Beeline is counting on thirsty folks making a beeline to its new upscale cocktail bar at Mercato in North Naples will open its third location and its first in Florida for Beeline which features a signature blend of craft concoctions We’re a drinks-only establishment,” said Saijal Andreadis Ryan “We saw an opportunity because there’s not much like it in Naples or Southwest Florida We thought we would fit in really well with this market.” The 3,989-square-foot end unit at 9115 Strada Place is across the street from Bravo Italian Kitchen in the longtime former location of Bobby Chan clothing store The space also has been a SUNS outdoor furniture store an Original Selfie Museum and most recently East West Fine Art which relocated to another unit in Mercato Expect something different there from Beeline while we have locations that have the same name and branding and some similar cocktails we want the vibe and feel of each location to be unique we have a replica of a banyan tree inside the bar surrounded by banquette seating that is inspired by the 80-year-old banyan tree right outside of our front door at Mercato.” The trendy new venue has a capacity for 200 guests curved radius bar snakes across the space with two big bump-outs There are about 45 seats at the bar with some adjacent tables so we’ll be able to fit a lot of people at the bar,” Ryan said The new space also features a water-embossed gold ceiling with undulating pendant lights custom Spanish light fixtures and ornate Christian Lacroix feathered wallpaper with a cursive neon sign mounted on it that spells out “Oh Honey Honey,” accentuating the bar’s buzzy bee theme “The ‘Oh Honey Honey’ neon is something we have at our other locations so you will see a couple of bar details you may see at another location but the overall design is unique to each location,” Ryan said there is that indoor-outdoor experience,” Ryan said we do plan to expand our patio out with a permanent pergola system that will increase our footprint the Collier County hearing examiner followed county staff’s recommendation in approving a land development code waiver to permit Beeline’s separation distance of less than 500 feet from other Mercato establishments — Cavo Burn and Blue Martini — that sell alcohol for on-site consumption and derive less than 51% of their sales from food items “I think we have a product that isn’t currently seen in Mercato or Naples,” Ryan said yet upscale environment where anyone can come in bring their friends and are guaranteed to have a great experience.” getting dinner with your family or friends or whoever it may be I think that’s where we differ compared to some of the other establishments The beverage menu at each Beeline is slightly different but the concept shares a tried-and-true common base with its other locations in Columbus and in northern Kentucky on the outskirts of Cincinnati Beeline was named for a 19th century train route that connected Cincinnati and Columbus so the bar’s cocktail names are influenced by both locomotives and bees lavender and this delicious blueberry-rosemary syrup We also have a nonalcoholic beverage inspired by it because it sells so well,” Ryan said “The Sober Berry mocktail features Seedlip NA Spirit blueberry-rosemary syrup and a dehydrated lemon We also anticipate our tequila drinks will be very popular here in this market It’s a little bit of a smokier tequila drink with blood orange and agave; it has a black sea salt rim and it’s garnished with a dehydrated lime really fun take on a lemon-coconut expresso martini,” she said “We’ll also have an exclusive menu of four spritzers for Mercato Those are unique to this specific location we’ve got a good mix of popular drinks that sell at other locations as well as new things that would fit in this market.” Beeline also has five nonalcoholic mocktail options including two inspired by its signature cocktails “The Straighten the Rails is made with honey It’s a beautiful-looking drink,” Ryan said “We also have The Caboose made with that blueberry-rosemary syrup Beeline’s NA program includes Heineken 0.0 nonalcoholic beer Beeline’s regular cocktail menu also has frozen cocktails domestic and imported beers; and many bourbon “We’re going to have a great happy hour Monday through Friday from 2 to 6 p.m. Almost everything will be half price,” Ryan said and then very soon we’re going to launch live acoustic sets kind of throughout the happy hour timeframe,” Ryan said you can definitely expect deejays and then we’ll be adding live entertainment shortly.” At least three more hospitality concepts are planned this year at Mercato is targeted to open a location this summer at 9100 Strada Place the former space of Le Macaron French pastries Shake Shack and Pura Vida Miami are coming to Mercato before the end of the year manager of public relations and communication for Jamestown LP the real estate investment manager that serves as Mercato’s leasing and marketing agent is building out part of the former Charming Charlie clothing store at 9105 Strada Place Pura Vida is bringing its health-conscious menu to the 3,800-square-foot space that formerly hosted a series of pizzerias — Zza Baby Naples Flatbread and Piola – in the last 15 years at 9118 Strada Place Summie permanent jewelry also is slated to debut this summer near Rocco’s Tacos & Tequila Bar “We’re looking forward to welcoming these brands to Naples and providing new food and beverage offerings for our guests Each tenant brings something fresh to our culinary landscape and complements our vision of evolving Mercato’s merchandising mix to best serve the community,” said Adam Schwegman director and head of retail leasing at Jamestown Plans to expand the common public area of Mercato’s Piazza are still going to occur but the project has been temporarily delayed “With five new tenant openings since last summer and another five slated to debut in the coming months we decided to pause the Piazza redevelopment through the opening period We should have more information to share soon,” Ness said the project will renovate the central hardscape area in front of Bravo Waxin’s and Narrative Coffee Roasters to extend the existing turf move the royal palms and create a permanent performance stage and overhead lighting Nine parking spaces on Strada Place will be converted into common outdoor seating and paver areas not associated with particular restaurants Typical ebbs and flows of the single-family home market do not have much of an impact on the ultra Four restaurant chains and a cake shop will join seven other businesses coming this year to the new Tree Farm.. the May 5 opening of the Hospital for Special Surgery at NCH takes the health care.. Not only has Chef Brian Roland physically and emotionally returned to public life in Southwest Florida after his life-altering tragedy.. Beeline is counting on thirsty folks making a beeline to its new upscale cocktail bar at Mercato in North Naples... The 72-unit Verandas III opened and is fully occupied on Airport Road marking the final phase in the redevelopment of.. Still looking for a place to celebrate Cinco de Mayo this year Grab your amigos and head to Mercato in Naples You can shop til you drop around all the local stores Mercato is home to before heading to the event lawn for festivities and Garganta and Sanctum Soul tribute bands The celebration moves to Rocco's Tacos at 10 p.m (Mercato Lawn, 9110 Strada Place, Naples, FL, 34108; 239-254-1080; experiencemercato.com) LOVES PARK — Lino’s is prepared to officially launch its new indoor marketplace this summer with 15 local makers The Mercato by Lino’s hosted pop-up shopping events late last year as it built toward its full opening It will kick off its next chapter with a Mother’s Day Market from 11:30 a.m The Mother’s Day Market will offer a preview of the full launch with several vendors that will become a permanent part of the Mercato There is also a drive-thru Meg’s Daily Grind built out of a shipping container at the west end of the building “We’re thrilled to bring the Mercato to life this summer,” Charlie Schweinler family-friendly way to introduce the community to what’s coming — and to give moms a day they’ll love.” Lino’s encourages reservations for those planning a sit-down meal at the restaurant on Riverside on Mother’s Day. The Summer Shed a machine shed converted into a casual space to enjoy your carryout orders will also be open along with lawn games and activities Lino’s, which opened a drive-up and carryout restaurant in a red shipping container in November 2022 has been working on its indoor box market concept for more than a year The goal is to provide small businesses with a chance to operate storefronts without large overhead costs and share in the foot traffic each other generate The family had purchased the 19,500-square-foot building in 2021 with the goal to open its second sit-down restaurant But when construction and material costs skyrocketed Schweinler reenvisioned the concept to try to keep renovation costs low while bringing a unique restaurant and shopping concept to the area This article is by Kevin Haas. Email him at khaas@rockrivercurrent.com or follow him on X at @KevinMHaas or Instagram @thekevinhaas and Threads @thekevinhaas by Kevin Haas Rock River Current is owned and operated in Rockford IL by Mid-West Family Broadcasting-Rockford (Long Nine With our weekly newsletter packed with the latest in everything