Pier Park management casts wide net for retailers

December 27, 2007 Joyce Owen

PANAMA CITY BEACH – Construction was evident at every turn during a hard hat media tour of Pier Park on Dec. 18, but Pier Park is a reality.

“We are here to prove there is a Pier Park,” property manager T. Cowart said.

Changes in ownership in the last few years caused many to doubt whether the retail center would happen, Pier Park’s leasing vice president Paul Ajdaharian said.

“Thankfully all those naysayers didn’t understand the project,” he said.

Simon Property Group, the largest, public, retail real estate company in the country, is developing the 93-acre retail and entertainment complex between Front Beach Road and U.S. Highway 98 in Panama City Beach.

“Pier Park has gotten the highest focus at Simon, and that’s not easy to do,” Ajdaharian said.

“The objective was to create a gathering place that would make people feel comfortable, and then they will be in the mindset to shop and eat,” he said.

“Pier Park combines well-known national brands with strong local retailers to bring all types of retail to this area,” Adjaharian said.

“When Simon Group took over the project, they hoped to get a big box store, but never dreamed they would get three,” Cowart said.

Anchor stores include Target, JC Penney, Dillard’s, Borders Books and Music, Old Navy, Fresh Market, Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville and Ron Jon Surf Shop.

Currently, Target, Longhorn Steakhouse, Panera Bread and the Grand Theatre are open. Within 60 days they will be joined by the Back Porch Seafood House and Hofbrau Beer Garden. Dillard’s and JC Penney’s are scheduled to open in March. As spring and tourists and their money arrive in May, the town center is expected to open.

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