More New Stores Open in Pier Park

Pier Park Welcomes Baja Grille, Carter’s Clothing, Déjà-vu, Journeys, Lids and Shimmering Seas Jewelry and Gifts

Simon Property Group, Inc. (NYSE:SPG), the country’s largest owner, developer and manager of high-quality retail real estate, welcomes several specialty shops that have recently opened at Pier Park, the 900,000-square-foot retail and entertainment lifestyle center located on 93 acres that covers land from Front Beach Road (at the City Pier) to the heavily traveled Highway 98 (Back Beach Road).

Pier Park, which boasts eight anchors and nearly 100 retailers currently open, is continuously expanding to offer the Emerald Coast and tourists a more enhanced shopping experience.

Tenants that have debuted in the last two months include the following:

Baja Grille
Carter’s Clothing
Déjà-vu
Journeys
Lids
Shimmering Seas Jewelry and Gifts

Baja Grille’s concept revolves around fresh, contemporary and consistently outstanding Southwestern, Cajun, Caribbean and American cuisines – a unique combination along with outstanding service, fine wines and tempting desserts all served in a stylish, high-energy Tropical design atmosphere. Baja Grille opens today, October 6.

“We are pleased to be part of Simon’s Pier Park,” said K. Soliman, a senior executive and founder of Baja Grille. “The welcoming neighbors and friendly customers always make us feel right at home; everyday welcomes a new face and brings back a familiar one.”

Carter’s Clothing opened its doors on August 27, 2008. Carter’s Clothing offers clothing for children from newborn through size seven including baby sleepwear, play-clothes and accessories. Carter’s offers trusted products that are super comfy, easy care, adorable and don’t break the bank. Carter’s has around 200 stores in the United States.

Déjà-vu offers the trendiest, quality merchandise with affordable specialty store prices, combined with one-of-a-kind customer service. Déjà-vu opened for shoppers at Pier Park on August 22, 2008.

Stephanie Nichols, owner of Deja-vu, said, “Pier Park has been Fabulous! It has gone above and beyond my expectations.”

Journeys is a destination retailer for footwear and accessories for the teen market. Journeys caters to a diverse, young, hip market in search of footwear that expresses its attitudes and lifestyles. Brands sold at Journeys include: Dr. Martens, Converse, Lugs, Steve Madden, Timberland, Vans, Diesel, Adidas, Candie’s, GBX and more. Journey’s opened at Pier Park on September 22, 2008.

Lids, which opened at Pier Park on September 19, 2008, is the world’s largest retailer specializing in the sale of officially licensed and branded headwear. Every store offers a vast assortment of college, MLB, NBA, NFL and NHL teams, as well as other specialty fashion categories all in the latest styles and colors.

Shimmering Seas Jewelry and Gifts offers jewelry and gifts, specializing in exotic jewelry creations. Shoppers can find a variety of elegant sterling, gold, pearls, diamonds and much more. Shimmering Seas Jewelry and Gifts opened on August 25, 2008.

“We opened our store in late August during tropical storm Fay, and despite the many hurricane scares that week, we still had many excited customers in and out of the store,” said Laurie Olshefski, owner of Shimmering Seas Jewelry and Gifts and Jake At The Beach (Life is Good Shoppe). “We anticipate great things for the holidays in Pier Park. We have been busy ordering and stocking our stores with wonderful gift items.”

Stores currently open includes the following:

Anchors
Borders
Dillard’s
JCPenney
Margaritaville
Old Navy
Ron Jon Surf Shop
Target
The Grand 16 Theatres

