Will Chick-fil-A join Publix?
Construction moves quickly; Sea Shell Collections set to open in April
VICI PAPAJOHN Gulf Breeze News vici@gulfbreezenews.com

Rendering courtesy of Moulton Properties, Inc. Publix?

As the physical evidence of the Sea Shell Collections Shopping Center grows, rumors surrounding the potential tenants surge as well.

"I have received 104 letters of inquiry on only 22 shop spaces in Sea Shell Collections," explains Matt Durney, Exclusive Leasing Agent with Durney Properties.

"We already have three inline restaurants and only one outparcel restaurant space available. We have 11 restaurant-type users that want the area and we can only have four total in accordance with the agreement with Publix.The one outparcel is all that is left to lease to another restaurant."

"We are in conversations with Chick-fil-A as well many other interested parties for the last outparcel," Durney says.

Steven Gossman, Owner/Operator of Chick-fil-A on Bayou Boulevard in Pensacola, said he knew nothing of a store coming to Gulf Breeze.

"I think I'd be the first to know," he said, "but it does make perfect sense. It'd be great store - right across from the high school and in the heart of Gulf Breeze."

The inline restaurants include Island Grille, an upscale concept with a local partner and a big partner out of Chicago; another upscale grill that has local presence; and a third slot will be filled by Camille's Sidewalk Cafe, a tenant that has never opened in Northwest Florida.

"They (Camille's Sidewalk Cafe) are out of prime demographics in south and central Florida, and they only open in such areas," Durney said.

Other confirmed tenants include:

Life is good Genuine Neighborhood Shops

Two local realtors Publix Liquor Store

Vick's Cleaners

Additionally, An upscale woman's store from the Destin area will fill 3,500 square foot store space.

Durney is very upbeat on the value of the Gulf Breeze demographic.

"I was involved with Destin Commons and Shops at Paradise Isle and I have done all the big boxes locally since 1985 and I'm a member of the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC). At Seashell Collections, we are doing nontraditional upscale tenants. Publix is a unique grocer and the demographics in Gulf Breeze are like those in West Palm or Boca Raton. When core concentration studies were done, Publix showed they'd pull customers from Scenic Highway and Summit Boulevard."

Durney reported that many conversations began with premier stores with Pensacola locations.

"Once they realized that one third of their sales come from Gulf Breeze, two of the stores had to revisit the idea of moving into Gulf Breeze or they would have cannibalized their own Pensacola location," Durney said.

Some franchisees have asked for anonymity, according to Durney.

"We will have an upscale day spa and are currently negotiating with two more. An upscale children's party place like one we have in Destin is coming and we are in talks with Aveda Corporate. We also will have a wireless store. All the big guys want to be there. And, we will have an upscale, cutting edge eyeglass center with optometric services," he said.

What will happen to Bruno's? "Publix is called a category killer," Durney says.