UPTOWN STATION - FORT WALTON BEACH LARGEST SHOPPING CENTER CONTINUES TO GROW

Ten's of thousands of new military positions are coming to our area and they want shopping, restaurants, and things to do. This is what is being said at a number of town hall meetings with these military men and women. Guess what, some developers have heard the cause and are answering the bell. As you can see by reports, the commercial centers are filling up. Remember, these folks coming are being ORDERED here and they will be some of the highest paying folks in Okaloosa County with a lot of disposable income.



By DUSTY RICKETTS
Northwest Florida Daily News 315-4448 | dricketts@nwfdailynews.com  
FORTWALTONBEACH—Despite the still sluggish economy, leasing at Uptown Station is stronger than ever. Several new businesses will open soon, and other tenants will be announced in coming weeks. The popular chickencentric restaurant Zaxby’s is going up across the street from Uptown Station’s main plaza. The property is owned by Crystal Beach Development, which also owns Uptown Station. Construction started Thursday and the restaurant is expected to open early next year at the old Brewster’s Ice Cream site on Eglin Parkway next to Juno’s Steak and Sushi. “We’re going through an amazing session of leasing right now,” said Martin Owen, spokesman for Crystal Beach Development. Owen said the company is in the final stages of negotiating leases for four open units in the original section of Uptown Station. Another open space near Chan’s Wine World also is close to being rented. A bidding war between two potential tenants also is under way for a vacant space next to Five Guys Burgers and Fries. “We’re nearly full,” Owen said. Otherbusinessesexpected to open soon include: Coffee Grounz, a specialty coffee, tea and bakery store that is expected to open in mid-September next to Verizon Wireless in the JG Plaza building. Papa Murphy’s Takeand-Bake Pizza, where customers make their own pizza to take home and cook, will open a 1,200-square-foot store in early October. International Buffet, Sushi & Hibachi will open in the former Asian King Buffet building near Baskin Robbins. An opening date has not been announced yet, but Owen said he believes it should be in the next few months. The owners of Panda China Buffet on U.S. Highway 98 also own International Buffet.