Moving forward
Large-scale winery chain may come to Promenade
The rapidly growing Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurants chain is coming to Coconut Creek.
At a recent City Commission meeting, officials expressed concern over potential parking issues but in the end gave initial approval for the construction of a 12,244-square-foot restaurant at the Promenade. Construction is expected to begin early this year. The proposed building, which will be LEED-certified, is expected to seat 280 people.
The multi-unit winery and restaurant, which opened in Illinois in 2005, now has a presence in seven states including Florida, Ohio, Virginia and Wisconsin. The Coconut Creek location will be its fifth in the state, following locations in Tampa, Jacksonville, and two in Orlando.
“We are a high-volume restaurant and have 20 locations in seven states,” said Jen Kaufman, director of development services and licensing for the company. “The company is expected to open three more locations in Florida over th enext two years.
“We focus on modern American cuisine; we have an extensive gluten-free menu,” Kaufman said. “We have handcrafted wines; our winery in Illinois is the fifth largest outside California. Our wine club has over 150,000 members, including more than 17,500 in Florida.”
The property owner, Garrison Investment Group, had initially proposed a mixed-use development including 254,300 square feet of retail and restaurant space; 50,000 square feet of office space; and 456 residential units. In 2013, the owner decided to build a movie theater in place of the residential units. Two retail buildings, totaling 21,690 square feet, had initially been planned on the site where the new restaurant will sit.
Commissioner Joshua Rydell, who was concerned about parking issues, wanted to know if the company had discussions with the city and property owners about valet parking. “Can you be under the age of 21 and be in the retail area, unaccompanied? You are putting a product a 100 yards away from a high school.”
A pension fund is interested in the acquiring the Promenade, said Sheila Rose, the city’s director of sustainable development. City staff expect the closing to occur and have initiated talks with the potential purchaser on the issue of additional parking for the property. Some of the ideas being discussed are additional decks in the parking garages, off site parking and valet parking, she added.
“I was awed by the restaurant,” said Mayor Becky Tooley, who first visited the restaurant in Ohio. “I am very excited about this. I am excited about the wine club. I am worried about parking but I know we have great staff. I have faith that we will get the parking taken care of.”