food E-edition PLUS unlimited articles & videos Personalized news alerts with our mobile app *Refers to the latest 2 years of stltoday.com stories Please subscribe to continue reading… Clockwise from top left: The brisket-boar meatballs and the lobster gnocchi at Marconi Mercato are seen Saturday The outside of Marconi Mercato on the Hill Email notifications are only sent once a day Marconi Mercato is an audacious debut by St a big new Italian restaurant in the heart of the Hill It opened last fall at no less fabled an address than the former Amighetti’s When church bells ring the hour during dinner You will find a market inside the entrance of Marconi Mercato you might mistake this cafe-esque part for the whole first into a bar area with several dining tables and then into the dining room proper A staircase in the latter leads down to the “super-secret” (said a bartender) speakeasy Marconi Mercato also expands the footprint of restaurateur Joe Smugala and chef Carlos Hernandez The duo also run Collina Eatery (previously known as Pit Stop) on the Hill and El Milagro Azteca and GastroPit in the adjacent Southwest Garden neighborhood Smugala also co-owns the Hill restaurant Carnivore Smugala and Hernandez have partnered with Brian McBride The trio have taken an expansive view of Italian cuisine both in the regional scope of the restaurant’s fare and in the menu’s format The sheer number of dishes inevitably leads to some hiccups but of Smugala and Hernandez’s restaurants this is the most satisfying as well as the most ambitious The brisket-boar meatballs at Marconi Mercato I could have spent my review visits exploring only the selection of cicchetti — smaller bites such as the polpette fritte springy little meatballs made from beef brisket and wild boar served in a chunky sauce of Bianco di Napoli tomatoes with a snappy dollop of salsa verde Hernandez favors more subtle accompaniments: a spread of creamy Can Marconi Mercato resist the temptation to serve toasted ravioli the crackling exterior of each large raviolo al’ aragosta yields to a molten If a restaurant must upgrade the classic t-rav A dish of Brussels sprouts with apple slices shaved radicchio and candied peanuts couldn’t decide if it wanted to be an exceptional salad or a vegetable showcase It needed a heavier dose of its Italian dressing to be the former a more pronounced Brussels sprouts flavor to register as the latter Judicious editing would also benefit the Nduja é Salsiccia Piccante A generous plate of rigatoni in cream sauce with Parmigiano-Reggiano tempered the heat of the dish’s spicy fennel sausage and completely obscured the promised ‘nduja I could have dwelled only among Marconi Mercato’s pastas for this column The restaurant features freshly made pasta — this part of the menu is titled Pasta Fresca in fact — from pappardelle and the aforementioned rigatoni to gnocchi both bigger and softer than the shelf-stable variety you grab at the store bright orange lobster- and shrimp-based sauce charged with chili oil The gnocchi are so imposing in size and number that they render the split lobster tail accompanying them into parentheses on one side of the plate The Ravioli ai Funghi might be Marconi Mercato’s best dish of any kind here Each plump ravioli quivers with its filling of earthy Rosemary and sun-dried tomato balance the buttery richness and the salty sheep’s milk tang of Pecorino Sardo finishes each bite Hernandez and his kitchen team have a way with mushrooms Sauteed oyster mushrooms brightened by cherry tomatoes steal attention from a tender veal chop alla marsala If the veal and its silky marsala sauce do eventually command your attention the mushrooms make for a more appealing side dish than the bland mashed potatoes The menu divides its main courses between house specialties like this bone-in veal chop or chicken breast rolled around eggplant prosciutto di Parma and provolone in a white wine sauce (served in due recognition of the kitchen’s potato skills with a fine stack of scalloped spuds) and the traditional Italian designation of secondi The latter group could have wandered into Marconi Mercato from an upscale steakhouse Three of the four dishes are steaks: a New York strip and two rib eyes My eyes strayed to the pork Milanese instead The bone-in chop stays juicy inside its light breading which itself retains its crispness beneath blobs of melted fresh mozzarella Their sweetness rings against the thick chop as dramatically as St Highly recommended: The Post-Dispatch evaluates restaurants on the following scale lowest to highest: not recommended; recommended but with reservations; recommended; highly recommended; essential The rating reflects how the restaurant succeeds on its own terms — and how it meets a diner's good-faith expectations of quality food and hospitality — regardless of cuisine MORE INFO: 314-380-9003; marconimercato.com Post-Dispatch restaurant critic Ian Froeb reflects on 10 years of doing the STL Top 100 and lists the top 5 restaurants on his 2025 list. Video by Allie Schallert, aschallert@post-dispatch.com executive chef Brigithe Gilardi doesn’t only undertake fish and chips The restaurant and bar on the 11th floor of the new AC Hotel St Louis features views of downtown Clayton and generic upscale fare Ian Froeb writes: A meal here can be a full-body experience Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device I took a look around the grocery side before ordering The shop has several small tables with shelf-stable goods ranging from imported dried pasta and trendy tinned fish to fancy jams and extra-virgin olive oil There were also a few coolers available with cold beverages cheeses and a small selection of prepared foods.  While the setup of the merchandise was aesthetically pleasing making the shop difficult to navigate when it was busy The outdoor seating area is serene compared to the hubbub of the indoors and would be wonderful in early spring when it gets a little warmer with organized plants around the edges and sparkling clean tables with white marble tops Mercato’s cafe has a large selection of offerings ranging from savory sandwiches and charcuterie plates to sweet pastries and crafted drinks.  accompanied by a touch of nuttiness from the tahini drizzled on top I also tried a ham and cheese sandwich on a croissant ($13) which was delicious: the mozzarella cheese was perfectly melty and complimented the crisp was certainly overpriced compared to similar options from other stores.  The combined price reached over $30 with tax and tip making Mercato more of a “once in a while” place to visit instead of a regular study spot Another aspect to take into consideration when going to Mercato and Company is that it’s about a mile away from Rice Village the travel time could be up to 45 minutes.  While the walk itself goes through one of the university area’s beautiful neighborhoods it’s less pleasant in the sweltering heat or blustery cold There also isn’t a bus stop located close to Mercato and Company making a car the only way to quickly get there and back from campus.  Mercato provides high-quality food and experience that’s perfect for when you feel like treating yourself Its cost and distance are prohibitive towards frequent visits but the next time you have something to celebrate consider taking a trip down University Boulevard to reward yourself with a sweet (or savory) treat on Mercato’s sunny patio Please note All comments are eligible for publication by The Rice Thresher founder Arlene Ventura and partner Laura Marino plan to open Osteria di Mercato in connection with Mercato and Company in early 2025 Asia joined Community Impact in February 2022 She studied journalism and creative writing at Missouri State University Asia was a reporter for the Seattle Medium one of the city's eldest African American publications Rice Village and West University shoppers have a new option for wine, coffee, and gourmet gifts — with a restaurant to follow soon. Mercato and Company will open this Saturday founder Arlene Ventura created Mercato as a combination of the New York City bodegas she grew up with and the markets she experiences while living in Milan for eight years she’s brought Mercato to her adopted hometown of Houston “The Brownsville location was our first opportunity to test the Mercato and Company concept though it was tailored to that market as a convenience store,” Ventura tells CultureMap in an email it was more of a stepping stone toward realizing our larger vision we closed that location because we recognized that to bring Mercato and Company to its full potential Our new West University location represents the culmination of this journey — a space that combines authentic gourmet products with a welcoming community atmosphere.” The store offers a variety of gourmet products and other events to bolster shoppers' connection to the store Ventura recruited chef-partner Tatiana Perna to create Mercato’s menu. Perna, who is the chef at Podere 1384 is also creating the menu for Osteria di Mercato an Italian restaurant and wine bar that’s scheduled to open in early 2025 “An osteria is by definition a place that brings people together over good food and wine,” Perna said We’re using high-quality ingredients and traditional Italian recipes and practices to create meals that are simple and authentically delicious Mercato and Company’s hours of operation are 7 am to 9 pm daily Shoppers will find a