Fudpuckers coming to Santa Rosa Beach

[Geo]

I just never saw 98 (at least the part that is just north of 30a's west end) to be anything special at all. I see old nasty looking strip malls. A few great businesses here and there but mostly looks like an area fallen on hard times.

So I don't really understand why folks believe the development of commercial establishments that we will actually use is going to be worse than what we have now.

Love having the new publix. Looking forward to a closer walmart. Thrilled about a chickfila for the kids once I'm a while. Make no mistake- I don't want any of these on 30a but 98 just isn't that sacred to me. The only downsides I can think of are traffic and light pollution.

 

[scooterbug44]

Didn't Fud's already try Sowal and it didn't work? Weren't they over where Old Florida Fish House is now? (before Luna del Mar)

 

[beachmouse]

Fud's has actually already briefly had a SoWal location at one point in Seagrove- they were two tenants back of where whozit? Old Florida Fish House is now for like one summer before that high concept Mexican place out of Texas took over the spot.

 

[seagrovegirl]

Fud's was in Seagrove for a while and IMO it was just a bit to early for it to make it. The establishment was classy and not a remake of Fud's in Destin. Father Fud is a friend of the family and I look forward to the new establishment and I trust he is well aware of the standards here verses Destin or PCB. I hope the local peeps will give Fud's a chance especially since the Sowal Fud's concept hasn't been made public yet. The owners of Fudpuckers are very community minded and I know they will make great neighbors.

 

[NightAngel]

Folks- Fud's is locally owned and operated. They market to their customer- and they have been extremely successful while others have failed. It is likely- when they do come to our beloved SRB - they will build and service geared to this particular target market. Think jobs and variety. Plus, I am glad to see local business owners doing well. Plus it possibly will make another music venue- which we need in SRB.

Thankyou, some people around here just cannot be pleased. They gripe when big stores come in and they gripe when locally owned businesses come in and yet Walton County has the highest unemployment rate in the panhandle. I am grateful to see a decent business on 98 that brings more jobs to the area, plus the added extra music venue, which is badly needed. 30A people need not worry, this should not affect the perfect world they have set in their minds.

 

[Miss Critter]

Isn't that location diagonally across from the new Louis, Louis? I'm thinking they'll definitely need a light there.

 

[jodiFL]

I am kinda thinking of this as a "homecoming" for Fuds. That started out in a shanty on the beach in Miramar (Old 98 before there was a New 98). Fun times had there!!

 

[Teresa]

I just never saw 98 (at least the part that is just north of 30a's west end) to be anything special at all. I see old nasty looking strip malls. A few great businesses here and there but mostly looks like an area fallen on hard times.

So I don't really understand why folks believe the development of commercial establishments that we will actually use is going to be worse than what we have now.

Love having the new publix. Looking forward to a closer walmart. Thrilled about a chickfila for the kids once I'm a while. Make no mistake- I don't want any of these on 30a but 98 just isn't that sacred to me. The only downsides I can think of are traffic and light pollution.

take a good long last look at Hwy 98. someday you'll miss the undeveloped, unpretentious, unpopulated, few shabby structures amid wide open space. I know I will.

but I take your point - Fuds is going to be fine in SoWal. Its a great spot for tourists to enjoy. Frankly, it does make sense because it is very casual - and we do need more casual and family friendly restaurants around here.

I literally LOVE all three Publix stores - I could not be happier. But, then I heard about a Winn Dixie coming in? I just can't believe we need a 4th (or 5th including walmart) large grocery store?

 

[familyof3]

Fud's was in Seagrove for a while and IMO it was just a bit to early for it to make it. The establishment was classy and not a remake of Fud's in Destin. Father Fud is a friend of the family and I look forward to the new establishment and I trust he is well aware of the standards here verses Destin or PCB. I hope the local peeps will give Fud's a chance especially since the Sowal Fud's concept hasn't been made public yet. The owners of Fudpuckers are very community minded and I know they will make great neighbors.

That is good to hear. The Fuds in Destin fits there. Glad to hear the Fuds in Sowal will fit there.

 

[BeachBumChick]

I just never saw 98 (at least the part that is just north of 30a's west end) to be anything special at all. I see old nasty looking strip malls. A few great businesses here and there but mostly looks like an area fallen on hard times.

So I don't really understand why folks believe the development of commercial establishments that we will actually use is going to be worse than what we have now.

Love having the new publix. Looking forward to a closer walmart. Thrilled about a chickfila for the kids once I'm a while. Make no mistake- I don't want any of these on 30a but 98 just isn't that sacred to me. The only downsides I can think of are traffic and light pollution.

I agree completely. I also think as long as the county maintains some control over the design of some of these buildings, we can keep it from looking tacky. That control will also be a deterrent to some businesses that we probably don't want to see.