Specialty Shops
A.M. Cafe Accessories On The Boardwalk
Aeropostale
Alltel Wireless
American Eagle Outfitters
Ann Taylor Loft
Aqua Gallery
As Seen On TV & More
Ava Blue Boutique
Back Porch Seafood & Oyster House
Baja Grille
Bath & Body Works
Beach Scene
BeBo’z
Bellies & Babies
Blender Clothing, a fusion boutique
Bootleg Barbeque
Buffalo Wild Wings
Caché
Camille’s Sidewalk Café
Candy Maker
Carlyle & Co.
Carter’s Clothing
Chico’s
Claire’s
Coldwater Creek
Cost Cutters
Counts Oakes Resort Properties
Déjà vu
Del Sol
Emerald Coast Photography
Fish Tales
Five Guys Famous Hamburgers & Fries
Footprints Coastal Decor
GameStop
GNC
Great American Cookies PretzelMaker
Guglielmo’s Italian Restaurant
Hana Japan
Hofbrau Beer Garden
Hollister Co.
Jake at the Beach (Life is Good)
Jos. A. Bank
Journeys
Justice
Kay Jewelers
Kilwin’s Chocolates & Ice Cream
Lane Bryant/Cacique
Lids
LongHorn Steakhouse
Marble Slab Creamery
Massage Envy
Maurices
Merle Norman Cosmetics Studio
Mermaid Trading Co.
Motherhood Maternity
Nails So Happy
New York & Company
No Regrets Stationery and Gifts
Olive Garden
PacSun
Paint’n Place
Panera Bread
Paradise Found
Payless ShoesSource
Peace Frogs
Perfumania
Popcorn Kingdom
Quizno’s Sub
Rack Room Shoes
Red Brick Pizza
Reggae J’s Island Grill
Regions Bank
Rocky’s South Philly Cheesesteaks
Runway Collection
Shimmering Seas Jewelry and Gifts
Solace Day Spa & Salon
Southern Waters Outfitters
Starbucks
Sunglass World
Sunsights by Solstice
Tatoe Tots
The Eye Gallery
The Walking Company
Tilly’s
Tootsies Orchid Lounge
Trader Tom’s
Tran Fashion
Ulta Beauty
Unique Boutique by Irene & Co.
Verizon
Victoria’s Secret
Yankee Candle
Zales

About Pier Park
Located in the heart of Panama City Beach, Pier Park is destined to become the region’s premier shopping address. Developed by Simon Property Group and comprising nearly 900,000 square feet, the open-air regional lifestyle center is anchored by Borders, Dillard’s, JCPenney, Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville, Old Navy, Ron Jon Surf Shop, Target and The Grand 16 Theatres. Pier Park is also comprised of fashion and specialty retailers, including exciting new-to-market choices such as Ann Taylor Loft, Caché, Chico’s, Coldwater Creek, Hollister Co., Jos. A. Bank, Lane Bryant and Ulta Beauty. In addition, the center embraces many unique dining options such as Hofbrau Beer Garden, Back Porch Seafood & Oyster House, Bootleg Barbeque, Five Guys Burgers and Fries, Longhorn Steakhouse, Panera Bread, Reggae J’s Island Grill, Tootsies Orchid Lounge and many more. Shoppers can also enjoy movies at The Grand 16 Theatres, which features stadium seating, digital sound, advance ticketing over the Internet, three concession areas, a specialty café and game room. For more information about Pier Park, please visit http://www.simon.com

About Simon Property Group
Simon Property Group, Inc. is an S&P 500 company and the largest public U.S. real estate company. Simon is a fully integrated real estate company which operates from five retail real estate platforms: regional malls, Premium Outlet Centers®, The Mills®, community/lifestyle centers and international properties. It currently owns or has an interest in 383 properties comprising 261 million square feet of gross leasable area in North America, Europe and Asia. The Company is headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana and employs more than 5,000 people worldwide. Simon Property Group, Inc. is publicly traded on the NYSE under the symbol SPG. For further information, visit the Company’s website at http://www.simon.com.

Breast Cancer Awareness This Morning!

Unique Boutique by Irene & Co.’s Breast Cancer Awareness Celebration In Partnership with Vera Bradley

On October 3, 2008 Unique Boutique by Irene & Co., Vera Bradley and Pier Park will join together in celebration to kick off Breast Cancer Awareness month. Starting at 9 a.m., Vera Bradley pink bows will be hung in the promotions area of Pier Park. They will be on display until the end of October (weather permitting).

