« Back to Press Landing

What's New in South Walton

11 minutes
|
undefined NaN, NaN

What’s New in South Walton

WALTON COUNTY, Fla.—January 2018—The New Year brings new beginnings, and in South Walton that’s just what can be found. Our calm, turquoise waters and sugar-white sands remain constant, but new businesses, renovations and events are ready to greet visitors and locals alike.

New Restaurant Openings and Renovations:

  • Shunk Gulley Oyster Bar, the newest Gulfplace addition features classic coastal cuisine with stunning views and authentic southern hospitality. The restaurant is named after the hard-to-find “shunk gulley” reef in the Gulf which according to local rumor and legend has been one of the best fishing locations in the region. In honor of this local tale, Shunk Gulley also teamed up with the South Walton Artificial Reef Association to bring active fisheries back to the area. The owners and operators are committed to helping build a more diverse ecosystem that’s not only good for South Walton’s waters but also for its dinner plates.
    • Website: shunkgulley.com
    • Phone: (850) 622-2733
    • Address: 19 Town Center loop St 1A, Santa Rosa Beach
  • WaterColor Inn announced a major renovation planned for their award-winning, upscale restaurant, Fish Out of Water. The restaurant, which first opened in 2002, is getting a complete redesign to emphasize its sweeping views of the Gulf of Mexico, and take advantage of the restaurant’s close proximity to the beautiful white sand beaches that South Walton is known for. In addition to improved views for Fish Out of Water’s restaurant and bar patrons, the restaurant will feature updated décor. The redesigned Fish Out of Water will remain committed to offering diners an impeccable level of service, and a sensational, seasonal menu of Southern coastal dishes with global touches. The restaurant will be closed for the renovation and is scheduled to reopen in late spring 2018. 
  • Southside Slice is a family friendly pizzeria built for easy ordering. Patrons order their pizza at the counter and then can take it to a table or to their home. Along with their fresh, hot pizzas they also offer sandwiches, salads and the perfect beer and wine pairings to match. Each menu item is made with fresh, high-quality ingredients so whether you order by the slice or a whole pie you’re sure to enjoy this new dining destination.
    • Website: slice30a.com
    • Address: 74 Town Hall Rd, Rosemary Beach 
  • A new casual/fine dining option is being added at Rosemary Beach with a Latin inspiration for its name and menu. Pescado Seafood Grill & Rooftop Bar is a casual/fine-dining restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating, offering views of the Gulf of Mexico. This new restaurant is set to open December 2017.
    • Address: 74 Town Hall Rd., Rosemary Beach
  • New to the Shops at Grayton, Grayt Scoops features scoop and serve ice cream as well as shaved ice, drinks and candies. They are open 11-7 during peak season, off-season hours may vary.
    • Phone: (850) 601-1771
    • Address: 39 Logan Lane, Grayton Beach 
  • Beloved local pizza spot, Pizza by the Sea will open their newest location in the Market Shops at Sandestin in February 2018. You can enjoy one of their specialty pizzas like the Cha Cha Chipotle or the Quadruple Bypass and get your shopping in all in one trip!
  • Great Southern Café, a Seaside favorite, has received a face lift! The renovations include a new deck area, new sign, new men’s bathroom and more. Renovations were completed in December and the restaurant is open and ready for guests to come and see the new improvements.
  • NEAT has expanded their facilities to now include additional seating for 24 inside, bringing their overall seating total to 60. Along with this expansion, new menu items can now be found. Guests have the option to select from a variety of light bites ranging from gourmet cheese and charcuterie to savory dips and caviar with tableside service. The snack section of the menu is served all day and the remaining small plates will be available starting at 5 p.m. daily.
  • Grimadli’s Pizzeria is excited to announce their Winter Collaboration Menu in partnership with Hundred Acres Winery, available until March 3. The food additions to the menu, a Spinach Pecan Salad and Rosemary Potato Pizza, were created to pair perfectly with the winery’s Cherry Pie Pinot Noir. But, if wine isn’t your thing, you can also indulge in their new Mocha Martini. To finish off the night, they are offering two seasonal cheesecakes, a Reese’s ® Peanut Butter Cheesecake and Butterscotch Toffee Cheesecake. You can visit them at the eastern end of Grand Boulevard, at the intersection of Hwy 98 and Sandestin Ln. 

