Pier Park update

[kurt]

PANAMA CITY BEACH, FL (November 20, 2007) – Simon Property Group, Inc. (NYSE:SPG), the country’s largest owner, developer and manager of high quality retail real estate, announced another wave of enviable retailers and restaurants coming to Pier Park, a 900,000 square foot retail and entertainment complex located on 93 acres that covers land from Front Beach Road (at the City Pier) to the heavily-traveled Highway 98 (Back Beach Road).
“We’re very pleased to announce these new stores coming to Pier Park,” said Paul Ajdaharian, regional vice president at Simon. “I think the breadth of the stores and restaurants that we’re announcing here speaks to the great variety that shoppers will find when they come to Pier Park.”
Fish Tales, owned and operated by glass artist Cindy Stephens and her husband Buddy, is a whimsical, unique art gallery representing the finest local art on the Gulf Coast. Fish Tales has two stores in Grayton Beach and Apalachicola and is relocating its Grayton Beach location to Pier Park.
Stephens has been creating, designing and exhibiting her work for over a decade. She is currently a full-time studio artist and creates commissioned glasswork for a variety of community and commercial projects. She works with many different forms of glass – stained, leaded, beveled, etched, slumped and fused.
Fish Tales will feature Stephens’s unique art glass work including her signature fish mobiles, along with mirrors, mosaics, glass tile, lamps and furniture. Among her most popular pieces are her hand-carved tables with glass inlays.
“We are very delighted to be at Pier Park which is the greatest thing to happen to the Florida Panhandle,” said Cindy Stephens. “It has been very exciting to watch the project develop over the past months and there is no question that for Fish Tales, this is the place to be.”
Hofbrau Beer Garden is modeled on the famous beer gardens of Munich, Germany. The restaurant at Pier Park will have 233 seats in three distinct sections – a beer hall and bar (85 seats), a beer garden (80 seats) and a café. Five Hofbrau beers will be available on tap.
In addition to beer, Hofbrau will have an authentic German food menu with a delicious assortment of appetizers and nightly entertainment featuring live bands including some from Germany.
Bootleg Barbeque’s feel is “More Rockabilly Than Hillbilly,” as they serve the best pulled pork, slow smoked ribs and chicken on the Panhandle for lunch and dinner seven days a week. Bootleg Barbeque, a full service restaurant, will be located in the heart of Pier Park directly across from The Grand movie theater.
Bootleg Barbeque, owned and operated by families of the Emerald Coast, are ready to provide for your party of 10 to 210 with many take-home feasts from which to choose.
Massage Envy is a bold concept in therapeutic massage. Massage Envy offers a variety of massages – from Swedish and deep tissue to sports, reflexology, pregnancy and trigger point massages. The company was created in 2002 on the premise that massages should be relaxing, but also affordable and convenient. Massage Envy makes this possible through a monthly membership plan that enables customers to enjoy massages on a regular basis.
For a monthly fee, members enjoy: one massage, plus additional massages at a discounted cost; family add-on and guest pass opportunities; on-site corporate and in-home massage services; retail and gift certificate discounts; access to 4,000 appointment spots; and portability of membership at Massage Envy clinics nationwide.
With the new location at Pier Park, Massage Envy has 300 open clinics operating in 38 states with an additional 390 clinics sold and in development.
Tilly’s offers the largest selection and assortment of leading brands in the surf, skate, motocross, and California lifestyle to the retail industry. Operating 74 stores throughout California, Arizona, Colorado, Florida and Nevada, the company excels in customer service and appeals to youth, teens and adults alike. Tilly’s motto really explains it all – at Tilly’s “If its not here…its not happening.” For more information, please visit its website at www.tillys.com.
These stores join Target, The Grand 16-Plex Theatres, Panera Bread and Longhorn Steakhouse which are already open at Pier Park.

[kurt]

total store list:

