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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Ukrainian Café Brings From-Scratch Comfort Food, European Flavors and Family-Owned Hospitality to Downtown Clearwater
More than 3,000 people filled the 400 block of Cleveland Street Saturday afternoon for the grand opening of Nubo Café & Bakery, welcoming another independently owned restaurant to downtown Clearwater.
Located at 420 Cleveland Street, Nubo brings a distinctive Ukrainian and European café experience and family-owned hospitality to the heart of the Cleveland Street district.
A new video released by the Cleveland Street Alliance introduces Nubo and owner Oleksandr Kozlenko, highlighting the newly opened café, its Ukrainian roots, its from-scratch menu and the family story behind the business.
Kozlenko and his wife, Oksana, relocated to the United States from Ukraine in 2024 and created Nubo around the food, hospitality and traditions they brought with them.
The name itself reflects that story. In Ukrainian, Kozlenko says Nubo carries the spirit of “Let’s go,” “Come on” and “Don’t give up”—an expression of determination that became particularly meaningful as his family began a new life in the United States.
“Nubo is also very much about family,” Kozlenko told the crowd at Saturday’s ribbon-cutting. “This is food we enjoy in our own family, and now we are very happy to share it with your families.”
Nubo combines Ukrainian and European recipes with fresh pastries, handmade desserts, quality coffee and modern comfort food. Everything is prepared from scratch using simple ingredients, with sauces, fillings and pastries made in-house.
The menu introduces guests to Ukrainian specialties including borshch, varenyky, deruny and syrnyky, alongside crepes, croissants, cakes, soups, salads, espresso drinks, teas and other café offerings.
The restaurant’s distinctive pink-and-gold interior features decorative mirrors, chandeliers, a coffee bar and bakery, creating a colorful gathering place designed for breakfast, lunch, coffee, dessert or a relaxed meal with friends and family.
For Kozlenko, choosing Cleveland Street was an easy decision.
“When we first saw this location, we loved it,” he said. “We looked at other places in Tampa and St. Petersburg but, in our hearts, it was always this place.”
The ceremony culminated with the Nubo team gathering for the ribbon-cutting and a countdown that began in the spirit of the restaurant’s name:
“In the spirit of Nubo … Let’s go!”
As historic restorations are completed, new restaurants open their doors and major entertainment and redevelopment projects advance across Cleveland Street, the transformation of downtown Clearwater is no longer something on the horizon.
It is happening now.
And downtown Clearwater is undergoing its most significant transformation in generations.
Cleveland Street Alliance is leading a coordinated effort to revitalize downtown Clearwater through a series of historic restoration and redevelopment projects along Cleveland Street. Through sustained investment and a building-by-building approach, the initiative is restoring landmark properties, reactivating the corridor and reestablishing the district as a center of activity and commerce.
To learn more, visit clevelandstreetalliance.com.
Email: mediarelations@clevelandstreetalliance.com
Phone Number: (727) 362-7000
