More stores opening at Pier Park
PANAMA CITY BEACH - The next wave of Pier Park retailers has arrived, as developer Simon Property Group announced a list Wednesday of about 40 restaurants and stores opening at the Panama City Beach complex.
Included on the list is anchor store Borders, which is scheduled to open its new 23,000-square-foot store to the public Friday morning.
Pier Park spokeswoman Molly Parrish said most of the stores announced Wednesday would open their doors today, with some offering in-store specials and prize giveaways.
"Everything on that list will open in May," Parrish said.
Stores announced Wednesday included Aeropostale, American Eagle Outfitters, Bath & Body Works, Blender Clothing, Carlyle & Co. Jos A. Bank, Lane Bryant/Cacique, New York 7 Company, The Walking Company, Victoria's Secret and Zales.
One of the restaurants among Wednesday's announced openings is Reggae J's Island Grill.
John Comer, president and CEO of the Southern Restaurant Group, which operates Reggae J's, said the restaurant is scheduled to open before Memorial Day at Pier Park. The new restaurant will seat 600 people and have upstairs and down-stairs seating.
Comer said the restaurant would have a "Caribbean flair," with the inside decorated like a Caribbean village, and employ about 200 people.
He said another of the company's restaurants, Back Porch Seafood House, has done brisk sales since opening at Pier Park earlier this year. "We've exceeded our expectations," Comer said.
With the new stores, Pier Park now has more than 80 retailers and restaurants open for business. One of the complex's biggest restaurants, Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville, opened in March.
General Manager Mike Whitmer said that of the seven Margaritavilles nationwide, the Panama City Beach location's sales so far have exceeded other Margaritavilles of similar size, and he attributed it to a good mix of tourists and locals who frequent the restaurant.
"The Panama City Beach people have really come out and supported us," Whitmer said.
Parrish said there would be more store openings in the near future, with the next big group of Pier Park retailers likely announced some time in June.
Pier Park stores open or scheduled to open through May
- Borders
- Aeropostale
- American Eagle Outfitters
- Ann Taylor Loft
- As Seen on TV
- Bath & Body Works
- Blender Clothing
- Cache
- Carlyle & Co.
- Chico's
- Claire's
- Coldwater Creek
- GameStop
- Hollister Co.
- Jos A. Bank
- Justice
- Kay Jewelers
- Lane Bryant/Cacique
- Maurices
- Motherhood Maternity
- New York & Company
- PacSun
- Payless Shoes Source
- Peace Frogs
- Per-fumania
- Rack Room Shoes
- Reggae J's Island Grill
- Regions Bank
- Rocky's South Philly Cheesesteaks
- Solace Day Spa & Salon
- Sunglass Hut
- Sunsights by Solstice
- The Walking Company
- Tilly's
- Tootsies Orchid Lounge
- Verizon
- Victoria's Secret
- Yankee Candle
- Zales
(Source: Simon Property Group)