Miami — As the redevelopment of CocoWalk continues to advance, a new confectionery concept with a celebrity following has signed a lease in anticipation of the lifestyle center’s phased reopening, slated to begin in spring 2020. Salt & Straw, the West Coast’s most flavor-provoking ice cream brand, has chosen Coconut Grove and Wynwood for its East Coast debut.
The redevelopment of CocoWalk taking place in the heart of the Grove’s commercial district is being led by Federal Realty Investment Trust and partners The Comras Company and Grass River Property, who acquired the property through a joint venture in 2015.
“When we conceptualized the ideal tenant mix for a reimagined CocoWalk, our objective was not only to create a destination that would suit the daily needs of the residential and business community, but also debut retail and dining concepts new to the Florida market. Salt & Straw is the perfect example of an innovative brand with a great product and a strong following — they possess remarkable attributes will translate well in the Grove,” says Michael Comras, CEO and president of The Comras Company.
The eccentric, farm-to-cone ice cream brand was founded 8 years ago in Portland, Ore., by cousins Kim and Tyler Malek and immediately captured the hearts of the city. With locations ranging from San Diego to Seattle, the menus at each location are inspired by local, seasonal ingredients along with the unique flavor profiles Tyler Malek conjures up himself.
“Taking Salt & Straw cross country to the East Coast has been a long term goal of ours and determining where to debut our first store on the Atlantic was not a decision we took lightly,” says Kim Malek, cofounder of Salt & Straw. “We chose Coconut Grove due to the many parallels we found between this neighborhood and Portland. The Grove is centrally located, artistically inspired, and fosters a real sense of community. The residents, locals, and businesses here are active and engaged and we look forward to adding a little West Coast flair to this bustling neighborhood.”
Federal Realty is a recognized leader in the ownership, operation and redevelopment of high-quality retail-based properties located primarily in major coastal markets from Washington, D.C. to Boston as well as San Francisco and Los Angeles. Federal Realty’s 104 properties include approximately 3,000 tenants, in 24 million square feet, and over 2,600 residential units. For more information, visit www.FederalRealty.com.
Grass River Property is a Coconut Grove, Fla.-based leader in real estate investment and development of mixed-use, commercial, office and residential projects. For more information, visit www.grassriverproperty.com.
The Comras Company of Florida, Inc. is a leading, boutique real estate firm providing retail leasing, asset sales, consulting and development advisory services throughout South Florida. The firm specializes in urban and suburban markets and offers services that include strategic planning, design consultation, market analysis, agency leasing, tenant representation, site identification, site acquisition and disposition. The company is headquartered in Miami Beach and covers the entire South Florida market. For more information, visit www.comrascompany.com.
SOURCE: The Comras Company