Then, beginning at noon, Irene & Co. will host a ‘Tickled Pink’ party featuring pink lemonade, pink cookies and pink cupcakes. Customers may also purchase raffle tickets in the store for a chance to win a pink gala dress featured in the Miss Texas USA pageant. Raffle tickets may be purchased for $1 and all proceeds benefit the Vera Bradley Breast Cancer Foundation. Special limited edition gifts will be offered by Vera Bradley to customers who make a donation of $5 or more (while supplies last). In addition, Starbucks will provide hot chocolate and coffee during the pink ribbon hanging for all donators, while supplies last.

Please come and join us for this very special occasion!

In celebration of Breast Cancer awareness month, Unique Boutique by Irene & Co. will be selling personalized Vera Bradley pink bows and Vera Bradley Breast Cancer Awareness t-shirts from now until the end of October. For a $5 donation customers may purchase pink ribbons and personalize them in honor or memory of a breast cancer patient.

For More Information:
Irene Philips
850.235.0563

Tootsies in Pier Park this weekend – John Stone

Friday September 26th, John Stone will be performing at Aaron Bessant Park Amphitheater in Pier Park. Stone is a Tootsies recording artist playing his “Baby Come Back” tour.

This concert is benefitting the Foundation for Breast Cancer and will feature special guest John Conlee, Steven West and Leslie Craig.

Gates open at 7pm and tickets are on sale for $12 at Tootsies in Pier Park, Tootsies in Nashville or online at www.Tootsies.net.

Oktoberfest at Hofbrau Beer Garden

Kicking off Bike Week and celebrating the fall season, Oktoberfest has come to Panama City Beach at Pier Park’s Hofbrau Beer Garden.

The first Oktoberfest was held in Munich, Germany in the year 1810 in honor of the Bavarian Crown Prince Ludwig’s marriage to Princess Therese. The festivities began on October 12, 1810 and ended on October 17th. This was the first time that the public was ever invited to celebrate a royal wedding.

The people of Bavaria had such a good time that the King repeated the festival annually and extended the length of the festival. Today Munich Oktoberfest stretches from the last two weeks of September through the first weekend of October and draws 6.5 million visitors.

Specials include:

Spanferkel (Pig Roast) – with Sauerkraut, Potato Salad & Rye Bread – $10.95

Grill Hendl (Roast) Chicken – with Sauerkraut, Potato Salad & Rye Bread – $9.95

Sauerbraten – Spatzle, Red Cabbage & Rye Bread – $8.95

Brat Platter – A pile of Bavarian Dongs, Red Cabbage & Rye Bread – $8.95

All specials served all day, every day September 19th through October 19th.

Join Hofbrau Garden in Pier Park for Oktoberfest this year. See below for a full schedule of events.

Friday, September 19th

6pm Oktoberfest Opening Keg Tapping – Join us as we tap the wooden keg in the Beer Garden. Celebrate the start of Oktoberfest with FREE BEER while it lasts.

6pm til 12am Hochsteirer – Direct from Europe. experience this traditional musical and culture show.

Saturday, September 20th

2pm Oktoberfest Keg Tapping – Join us as we tap the wooden keg. Celebrate Oktoberfest with FREE BEER while it lasts.

7pm til 1am Hochsteirer – Direct from Europe. experience this traditional musical and culture show.

Sunday, September 21st

10am til 3pm Sunday Brunch Specials – Join us in the beer hall for our delicious Sunday brunch specials

2pm Oktoberfest Keg Tapping -Join us as we tap the wooden keg. Celebrate Oktoberfest with FREE BEER while it lasts.

2:30pm til 8:30pm Hochsteirer – Direct from Europe. experience this traditional musical and culture show.

Thursday September 25th

3pm til 6pm Beatrice and Derrol – Straight from Bavaria. Enjoy traditional German music and singing.

6pm Oktoberfest Opening Keg Tapping – Join us as we tap the wooden keg in the Beer Garden. Celebrate the start of Oktoberfest with FREE BEER while it lasts.

6pm til 12am Hochsteirer – Direct from Europe. experience this traditional musical and culture show.

