Alys Beach Town Center Updates

Alys Beach, an entity of EBSCO Industries, is pleased to share an update on the commercial activity in our Town Center with new retail and restaurant openings anticipated throughout 2021.

The CITIZEN, a coastal tavern with fine indoor, outdoor and take-away dining, an 18-seat bar, 12-seat custom raw bar, and featuring an open window to the kitchen’s wood-fired hearth, opens to the public Friday, January 22, on the ground level of The May condominium. With former Alys Beach Vice President of Operations, Jeremy Walton at the helm, The CITIZEN will have the advantage of his extensive experience cultivated in the luxury culinary and hospitality arena. The CITIZEN is nearing completion and will provide a highly anticipated, exquisite public dining experience in Alys Beach.

Following The CITIZEN’s opening will be six commercial spaces on the ground level of The Camden & Whitby, mixed-use Town Center buildings with condominium residences on the upper floors. The Camden will feature Barefoot Princess, a men’s and women’s apparel boutique, and Charlie’s Donuts, which will move from its beloved truck along the Amphitheatre with expanded offerings including ice cream and coffee. The Whitby’s four commercial spaces will feature new and newly reimagined concepts by Mary Clark. Mast Alys Beach will combine the Mast and Outpost concepts in a home furnishings and lifestyle boutique, offering custom design services. Holiday Café will be a beach-inspired coffee, tea, and wine bar with small bites. La Lune will be a children’s boutique featuring furnishings, clothing, and toys.

On the ground level of The Lucian condominium, facing 30A and opposite The CITIZEN, our Alys Beach friends and family will be happy to note the resurgence of the reimagined Fonville Press, a treasured early Alys Beach mainstay and gathering spot. Fonville Press Market + Café will offer breakfast and lunch menus with grab-and-go items, and a full coffee bar, in addition to a variety of groceries and sundries.

Finally, plans are nearing completion for our fifth and largest Town Center building at the north end of the Amphitheatre. Condominium residences are expected to release for purchase in summer 2021. With expansive views of the Town Center, Amphitheatre, 30A, and beyond, this mixed-use building will offer one 1-bedroom, eleven 2-bedroom, six 2-bedroom plus bunk, and three 3-bedroom residences as well as commercial space on the ground floor.

These developments join the newly completed Beach Club, our owner-exclusive Gulf-front pool and dining amenity, ZUMA Wellness Center, and the condominium residences of The May and The Lucian in activating Alys Beach and seeing the vision of our town coming to fruition. Residential construction continues to flourish, and we are delighted to see our amenities and commercial offerings coming alongside in support of our community of Alys Beach homeowners, guests, and visitors.

Visit www.alysbeach.com, www.facebook.com/alysbeachfl, www.instagram.com/alysbeachfl,  for more information about Alys Beach.

More About The Citizen

Quest Hospitality Concepts LLC is pleased to announce the debut of 30A’s newest restaurant, The CITIZEN, a coastal tavern and restaurant located within the luxury seaside community of Alys Beach. The restaurant is slated to open on Friday, January 22, 2021.

Situated on the street level of The May in Alys Beach’s Town Center, The CITIZEN presents approachable and innovative cuisine featuring locally and regionally sourced fare inspired by coastal communities from around the globe. As a celebration of community and a gathering place for locals and visitors alike, The CITIZEN boasts a dynamic food and beverage program paired with elegant and modern interior design.

Overseeing The CITIZEN’S conception and operations is long-time industry veteran Jeremy Walton. Having worked with the Alys Beach community since 2014, Walton brings more than 25 years of experience in the food, beverage, and hospitality industry, including stints at luxury hotel and restaurant groups, including Auberge Resorts, Montage International, and Sea Island. He has also served as a consulting partner for James Beard Award-Winning Chef, Chris Hastings.

“My close working relationship with Alys Beach over the last five years made this an exciting decision and opportunity,” Walton said. “While I continue to love working alongside the Alys Beach team, The CITIZEN presented a wonderful way for me to continue to contribute to the growth of the community, while pursuing my entrepreneurial vision.”

On the Menu

The CITIZEN will provide an elegant yet unpretentious space for approachable, all-day dining—from an afternoon cocktail after a day at the beach to a creative shaved ice confection as a late-night snack.

Menu items, distinguished between classic and more adventurous signature dishes, will include a variety of seafood-driven options, including Gulf Shrimp with Calabrian Chilies, Lemon, Crispy Garlic, Shallots, served with herb salad and grilled bread; and Roasted Grouper with Charred Fennel, Carolina Gold Rice, Tomato, Capers, Olives, Lemon-Thyme, and Benton’s Bacon. Providing options to satisfy all palates, the menu also offers a selection of “Land” inspired dishes, with house favorites including the Filet of Beef with Crispy Artichokes and Creamed Spinach, Bone Marrow Custard, and Bearnaise Sauce; and Coconut Curry Butternut Squash with Pomegranate, Crispy Shallots, Parsley Cilantro Salad, Pickled Vegetables, and Cashews.

From the bar, guests can expect to find classic cocktails like the Sidecar made with Croizet VS Brandy, Tippler’s Orange  Liqueur, and Lemon served with a Sugar Rim; and Jungle Bird with Gosling’s Black Seal Rum, Plantation Pineapple Dark Rum, Campari, Turbinado, and Lime;   alongside bright and fresh, seasonal creations like the Lucid Green made with Wodka Vodka, Lime, Mint, Basil, Absinthe Mint, and Hemp Oil; and Blood & Sand featuring Monkey Shoulder Scotch, Herring Cherry, Cocchi Vermouth di Torino, and Blood Orange. The menu also includes a ‘Zero Proof’ section for elevated mocktail creations utilizing distilled, non-alcoholic spirits. A curated wine and beer list will also be available, featuring a variety of pours, including local craft beers.

Design & Décor

Driven by the love for the community and the desire to create a one-of-a-kind space specifically for Alys Beach and the greater South Walton area, The CITIZEN was designed by architecture and design firm, Khoury-Vogt Architects, who also serve as the Town Architects for Alys Beach.

The interior will feature a large bar accented with navy paint, gold trim, and marble countertops, a separate raw bar, a mixture of booth and table seating, and a retractable wall that opens to the bustling views of the Alys Beach Amphitheatre and Highway 30A. The kitchen will house a seven-foot wood burning hearth where the team will cook over a live fire.

Visit Information

Safety measures including masked employees, social distancing, limited capacity seating, and increased sanitation procedures will be in place until further notice. The Citizen will also be following Alys Beach’s standard of operations while they are in place.

The restaurant will be open six days a week from Monday to Saturday, 4:00 to 10:00 p.m. for dinner service, with lunch and brunch offerings launching in the coming weeks. Reservations will only be accepted for parties of 8 or more and can be booked via Resy. Curbside to-go will also be available. For more information, please visit https://citizenalys.com.