Zach’s Corner
Zach’s Commercial Realestate Corner. Features news, thoughts on Florida’s Commercial Real Estate and more.
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Foxtail Coffee Expands Sarasota Presence with New Location at The Quay
SARASOTA, Fla. — Florida-based coffee chain Foxtail Coffee is preparing to open a new waterfront location at The Quay, one of Sarasota’s most prominent mixed-use developments, further expanding the brand’s footprint along the Gulf Coast. The upcoming café will be located at 468 Quay Commons, Suite G, in the heart of the rapidly growing downtown district. The new location is being developed by franchise owner Adrian Lojo, who already operates Foxtail Coffee stores in the Carrollwood and University of South Florida areas. According to Lojo, community demand helped drive the decision to bring the popular coffee brand to The Quay. “The Quay is this brand-new, really exciting development,” Lojo told What Now Tampa, noting that residents and visitors consistently expressed interest in having a dedicated coffee shop within the waterfront community. The new café is expected to open in mid-June pending final occupancy approvals. Founded in Winter Park, Florida, Foxtail Coffee has grown from a single neighborhood café into a regional brand with more than 100 locations across multiple states. The company has built its reputation around ethically sourced coffee, in-house roasting operations, and community-focused café environments. The Sarasota location will offer Foxtail’s signature lineup of espresso beverages, cold brews,…
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Trader Joe’s Confirms Highly Anticipated Sarasota Store
Trader Joe’s is officially moving forward with plans for a new store in Sarasota, adding another location to its growing footprint across Florida. The popular grocery chain has confirmed a second Sarasota-area store planned for 8199 S. Tamiami Trail, in a former Staples building near the Beneva Road corridor. The announcement comes as the company continues expanding nationwide, with multiple new store openings planned across the U.S. in 2026. (MSN / sources) The new location will complement the existing Sarasota Trader Joe’s at 4101 S. Tamiami Trail, which has served the region since 2012. The addition reflects growing demand in the Sarasota market, where population growth and retail expansion have fueled continued investment in grocery and lifestyle retail. While Trader Joe’s has not announced a specific opening date, permitting activity and early site preparation suggest the project is advancing through the development pipeline. The store will need to complete final build-out approvals before construction timelines are confirmed. The Sarasota expansion is part of a broader national strategy by Trader Joe’s to open dozens of new stores in high-demand suburban markets. Florida remains one of the company’s most active growth states, with additional locations also planned in cities like Orlando and…
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Sebastian Approves Annexation of Over 600 Acres for Major Housing Expansion
The City of Sebastian is moving forward with a large-scale annexation that could bring more than 1,500 new homes to the area as growth pressures continue across Florida’s Treasure Coast. According to city officials, the Sebastian City Council recently approved the annexation of nearly 600 acres tied to multiple planned residential developments. The projects could include a mix of large-scale residential communities and age-restricted housing developments. City leaders say annexing the land allows Sebastian to maintain control over zoning, development standards and infrastructure planning rather than leaving future projects under county oversight. Officials argue the move gives the city more authority over how the developments are designed and built as population growth continues to push outward across Indian River County. Supporters of the annexation say the city can better regulate density, utilities and construction standards through municipal oversight. Sebastian City Council member Ed Dodd stated during discussions that developments would not move forward unless utility infrastructure requirements are met. However, the proposal has generated strong opposition from residents and neighborhood groups concerned about traffic congestion, infrastructure capacity and rapid growth. Critics argue the city’s current water, sewer and roadway systems may not be prepared to support such a significant increase…
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3 New Restaurants Planned for Growing Manatee County Shopping Center