Friday September 26th

3pm til 7pm Beatrice and Derrol – Straight from Bavaria. Enjoy traditional German music and singing.

6pm Oktoberfest Opening Keg Tapping – Join us as we tap the wooden keg in the Beer Garden. Celebrate the start of Oktoberfest with FREE BEER while it lasts.

7pm til 12am Hochsteirer – Direct from Europe. experience this traditional musical and culture show.

Saturday September 27th

2pm Oktoberfest Keg Tapping -Join us as we tap the wooden keg. Celebrate Oktoberfest with FREE BEER while it lasts.

3pm til 7pm Beatrice and Derrol – Straight from Bavaria. Enjoy traditional German music and singing.

7pm til 1am Hochsteirer – Direct from Europe. experience this traditional musical and culture show.

Sunday September 28th

10am til 3pm Sunday Brunch Specials – Join us in the beer hall for our delicious Sunday brunch specials

12pm til 2:30pm Beatrice and Derrol – Straight from Bavaria. Enjoy traditional German music and singing.

2pm Oktoberfest Keg Tapping -Join us as we tap the wooden keg. Celebrate Oktoberfest with FREE BEER while it lasts.

2:30pm til 8:30pm Hochsteirer – Direct from Europe. experience this traditional musical and culture show.

Thursday October 2nd

3pm til 6pm Beatrice and Derrol – Straight from Bavaria. Enjoy traditional German music and singing.

6pm Oktoberfest Opening Keg Tapping – Join us as we tap the wooden keg in the Beer Garden. Celebrate the start of Oktoberfest with FREE BEER while it lasts.

6pm til 12am Hochsteirer – Direct from Europe. experience this traditional musical and culture show.

Friday October 3rd

3pm til 7pm Beatrice and Derrol – Straight from Bavaria. Enjoy traditional German music and singing.

6pm Oktoberfest Opening Keg Tapping – Join us as we tap the wooden keg in the Beer Garden. Celebrate the start of Oktoberfest with FREE BEER while it lasts.

7pm til 12am Hochsteirer – Direct from Europe. experience this traditional musical and culture show.

Saturday October 4th

2pm Oktoberfest Keg Tapping -Join us as we tap the wooden keg. Celebrate Oktoberfest with FREE BEER while it lasts.

3pm til 7pm Beatrice and Derrol – Straight from Bavaria. Enjoy traditional German music and singing.

7pm til 1am Hochsteirer – Direct from Europe. experience this traditional musical and culture show.

Sunday October 5th

10am til 3pm Sunday Brunch Specials – Join us in the beer hall for our delicious Sunday brunch specials

12pm til 2:30pm Beatrice and Derrol – Straight from Bavaria. Enjoy traditional German music and singing.

2pm Oktoberfest Keg Tapping -Join us as we tap the wooden keg. Celebrate Oktoberfest with FREE BEER while it lasts.

2:30pm til 8:30pm Hochsteirer – Direct from Europe. experience this traditional musical and culture show.

Thursday October 9th

3pm til 6pm Beatrice and Derrol – Straight from Bavaria. Enjoy traditional German music and singing.

6pm Oktoberfest Opening Keg Tapping – Join us as we tap the wooden keg in the Beer Garden. Celebrate the start of Oktoberfest with FREE BEER while it lasts.

6pm til 12am Hochsteirer – Direct from Europe. experience this traditional musical and culture show.

Friday October 10th

3pm til 7pm Beatrice and Derrol – Straight from Bavaria. Enjoy traditional German music and singing.

6pm Oktoberfest Opening Keg Tapping – Join us as we tap the wooden keg in the Beer Garden. Celebrate the start of Oktoberfest with FREE BEER while it lasts.

7pm til 12am Hochsteirer – Direct from Europe. experience this traditional musical and culture show.

Saturday October 11th

2pm Oktoberfest Keg Tapping -Join us as we tap the wooden keg. Celebrate Oktoberfest with FREE BEER while it lasts.

3pm til 7pm Beatrice and Derrol – Straight from Bavaria. Enjoy traditional German music and singing.