New Shopping Additions and Renovations:

  • Silver Sands Premium Outlets in Miramar Beach has welcomed several new stores to their directory. You can visit Vans, Ecco, Roosters Sunglasses, Book Warehouse and Aeropostale on your next visit. Be sure to check out the expansions and renovations to seasoned favorites: Nike Factory Store, Coach, Under Armour and Reebok. When you’re ready to take a rest from shopping take a seat in their new courtyard area next to Saks Fifth Avenue OFF 5TH. The newly remolded area has enhanced the amenity by adding covered play and seating areas and soft seating for a more relaxing rest and play area.
  • Gigi’s Fabulous Kids’ Fashion and Toys has now expanded and opened a new store called STELLAR. STELLAR carries tween sizes 7-16 for both boys and girls and offers women’s sizes as well as gifts for all ages!
    • Website: gigisfabkids.com
    • Phone: (850) 231-1720
    • Address: 62 Main St, Rosemary Beach 
  • Opening early 2018, the people who brought you Modus Photography and Grayt Scoops bring you Mahalo Grayton. The store will feature beach themed apparel, trinkets and accessories in addition to bike rentals and stand up paddleboards.
  • Wine World in Watercolor is excited to announce they have expanded their retail selection as part of a renovation project. This redesign will mimic the renovations done to The Wine Bar portion of the business and will allow space for an array of new products. You can visit them at the intersection of County Hwy 30A and Watercolor Blvd North in the Watercolor community.
    • Website: thewinebarfl.com
    • Phone: (850) 231-1323
    • Address: 1735 E Co Hwy 30A, Santa Rosa Beach 
  • Live Well 30A, a one-stop shop for beach concierge services and apparel opened its first storefront at The Hub in Rosemary Beach. In addition to this new storefront, the company has launched their beach gear website LiveWell30AGear.com. Visitors can check them out in person at The Hub in Watersound.  
    • Website: livewell30a.com
    • Phone: (850) 534-0183
    • Address: 497 Serenoa Rd, Santa Rosa Beach
  • Three new merchants have been added to the Village of Baytowne Wharf directory. Baytowne Provisions, a full service restaurant, bar and private meeting/party space features traditional American food offerings for breakfast, lunch and dinner. In addition to their restaurant, Baytowne Provisions has also opened a general store offering local fare, basic food needs and more for visitors to the Sandestin area. For more information about these two locations you can visit, baytowneprovisions.com. New shop, Rockwell Tharp offers unique boots, shoes, belts and handbags for ladies. Browse some of their funk styles at rockwelltharp.com. Visit these unique stops and more at The Village of Baytowne Wharf in Sandestin.
    • Website: baytownewharf.com 
    • Phone: (850) 267- 8000
    • Address: 9300 Baytowne Wharf Blvd, Sandestin 

New South Walton Activities:

  • The Cultural Arts Alliance is partnering with the South Walton Artificial Reef Association to create the first Underwater Museum of Art (UMA) in the United States of America. The underwater sculpture garden will be placed in the clear waters of the Gulf of Mexico, off Grayton Beach State Park. The project will begin with the deployment of 7 sculptures acting as artificial reefs to provide anchor points for marine life to inhabit. The collection of underwater sculptures are expected to be in place summer 2018.
  • South Walton is home to two new parks on the Choctawhatchee Bay. Thomas Pilcher Park opened in April 2017 and is located under the Clyde B. Wells Bridge on Hwy. 331. Pilcher Park features a 380-foot fishing pier; four boat ramps; six 55-foot docks; three picnic shelters; restrooms; three fishing platforms; plenty of parking for both cars and boat trailers, as well as picnic tables, benches and grills. Bayside Ranchettes Park, located at 327 E. Mitchell Ave., opened in September of 2017, and includes a kayak launch, picnic area, water fountain and dock.
  • Laser leveling tees, new practice facility amenities and aesthetic renovations are just the beginning of the renovation project the Santa Rosa Beach and Golf Club has taken on. Golfers can also enjoy the new, more durable plant material updates that started with the Zeon Zoysia grass which was chosen for not only its aesthetic quality but also its low maintenance upkeep and durability. Improvements to the course are scheduled to continue and evolve into other future planning projects including their Operation Pollinator project to help boost the number of pollinating insects in the local environment.
    • Website: santarosaclub.com
    • Phone: (850) 267-2229
    • Address: 334 Golf Club Drive, Santa Rosa Beach 
  • 7wt Charters Fly Fishing Service, led by Local fly-fishing guide and captain, John Jacob, is now offering “quick-trips” for fishers and guests who are looking to catch some fish but don’t have the time in their schedule for a full or half-day trip. The excursions will last for an hour or two and will focus on species such as: pompano, lady fish, speckled trout and redfish. If you don’t want to go out for a trip, Captain John also offers casting lessons to teach the technical aspects of fly fishing.
  • In celebration of their 10th anniversary YOLO Board has released a brand new product. The Bolt, YOLO’s first electric bike offers a pedal assist for riders. The new pedal assist was made with South Walton’s forest trails in mind.
    • Website: yoloboard.com 
    • Phone: (844) 965-6262
    • Address: 95 Laura Hamilton Blvd, Santa Rosa Beach or 11610 Us Hwy 98, Miramar Beach 
  • South Walton local, Russ Gilbert, owner of Fusion Art Galleries is pleased to announce the opening of Gilbert Glassworks. The newly opened studio will offer private teaching for adults and will explore a variety of glasswork techniques. Gilbert opened his first gallery in Seaside over 20 years ago and has over 40 years of experience creating glass art. The studio will offer workshops for beginners as well as advanced studies for those more experienced in glass working.

