburg, Florida. This venture comes from the owners of the popular local ice cream brand, Bright Ice, which has been expanding rapidly in recent years.
The founders, Steve Garrahan and Kurt Drake, initially secured the space for ice cream production due to the increasing demand for their products. Bright Ice’s original location in St. Petersburg is just a few blocks away from the future pizza shop. As the company began to expand to other areas, including Tampa and Venice, they found their existing commercial kitchen insufficient to meet their production needs.
Transitioning from Ice Cream to Pizza
While the primary purpose of the new facility was to support Bright Ice’s ice cream operations, Garrahan and Drake decided to leverage the additional space for a new concept. Thus, Kitty’s House of Pizza was born, with plans for a takeout-focused menu that will feature between five to nine types of pizzas, several pasta dishes, and sides. The shop will also offer pints of Bright Ice’s signature ice cream for dessert.
The decision to diversify into the pizza market aligns with the owners’ vision of creating a community hub that caters to local tastes. “We wanted to create something that complements our ice cream business while offering something new to the community,” said Garrahan in a statement, although he was unavailable for further comment when contacted recently.
What to Expect from Kitty’s House of Pizza
As excitement builds for the opening of Kitty’s House of Pizza, local residents can visit one of Bright Ice’s four scoop shops to sample their unique ice cream flavors. Options include inventive varieties such as Blueberries with Cinnamon, Caramelized Bananas with Peanut Butter and Honey, and Espresso with Kahlua.
The establishment of Kitty’s House of Pizza not only underscores Bright Ice’s growth trajectory but also reflects a broader trend of food entrepreneurs expanding their offerings to meet customer demand. As the opening date approaches, more details about the menu and specific offerings will likely emerge.
For ongoing updates, interested patrons can follow Bright Ice on Instagram at @brightice. This new project promises to add to the vibrant culinary scene in St. Petersburg, inviting both locals and visitors to experience an exciting combination of pizza and ice cream.