selection of cheese and charcuterie It’s never been easier to get an order of Nancy cakes or former Astros star Justin Verlander’s favorite Houston cheeseburger. Beginning this Monday, May 5, Nancy’s Hustle is now open for dinner seven days a week Co-owner Sean Jensen tells CultureMap that he and his business partner opted to add a seventh day of service for several reasons “We often get complaints that it’s hard to get in This opens up another day for people to sneak in.” Indeed, the restaurant, which opened in the fall of 2017, has never been riding higher. Food & Wine recently named it one of the 15 best restaurants in America based on a nationwide poll of restaurant workers It also earned a coveted Bib Gourmand designation in the Michelin Guide which Michelin describes as recognizing “restaurants that offer great quality food at good prices,” felt like the right award for Nancy’s which has always prided itself on being a neighborhood restaurant with refined food and friendly I would have thought they were wrong,” Jensen says “I would have probably been offended if we’d only gotten a recommendation I think we’re in the right place with a Bib Gourmand.” The restaurant saw an immediate uptick in diners after the Michelin Guide’s list came out in November particularly from visitors who wanted to patronize Bib Gourmand recipients Being open on Monday allows the restaurant to serve diners who are either staying for a long weekend or flying in on Monday and looking for a good meal regulars will notice a new face behind the bar bartender Brandon Choate left Anvil for a new role as Nancy’s bar manager He’ll also be working the floor some evenings We love the changes he’s making and the new fresh set of eyes,” Jensen says since many other restaurants are closed on Monday being open on that day makes it easier for their peers in the hospitality industry to patronize Nancy’s Hustle Monday service has been a success at like-minded peers such as Theodore Rex which have always drawn restaurant workers on Monday evenings Nancy’s makes itself particularly friendly to hospitality workers by seating people until 11 pm nightly being open seven days also benefits the restaurant’s employees Jensen explains that it became easier to be flexible with employees’ schedules at Tiny Champions — their EaDo restaurant devoted to pizza and shareable plates — when that restaurant moved to daily service last summer the restaurant wants to give all employees two consecutive days off but that could sometimes get tricky when one of those days had to be Monday “Instead of having to focus everyone’s two consecutive days as Sunday and Monday or Monday and Tuesday we can mold days off that work better for them or for us,” he says “it makes it easier for those employees who have family or significant others who work nine-to-fives It’s easier to give them a Saturday or Sunday off when you’re on a seven-day schedule.” (To submit an article idea or new product for consideration, click here.) the program will offer participants an online platform to order nutritious grocery options from local grocery stores.  The initiative is designed to address the obstacles that many SNAP recipients encounter in accessing healthy food Despite $113 billion in SNAP funding across the United States the high cost of fresh produce means that many recipients are unable to purchase nutritious food SNAP recipients often opt for less healthy processed foods since they’re cheaper than fresh fruits and vegetables [RELATED: SNAP Shoppers Spend 32% More Than Non-SNAP Shoppers] Mercato has selected upper Manhattan and the Bronx as the locations of the pilot because of their designations as urban food deserts alongside their high rates of chronic dietary illnesses Residents in these communities typically lack access to full-service grocery stores offering fresh and healthy foods and instead shop at bodegas (corner stores) that usually carry high-sugar Inadequate health care access and poor environmental conditions compound these communities’ health challenges “Access to healthy food should not be a luxury,” asserted Bobby Brannigan “This program represents our commitment to making it easier for individuals in underserved communities to access fresh nutritious food without the added stress of cost and accessibility Through our partnership with WSCAH and the CDC we are working to bridge the gap between SNAP recipients and healthy grocery options while also supporting local businesses.” The program provides a $50 monthly credit for fresh as well as one year of unlimited free grocery deliveries The credits can go toward groceries that are either delivered to participants’ homes or picked up at participating stores at no extra cost for hungry Americans to make healthy food decisions,” said Greg Silverman CEO of New York-based West Side Campaign Against Hunger “At a time when food inflation remains stubbornly persistent we’re proud to partner with Mercato to help those who are struggling to access healthy affordable options at their local grocers.” © Copyright 2006-2025 Law Business Research strategic and hardworking team than the pros at Priority Marketing Old Vines Naples at Mercato is launching its new brunch service on Nov featuring bottomless mimosas and innovative cocktails paired with sweet and savory menu items that create the perfect setting for weekend brunch in Naples “I’m so proud of our team for collaborating on this exciting new menu with our own unique twist on popular brunch dishes,” said Chef-Partner Brooke Kravetz of Old Vines Naples at Mercato and we can’t wait to dive into the brunch scene here in Naples!” the new brunch menu features sweet and decadent options such as Soufflé Pancakes French Toast with brûléed custard and Donut Holes as well as savory options like Pork Belly Omelet brunch guests can pair their meal with bottomless mimosas and choose from a selection of juice options They can also select from a variety of endless new brunch cocktails like the Sin Other highlights from the brunch cocktail menu include Kong’s Coffee with blanco tequila Black coffee and banana; Kiwi Flora with Meili vodka Cocchi Americano and kiwi; and the Verde Maria with St wine and beer are available for the brunch service Senior living center earns high performing status for both short-term rehabilitation and long-term care The Preserve is proud to announce that its skilled nursing care Cape Coral’s first food truck park is slated to open June 2025  Slipaway Food Truck Park & Marina, a one-of-a-kind experience coming soon to Cape Better Together is partnering with New Springs Church to host a community job fair for Coral Springs-area residents on Saturday, May 17 from 11 a.m. Sign up for our monthly newsletter to keep up with what we’re doing for our clients and the community. We cover a variety of relevant marketing tips and topics to inspire and empower your brand! Florida | Georgia | North Carolina | South Carolina | Alabama | Colorado Dining A historic Hill building is getting a second act thanks to three restaurateurs eager to build their own legacy in the space Louis Dining In and Dining Out newsletters to stay up-to-date on the local restaurant and culinary scene Marconi Marcato offers something for everyone whether it’s a coffee and grab-and-go sandwich during breakfast hours or a sit-down dining experience for lunch and dinner “We’d been wanting to do something in this building for a long time we talked about doing a number of things there,” says Smugala “We ended up with two concepts: an Italian style market and a full-service restaurant The idea is not to compete with DiGregorio’s We just wanted to offer things you can’t get at other places on The Hill Not many places around here have the things that we offer.” Marconi Mercato’s market will be open 7 a.m.–8 p.m Sunday through Thursday and 7 a.m.–9 p.m The restaurant and bar’s hours are 11 a.m.–10 p.m Here’s what to know before you go.  Marconi Mercato is divided into three distinct spaces: a front market (which includes a coffee bar and shelves stocked with Italian grocery items), a middle room (which consists of table seating and a bar), and a main dining room (at the rear of the building) The partners were mindful of honoring the historic details of the space while putting a modern twist on the room and vintage shelving contrast with contemporary pale sage and rust-colored paint and midcentury-inflected tables and chairs The space’s most striking detail is its light; each room has black-silled windows that are just shy of floor-to-ceiling allowing fresh air and the hustle and bustle of the neighborhood and nearby St Ambrose Catholic Church and School to fill the room with life and McBride always knew they wanted a mixed-use concept with a market component—something that would harken back to the stores they grew up going to as kids “We all grew up with these little confectionaries or a place on the corner where you could go after school and grab candy,” says Smugala “That’s already happening here; on school days Smugala and his partners are also proud to partner with Kenrick’s Meats & Catering for their butcher counter and customers are able to order anything from Kenrick’s portfolio for next-day delivery.  the market side of the business runs breakfast and coffee service Grab-and-go breakfast sandwiches and freshly baked danish and other pastries are available for those looking to have a quick but satisfying bite on the go.  