7pm til 1am Hochsteirer – Direct from Europe. experience this traditional musical and culture show.

Sunday October 12th

10am til 3pm Sunday Brunch Specials – Join us in the beer hall for our delicious Sunday brunch specials

12pm til 2:30pm Beatrice and Derrol – Straight from Bavaria. Enjoy traditional German music and singing.

2pm Oktoberfest Keg Tapping -Join us as we tap the wooden keg. Celebrate Oktoberfest with FREE BEER while it lasts.

2:30pm til 8:30pm Hochsteirer – Direct from Europe. experience this traditional musical and culture show.

Thursday October 16th

3pm til 6pm Beatrice and Derrol – Straight from Bavaria. Enjoy traditional German music and singing.

6pm Oktoberfest Opening Keg Tapping – Join us as we tap the wooden keg in the Beer Garden. Celebrate the start of Oktoberfest with FREE BEER while it lasts.

6pm til 12am Hochsteirer – Direct from Europe. experience this traditional musical and culture show.

Friday October 17th

3pm til 7pm Beatrice and Derrol – Straight from Bavaria. Enjoy traditional German music and singing.

6pm Oktoberfest Opening Keg Tapping – Join us as we tap the wooden keg in the Beer Garden. Celebrate the start of Oktoberfest with FREE BEER while it lasts.

7pm til 12am Hochsteirer – Direct from Europe. experience this traditional musical and culture show.

Saturday October 18th

2pm Oktoberfest Keg Tapping -Join us as we tap the wooden keg. Celebrate Oktoberfest with FREE BEER while it lasts.

3pm til 7pm Beatrice and Derrol – Straight from Bavaria. Enjoy traditional German music and singing.

7pm til 1am Hochsteirer – Direct from Europe. experience this traditional musical and culture show.

Sunday October 19th

10am til 3pm Sunday Brunch Specials – Join us in the beer hall for our delicious Sunday brunch specials

12pm til 2:30pm Beatrice and Derrol – Straight from Bavaria. Enjoy traditional German music and singing.

2pm Oktoberfest Keg Tapping -Join us as we tap the wooden keg. Celebrate Oktoberfest with FREE BEER while it lasts.

2:30pm til 8:30pm Hochsteirer – Direct from Europe. experience this traditional musical and culture show.

Pier Park is Biker Friendly

I’ve been asked by my friends at Pier Park to stress that Pier Park is indeed Biker Friendly this weekend! The last bike week in May of this year, there was some confusion and no one, including bikers were permitted to travel down the main boardwalk seciton of Pier Park. This weekend, that is totally not the case.

Pier Park, a 1 million square feet retail shopping adventure on Panama City Beach will play host to several special events this weekend catering to bikers, including a bike show. Many retailers and restaurants will have specials and all welcome bikers.

I everyone has an awesome time, and ride safe!

Don’t forget to sign up on our Twitter page for live updates on everything that is going to happen this week.

Pier Park Announces New Stores

The list continues to grow as the number of retailers increases at Pier Park on Panama City Beach. With over 100 retailers currently open, Pier Park continues to WOW locals and visitors alike.

Retailers coming soon include Aqua Gallery, AT&T, Baja Cafe Beach Hut, Crocs Footwear, Famous Footwear, Guy Harvey’s Grill, Nike, Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, Runway Collection, and Polka Dots Toys & Gifts.

Baja will be next to Panera Bread and is getting close to opening with the other shortly after.

Pier Park Gearing up for Winter

Talking with Felecia Cook, Pier Park’s marketing director, a few weeks ago, I had inquired as to what they were doing to keep ‘the park’ active during the off-season. “We have tons of stuff planned, we will be very active all winter.”

Below is the schedule of events so far planned.