Dillard’s (126,000 sq ft), JCPenney (83,692 sq ft), Target (opened 10/06, 137,000 sq ft), Borders Books and Music, The Grand Movie Theatre (opened 5/07), Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville (only five in the US), The Fresh Market, Old Navy, Long Horn Steakhouse (opened 4/07), Panera Bread (opened 5/07), ULTA Cosmetics Aeropostale, American Eagle, Ann Taylor Loft, Alltel Wireless, Back Porch Seafood House, Bath and Body Works, Beach Scene Bebo’z Gift & Home Collectables, Bootleg BBQ, Brookstone, Buffalo Wild Wings, Camille’s Sidewalk Cafe, Candymaker Candy Stores, Carlyle & Co., Chico’s, Claire’s, Del Sol, Emerald Coast Photography, Fish Tales, Five Guy’s Famous Burgers and Fries, Fresh Produce, GNC, Guglielmo’s Italian Grill, Hofbrau Beer Garden, Irene and Co., Resort Wear and Boutique, Jake at the Beach, Jos. A Bank, Journey’s, Justice Kilwin’s Chocolate, Lane Bryant/Cacique, Lid’s, Marble Slab Creamery, Massage Envy, Merle Norman Cosmetics, New York & Company, No Regrets Stationery and Gift Boutique, Payless Shoes, Perfumania, Quizno’s, Rack Room Shoes, Red Brick Pizza, Reggae J’s, Island Grill, Ron Jon Surf Shop, Smoothie King, Solace Day Spa Salon, Southern Water Outfitters, Starbucks, Sunglass World, SUNSIGHTS by Solstice, Tatoe Tots Children’s Boutique, The Walking Co., Tilly’s, Trader Tom’s Shells and Gifts, Victoria’s Secret, Yankee Candle, Zales Jewelers

[SWGB]

Massage Envy is a bold concept in therapeutic massage. Massage Envy offers a variety of massages – from Swedish and deep tissue to sports, reflexology, pregnancy and trigger point massages. The company was created in 2002 on the premise that massages should be relaxing, but also affordable and convenient. Massage Envy makes this possible through a monthly membership plan that enables customers to enjoy massages on a regular basis.

Can't wait, the owners are real sweet and have been working on this for a while!

[Paula]

I stop by Target on the way to our cottages when I fly into Panama City beach to get things for the cottages (like trash cans, lamps, etc.). That has been nice - not having to travel 20 miles to get things like that. I went to high school with the founder of Yankee Candle (he graduated one year before me).

Anyway, I went to high school with the founder of Yankee Candle that's now going to be at Pier Park (it's everywhere). He's a good guy and definitely deserved his success. He's a community college graduate without a 4 year degree - just a hard-working guy with a mission and good business sense and who always treated people right. I just read that the founder sold out in 1998 for $500 million after he discovered he had cancer (he is still a cancer survivor 15 years later). Pretty good for a nice guy who made home-made candles in a basement and sold them. Now that the company went public, I don't know much about how much influence he still has there, but the place sure has good roots.

[Smiling JOe]

total store list:

... No Regrets Stationery and Gift Boutique, ...

8 )

[Jdarg]

8 )

OK- turn off your ESPN...

I was just getting ready to ask you when No Regrets is opening!

[Smiling JOe]

I don't get ESPN. 8) Tentative plans are to open in Feb 08.

[jamnolfin]

My wife loves Yankee candle. I buy her a $100 gift certificate for one of her Christmas presents every year. That way instead of her feeling guilty every time she wants a $20 candle she can just whip out her card. Heres a good sight if I can make it work. He takes pictures of the progress every week.



http://pcbdaily.com/

[TreeFrog]

I'm still looking forward to having our very own Ron Jon's. And the Target is already a blessing.

[beachmouse]

Borders! Squee!

I've got many fond memories of the original one in Ann Arbor- first time I ever was in a book store big enough to have its own escalator.

It'll be the one thing that makes the drive to PCB worth it for me.

[SHELLY]

.
Panama City Beach: Rodeo Drive of the Panhandle.

Whoda thunk?


.

[Beachbummett]

.
Panama City Beach: Rodeo Drive of the Panhandle.

.

UUUUUUUUUUUUUhhhhh, no.

[John R]

beer hall vs beer garden?

[TreeFrog]

Borders! Squee!

I've got many fond memories of the original one in Ann Arbor- first time I ever was in a book store big enough to have its own escalator.

It'll be the one thing that makes the drive to PCB worth it for me.

Have a look at www.pierparkretail.com to see what the Borders store is going to look like, as well as a really well-done computer animation video touring the completed Pier Park. Simon is obviously serious about PCB.

[Paula]

Borders! Squee!

I've got many fond memories of the original one in Ann Arbor- first time I ever was in a book store big enough to have its own escalator.

It'll be the one thing that makes the drive to PCB worth it for me.

Are you from Ann Arbor where the original Borders was (and still is but looks nothing like it used to)?

[beachmouse]

Not from there, but I got my Master's from U of M, and A^2 was the road trip to civilization when I was at undergrad at Albion.

[Paula]

A2 is a very nice town, which is why we moved here (though, as you know, winters are coooooooold and grey and long). Good thing it's such a nice town to balance that out. Great place to raise a family. Anyway, I guess we've hijacked the thread a tad...

[InletBchDweller]

I cant wait for these stores

I am also glad that there are some "mom&pop" mixed in with the chain stores.....ie, Solace and No Regrets...

[Capricious]

"...every time she wants a $20 candle ..."