Hernandez led the menu development for Marconi Mercato’s full-service dining – an endeavor that took nearly two years and multiple iterations to finally nail down and McBride landed on is a menu that spans Italy’s different regions and emphasizes cicchetti or the Italian version of Spanish tapas.  “I love French and Italian food in general the focus is totally on Italy,” says Hernandez “I did a lot of research and came up with over one hundred menu items before choosing the best of the best to make up the menu.” Customers can nosh on small plates such as freshly baked focaccia generously dusted with Parmigiano Reggiano and served alongside whipped basil butter with fresh herbs or fried artichokes with fresh ricotta and a balsamic drizzle courtesy of local Midwest Pasta Company in styles such as the bucatini cacio e pepe while those who want to have a full dining experience can enjoy dishes such as branzino piccata Hernandez is adamant that no one leaves without having at least a few bites of the chocolate olive oil cake served with stracciatella gelato from Gelato Di Riso Hernandez is pleased with the initial offerings, but he’s even more excited with his right-hand man in the kitchen. Mario Sanfillipo, longtime chef at the recently shuttered LoRusso’s Cucina, is now helping him run the kitchen and is bringing his undeniable culinary firepower to the table. In addition to the food menu, cocktails also lean Italian, with offerings such as spritzes; an elderflower, vodka and aperol libation called the Brezza Floreale; an Italian riff on a daiquiri named Carciofo Tropicale; and a handful of mocktails. Beer and wine are also available.  Smugala first began working with Hernandez at J. Smugs GastroPit on the Hill. The pair instantly clicked and went on to form a partnership that would lead to such restaurants as Pit Stop (which became Collina Eatery earlier this year), GastroPIT-STL (the descendant of J. Smugs GastroPit), and El Milagro Azteca. Joining forces with McBride, they were able to yet again expand their growing restaurant group with Marconi Mercato, which they hope will appeal to a range of diners and shoppers with its wide array of offerings.  “We’re not looking to compete with or take away from the other established places in the neighborhood,” says Smugala. “We just want to bring something new and different.” Listen Here Listen Here Listen Here Listen Here DINING NEWSLETTERS Subscribe to the St. Louis Dining In and Dining Out newsletters to stay up-to-date on the local restaurant and culinary scene. Start your mornings with a fresh take on the day’s top local news from Sarah Fenske and Ryan Krull. No spam, you can unsubscribe anytime you want. Our award-winning content brings readers revealing profiles Start your mornings with a fresh take on the day’s top local news Mercato and Company opened a brick-and-mortar in the West University neighborhood of Houston in December If you're an art lover, make sure you don't miss the second annual Mercato Art Celebration Art Show on Jan Shop, dine, drink, and be entertained in Mercato during the all-day art show hosted by Naples Picasso The show is free to enjoy and guests can expect to see a diverse range of art mediums like painting Mercato and Collier County officials will close the entire street to allow guests to stroll through the event Two months after closing as Burntwood Tavern, the rebranded Taberna Burntwood opened Nov Taberna launched on Election Day to replace Burntwood Tavern which had operated for seven years in a Mercato space that previously had been the Rusty Bucket Restaurant and Tavern “We’re real excited about the concept and opening in Mercato and being down here in Naples,” said Bret Adams an Ohio-based company that operates Taberna Burntwood Burntwood Tavern and three other restaurant concepts The Mercato restaurant’s difference in decor is clearly striking “We were working on this concept for quite a while and it was part of the Burntwood family but it’s a total different look and feel,”” Adams said a little more modern.” The chef-driven quality remains that has been the foundation of the 15 Burntwood Tavern locations but the Taberna concepts gave the company an opportunity to reimagine the original approach whitewashed barn wood and coppertop bar have been replaced Wooden dividers were removed to create a more open dining room so it’s really more social and people feel like they’re part of an event or part of a happening,” said Peter D’Amelio “The Burntwoods are beautiful in their own right The refresh extends to the exterior as well where the 4,300-square-foot space between the longtime Bravo and future Waxin’s restaurants has been changed with a more modern facade and a new logo and signage “The guests that have come in — and there have been quite a few — are pretty amazed at the design and very happy with the menu,” D’Amelio said The menu is mostly different with new appetizers desserts and specialties such as steak frites a double-cut pork chop and chargrilled fresh fish but we’ve chosen to move in a little more seasonal We have a tuna crudo; we have a roast chicken; we have probably the best prime rib sandwich that you’re going to have in the Naples area.” The enhanced service model at Taberna introduces a “silent service” approach “We’re aiming for a polished casual environment that doesn’t cross into fine dining but offers a distinctly upgraded dining experience,” he said The North Naples location is the first Taberna Burntwood conversion but the company does not have immediate plans to convert the other Burntwood Tavern locations in northeastern Ohio or Florida which includes restaurants at Bell Tower and Gulf Coast Town Center in the Fort Myers area “We’ll assess the other four locations in Florida and identify if the market and the guest space or so would be receptive to this,” Adams said we are planning for the rest of the Burntwoods that don’t get converted to Taberna a refresh there where we’ll still maintain some of the hand-hewn beams and the rustic but we update the menu refresh the menu and introduce some of the service standards we rolled out here Adams said customer reaction to the new concept will be a key to its success I think we’ll have a good thing going here.” 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Mercato Partners today announced that Co-Founder and Executive Chairman Greg Warnock has transitioned the role of Chief Executive Officer to Joe Kaiser a Managing Director and long-time member of the Investment Committee This leadership expansion is part of Mercato's long-standing strategy to ensure its continued focus on delivering industry-leading investment returns to Limited Partners through collaboration with innovative founders in the flown-over and underserved regions of the United States Warnock will continue his leadership as Executive Chairman and mentorship with a focus on enabling Mr Kaiser and the investment team to continue to deliver superior performance long into the future "Leading Mercato Partners since its inception nearly two decades ago has been immensely rewarding," said Mr I remain deeply committed to guiding our strategic vision and generating strong results for our investors Joe's transition to CEO is a natural step in Mercato's evolution ensuring continuity in our proven approach while allowing me to focus more on long-term priorities." who has been with Mercato Partners for over eight years brings extensive experience in identifying promising investments building trusted partnerships with founders he will assume operational leadership while continuing to work closely with Mr Warnock on investment strategy and portfolio construction "Our focus remains steadfast on performance and value creation," said Mr "Greg's guidance and leadership have built Mercato into a trusted partner for entrepreneurs and investors alike I look forward to continuing our collaboration and furthering Mercato's mission to build on our established legacy of success." Mercato Partners has grown to manage over a billion dollars in assets supporting transformational companies outside traditional venture hubs With a consistent track record of success and a stable leadership team Mercato remains committed to its long-standing investment philosophy and focus on performance Do not sell or share my personal information: Details: cache-fra-eddf8230074-FRA 1746497066 1845092810 Please enable JS and disable any ad blocker Waxin’s is set to open its second location Jan in the former space of The Counter Custom Burgers featuring Swedish and American cuisines and wine Waxin’s launched its only other location more than four years ago in Palm Beach Gardens The 3,350-square-foot space will have seating for up to 300 guests with a retractable indoor-outdoor bar and patio It will be open for lunch and dinner daily 2025 is here and there are 2 new restaurants and a bar are coming to Mercato in Naples this year there are so many things to get excited about my plans for 2025 include doing more traveling and getting to as many new places and experiences that I can We always get in the habit of returning to the places we love and while there are some spots I'll never give up there are 2 new restaurants and a bar coming to Mercato Mercato in Naples is such a great shopping and dining complex and over the last few years a lot of new things have opened up. In 2024 we saw the arrival of the new furniture store Birch