Category: New Opening

Dick’s Last Resort Replaces Guy Harvey’s in Pier Park

There has been quite a bit of commotion at Pier Park this week.  Monday, Guy Harvey’s Island Grill closed down and it was announced that Dick’s Last Resort was coming in this off-season.  Guy Harvey’s has been a tenant almost since the beginning, located at the corner of S Pier Park Drive and Front Beach Road next to Reggae J’s.  Their menu consisted of fresh gulf seafood short of a few select species that Harvey deemed depleted.  The entrance was a gift shop that hosted shirts, art, belts, and many other varieties of schwag.

I’m not even going to get into speculation as to what happened.

Dick’s Last Resort

Dick’s last resort is known for its “outrageous, surly and energetic wait staff and tasty comfort food.”  They have locations in Nashville, Gatlinburg, Myrtle Beach, Dallas, Baltimore, San Antonio, San Diego, Chicago, Boston and Vegas.  And looking at that location lineup, that puts Panama City Beach up there with the big dogs.

“At Dick’s Last Resort, we’re known for having a good time, but we’re very selective about where we do business,” said CEO Ted Moats. “Pier Park and Panama City Beach are a natural fit for the fun, energetic atmosphere we offer, and we are very excited to open our doors and meet the local community and visitors.”

“Dick’s Last Resort is a perfect fit for the Panama City Beach market,” said Felicia Cook, Pier Park’s Director of Marketing & Business Development. “With so many of their locations open in top tier tourist destinations, we’re thrilled that they’ve decided to open in Pier Park.”

Dick’s should open sometime this winter.

 

IMAX Theater Open in Pier Park

With the release of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2, The Grand Theatre in Pier Park opened their IMAX screen, which has been in the works for a couple months.  If you’ve not seen a movie in IMAX, you have to try it – it truly takes you into the movie.

Dubbed, “the world’s most immersive movie experience,” IMAX touts 12,000 watts of digital surround sound, crystal clear images, the world’s largest movie screens. This sounds fascinating and fun, but how does it do this?

How IMAX works.

IMAX combines a huge screen with a state-of-the-art projection system and a very advanced sound system.  The typical IMAX screen is 52′ x 72′ – which is the size of The Grand’s. In addition to the huge size, the screen has a curvature to it that helps to “bring the viewer into the movie.”  What really makes the magic happen is the two projectors that push the imagery onto the screen and the rumbling sound that you feel in your gut.  The projector uses xenon short-arc lamps that fire a light so bright, the video on the screen is crisp and clear.  The sound system is a complex array of surround sound speakers that offers a crystal clear listening experience and seat-shaking bass.  You hear every crackle, pop, and whisper with complete accuracy.

What’s showing and the price.

Currently Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 is playing IMAX at the Grand.  And let me tell you, it’s simply amazing.  They only have one IMAX theater, so only one feature film will be playing at a time.  Harry Potter is expected to play until August 4th at which point Sector 7: An IMAX 3D Experience is expected to play until the 9th when Cowboy’s Vs. Aliens comes out.

The ticket price is as follows:

  • $12 on Tuesdays
  • $12.50 for matinee
  • Evenings are $15.25 for adults and $12.50 for kids

At this time, an additional IMAX theater is not being planed for for The Grand, but there is another theater room that would be suitable for the upgrade, should the demand arise.

Have you been to our IMAX or another one?  What were your thoughts on it?

SCHLOTZSKY’S Opens in Pier Park

Pier Park and Panama City Beach, are in for a sandwich influx this season.

Along with the news of Subway opening up in Pier Park, sandwich enthusiast can look forward to Schlotzsky’s moving in and joining the Pier Park family.

Schlotzsky’s started it’s nation wide take-over, with humble origins that date back to 1971.  Originally launched in Austin, Texas with a basic menu comprised of sourdough bread and a selection of premium meats, cheeses and olives.

The humble beginning eventually morphed into 35 locations nationwide and four foreign locations. I have to say, I wish I would have known that during my travels through out Spain.

I loved trying out the local cuisine, but every now and then, even an American Girl traveling abroad, craves the simple taste of home. Be it toasted sub, or a New York bagel.

Schlotzsky’s Pier Park store is opening it’s doors on February 21, 2011 and boast an eclectic selection of subs, wraps, salads and gourmet pizzas, along with desserts and soups.

Details Below

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Pier Park Beach is Almost Complete

A few weeks back, dirt began to be moved and sand was brought in for something all new to Pier Park in Panama City Beach.  Just across the street from the new Miracle Strip @ Pier Park, in the long-vacant and undeveloped lot, they’ve moved in 3,600 tons of crystal white sand that rivals the perfect sand we walk on, on our beaches every day.  What is the meaning of this, you may be asking yourself.  I’ll tell you.

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New to Pier Park, Toys R Us and MORE!

Pier Park is pleased to announce two new stores, several amusement rides, and a Toys R Us Express.

“We’re so pleased to offer these new retailers, and amusements to the community and our visitors,” said Felicia Cook, director of marketing and business development at Pier Park. “With perfect timing for summer fun, these additions are another reason Pier Park is the place to be!”

