Don The Beachcomber, Sirata Beach Resort, Theater: Pinellas Beach News

PINELLAS BEACHES, FL — Check out some of the latest headlines from along the Pinellas beaches:

Historic Beach Theatre Under New Ownership

The historic Beach Theatre, 315 Corey Ave., in St. Pete Beach is under new ownership, the venue wrote in a Facebook post.

The space will reopen as a movie theater and live theater venue that celebrates local art.

“Whether you're a movie buff looking for the nostalgia of classic films or a theater enthusiast seeking the thrill of live performances, The Beach Theatre will be your ultimate destination for unforgettable experiences and cherished memories,” the theater wrote in a blog post on its website. “We're dedicated to fostering a sense of community and collaboration, providing a platform for local artists to showcase their talents, and inviting audiences to experience the magic of storytelling in all its forms.”

The theater, which opened in 1940, has been closed for nearly a decade.

Don the Beachcomber Relaunches in Madeira Beach

Legendary tiki bar and restaurant Don the Beachcomber has relaunched in Madeira Beach, operating out of the ground floor of the Cambria Hotel, 15015 Madeira Way, according to St. Pete Rising.

The original Polynesian-themed bar first was opened nearly 90 years ago in Hollywood California by adventurer and businessman Donn Beach.

Tampa-based 23 Restaurant Services, which also owns Ford’s Garage and Yeoman’s, bought the rights to the Don the Beachcomber concept in 2022.

Sirata Beach Resort Expansion Approved

St. Pete Beach commissioners approved the expansion of Sirata Beach Resortin a 3-2 vote on Feb. 27, Fox 13 reported.

The hotel’s new owners were granted a conditional use permit for the site. In addition to revamping the existing hotel, they plan to build a 19-story JW Marriott and a nine-store Hampton Inn.

This will bring the total number of hotel rooms on the property to just over 600.

HGTV’s “Rock the Block” Premieres

The new season of HGTV’s “Rock the Block, which was filmed in Pinellas County, premiered Monday night.

For the first time in the series’ history, four returning teams will get a shot at redemption as they compete to add the most value to waterfront homes in Treasure Island during the show’s fifth season.

“‘Rock the Block’ is one of the hottest shows on television, and we were ecstatic to work with the production team and the City of Treasure Island to secure filming in our local community and provide incredible destination exposure for the St. Pete/Clearwater area,” said Lisa Dozois, St. Pete/Clearwater film commissioner. “Viewers will see an incredible competition and the beautiful, vibrant community we get to live, work and play in every day. Travelers that enjoy visiting filming locations will definitely want to add Treasure Island to their must-see lists.”

New episodes air on Mondays, 9 p.m., on HGTV and will be available to stream every Monday at that time on Max. More season updates can be found on HGTV’s digital platforms at HGTV.com