Lane, Lovesac, Warby Parker, Tap 42 Craft Kitchen & Bar, Alamo Drafthouse Cinema and more And 2025 is proving to be another big year as 2 new restaurants and a bar will be opening is a very popular burger chain- Shake Shack the only other location in Florida is in Palm Beach Gardens you'll find all your favorite Swedish dishes like Swedish Meatballs While the menu and opening date hasn't been posted yet To check out the full directory when it comes to dining at Mercato, click here Download the app to LISTEN LIVE wherever you are and connect with us like never before Mercato’s latest venture—Tap 42 Craft Kitchen & Bar—launched Aug 2 in the former longtime space of AZN Azian Cuizine in the North Naples mixed-use development It’s the 11th location for Tap 42 but the first on the Gulf Coast for a hospitality concept serving contemporary American fare Another location is planned soon in the Southwest Florida corridor a partner and executive vice president of Tapco Restaurant Group a Florida-based company that operates 10 locations along the state’s east coast AZN’s veteran restaurateurs retired in December after nearly 15 years at Mercato making way for Tap 42 to bring its casual concept to the market Workers scurried around last week in the days before Friday’s opening to make last-minute efforts to convert AZN into Tap 42 at 9118 Strada Place Tapco spared no expense on the design and decor of its newest space Everybody that walked in kind of freaked out about the design and feel in here The major transformation includes a new bar “We fully gutted the front of the house down to the floor We rebuilt everything that you can see,” Rudolph said “It’s a totally different place than what AZN was “I think that’s kind of why we were chosen for this space,” Rudolph said “They’re looking for stuff that I think is high-end fun and can work for everybody from every age I think that fits what we’re very proud of We’re different things at different times for different people family dinner for during the week—we cover all the bases.”   Tap 42 is known for its casual American menu of popular items as well as an expansive bar for a late-night hangout and boozy brunch Tap 42 even features a disc jockey during brunch on Sundays to create more of a party atmosphere with bottomless beverage specials “I wouldn’t say it’s necessarily the primary focus of our business but it’s certainly a fun part of our business,” Rudolph said Menu entrees include barbecue baby back ribs chimichurri skirt steak and a variety of bowls spicy tuna tartare and short rib beef sliders LOVES PARK — Lino’s will host the debut events for its new indoor box market this month although the pop-up shopping sessions are just a taste of what the space will ultimately become The 52-year-old family-owned restaurant is developing a new concept called The Mercato by Lino’s inside a 19,500-square-foot building at 8400 E The space will eventually be home to a new sit-down Lino’s restaurant and a multitude of small businesses that will operate mini-shops from shipping containers inside the building The goal is to open The Mercato by Lino’s with its restaurant and small business tenants by the end of next summer but for now the space will host private parties and special events including a trio of holiday markets this month is called Mercato Holiday Market and happens from noon to 3 p.m It will feature handmade merchandise including jewelry clothing and other holiday-themed goods from local sellers “I’m just excited to get everybody back together and see if we can make something special that our community can be proud of,” said Charlie Schweinler the first three events will have roughly 85 small businesses and craft sellers in the space “We’ll get a feeling for how everything flows and how everything works what kind of things we need to tweak and to adjust before we get our final opening,” Schweinler said let’s see what it’s all about while enjoying the holiday season and then get to finishing construction after the new year.” Lino’s started working to create the new indoor market earlier this year after earning zoning approval from the city of Loves Park in late June The northeast end of the building will be Lino’s new sit-down restaurant and bar with mezzanine seating overlooking the shops You’ll be able to order a glass of wine from the restaurant before you stroll through the shops Schweinler had initially hoped to open The Mercato before the end of the year but the project faced delays as he and the city navigated the details of a development that hasn’t been done in this region “Nothing has ever been done like that so we’re kind of feeling our way through and working with him to get it going,” said Steve Thompson director of community development for the city The space is meant to instill feelings of an old-world, rustic Italian piazza, Schweinler said. The shipping container concept was chosen to keep costs low amid high inflation and construction prices Lino’s first turned to shipping containers in November 2022, when it opened a drive-thru restaurant inside a 53-foot-long red shipping container on Riverside Boulevard which is next door to the carryout shipping container restaurant expands on that concept with a goal to create a local shopping destination with local businesses that serve similar clientele What: The debut event for The Mercato by Lino’s will include a holiday wine tasting live jazz and a variety of local businesses offering a selection of holiday-themed merchandise What: The sixth event in the Pop-Up in the Parks series is a new holiday market called Candyland Christmas There will also be visits from Santa Claus What: Guest Host Illinois Vintage Fest and Smiley’s Vintage present this market featuring a curated collection of vintage clothing from the 1980s and ’90s and other vintage goods from 25 vendors Info and more events: Go HERE This article is by Kevin Haas. Email him at khaas@rockrivercurrent.com or follow him on X at @KevinMHaas or Instagram @thekevinhaas and Threads @thekevinhaas Catching up on my accumulating Village of Estero correspondence: Estero is exploding with endeavors so today let's hit a sampling of what you're asking about "Thank you for your insightful and helpful articles," said reader Brenan Riehl "Do you know what the development timing is for the planned Woodfield Development commercial and residential project on Coconut Road across 41 from Coconut Point in Estero Please don't forget the brave women and men who answered the call and gave so much to get our democracy this far and protect the freedoms you and I cherish When we first broke the details of this U.S. 41 massive undertaking a couple of years ago and it appears to be pretty close to target depending on the necessary red tape to protect the interests of all involved: The Village led by its key Florida leader Ross Abramson is requesting a development order for the first phase of its mixed-use venture on 46 acres on the northwest corner of Tamiami Trail and Coconut Road This portion includes a pair of apartment buildings and parking garages plus a pedestrian paseo and other features that the Planning Zoning & Design Board will consider at a 4:30 p.m Drawing comparisons to the 53-acre Mercato in Naples the overall blueprint has been calling for about 600 dwelling units 82,000 square feet of retail and dining options 42,000 square feet of medical and general office space 6,000 square feet of civic spaces and other amenities Based on public records, it's among the most prodigious of some 75-plus ventures by Woodfield Development, largely along the Eastern Seaboard Merrick Park would probably be most similar to what we’re planning largely due to the Mediterranean-inspired design and centrally located public spaces." Estero: In the Know: Will Lee County get its own version of Naples Mercato? Plan is in the works Completion of the initial phase would take about two years Not exceeding 70 feet in height excluding architectural elements three- and four-story structures with an aim to be consistent with Coconut Point's look The 40% open space includes several gathering areas and other greenery including Central Green the paseo and Rambla Street North and South Luxury: As Waterside Shops demo begins, what goes into picking home like SWFL for RH chain? What about construction of roundabout just off U.S 41 in Estero?The village also would like the developer to install a roundabout at the intersection of Coconut Road and Walden Center Drive where just this past week a different entity known as Baywood Hotels purchased three acres at 23400 Walden for $3 million to construct a hotel Marriott and Hilton are part of its portfolio the planning board Tuesday will also be considering a request related to yet another lodge ― this one a 122-room four-story extended stay at 22910 Lynden Drive "Thanks for all the info you share regularly I love being “In the Know," Estero reader Meg Somerdyk said in today's Question Numero Dos "I’m wondering about the development on 41 between Corkscrew Road and the Coconut Point Mall I thought I had heard there’d be a hotel but yesterday saw a sign for a brewhouse it's bit confusing over that way with numerous elements at the same time just off U.S There's a 115-room Hilton Garden Inn popping in on 2.2 acres at 8009 Sweetwater Ranch Blvd and it just became official in what has been tabbed as Marketplace of Coconut Point Deerfield Beach-based Konover South is behind