PANAMA CITY BEACH — New grocery options are on the way for shoppers in Panama City Beach.
Upscale grocery chain The Fresh Market confirmed Monday it will open a new store at the new shopping center Pier Park North in the fall.
Construction already has begun on the 20,000-square-foot store, which will be located behind Rooms To Go. The Panama City Beach store will be the company’s 42nd in Florida.
Founded in 1982 in Greensboro, N.C., The Fresh Market now operates 168 stores in 27 states, specializing in high-quality, gourmet grocery items, and a high level of customer service. The closest store to the Bay County area is currently located at Destin Commons in Okaloosa County.
Pier Park North, which held its grand opening last August, is located on U.S. 98 across from Pier Park and is a partnership between the St. Joe Co., property management company CASTO and Strategic Real Estate Advisors (SRA).
Jeff Stauffer, vice president of sales for the St. Joe Co., said a specialty grocery store has been on residents’ wish lists for several years.
“We are proud to help bring The Fresh Market to Pier Park North,” Stauffer said. “This has been something the locals have been requesting and the St. Joe Co. has been working hard with our partners to fulfill the need.”
CASTO officials agreed the new store will serve as an important anchor for the new, 370,000-square-foot shopping center.
“We are striving to bring a distinctive retail mix to Pier Park North,” said John Hutchens, vice president of project management, CASTO Southeast Realty Services. “With the addition of Fresh Market we are able to further enhance the shopping experience, as we continue to bring high-quality retailers to the community of Panama City Beach and surrounding areas.”
