While riding my beach cruiser through downtown Delray last week it hit me how quiet things are this summer – unusually quiet.
A handful of restaurants closed. Some changed their hours to close at 6pm and not 11pm. A couple places normally closed Mondays, are now closed Sunday – Tuesday.
It gave me a sunken feeling in my gut – what’s going on?!
Summer-season is what’s going on. This time of the year downtown Delray looks like a ghost town. But behind the scenes there is a LOT going on.
Downtown Delray Changes For Our Next High Season
* Subculture Coffee (finally) opened last week at 302 NE 6th Avenue. Get over there! You’ll love the Retro feel
* Kapow Noodle Bar will open at Salt7’s former location in the Fall of 2024
* Michelin-starred Chef Michael Mina will open his Bourbon Steak restaurant at The Seagate Hotel on Atlantic Avenue. Plan on it opening in late 2024
* Amar Bistro is moving to the Bar 25 location at 25 SE 6th Ave (Fed Hwy) where it will offer a full bar, covered outdoor patio and additional seating. They plan to open in September
* Amar’s current location (522 E Atlantic Ave.) will reopen in November 2024 as Gesto, an artisanal pizza shop.
* Pura Vida is opening in the former BurgerFi location at 6 S. Ocean Blvd on the SW corner of The Ave and A1A – you know, the easter edge of downtown Delray. Pura Vida is a healthy-minded café serving natural, wholesome foods. (can’t wait!)
* The Standard, a modern American restaurant and bar with one location in Mizner Park, opened its second spot that replaces The OG at 166 SE 2nd Ave
* Lefkes Greek dining will open any day now in the downtown Delray Beach Market
* Geronimo Tequila Bar & Southwest Grill, located in New Haven, CT, will open at 105 E Atlantic Ave – formerly Cabana El Rey
* True Grit Hospitality has taken over the former Taverna Opa space at 270 E. Atlantic Ave. and will open a new concept, “Roka Hula,” a modern Asian Tiki Bar Restaurant – this is the center of downtown Delray
* Jerk and Lime at Nicole’s House, a family-owned Jamaican fusion restaurant, is opening late summer/fall at 182 NW 5th Avenue
* Gabriella’s Modern Italian will open this October on NE 7th Ave. in Atlantic Crossing
Although it may feel barren in downtown Delray today, enjoy this slow time and lack of crowds. Stop by the new locations above with friends and share with others. This is the time to be hyperlocal and support our local businesses.
At the same time many places are offering discounts to lure you in. So, get out there and enjoy our downtime and no lines. Winter will be here soon and downtown Delray will be even busier than ever.
(photo above: Sundy Village from a drone’s point-of-view – it’s looking SO GOOD and progress is fast)
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*** Art & Jazz On The Ave is tonight! If you haven’t enjoyed this event, it’s a fun evening. Look for my MrDowntownDelray shirt and hat. Say hola!
*** The #1 & #2 blog posts on my website over the last 50 days are my essays about the Buyer-Broker Agreement that is law and begins August 17th. If you’re thinking of selling or buying Please Follow Along. We’re going to learn how this plays out and make mistakes together until the process is familiar with realtors and consumers. I’m creating a video about this right now. Keep your eye out on my video channel.
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*** South Florida’s Surging Supply Update ***
* This morning’s Inventory is 47,448 *
That’s a 254 Unit gain in one week
Since August 1, 2023, supply is up 72%
