Boardwalk Section of Pier Park Opens

By Kristy Wolski

Pier Park's Boardwalk is packed with visitors checking out the shopping center's newest addition. Seventeen retailers and restaurants are now open for business."Pier Park is absolutely beautiful. This is our fourth year here, so we've seen it from start to where it's at right now, and what an improvement it's made," said Joseph Jones, a Pier Park visitor.Guests say they see Pier Park becoming a major attraction for Bay County in the upcoming years."Of all the different things and variety of things that are offered here and us snowbirds are always looking for nice places like this to go," said Larry Winnerowski, a Pier Park visitor."We're coming back next year, so we'll certainly see big changes by the time we get back next year," said Barbara McMahon, a Pier Park visitor.A bottle of champagne helped open Fish Tales, an art gallery owned by Panama City local Cindy Stephens. She says turnout was greater than she expected."We have a tremendous crowd. They were waiting for us to open the doors. It's just tremendous," said Cindy.But the work's not over yet. Between February and March, dozens of other shops will also open their doors. Once complete, Pier Park will house 152 retailers.Friday, a new restaurant, The Back Porch, will be open for business. Shops open February 14th: Red Brick Pizza, Emerald Coast Photo, Kilwin's Chocolates & Ice Cream, Sunglass World, Fish Tales, No Regrets Stationary & Gifts, tatoe tots, Mermaid Trading Co., Hofbrau Beer Garden, Buffalo Wild Wings, Unique Boutique by Irene & Co., Five Guys Famous Hamburgers & Fries, Marble Slab Creamery, Starbucks Coffee Company, Camille's Sidewalk Cafe, Alltel and GNC.These stores join Target, Panera Bread, Longhorn Steakhouse and the Grand Theatres 16.

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