PANAMACITYBEACH— As Panama City Beach continues to grow, its biggest shopping center is keeping up, with a barrage of new businesses slated to open at a new development in the coming year.
This fall, Pier Park will welcome several new dining choices, including Chipotle Mexican Grill, Dickey’s Barbecue Pit, Jimmy John’s Gourmet Sandwiches and The Brass Tap, as well as Bellagio Nail Spa.
Construction is now underway for a new shopping center to house the businesses at the southwest corner of Pier Park Drive and Back Beach Road (U.S. 98). The center will be managed by Simon Property Group, which manages the existing Pier Park development.
Pier Park general manager Michael Huesser said the many new offerings help to better establish the outdoor shopping center as the heart of retail, dining and entertainment in Panama City Beach.
“This new development enhances our product offering in the area and represents the first step in expanding this new phase of Pier Park,” Huesser said. “We have been receiving requests for these new tenants from our shoppers for some time, and we are glad to add these dining and shopping options to our retailer mix.”
Of the many new dining choices, several are new to the area.
After many customer requests, Chipotle Mexican Grill will make its debut at Pier Park. The fast-casual restaurant specializes in salads, burritos, tacos and burrito bowls prepared with fresh ingredients.
Also new in market, The Brass Tap is a full-service dining restaurant with more than 300 varieties of craft beer, an extensive wine list and unique bar fare. The restaurant has more than 30 locations across the U.S., with several in Florida.
With locations across the country, Dickey’s Barbecue Pit will extend the area’s barbecue options with meats smoked fresh daily, an array of sides, and complimentary ice cream and dill pickles. The restaurant also offers free meals for children every Sunday.
Several new stores also are beginning to open across the street at Pier Park North, a development partnership between the St. Joe Co. property management company CASTO and Strategic Real Estate Advisors (SRA).
New additions currently open include The Craft Bar, Zoe’s Kitchen, IHOP, Verizon Wireless, Ichiban Hibachi Grill, Chan’s Wine World and Cost Plus World Market, which opened at its new location Sunday.
Later this year, the shopping center will welcome The Fresh Market grocery store, Chili’s, Texas Roadhouse and Uncle Maddio’s Pizza Joint, a fast-casual, “make-your-own” pizza restaurant.