the 10-acre Marketplace, representing the last remaining commercial frontage within the Coconut Point development which has about 1.5 million square feet of retail Among the additions at what is officially 8001 Via Rapallo Drive with more to come as leases are signed for the 15 slots Some of the targets: Restaurants with outdoor seating boutiques and family and specialized medical services Konover's executive vice president of development and construction The center "complements the 482-acre Coconut Point," said Williams who has Fort Myers-based GCG Construction as his contractor with possible completion by early next year after the interruptions of hurricanes Helene and Milton "Significant milestones have been achieved including the completion of the majority of sitework such as grading and the installation of building pads for Miller’s Ale House and McDonald’s," GCG said in a statement "Site advancements include the first layer of asphalt for parking as well as substantial progress on curbs and sidewalks Foundations for three retail buildings are set with vertical construction actively ongoing." where also an immersive sensory outdoor art illustration is set to debut Nov Coconut Point has four new stores and restaurants that are in the process of opening before we get into high-gear for the holiday season The popular Shake Shack burger chain plans to enter the Naples-Fort Myers market with a location at Mercato in North Naples Known for serving elevated versions of American classics, Shake Shack will open in 2025 at 9105 Strada Place, Suite 3135, a retail unit that most recently hosted the Hand & Harvest Artisan Market, which had its final Saturday pop-up event July 27. Across from the new Birch Lane store that Mercato unit also previously was home to Charming Charlie women’s fashion store when Shake Shack opened its first restaurant outside of New York City in Miami Beach’s South Beach the fast-growing chain has opened 20 in Florida including Sarasota and Tampa on the Gulf Coast The majority of its Florida locations are in the Miami and Orlando areas “Committed to providing warm hospitality and uplifting experiences for its customers the brand plans to transform 3,002 square feet of the location into a casual gathering hub for the community,” said Lauren Ness media relations manager for North American Properties responsible for managing and marketing Mercato Shake Shack’s made-to-order menu includes the ShackBurger a single or double cheeseburger made with an Angus beef blend; crispy chicken bites Other beverages include house-made lemonades iced teas and its signature Brooklyn Shackmeister Ale Shake Shack will join other hospitality ventures on tap this year at Mercato. Beeline Ales & Spirits Tap 42 Craft Kitchen & Bar and Waxin’s restaurant and bar already are being built out Plans also are in the works this summer and fall to reimagine Mercato as an elevated entertainment hub Plans call for tripling the size of the mixed-use development’s Piazza between Bravo Italian Kitchen and Narrative Coffee Roasters to create a more connected walkable environment throughout the center NAP has rolled out similar public space makeovers at other lifestyle centers that it manages and markets Chang’s China Bistro as an anchor of the reimagined Ridge Hill hospitality-driven destination in Yonkers as the mall’s Town Square is redeveloped into more of a casual community gathering hub Since opening its first fast-casual restaurant 20 years ago in New York City’s Madison Square Park Shake Shack has expanded to more than 530 company-operated or licensed locations worldwide The company plans to open about 80 locations this year according to Shake Shack’s first quarter 2024 shareholder letter Burntwood Tavern temporarily closed over the weekend at Mercato in North Naples with plans to reopen in early or mid-October as a mostly new dining concept “We’ve been staging this for several months,” said Bret Adams an Ohio-based company that operates Burntwood Tavern and many other restaurant concepts “We’re going to do quite a bit of construction in a short amount of time Burntwood Tavern’s rustic decor with reclaimed wood shiplap from century-old barns and blown-glass light fixtures will be upgraded “I think it will complement the restaurants on either side of us,” he said referring to the longtime Bravo Italian Kitchen and newcomer Waxin’s a Swedish-American restaurant opening this fall “As we looked at coming up with an elevated concept a good fit or a natural fit for us was to take the word Tavern elevate it to Taberna and still maintain the Burntwood name which has been around for 14 years and for seven years in Mercato We thought the two together would be a great foundation for what we’re doing.” Many elements of the old Burntwood will evolve into the new Taberna but don’t expect crystal glassware on white tablecloths so some of what you see will be called silent service We’ve enhanced the service to really accommodate the guests,” Adams said “We don’t want to step into the fine-dining world The lines will be cleaner with a little more of a modern look and feel in the restaurant We’re going to make the bar a little bigger You’ll see a differentiation of service staff through uniforms which will dictate little service enhancements that you may or may not feel but they’ll be elevated from what we were doing before from our traditional dining experience.” The concept change includes more than a new name and physical changes “The menu will have less items and a higher focus on premium ingredients “We’ll try to maintain some of the traditional “You’ll see some of the signatures today maybe move to the bar bites We want to accommodate those guests who have been supporting us for years.” There’ll be a minimal amount of reclaimed wood The copper bar will be replaced with granite We’ve fabricated some new custom light fixtures that we’ll be introducing as well “We wanted every table to be its own experience so the booths are strategically placed; the tables in the main dining room have their own individual place experience We’re also going to open up the bar to the dining room so there’ll be a little more energy and little more open air.” The changes coincide with the evolution of Mercato “We had been kicking around this concept since we came out of COVID,” he said “We knew that some of the elements that Burntwood has are timeless but there are other elements that needed to evolve Coupled with Mercato’s timing of wanting to evolve some of the brands and restaurants and retail The Mercato location at 9110 Strada Place was the first Burntwood Tavern outside of Northeast Ohio when it launched in 2017 It replaced the Rusty Bucket Restaurant and Tavern in North Naples Adams splits his time between Southwest Florida and Northeast Ohio but the Naples resident said there’s a personal reason as well as a business reason to evolve with Mercato noting that this will be the first location for Taberna Burntwood “Our goal is to roll this out and evaluate and potentially convert some of the other Burntwoods into Taberna Burntwood where the market will support it,” he said The company currently has 15 locations of Burntwood Tavern including nearby spots in Gulf Coast Town Center and Bell Tower Shops in south Fort Myers depending on how the market reacts to the change “We will assess which markets might be good for this new brand and then what markets we think Burntwood will remain,” he said “There’s a renovation package that we’ll start rolling out the first of the year.” Mercato wants its restaurants and retailers to share their own identity The mixed-use center is expanding the common area in front of the restaurant adding a live performance stage and promoting a public destination we are going to be front and center so there’s going to be great visibility for events and concerts,” Adams said “We just want to make sure we provide a great environment for those guests who are coming in and spending time there.” The “Tim Aten Knows” weekly column answers local questions from readers. Email Tim at tim.aten@naplespress.com. A Florida east coast restaurant is opening its first Gulf-side location in Naples Waxin’s a Jupiter restaurant known for its Swedish-American cuisine has announced it officially opens this month Expect more than the Swedish meatballs served in cafeterias at IKEA home furnishing stores It will be in the same site as The Counter a custom burger bar that closed a few years ago Expect some familiar foods among the starters Also try some Scandanavian delights, like Nordic ceviche; Swedish-style caviar; beef ryderberg (beef tenderloin, caramelized onions, potatoes, horseradish, egg yolk, mustard creme); and Wallenbergare (double ground veal steak What's some highlights of Waxin’s NaplesA 3,350-square-foot space with seating for up to 300 guestsRetractable indoor-outdoor barSpacious patio perfect for enjoying Naples' days and nightsWhat's the hours more to knowWaxin’s will be open for lunch and dinner seven days a week Reservations can be made at eat@waxins.com and find the restaurant on social media at www.instagram.com/waxinsrestaurant/ Dave Osborn is the regional features editor of the Naples Daily News and The News-Press Contact him at dosborn@gannett.com and follow him on Instagram @lacrossewriter The Naples location of Florida-based Tapco Restaurant Group’s popular eatery is the company’s first on the state’s west coast In August, Tap 