Beatles museum with one of the world's largest collections is moving to downtown St Pete
One of the world’s largest permanent Beatles collections is moving to downtown St. Pete.
Penny Lane, a not-for-profit museum dedicated to the legacy of the Beatles, will open in 2026 at 146 2nd Street North on the first floor of the Palais Royale office building. The new space will be more than four times the size of the current location and offer a more immersive experience for visitors. Founded in January 2017 by Dr. Robert Entel, a local radiologist, the museum began in a 500-square-foot storefront at 730 Broadway in Dunedin.
Over the past eight years, it has welcomed more than 10,000 visitors per year from around the world. Despite having over 1,500 items in the collection, only about 400 to 500 are currently on display due to space limitations. That will change with the move to a new 2,100-square-foot space in downtown St. Pete.
Penny Lane will occupy 2,100 square feet on the first floor of the Palais Royale office building in downtown ST. Pete
The expanded museum will allow for many never-before-seen pieces to be showcased, including large items like Beatles-themed jukeboxes, pinball machines, and gumball machines that couldn’t fit in the original location.
The new location will be designed and built by Pinellas Park-based Creative Arts Unlimited, which also created the Saigon Blonde bar in downtown St. Pete. It will feature immersive lighting and sound effects that transport visitors back to the Beatles’ Liverpool roots. A timeline of the band’s evolution will guide guests through their journey from the Cavern Club to global superstardom.
Guests will find a wide range of memorabilia, such as autographed guitars, signed documents, Beatles toys, posters, pins, and even strands of the Beatles’ hair. A serape once owned by Ringo Starr is also part of the collection. The museum was co-founded by Colin Bissett, a Liverpool native who went to school with Pete Best’s brother. Best was the Beatles’ original drummer before Ringo Starr joined the band.
Dr. Robert Entel, Founder of Penny Lane, the Ultimate Beatles Museum. Dr. Entel began collecting Beatles memorabilia in 1982. Since then, he has built a one-of-a-kind collection that celebrates the music, fashion, culture, and impact of the Beatles.
“The Beatles weren’t just a band. They were a revolution,” said Entel in a conversation with St. Pete Rising. “They changed the way music was written, recorded, and experienced. We want to preserve that legacy for future generations.”
Source: stpeterising.com