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Pier Park is getting it's Own Beach!

If you’ve been wandering Pier Park in Panama City Beach in the last couple weeks, you’ve probably noticed they’re moving a lot of dirt across the street from Miracle Strip @ Pier Park and east where the sand volleyball court is.  This large swath of undeveloped land has been waiting for something exciting to occupy it since the beginning of Pier Park, and it finally has a future.

In a few weeks time, the fine folks at Pier Park will be moving in 3,600 tons of “Emerald Coast Beach Quality White Sand”, creating a real white sand beach in Pier Park, with all the fun except the water.  To keep everyone cool in our hot Florida sun they’ll be putting in four 40′ by 40′ staggered canvas shade structures that will be supported on all four corners by brightly colored poles of varying heights.  If you’re trying to get a mental image, picture the shade structures they have at the pool at Frank Brown Park, in Panama City Beach.

Some of the activities to take place in this new beach include shell digs, treasure hunts, archeological dig (sponsored by the Jr. Museum – still tentative right now though), sand sculpture contests, corn-hole toss games, and tons of other games the talented staff of Pier Park can dream up of.

So get your flip-flops ready, put on your shades, pack your beach towels and come on out to Pier Park, and don’t forget to say hi when you see me lounging in my beach chair.

YoGurty's Yummy Yogurt – Special Deal for PCBDaily Readers

If you’re looking for a cool, healthy treat in this hot summer sun, you’ve got to check out the new new frozen Yogurt shop in Pier Park.  YoGurty’s Yummy Yogurt, located right next to Red Brick Pizza in Pier Park is one of the newest food shops in the 1.1 million square foot shopping facility that has played a huge part in changing the face of Panama City Beach over the last two years.

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Miracle Strip at Pier Park Now More Than Words

By now we’ve all heard the talk or felt the excitement about Miracle Strip reopening at Pier Park. Up until a few weeks ago, the speculation has proven to be little more than a variance approval, concepts and lots and lots of rumors. In mid December, the Miracle Strip at Pier Park facebook fan page, here if you want to be a fan, announced a completion and opening in March 2010 and, honestly, I was skeptical until a recent visit proved the announced date worthy of all the excitement. Many of the old rides have already been restored and are in the installation process. Ticket prices and annual passes have been set and, as you can imagine, the buzz for preceding the opening is startling.

The progress is so exciting, it almost makes me forget that it is opening during March, better known as Spring Break, the only time of the year that most locals don’t want to go. Still, I for one, will definitely be in line, come April maybe May, to catch a ride on what parts of my youth I thought would never be rebuilt.

6 New Things in Pier Park this Summer

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1 – Big Top Treats

Nestled on the festival grounds of Pier Park in Panama City Beach, two local Realtors are opening a Seaside-esque Airstream (silver bullet) snack shack coming fully stocked with everything you need to keep you cool in the summer sun.  With everything from packaged ice creams to sodas to funnel fries and pretzels, Big Top Treats is sure to keep you feeling super cool.  Expansion is already in the plans for the future of this new addition with it to morph into a full restaurant sometime in the next year.

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2 – The Miracle Strip Carousel

Resurrected from the Original Miracle Strip Amusement Park, Teddy and Jenny Meeks brought an old memory factory back to life and put it center stage in Panama City Beach’s most popular place to hang, Pier Park.  An original 1960’s Herschel Carousel, this ride was built to last.  Swarms of people have literally come out of the wood-work to relive memories and create new ones with friends and family alike.  Rides are $3 or you can get an all day pass for $5.

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3 – Hawaiian Snow Cones

With three locations, you can’t miss the opportunity to savor some super sweet flavored crushed ice.  Notoriously overpriced, these syrup drenched cones are always worth it, and if you’re a parent, you know how much your kids just have to have one.  Located across from Tootsies, close to the Starbucks and Henna tattoo place, and across from Old Navy, you can’t miss their cute little carts.

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4 – Repiccis Italian Ice

What’s the difference between Italian Ice and Snow Cones you say?  Well, actually not much.  However, Italian Ice tends to be “shaved”, whereas Snow Cones are more ground to a snow-like texture.  And, the typical flavors tend to vary.  Situated in front of and ran by Popcorn Kingdom, this Italian ice stand offers fruit flavors from mango to orange to lemon and is sure to quench your thirst in our crazy humid and hot weather.

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5 – Tropical Beach Knick-Knack Shack

Ok, so I made up the name, but the place is for real.  Located right in front of As Seen on TV and Blender, Roger and his wife sell all sorts of hand-made-by-them knick knacks that would feel perfectly at home in your garden or around your home.  With tons of really cute stuff from palm tree signs that rest upon wood “posts” to Tiki Signs, if you are looking for some cute beachy stuff, this is the place to go.

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6 – Little Tiny Turtles and Hermit Crabs

If you are here on vacation looking for that perfect pet, pick yourself up a tiny little turtle or a hermit crab.  These little guys are so cute, and come with their own little habitat for $27.  I personally wish these guys were in their natural environment instead of available for purchase, but if you promise to be very nice, you can go buy one.