42 Craft Kitchen & Bar opened in the Mercato space formerly occupied by AZN Azian Cuizine The Naples location of Florida-based Tapco Restaurant Group’s popular eatery is the company’s eleventh restaurant and its first on the state’s west coast managing partner and executive vice president of Tap 42 “Naples has always been a market we’ve targeted We felt that it was the premier dining and drinking destination on the Southwest Florida coast.” created by Florida brewery Funky Buddha especially for the restaurant group Rudolph describes the menu as “New American contemporary cuisine with something for everybody.” It covers a lot of ground but isn’t so large as to make choosing burdensome Each item has something that makes it special the spicy tuna tartare boasts ahi with avocado while the Drunken Goat is a lamb and beef burger topped with whipped goat cheese » CURRENT ISSUE » SUBSCRIBE 2024 at 1:18 pm CT.css-79elbk{position:relative;}Dario Mercato is a small Italian market and restaurant serving pizza with aromas of Italian cooking and fresh pizza wafting into the downtown Plainfield area The space last occupied by Big Sammy's opened in late September as Dario Mercato the latest venture from 2022-closed Giambotta Pizza Co With its name an ode to the deli space within Rovito's father's former restaurant in Naperville Dario Mercato has elements of Giambotta (pizza and Italian cooking) and others similar to his father's restaurant The restaurant specializes in Roman-style pan pizza which will be made daily in a finite amount The menu, updated weekly, is kept up to date on the restaurant's website "I think the new style of pizza has resonated well with our customers new & old," Rovito wrote to Patch in an email "Roman style is great for a quick grab & equally great to sit & share with family and friends." RELATED: New Version Of Giambotta Taking Over Former Big Sammy's Space they can place their orders at the counter seat themselves at bistro tables flanked by vintage posters Rovito said business has been "nice and steady," with many customers from Giambotta and the beloved Capri Sogno coming in and "[sticking] with us after all this time." "We have been seeing more and more people coming in grabbing a beer or a bottle of wine and enjoying a full dinner in our space Dario Mercato is currently open from noon to 8 p.m patrons can call 815-556-8784 to place a to-go order "I feel a massive sense of gratitude to be back doing this again & we're so happy in our new spot," Rovito said Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts. UAE – In honor of International Autism Awareness Month Mercato Shopping Mall proudly announces its recognition as the UAE’s first Autism-Friendly Mall — a milestone that sets a new benchmark for inclusivity in the region’s shopping mall sector we believe that every family deserves to enjoy a welcoming and comfortable shopping experience That’s why we’ve taken meaningful steps to create an inclusive environment tailored to the needs of children and individuals on the autism spectrum In collaboration with the Dubai Autism Center Mercato has introduced a series of permanent • Sensory-friendly shopping hours for a calmer more accommodating environment • Staff training to better assist individuals with autism and their families • Clear signage throughout the mall to help families navigate with ease and gently remind parents to hold hands with children in busier spots — all designed to create a safer soothing space for visitors who may feel overwhelmed • Complimentary fidget toys available at the Customer Service desk to support comfort and self-regulation “Becoming the UAE’s first Autism-Friendly Mall is a proud milestone not just during International Autism Awareness Month We want every visitor — especially families of children with autism — to feel seen it’s never just about shopping — it’s about creating a space where everyone belongs.” Mercato’s goal is to foster a shopping experience where every visitor feels safe and supported — making everyday moments more accessible and enjoyable for families with neurodiverse children the General Manager and Board Member of the Dubai Autism Center "Mercato’s announcement as the first autism-friendly shopping center in the UAE is a pivotal moment in our efforts to integrate people with disabilities into the community Our collaboration with Mercato reflects a genuine awareness within private sector institutions of the importance of creating inclusive environments that support the needs of individuals with autism providing them and their families with a sense of safety and belonging We hope that this initiative will serve as a model to be followed across various sectors fostering a culture of acceptance and diversity and contributing to the country’s vision of building a more inclusive and humane society." Mercato Mall aims to provide a shopping experience where every visitor feels safe making everyday moments easier and more enjoyable for families of children with disabilities The mall emphasizes that its partnership with the Dubai Autism Center goes beyond raising awareness; it seeks to bring about real positive change in the retail sector within the UAE and internationally This collaboration is set to strengthen the culture of inclusion and enhance the quality of life for all members of society Join us in celebrating this milestone and spreading the message of inclusion The Autism-Friendly Environment Certification Program was launched in September 2022 by the Dubai Autism Center as the first initiative of its kind in the region The program contributes to providing facilitative arrangements that support accessibility for individuals with autism ensuring they can fully benefit from the services offered by both public and private institutions This is achieved through a series of training workshops and consulting services on factors that create a safe and autism-friendly environment Institutions receiving the certification undergo a comprehensive annual evaluation which includes surveys on customer satisfaction and studies using the "mystery shopper" method typically involving individuals with autism and their families the certification validity is renewed for the same period Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is one of the most common developmental disorders typically manifesting within the first three years of a child’s life and affecting individuals throughout their lives ASD affects an individual’s social and communication abilities The rapid growth of this disorder is notable with most studies estimating that one in every 36 children is affected according to the 2021 report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the United St The press release is provided for informational purposes only legal or investment advice or opinion regarding the suitability value or profitability of any particular security Neither this website nor our affiliates shall be liable for any errors or inaccuracies in the content or for any actions taken by you in reliance thereon You expressly agree that your use of the information within this article is at your sole risk To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law its affiliates and the respective shareholders content providers and licensors will not be liable (jointly or severally) to you for any direct even if the parties have been advised of the possibility or could have foreseen any such damages Get insights and exclusive content from the world of business and finance that you can trust I remember standing in line with my '21' Club colleagues at the first Shake Shack in New York City’s Madison Square Park Nowadays, it’s famous for its burgers and shakes I don't recall any burgers or crinkly fries because it was all about hot dogs and soft drinks it resembled a kiosk with an assembly prep line with different staff responsible for different toppings it was my first (and last) bite into a Chicago-style wiener another location opened in my neighborhood across from the Museum of Natural History The ever-present line around the block made the sidewalk tricky to maneuver Anyone working in the restaurant industry has always paid attention to anything Danny Meyer (the hospitality legend behind the concept) opens because he is among the world’s most successful restaurateurs the game-changing restaurant that made him famous in 1985 — or Shake Shack — you're in for a special experience Twenty years and more than 400 Shake Shacks across the globe later Naples is getting its first outpost at Mercato Shops It’s set to open in 2025 and is taking over 3,000 square feet in what was formerly Charming Charlie's and Now famous for various burgers and custard shakes other between-the-bun offerings include a vegan burger One hot dog option remains and it's from Chicago's Vienna Beef Consumer Reports ranked Shake Shack and BurgerFi as America's only A-rated burgers because they serve antibiotic-free beef Shake Shack's other menu animal-protein items are also antibiotic-free The chain uses cholesterol-free soy oil for cooking its fries Mercato's dining and drinking lineup currently includes: You can also eat at the new Alamo Drafthouse while watching a flick or playing miniature golf Mercato's restaurant closings over the past year include AZN and Zza Baby in partnership with the Friends of Yorktown Parks and Recreation is announcing the first townwide marketplace The purpose of the market is to support