Did You Hear? Business Openings & Closures
Chick-fil-A Three Naples locations in the works
At least three new Chick-fil-A drive-thru restaurants are currently in the planning stages in Collier County, Florida. These developments come as part of the fast-casual chain’s expansion efforts in the area.
Planned Locations
- Former Red Lobster Site
- A drive-thru restaurant is proposed for the site of the former Red Lobster at 2355 Ninth St. N. in Naples. The initial design faced criticism from the Naples Design Review Board (DRB) for its architecture and orientation, but recent revisions have led to a more favorable preliminary approval. The restaurant will feature a 4,524-square-foot layout with two drive-thru lanes and both indoor and outdoor dining options.
- City Gate Commerce Park
- Another Chick-fil-A is planned for 3819 White Lake Blvd., situated in the City Gate commerce park east of Collier Boulevard and north of Interstate 75. This location will be a freestanding development covering 5,663 square feet, also featuring two drive-thru lanes. It aims to cater to heavy traffic from nearby attractions such as the Paradise Coast Sports Complex and the Great Wolf Lodge, which recently opened.
- Pine Ridge Road and Logan Boulevard
- The third proposed Chick-fil-A will be located at the northeast corner of Pine Ridge Road and Logan Boulevard. This site will include a 5,335-square-foot drive-thru restaurant that will share space with a Wawa convenience store, which will also feature fuel pumps.
Regulatory Process
Each of these locations must navigate various regulatory approvals before construction can begin:
- The plans require full site plan approval.
- Conditional use permits for drive-thru operations must be obtained.
- Outdoor dining permits are also necessary prior to final design review by the city.
Chick-fil-A’s expansion into Collier County reflects its strategy to enhance accessibility and service in high-traffic areas, meeting growing demand from local residents and visitors alike.
The Bakery at Grappino is now open for business.
The Bakery at Grappino opened on September 11, 2024. It is in the same building as the restaurant Grappino on U.S. 41 in Naples, Florida. The Aielli Group runs both places. They also run other well-known restaurants in the area, such as Sea Salt, Barbatella, and Dorona.
Features of the Bakery
- Concept: The Bakery at Grappino aims to provide an authentic European-inspired experience, filling a gap in the local market for high-quality bakery and breakfast options.
- Menu:
- Breakfast (served daily from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.): Includes items like eggs Benedict, quiches, omelets, paninis, and breakfast sandwiches.
- Lunch (available from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.): Offers a selection of pasta dishes, sandwiches, and pizzas.
- Beverages: The bakery serves authentic Italian coffee and espresso drinks, along with smoothies and juices.
- Baked Goods: Features a variety of European breads such as focaccia, ciabatta, brioche, baguettes, and olive rosemary bread, along with pastries like cannolis and bomboloni.
- Pasta Production: The bakery also serves as the in-house pasta production hub for all Aielli Group restaurants, allowing customers to purchase freshly made pasta with house-made sauces.
Ingrid Aielli, co-owner of the Aielli Group, expressed that the bakery is a perfect addition to their offerings, enhancing the community’s dining options with authentic culinary experiences.
BurgerFi has permanently closed its last Naples location
BurgerFi has permanently closed its corporate-owned location in North Naples, marking the end of its presence in Collier County. This closure occurred amid a broader trend of restaurant shutdowns as the company faces financial difficulties, including a recent Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing.
Background on Closure
- The North Naples location at 12712 Tamiami Trail E. was part of a larger list of 19 underperforming restaurants that BurgerFi decided to shutter. This decision is part of the company’s strategy to reduce operating costs and streamline its operations in response to rising food and labor expenses, alongside declining consumer spending.
- The closure of this location leaves the Immokalee Road BurgerFi as the only remaining outlet in Collier County, indicating a significant retreat from the local market for the “better burger” dining concept that the chain is known for.
Financial Context
- BurgerFi’s recent challenges are reflective of broader issues facing many restaurant chains, which have struggled post-pandemic with increasing operational costs and changing consumer behavior. The company has indicated that these closures were necessary to eliminate financial burdens associated with underperforming locations.
- Despite these closures, BurgerFi has assured that its remaining locations will continue to operate normally during the bankruptcy proceedings, suggesting that further closures may not be imminent for other sites.
This closure is part of a larger trend affecting various dining establishments in the region, as operators navigate a challenging economic landscape.
New Naples Tractor Supply store listed for nearly $12 million
The tractor story: A Tractor Supply Co. store under construction in Naples is up for sale. The property is at the corner of Wilson Boulevard and Golden Gate Boulevard and is listed for $11.56 million. The 23,279-square-foot building, expected to be completed this month, sits on 6.655 acres. According to the listing from Graystone Capital Advisors, the retailer has signed a 16.1-year lease which began Sep. 12, 2023 and is paying $487.29 per square foot. The lease includes 5% increases every five years and four five-year extensions. Graystone says in the listing that this location will include several new Tractor Supply store initiatives including a garden center, feed center and a 20,000 square foot fenced in outdoor display area. Tractor Supply is a national chain that sells farm supplies, pet and animal feed and supplies, clothing, tools and fencing. It currently operates about 2,200 stores nationwide. While construction should be done soon, the listing says the occupancy date is Nov. 1.