New restaurants opened and some close in Naples
The retail landscape in Naples is undergoing some notable changes, with several new stores opening their doors while a few long-standing businesses have shuttered. On the expansion front, popular national chains like HomeSense and Five Below are slated to open new locations at the Granada Shoppes by the end of May. Meanwhile, local dining favorite Lake Park Diner is rapidly growing, with plans for its third restaurant opening early 2024 at Founders Square after recently launching in Bonita Springs. However, the area has also seen the closure of some beloved establishments, such as the iconic Turtle Club beachfront restaurant which reopened in May nearly 19 months after suffering devastating damage from Hurricane Ian. The changing retail mix reflects Naples’ vibrant business climate amidst the ebb and flow of openings and closures.
Twin Peaks restaurant and sports bar opened on April 29, 2024 in a new outparcel spot on the north side of Coastland Center mall in Naples, Florida. The Dallas-based hospitality concept is known for its “scenic views” of waitresses in midriff-baring tops serving draft beers and comfort food.
The 10,530-square-foot restaurant will feature a wilderness lodge theme with a menu of American comfort food like burgers, chicken tenders, steaks, tacos, and wings, as well as 29-degree draft beer. It will have wall-to-wall TVs to watch live sports.
While originally planned to open earlier, the launch was delayed due to permitting issues with the city of Naples after Hurricane Ian.
Lake Park Diner, a popular casual dining spot in Naples, Florida, opened its third location in early 2024 at the Founders Square mixed-use development in North Naples. Here are the key details:
– Construction on the 6,484-square-foot freestanding diner at 8856 Founders Street began in July 2023. It features an innovative design intended to serve as a prototype for future Florida locations.
– The new restaurant will have more parking, outdoor seating, an indoor dining area, a dedicated takeout area, and an outdoor covered bar compared to the original Naples location.
After the Founders Square opening in early 2024, Lake Park Diner plans to launch its fourth location in Lakewood Ranch, Sarasota County
– The diner specializes in new American cuisine made with high-quality, sustainable ingredients, offering gluten-free, dairy-free, vegetarian, and plant-based options alongside classic diner fare like burgers and sandwiches.
– Lake Park Diner’s first location opened in the Lake Park neighborhood of Naples in 2019, followed by a second restaurant opening this fall in Bonita Springs.
El Gaucho Trattoria, a new Italian restaurant, opened on May 7, 2024 in North Naples, Florida. The trattoria is located at 14700 Tamiami Trail N., Unit 5.
The restaurant seats 150 guests between its indoor and outdoor dining areas. It is owned by a married couple who also operate two other El Gaucho Trattoria locations.
El Gaucho Trattoria serves Italian cuisine and is open daily from 4 to 10 PM, possibly closing a bit earlier on Sundays.Early reviews on OpenTable describe it as a “cozy place with a touch of romance” offering an authentic Italian dining experience.
The opening had been anticipated for a couple weeks prior to the May 7th launch date. El Gaucho Trattoria aims to bring a taste of traditional Italian trattoria dining to the North Naples area.
The Turtle Club, a beloved beachfront restaurant in Naples, Florida, has finally reopened in May 2024, nearly 19 months after being devastated by Hurricane Ian in September 2022.
Rebuilding and Reopening
After over a year of extensive cleanup and reconstruction efforts, the Turtle Club has finally relaunched and is ready to welcome back guests. The iconic turtle shell that gave the restaurant its name and had washed ashore in the 1950s survived the storm’s wrath and was the first thing staff looked for amidst the wreckage.
While the reopening marks a new chapter, the resolve to rebuild was evident from the start, with staff like server Berny Reyes vowing “Whatever we need, whatever we’ve got to do, I’m in. Owner Mick Moore had similarly stated his intention to “clean up, rebuild and reopen the resort” after surveying the damage.
The Turtle Club’s return is a testament to the resilience of the Naples community and its commitment to restoring this beloved local dining destination following one of the most destructive hurricanes to hit the area.
Momo Tea Bar is a new boba tea bar that recently opened in the Galleria Shoppes at Vanderbilt in North Naples, Florida. The tea bar is located at 2363 Vanderbilt Beach Road, Suite 905.
Momo Tea Bar is owned and operated by a local married couple. The tea bar is open from 11:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and from 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Fridays.
The Galleria Shoppes at Vanderbilt is a lifestyle center located at the northwest corner of Airport-Pulling and Vanderbilt Beach roads in North Naples. The shopping center is currently undergoing expansion and welcoming several new businesses, including Momo Tea Bar.
Old Naples Pub closes its doors! The longstanding Naples restaurant is closing after 34 years, the last day will be May 31. The current owners decided it was time to retire.
HomeSense and Five Below are opening at the end of May 2024 in the Granada Shoppes on the corner of U.S. 41 North and Immokalee Road in North Naples, Florida.
HomeSense and Five Below are being built in the former Orchard Supply Hardware space at the Granada Shoppes retail center. The center is anchored by national tenants including Trader Joe’s, Marshalls, Havertys Furniture, and now the incoming HomeSense and Five Below stores.
While an exact opening date is not provided, multiple sources confirm HomeSense and Five Below are slated to open their new locations at Granada Shoppes by the end of May 2024.
I Heart Mac & Cheese closes and an Ice Cream Shop replaces it at 8845 Founders Square Dr Unit 145 in Naples.