ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (WFLA) — Just a five-minute drive from Tropicana Field is the Deuces Corridor.

It’s where Urban Drinkery owner Shundra Allison-Ranger was proud to set up shop four years ago.

“The main thing was for the history of the Deuces. I actually got my entrepreneur legs on the Deuces,” she said.

When asked how her business did during baseball seasons, she said mainly her community showed up.

“To be honest with you, I didn’t see any from the baseball. It was just my local community,” said Allison-Ranger. “They do kind of stay in that central area and don’t come down, but they’re missing out. All this culture and history around here.”

She said she hoped the now dead stadium deal would bring more dollars to the Deuces. But she also wants the city to recognize and support them, deal or not.

“The money is great yes; we need some of those dollars. But mentorship and expanding, growing the business, longevity, that’s the main thing for me,” she said.

St. Pete council member Corey Givens Jr. said the city is at a standstill when it comes to the Trop.

“86 acres. This is a once in a generation opportunity and I think we really need to start that conversation back up now and not later,” Givens said.

At Thursday’s council meeting, he plans to make sure there are some kinds of contingency plans made.

“I think about Ferg’s right, that was a staple in this community before there was ever a baseball team there,” Givens said. “So I want to make sure that we invest not only in our small businesses, not only in our corporate baseball teams, but let’s look at ways we can support those businesses along the Deuces, support those businesses along central avenue, on 16th street and 9th street.”

In July, reports from the Athletic, owned by the New York Times, said a $1.7 billion sale of the team has been agreed to in principle and could be completed as soon as September.

“From what I’m understanding, in conversations with the chamber, is that the Rays ownership is ready to talk about staying here in St. Pete, but we can’t wait until the 11th hour to start those conversations,” Givens said.

Until those talks happen, Allison-Ranger said she is going to be in this city.

“I would love for people to get back to where they help each other,” she said.

And that the Deuces has always supported her.

The council meets at 9 a.m. Thursday. They are also scheduled to vote on more funding repairs to the Trop.