Several new retail stores and eateries are scheduled to open in the Town Center at Boca Raton mall this fall, including the popular fried chicken-and-fish chain Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen.
While Popeyes might seem an unlikely fit for a place that calls itself “one of South Florida’s premier luxury shopping destinations,” a news release from mall owner Simon explains that Popeyes and the other newcomers “are part of the shopping center’s plan to bring a wider variety of luxury, home and staple name brands to the community.”
Stores and eateries coming to the mall are:
Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen — Believe it or not, this is the first Boca Raton location for the Southern-fried fast-food chain whose spicy chicken sandwich created a national sensation a few years back. It will be located in The Cafes at Boca.
Shake Shack — Burgers, fries, chicken nuggets, hot dogs, frozen custard and more are perennial favorites at this modern day “roadside” burger stand that will also be located in The Cafes at Boca.
Candly — This designer candy shop, to be opened near Saks Fifth Avenue, specializes in “natural, yummy, jelly sweets” that shoppers can buy in bulk, as much or as little as they’d like.
La Boulangerie Boul’Mich Kiosk — Described as an artisan French bakery with a Latin twist, this kiosk will be near Saks Fifth Avenue, offering bistro seating and options like croissants, pastries, eggs, omelets, salads, vegetarian soups and a large selection of deserts. All baked goods are made from scratch and baked fresh, the company says.
Psycho Bunny — “in a sea of sameness, Psycho Bunny creates a universe of self expression intended to saturate the world with personality,” the mall’s description of this soon-to-arrive retailer says. “Premium-quality staples” will include polos, graphic t-shirts, outerwear and accessories. Instead of a polo player or alligator, this brand’s stitched-on logo is a bunny skull and crossbones.
Marc Jacobs — High-end accessories are sold here, including $195 “wristlet” wallets and handbags ranging from $175 to $650. The store, which has opened near Bloomingdale’s, also sells sunglasses, hats, jewelry, and athletic and leisurewear.
TAG Heuer and Breitling — These two Swiss watch companies, both now open near the mall’s main entrance, are known for high-quality and precision.
Steps New York — Opened on Aug. 31 in the Nordstrom wing, the retailer’s first Palm Beach County location features a variety of trendy and affordable fashion apparel and accessories.
LoveSac — This modern furniture store, known for its high-quality beanbag chairs, is returning to the Town Center at Boca Raton after leaving in 2019. When open, it will be located near Crate & Barrel.
Door-to-door car rental service Kyte expands to Fort Lauderdale
Kyte, a new door-to-door car rental service, has expanded its South Florida delivery area.
The on-demand service is now offered throughout Fort Lauderdale and adjoining eastern Broward County cities, including Dania Beach. Hollywood, Oakland Park, Wilton Manors and Lauderhill.
Neighborhoods served by Kyte are Boulevard Gardens, Broadview Park, Coral Ridge, Dania Beach, Emerald Hills, Hacienda Village, Hollywood Hills, Hollywood Lakes, Harbordale, Lazy Lake, Melrose Manors, Washington Park, and Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Davie.
Fort Lauderdale is just the 14th U.S. market for the company, founded in 2019, which aims to revolutionize the car rental experience by not only delivering vehicles but picking them up when the consumer is finished with them.
Booking the service, selecting a car and paying for the rental is all done online, either from the company’s website drivekyte.com or through its mobile app, available for Apple and Android devices. The service also makes one-way rentals easier as long as the drop-off point is one of the 14 markets that Kyte serves.
In addition to Fort Lauderdale and Miami, Kyte serves Boston; Chicago; Denver; Jersey City, New Jersey; Los Angeles; New York City (Manhattan and Brooklyn); Philadelphia; Portland, Oregon; San Francisco; Seattle; and Washington, D.C.
The service is not yet available in Palm Beach County.
According to Kyte’s website, its Broward County service area is bordered roughly by Atlantic Avenue in Pompano Beach to the north, then extends about two miles west of the Florida Turnpike down to Miami Gardens. The eastern boundary extends to the ocean, south to Northeast 135th Street.
A search for a car picked up and delivered in Fort Lauderdale for four weekdays resulted in a price of $31.99 a day for an economy car, $35.99 for a sedan, and $37.99 for a crossover SUV, excluding sales tax, two $9.50 charges for pickup and delivery, and optional insurance coverage. Weekend prices are slightly higher.
A Kyte spokeswoman said consumers who live outside the company’s coverage area can arrange for delivery and pickup at locations, such as convenience store or office parking lots, inside the coverage area.
More information is available at drivekyte.com.
Daniel’s Jewelers expanding into South Florida
Daniel’s Jewelers, a family-owned specialty chain with more than 100 stores in the western U.S., has signed letters of intent to lease locations beginning in 2023 in three South Florida malls: Pembroke Lakes Mall, Broward Mall in Plantation and the Mall at Wellington Green in Wellington.
The chain caters to the Hispanic market, with jewelry commemorating family milestones. It also helps customers build credit with customized financing options regardless of personal credit history. Nearly a quarter of the chain’s customer are able to establish a good credit history for the first time when purchasing with the company, according to a news release.
In addition, Daniel’s offers a lifetime trade-in program that provides full retail purchase value toward a trade-up of higher value, the release said.
The stores will begin to open in February, a spokeswoman said.
Planet Fitness taking over YouFit location in Coral Springs
The nation’s leading discount gym, Planet Fitness, announced plans to takeover a competing YouFit location at 9525 Westview Dr. in Coral Springs.
Planet Fitness will spend $2.8 million to completely gut and reequip the 19,703-square-foot location in the Magnolia Shoppes after YouFit closes on Oct. 25.
It’s expected to reopen in December with brand new cardio machines and strength equipment, a 30-minute “Express Circuit,” and fully equipped locker rooms with showers, flat-screen TVs, HydroMassage beds, massage chairs, tanning beds and more.
Memberships will be available to order online and in-person at the club beginning Oct. 26. New members will be able to sign up with no commitment for the “classic” membership for 25 cents down and $10 a month. A PF Black Card membership, at $24.99 a month, buys access to massage chairs, HydroMassage beds, tanning facilities, use of any Planet Fitness location, drink discounts and 20% discounts at Reebok.com.
Ron Hurtibise covers business and consumer issues for the South Florida Sun Sentinel. Send him your retail news at . Make sure to type Retail Roundup in the subject line of your email.