2008- 2009 COMMUNITY EVENT PLAN:

September

Sept. 20th- Tiles in the Park- Over 300 tiles will be installed in the C building area from local children who painted them with the Visual Arts Center and the Boys and Girls Club
Sept. 20th – Fire Flies and Kites in the Park- an art activity creating Fire Flies and kites for children with the Visual Arts Center
Sept. 24th through 28th- Thunder Beach- Pier Park to host bike show on property
All Month- Comcast Presents On-stage at Pier Park- Local singing, acting, instrumentals, dancing groups to perform at Pier Park

October

All Month- Oktoberfest at Pier Park – A fall celebration for families, hosted by Hofbrau Beer Garden
Oct. 3rd- Breast Cancer Awareness Ribbon Hanging- Ribbon Celebration in combination with Vera Bradley and Irene & Co. we will be hanging large pink bows on the palm trees in the promo area and Irene & Co. will add ribbons purchased by those donating to the fund.
Breast Cancer Awareness to be celebrated all month
Oct. 3rd, 4th & 5th- Super Boat National Championship Boat Show- Power boats parked for display on our property
Oct. 4th- Bay Medical Sweeny Todd Blood Drive- Mobile blood center set up for donations in front of Blender Clothing/ Radio remote from Wave 100
Oct. 4th- Jelly Bean Mobile- Candymaker to host the Jelly Bean Mobile on property for kids
Oct. 10th, 11th, & 12th- Seafood, Wine and Jazz Festival at Frank Brown Park- A highlight of the fall season, showcasing arts, crafts, local restaurants, and regionally and nationally renowned musicians performing on two stages during three days, 28th Annual.
Oct. 11th – Emerald Coast Triathlon- Pier Park property will be involved.
Oct. 17th- Heart Walk- Charity walk through Pier Park for the American Heart Association
Oct. 18th- Girls Inc. Half Marathon- Charity marathon beginning and ending at Pier Park
Oct. 25th – Kids Festival- Stories, crafts and games for children
Oct. 31st- Malloween – Pier Park fall activities such as, costume competitions, crafts, and more.

November

Nov. 1st- Ironman Florida Triathlon- Pier Park Property will be involved
Nov. 3rd through 8th- Emerald Coast Cruzin – Classic Cars and the 35th Anniversary of American Graffiti. America Graffiti cast members, parade of cars, car competitions, “50’s Dress Up night, and more. Parade to be held through Pier Park on Wednesday Nov. 5th
Nov. 7th- Taste of the Beach – A multi-regional initiative spear-headed by Coastal Vision 3000 to promote this region and brand it as “The Beach”. Pier Park will represent Bay County by hosting one of the four “Taste of the Beach” events planned to promote this new initiative.
Nov. 14th, 15th & 16th- Madonnari – Italian street painting festival hosted by the Visual Arts Center
Nov. 28- Black Friday– Stores open at 5am for the busiest shopping day of the year
All Month- Food Drive- this will be done to benefit a local food bank

December (Dates to be determined)

Holiday Concert Series – All public and private schools, child centers, and churches will be invited to come to Pier Park to sing/ play their holiday cheer.
Tree Lighting Ceremony- Pier Park will become the “downtown” of PCB and all holiday activities.
Christmas at the Beach Parade- Pier Park Drive will be the focal point of the Holiday Season.
Santa at the Beach Photos- Family tradition restored to the beach by inviting Santa and his reindeer to join us at Pier Park.
Santa at the Beach Pet Photos- Family tradition restored to the beach by inviting Santa and his reindeer to join us at Pier Park and introduce him to your special family members.
Toy Drive- this will be done to benefit a local charity group for bay county.
New Year’s Eve Beach Bash- This will be the first of an annual tradition here at Pier Park.

Olive Garden Opens at Pier Park

New Tuscan Farmhouse-design restaurant is the first in Bay County

PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fla. (September 8, 2008)- Olive Garden welcomes guests to its newest restaurant opening at Pier Park, located in Panama City Beach at 15701 Panama City Beach Parkway on Monday, Sept. 8 at 4 p.m. The beautiful new restaurant, built in the company’s Tuscan-farmhouse design, is the first in Bay County.
Approximately 165 jobs will be created with the opening of the 247-seat, 7,441 square-foot restaurant that is expected to contribute to the state’s restaurant industry growth. According to the National Restaurant Association’s 2008 Industry Forecast, restaurant sales in Florida are expected to grow 5 percent this year.
“Panama City Beach supports a strong tourism industry making it the perfect location for the newest member of Olive Garden’s family of local restaurants,” said Valerie Insignares, executive vice president of operations for Olive Garden.