I don't believe either the wife nor I would ever buy a
$20 candle, much less more than one.

But there must be plenty of people who do, if this
sort of shop survives.

[Capricious]

"...Panama City Beach: Rodeo Drive of the Panhandle..."


There always seems to be plenty of vacant retail space every
time I look around in PCB. For example, the Shops at Edgewater
are pretty-much dead. Back in 1994 it was pretty high-class.

Same thing over in Destin; I forget the name but all those little
shops at the corner of 98 and the road over to Holiday Island?
They just opened-up in '02 or '03, I think, and in '07 they are
all vacant.

Is there really a need for yet more retail?

Vacant condos & vacant retail.

Why can't "they" come-up with some vacant beach?

[Babyblue]

.
Panama City Beach: Rodeo Drive of the Panhandle.

Whoda thunk?


.

Who whoda thunk we are turning into a south Florida. Big new airport, fancy stores, Chops along 30-A. I would have never thunk that?

[Jdarg]

Who whoda thunk we are turning into a south Florida. Big new airport, fancy stores, Chops along 30-A. I would have never thunk that?

A few fancy stores do not make Pier Park like Rodeo Drive., that's for sure! The handful of independents will totally outshine the mediocre mall staples. And Borders and Target are more necessities, not luxuries. I picked out 8 stores that I would frequent from that whole list- what a let down.

[Babyblue]

A few fancy stores do not make Pier Park like Rodeo Drive., that's for sure! The handful of independents will totally outshine the mediocre mall staples. And Borders and Target are more necessities, not luxuries. I picked out 8 stores that I would frequent from that whole list- what a let down.

True but Alys Beach looks like Rodeo. And looks goood!

[TreeFrog]

Who whoda thunk we are turning into a south Florida. Big new airport, fancy stores, Chops along 30-A. I would have never thunk that?

You forgot my pet peeve - gated "communities".

[Babyblue]

You forgot my pet peeve - gated "communities".

And do we need them, I mean gated?

[jamnolfin]

I was being facetious about the $20 candle, but they do have plenty there. Im the most excited about Margaritaville than anything. Out of all the things they are building in PCB nothing is going to pack them in like that big neon parrot in the sky. Buffalos Wild Wings and the beer garden will be nice also. I own a condo at Calypso west tower so I can walk across the street.

[Smiling JOe]

You know that Jimmy is supposed to play a couple of songs at the grand opening of Margaritaville?

[SWGB]

Margaritaville has the best crab cakes other than my grandmothers. Doesn't he always make an appearance for an opening SJ?

[scooterbug44]

You forgot my pet peeve - gated "communities".

Let them have their gated communities and their false sense of security. Nevermind that half this board could have their gate code w/in 30 minutes if they don't already .

[livingiSoWal]

If Jimmy makes the grand Opening, so do I.

[jamnolfin]

I keep hearing he will be playing. Theres so many rumors floating around PCB, you have to take everything with a grain of salt

[Smiling JOe]

I'm not sure if Jimmy always appears at the Grand Opening of his restaurants. Simon Group has told the other tenants in Pier Park that Jimmy Buffet will be there for the opening of Margaritaville, and that he will perform one or two songs. I understand that he actually signed a contract with Simon, stating that he would perform.

[Busta Hustle]

i've heard things...

[Ioshius]

Jimmy Buffett will be at the Grand Opening of the Margaritaville, and yes, he will be playing a few songs in the evening. Expect people to be camped out the evening prior to the opening. The opening should be about mid March, pending they don't have any further construction issues.

Most of the shops and restaurants south of Hilton Drive (south of The Grand Theater) are opening on Valentine's Day. The Back Porch, Buffalo Wild Wings, Hofbrau, Quiznos, Starbucks, Camille's Sidewalk Cafe, Brick Oven Pizza, the candy store (forgot the name, sorry), and the burger joint across from Wild Wings are all confirmed to open that day, as are most of the retailers (minus a handfull). Reggae J's (next to Ron Jon's, which will also open on the 14th) won't be done until around April, or so I've been told. There is also an unconfirmed possibility of a high-end, high-dollar Italian restaurant taking up residence next to Reggae J's, but that is months away. The final two restaurants rounding out south of Hilton Drive are Guglielmo's (Italian) and Another Broken Egg Cafe, though I don't know when their opening dates are. Judging from the construction they have done so far, I don't forsee them making Feb. 14th, but I could be wrong.

Also, if I've left out a restaurant in the area south of Hilton Drive, please let me know!