Three new restaurants are planned for the rapidly expanding Marketplace at Heritage Harbour shopping center in Manatee County, according to developers of the project. The shopping center, located near Interstate 75 and State Road 64 East in Bradenton, has continued to attract new retail and dining tenants as growth accelerates throughout eastern Manatee County. The latest additions to the development include Fresh Kitchen, U-Yee Sushi & Grill and Pure Green Juice Bar. The restaurants were recently added to an updated leasing plan released by developer Edgewood Properties. Fresh Kitchen, a Florida-based fast-casual restaurant chain known for customizable bowls and health-focused menu options, is planned for a new five-unit building north of LongHorn Steakhouse. The company currently operates multiple locations across Florida, including one near University Town Center. U-Yee Sushi & Grill is also planned for the same building. The restaurant first opened in the Lakewood Ranch area in 2020 and serves sushi, sashimi and hibachi-style dishes. The new Heritage Harbour location would mark the company’s second restaurant in the region. Meanwhile, Pure Green Juice Bar is slated for a separate building near the future Whole Foods location planned within the shopping center. The brand specializes in smoothies, acai bowls, cold-pressed…
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$150M Villa del Sol Redevelopment Planned for Former New Port Richey Hospital Site
A major redevelopment project could soon transform one of New Port Richey’s most recognizable vacant properties. Plans are moving forward for the proposed Villa del Sol redevelopment, a $150 million project that would redevelop the former HCA hospital property near downtown New Port Richey into a new residential community. The 24-acre site along Grand Boulevard has remained mostly vacant since the hospital closed in 2012. City leaders say the redevelopment has been years in the making and could help revitalize a key area of the city. According to recent city discussions, the project would include a mix of housing types and significant infrastructure improvements throughout the property. Officials are also considering changes to portions of High Street, Grand Boulevard and Water Street to better accommodate the new development layout. Local leaders view the redevelopment as an important opportunity to bring new investment, housing and long-term economic activity to the area. The former hospital property has long been considered one of the city’s most visible underutilized sites. Redeveloping the land could help attract additional growth and redevelopment nearby as Pasco County continues to see rapid population increases. While several approvals tied to the project are moving forward, some details have not…
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Whole Foods Is Coming to the SR 64 Corridor Near Lakewood Ranch
Lakewood Ranch, FL – For years, residents across Lakewood Ranch, eastern Bradenton, and the exploding SR 64 corridor have watched one major grocery name remain noticeably absent from the conversation: Whole Foods Market. That’s finally changing. A new Whole Foods location is now planned for the fast-growing Market Place at Heritage Harbour development near Interstate 75 and State Road 64 — a project that many locals have quietly anticipated ever since Costco first reshaped the corridor years ago. Multiple regional reports now point toward an early 2027 opening timeline for what will become the first Whole Foods location in Manatee County. The new store is expected to land inside the rapidly expanding Heritage Harbour retail district, just east of I-75 along SR 64, an area that has transformed from a pass-through corridor into one of the region’s most aggressive commercial growth zones. What was once primarily suburban expansion is now evolving into a full-scale regional shopping destination. The arrival of Whole Foods says something larger about where Lakewood Ranch and east Manatee County are heading. Actual Site Plan – Heritage Harbour This is no longer just a bedroom community feeding commuters into Sarasota or Tampa. The region is beginning to…
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Zach’s Corner: Publix Opens New Winter Haven Location, Expanding Its Central Florida Footprint
Winter Haven continues to solidify its place as one of Central Florida’s fastest-growing communities, and Publix is right there with it. On April 30, 2026, Publix officially opened the doors to its newest location in Winter Haven, bringing with it the brand’s familiar mix of convenience, consistency, and quietly dominant market presence across the region. This isn’t just another grocery store opening—it’s another signal. Publix doesn’t guess. It builds where growth is already happening or about to happen. And Winter Haven, sitting between Tampa and Orlando, has been steadily pulling in both residential expansion and commercial interest over the past few years. More Than a Store Opening A new Publix location typically means more than shelves and checkout lines. It often anchors surrounding development—outparcels, service retail, quick-service restaurants, and long-term leasing activity tend to follow. That pattern has repeated itself across Florida for decades, and Winter Haven is no exception. The April 30 opening adds another layer of infrastructure to a city that’s increasingly becoming a destination rather than a pass-through. As rooftops rise, Publix tends to follow—and in many cases, lead. Courtesy of Publix Corporate Why Winter Haven Matters Right Now Winter Haven has quietly moved into a strategic…