Simon Property Group, Inc. (NYSE:SPG), the country’s largest owner, developer and manager of high quality retail real estate, is pleased to boast another exciting restaurant for its Pier Park development. “The Olive Garden is a fantastic addition to the dominant restaurant lineup at Pier Park,” says Felicia Cook, director of mall marketing at Pier Park. “This restaurant will help further the center as the regions premier shopping and dining destination.”
Pier Park is a 900,000-square-foot open-air regional lifestyle center offering premiere retail, dining and entertainment choices located on 93 acres that covers land from Front Beach Road (at the City Pier) to the heavily traveled Highway 98 (Back Beach Road).

Tuscan Inspiration

The Olive Garden in Panama City Beach has a rustic stone exterior, typical of the buildings in the Italian countryside, and an interior accented by Italian imports designed to make the dining experience here a tribute to the restaurant’s Italian inspiration. Ceilings supported by exposed wood beams, stone and wood accents throughout, and terra cotta tile highlight the interior.

The bar top is crafted from lava stone, then hand-painted by artisans in Italy with design created exclusively for Olive Garden; vibrant imported fabrics decorate windows and dining seats; hand-painted plates adorn rustic stone and stucco walls; and the lighting fixtures are all distinctly Italian.
“We are extremely excited to share the breathtaking setting of our new Tuscan Farmhouse-design Olive Garden with the Panama City Beach community,” said Mark Swartz, general manager. “It was designed after our Riserva di Fizzano restaurant in Tuscany, Italy, which is rustic, charming, warm and beautiful – the perfect atmosphere to enjoy a genuine Italian dining experience.”

To recognize Swartz’s role as head of the Olive Garden family in Panama City Beach and to emphasize the importance the company places on its general managers, Olive Garden honored Swartz by setting his name in stone. Travertine marble imported from Tuscany was chiseled with Swartz’s name and placed prominently by the front door.

Most new Olive Garden restaurants have been built in the Tuscan Farmhouse-design since February 2000.
Olive Garden is the leading restaurant in the Italian dining segment with 653 restaurants, more than 80,000 employees and $3.1 billion in annual sales. Olive Garden is a division of Darden Restaurants Inc. (NYSE:DRI), the world’s largest full-service owned and operated restaurant company. For more information, visit Olive Garden’s Web site at http://www.olivegarden.com.

Panama City Beach Olive Garden at a glance:
Opening Date:                      Monday, Sept. 8
Employees:                          165
Square Footage:                  7,441 square feet
Number of Seats:                 247
Hours of Operation:             From Monday, Sept. 8 – Sept. 14 the restaurant will serve dinner only:
–    Sunday through Thursday: 4 – 10 p.m.
–    Friday and Saturday: 4 – 11 p.m.

The restaurant will be open for lunch beginning Monday, Sept. 15. Lunch will be served starting at 11 a.m. every day.

Walk too long? Take the Tram at Pier Park!

A new feature at Pier Park has proudly carried many names such as The Love Shuttle, Party Bus or Red Schlepper. Many requested it and thousands made good use of it throughout the summer. With no particular route, the Pier Park Tram (a formal name to be given early next month) can be seen wandering the various corridors of traffic of the south and north portions of Pier Park.

Continue reading “Walk too long? Take the Tram at Pier Park!” →

Pictures of Pier Park, Post 2 of 2

Yesterday was hot, very hot. The humidity kept me moving quickly in anticipation of getting back to cooler temperatures. Pier Park was bustling for a relatively slow tourism week. One of the goals that I had with pcbdaily early on is for it to document our area so we can look back on it in times to come and see where we’ve been. Like I said the other day, I actually had no final shots of all of Pier Park. So, enjoy!

Continue reading “Pictures of Pier Park, Post 2 of 2” →