Unconfirmed restaurant tennants opening in the buildings north of Hilton Drive include: Ruth's Chris Steakhous, Blue Point Fish Club (a la Destin Commons), and Ted's Montana Grill. Again, all of these are UNconfirmed. There could be more possibilities, but these are the only three I've heard about). I have no idea when they will be open, but I've been told speculation is leaning toward mid May of this year. The battle plan is to have the entire mall 100% open, running, and looking great by May 2008, with most of the restaurant / bars concentrated in the "Boardwalk" area (South Pier Park Drive).

Oh, and The Fresh Market is going in one of the buildings - actually the one being build behind Longhorn's and next to Dilliards.

If anything, at least Pier Park will be a good place to eat!!!

Cheers!

[Smiling JOe]

Thanks for the update on the store list and openings. Feb 14 is coming up fast.

[drunkkenartist]

Pier Park will have lots of great shops and restaurants, but I'm a little worried about whether or not it will be a great place to shop and eat.
We had a manpower shortage before and now....
Some folks like Long Horns have very strict standards and won't just hire anyone off the street.

But this will change in time. (not LongHorns standards, but the area polulation)Over the next few years we are expecting a growth in the working age population, its just going to be a bit ride till then.

Overall, it is going to be much better than fighting that traffic nightmare in Destin. I can't wait.

[SWGB]

So you think that the Pier Park area won't be a traffic nightmare? It will be like a giant parking lot come July 4th. Watch out!

The Alexan has housing East and West of Pier Park, not sure what the prices are though. They are apartments BTW.

[Smiling JOe]

There is also plenty of new construction apartments being built to the west of Pier Park, north side of 98.

Just returned from Pier Park doing some interior work on my SIL's new store. She says that Simon Group sent her an email today, stating that it looked like my SIL was not going to be ready, and that she needed to pick up the pace. lol. Simon didn't even put a lock on the door until yesterday, so she has been waiting on them. She will be ready by 14th of Feb, but she doesn't think Simon will be ready by then. I thought the place, south of the theater, has much potential to be ready to open by Feb 14. (pics in camera) Doesn't look like anyone has done much interior work -- probably waiting to get locks on the doors. A few store signs like the Brick Oven Pizza (or something like that) and an ice-cream store were installed today. I think it is looking really inviting as an outdoor mall.

[drunkkenartist]

It happens to the best of us. When Baytown Wharf was opening, they were supposed to have a huge Grand Opening Celebration for Memorial Day weekend of that year and Bobby J and I just laughed at them. They were trying to get us to open Collaborations II where a shoe store is now. We politely told them no, as our storage was bigger than their store.
Needless to say Grand Opening came and only half of it was completed and open and ready to go, it was embarrassing at the time- but no one remembers that now. Its water under the bridge. Whatever gets done gets done and if it doesn't, its no big deal. It will open in time and the eventual frenzy will throw the opening bugs into distant memory....

I still can't wait though!

[SWGB]

SJ those are the Alexans, there is an East and West.

[jamnolfin]

That Alexan on the west end is huge. I live at Inlet Beach and pass by often. Do they really plan on filling that monstosity up? I also rode thru pier Park today. The Boardwalk section seems to be ready to open on time. They have a lot of landscaping to do to make some areas appealing. The open area across from the theaters is a eyesore. Ive heard a hotel going in there but they need to do something in the mean time. One other thing, i sure dont see alot of parking there. All the parking is full right now just with workers. I have a condo at calypso with a private parking spot so dont anybody worry about me.

[Ioshius]

The open space / construction dump across from The Grand is suppossed to be cleaned up, leveled, and sodded with grass before the Feb. 14th grand opening. Whether or not that happens, only time will tell. Yes, that space will eventually be the home of a hotel (last I heard, a Hilton), or so the unconfirmed reports from Simon have said. I don't know if the deal with Hilton is solid yet, though.

[SWGB]

I heard the hotel was to be something much more upscale than a Hilton.

[Smiling JOe]

I don't know all of those details, but I do know that they placed fresh cow manure on top of the beds behind some of the stores, this week. I've never been to a place where I was glad to walk into the port-a-john and escape the awful smell. That sh-t stinks.

[SWGB]

Is it an eco thing or is it just to run off the looky loo's?

[Smiling JOe]

Some photos taken on Jan 9 2008...
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[scooterbug44]

It looks like someone ate a bunch of bright paint and yakked on the buildings!

[beachmouse]

I like it. The colors make it look cheerful without seeming overly twee.

[Minnie]

I was over there this weekend to go to Target, I found the development very appealing and I am sure it will be a huge success.

And Yes some of us buy $20 candles quite often.

[jamnolfin]

I was over there this weekend to go to Target, I found the development very appealing and I am sure it will be a huge success.

And Yes some of us buy $20 candles quite often.

Man, I started a tidalwave when I wrote about the $20 candles. I think pier park is going to be great.