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Lowe’s Bets Big on Port St. Lucie as Florida Growth Corridor Accelerates
Port St. Lucie, FL – There’s a reason national retailers are quietly circling Port St. Lucie — and Lowe’s just made one of the clearest statements yet. A brand-new Lowe’s is preparing to open at 13845 SW Village Parkway in the rapidly expanding Tradition district — and while the doors officially open in early June, May is when the real story is unfolding. Hiring is underway, final buildout is wrapping, and the surrounding retail ecosystem is taking shape. The Location Play: Why Tradition Matters This isn’t a random infill site. The new store sits inside the Shoppes at Southern Grove, a retail-driven development positioned at a critical junction near I-95 and Becker Road — one of the most trafficked growth corridors on Florida’s Treasure Coast. What’s fueling it? A master-planned community with tens of thousands of new homes planned Population growth of roughly 10,000 new residents annually A retail gap that national brands are now racing to fill This isn’t just a store — it’s a response to explosive residential expansion Inside the Store: A New Lowe’s Prototype The Port St. Lucie location isn’t a copy-paste box store. It’s part of Lowe’s next-gen rollout: ~94,000 sq ft retail space ~30,000…
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Ybor City’s Next Chapter Is Brewing—And It’s Bigger Than Coffee
Foxtail Coffee’s New Site at the Palmetto Marriott Signals a New Phase of Development in Tampa’s Historic Core Ybor City has always lived in cycles. Courtesy of Foxtail from their recent Sarasota UTC location – Customer Photo From its roots as a cigar capital to its transformation into Tampa’s nightlife district, the neighborhood has repeatedly reinvented itself. But what’s happening now feels different—less reactive, more intentional. This week, that shift comes into focus with two very different, but equally telling developments: the arrival of Foxtail Coffee and the upcoming debut of D’Rose Gastro Bar, expected to open in mid-June. Foxtail Sarasota Location – A Proven Business Model with over 100 Locations across Florida, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, Virginia, North Carolina, and Arizona. Foxtail Coffee: More Than a Café, It’s an Anchor Foxtail Coffee’s move into Ybor City—anchored within the Casa Marti development at 1601 N 15th Street, Tampa, FL 33605—is expected to open in late spring 2026, with signage and tenant buildout already underway. This isn’t just another café opening. It’s infrastructure. Coffee concepts like Foxtail have become essential pieces of modern mixed-use environments. They activate spaces early in the day, extend foot traffic into the afternoon, and create consistency in…
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Wahlburgers Picks Florida for Its Next Act—Rockledge Opens First as Three Locations Roll Out
Your Home Depot run might be getting a little more… delicious, if you’re living near Rockledge, FL. Wahlburgers—the burger brand founded by Mark Wahlberg and his brothers—is quietly staging a Florida takeover, with Rockledge, Stuart, and Vero Beach all on deck. Rockledge is first out of the gate, and if you’re paying attention to how retail is evolving, that detail matters more than it sounds. This isn’t your standard “new burger joint opens on a pad site” story. These locations are being tucked into high-traffic retail environments—places people already go, already linger, and already spend. Translation: the burger isn’t the destination anymore. It’s the reward for showing up. Before we get too deep into Florida dirt and development logic, it’s worth noting the timing. Wahlberg himself is back in the spotlight with his recent Amazon comedy Balls Up!, a fast, slightly unhinged World Cup–set romp that doesn’t exactly whisper. It’s loud, a little rediculous, and built to entertain at scale—which, if you think about it, is also a decent way to describe a smashburger done right. Balls Up! — PG Trailer Mark brings back the 90s Slapstick Comedy with Balls Up Back to Florida, where the real story is taking…
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