our community service organizations between the hours of 8:00 am and 3:00 pm at the Al Cappellini Community and Cultural Center gymnasium There will be a $2.00 entry fee for the public (children under 12 free).Doors will open to the public at 9:00 am silent auctions and music by local musicians The concept is to bring together a variety of small businesses crafts people andvintage/collectible sellers for the show This would enable them to sell their creations and products There will be 50 tables available for the event to rent local small businesses and area residents to participate Residents are encouraged to participate by bringing their attic treasures and bric-a-brac to sell Large bulky items are not encouraged due to space constraints Each seller will be expected to make a nominal contribution to a participating community service organization (list provided by us) President of YSBA said “We intend to bring the community together as a show of support for all our community service organizations This will be a great opportunity for residents to sell or buy Art Businesses are encouraged to participate as well to promote awareness of their products and services Our artists can display and sell their creations businesses can promote/sell their products/services residents can sell their attic treasures/bric–a–brac and community service organizations can raise funds for their causes Space is limited and will be allocated on a first come first serve basis Your completed application (an email will suffice) and payment returned promptly will ensure your space at the event silver and bronze sponsorships to support the event are available For more information on sponsorships or to reserve a space contact Bob Giordano:rgiord19@optonline.net or 914-874-4347 RiverJournalOnline is the online publication of River Journal and River Journal North No part of River Journal or River Journal North including photos ads and text may be reproduced without the written consent of the Publisher Plans are in the works this summer and fall to reimagine the Mercato mixed-use development in North Naples as an elevated entertainment hub and “a walkable joined center owner PGIM Real Estate in sharing its vision for upgrading common areas at the popular local destination Plans call for tripling the size of Mercato’s 3,000-square-foot Piazza that extends between Bravo Italian Kitchen and Narrative Coffee Roasters to create a more connected pedestrian-friendly environment throughout the center “While Mercato does have a few small social gathering spots it’s missing a central space that can host large-scale events and encourage guests to stay a while,” said Nick Lombardo “We’re looking forward to redefining the Piazza and creating a lively experience for our guests.” Changes will include a permanent covered performance stage in the Piazza area in front of the Narrative coffee shop and the new Waxin’s restaurant and bar opening soon next to Burntwood Tavern will be designed to accommodate Mercato’s many events The trunk and branches of the huge banyan tree on the corner near Bravo will be illuminated with custom-made lanterns and color-changing LED lights The project’s construction is expected to begin in mid-July and is targeted for completion by November concerts and other events will no longer be hosted on the small lawn space east of Rocco’s Tacos “The goal is kind of to bring everything centralized,” said Lauren Ness “At other properties where we have this centralized green space it in turn then kind of supports all of our tenants because you’ve got everyone in kind of the heartbeat of the property and then they spill out and then they shop to give those events a more centralized home.” While that part of the street is temporarily closed during events Strada Place’s brick road is not expected to be permanently closed to vehicular traffic “I don’t think that will ever permanently close,” Ness said “We’re painting the crosswalk right there to kind of give it more of a presence and then we’ll be able to close it just for certain events.” Mercato’s prominent annual Christmas tree will continue in the Piazza even though the new stage will upstage its traditional spot a bit “They’ll probably have to reconfigure a little bit just obviously with the placement,” Ness said “I think the goal would be to be able to host our tree lighting in this kind of centralized plaza area and then just shift where the tree would be a little bit.” NAP entered a management agreement with PGIM to reposition the 450,000-square-foot Mercato development as a people-oriented entertainment hub aimed at strengthening Mercato’s relevance and relationship with the community is focused on reinventing the public realm through modern placemaking trends The placemaking approach to managing public spaces uses urban design principles to improve the physical elements while creating overall changes in how people emotionally experience it “It’s kind of like what we do,” Ness said about NAP “It’s kind of like our bread-and-butter formula that we’ve come up with where we come into one of these properties that maybe needs a little extra love And we try to create these kind of centralized community gathering spots.” While NAP properties share some basic fundamentals so triangular shade structures will be added overhead at Mercato’s expanded common area along with strings of lights to add ambiance we really look to what the property is and the uniqueness and try to build it out a little bit more based on that,” she said NAP’s leasing team has shifted Mercato’s merchandising strategy and started emboldening retailers to design storefronts that reflect their individual brand aesthetics Retailers and restaurateurs are encouraged to create more unique storefronts “That is something I think is pretty unique to NAP and something that our leasing team especially really pays attention to and works with the tenants on,” she said “We encourage them to kind of have these more unique storefronts that really show off their brand and their personality when you’re walking through our properties you’re not just seeing the same white brick over and over and over again Your attention is getting drawn to different places that are showing off all the different personalities For instance, Old Vines recently expanded its outdoor dining space along the sidewalk and street in front of the new restaurant with umbrella tables and planters. Mercato’s fresh philosophy attracted several businesses to recently join the center’s lineup, including Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, iFlex New businesses still coming this year include Beeline Tap 42 Craft Kitchen & Bar and Waxin’s © 2025 Advance Local Media LLC. All rights reserved (About Us) The material on this site may not be reproduced except with the prior written permission of Advance Local Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site YouTube's privacy policy is available here and YouTube's terms of service is available here Ad Choices The long-anticipated turnaround of 11th Street and Summit Avenue progressed Thursday with the demolition of a vacated apartment and retail complex that had been the subject of thousands of police calls Last year, Mayor Paul TenHaken and Sioux Falls City Council members lost patience with the fighting, pimping, prostituting, assaults, and occasional killings that had plagued Pettigrew Heights’ 600 block of West 11th Street and refused to renew four alcohol licenses granted to businesses on the first floor of the rundown building. City Hall is also facilitating the partnership between SEBH and KFP, chipping in $2.8 million to help SEBH purchase the property outright and leverage additional government subsidies that project backers say are necessary to bring the redevelopment to fruition. Housing Development Manager Logan Penfield said at the time the $1 million award is considered a forgivable loan and would need to be paid back if plans don’t pan out. The long-anticipated turnaround of 11th Street and Summit Avenue, known as the Mercato Block, progressed Thursday with the demolition of a vacated apartment and retail complex that had been the subject of thousands of police calls. The Dakota Scout is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support a locally owned, operated and printed newspaper, consider becoming a paid subscriber. Last year, Mayor Paul TenHaken and Sioux Falls City Council members lost patience with the fighting, pimping, prostituting, assaults, and occasional killings that had plagued Pettigrew Heights\u2019 600 block of West 11th Street and refused to renew four alcohol licenses granted to businesses on the first floor of the rundown building. The new owner purchased the property for $3 million and earlier this year announced plans to raze the structure and build a new office and apartment complex where Southeastern Behavioral Health operations will be located Housing units will be offered to both the nonprofit\u2019s clients and the general public City Hall is also facilitating the partnership between SEBH and KFP chipping in $2.8 million to help SEBH purchase the property outright and leverage additional government subsidies that project backers say are necessary to bring the redevelopment to fruition Housing Development Manager Logan Penfield said at the time the $1 million award is considered a forgivable loan and would need to be paid back if plans don\u2019t pan out.