New Accommodation and Renovations:

  • Berkshire Hathaway Home Services PenFed Realty announced their newest luxury residential home community coming to 30A: The Crest sits atop one of the highest points on the Emerald Coast, providing owners with panoramic views of the Gulf of Mexico. A nine-unit gated residential development, The Crest aims to deliver ultra-resort style amenities while maintain privacy and an exclusive atmosphere for its owners. Reservations for the units launched October 2017 and multiple units have already been reserved. These exclusive units are being developed by Kappa Breeze, LLC, designed by Corey Alger Design Studio and built by Compass Builders of Florida, LLC.
  • Developers, future owners and construction team members gathered on Nov. 3 to celebrate the topping out of Thirty-One, the first new gulf front construction project on County Hwy 30A in more than a decade. The $65 million project when completed will be a luxury condominium development featuring luxurious finishes, world-class amenities and spectacular Gulf views. According to COO, Jason White, the development should be completed in spring of this year. For more information visit 31on30A.com.
    • Website: 31on30a.com 
    • Phone: (850) 296-2366
    • Address: 3770 Hwy 30A, Seagrove Beach 
  • Upgrades are happening at the Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa. The resort recently began a $5 million capital improvement project to enhance the guest experience at the property. This multi-phase project will enhance several aspects of the guest experience starting with the guest rooms and expanding out into the outdoor dining and amenity areas. Some improvements already made include the addition of extra lounge chairs and umbrellas to the three pool decks as well as new decking that is barefoot and eco-friendly. Guests will notice new tile and flooring, walk-in showers and the addition of sliding barn doors. Adding to the list of upgrades and changes at the resort, there will be menu updates at the seven dining options including Sandcastles Restaurant and Lounge which will now offer fresh seafood options such as oysters and ceviche.
  • Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort is announcing a multimillion dollar renovation. The 16,000 square foot Linkside Conference Center is undergoing a complete renovation. This project signifies the resort’s commitment to providing the highest quality meeting experience for attendees and resort guests. The meeting professionals of Sandestin look forward to presenting the exterior and interior transformation by January 2018.
    • Website: sandestin.com
    • Phone: (850) 267-8000
    • Address: 9300 Emerald Coast Pkwy West, Sandestin 
  • Coming to Sandestin, the Hyatt Place hotel, designed by Howard Hospitality and HVS Design will bring a new 84 room select service hotel to South Walton. The new hotel will be walking distance to Grand Boulevard’s town Center, have free hot breakfast daily, coffee and cocktail bars, free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel and guestrooms, a 1,600 square foot meeting space and a 24 hour fitness center. The hotel is set to open late 2018. 
  • ResortQuest is proud to announce the opening of The Pointe, 30A’s newest luxury property. This boutique-style hotel boasts an on-site full service bar and restaurant, a heated resort-style pool, free bike rentals, and a scenic open rooftop for viewing gorgeous South Walton sunsets. The property is situated within walking distance to Rosemary Beach and Alys Beach, directly across the street from the shops and restaurants of 30Avenue, and a short bike or tram ride to the beach. The Pointe is conveniently located for favorite local events, including the 30A Songwriter’s festival in January. ResortQuest has also implemented a new bedding program that eliminates comforters and guarantees the entire bedding is washed and fresh before each arrival. This alternative to bedspreads ensures sanitation and comfort of all of our guests.
    • Website: thepointeon30a.com
    • Phone: (850) 301-3427
    • Address: 10711 E Co Hwy 30A, Rosemary Beach 

Other Updates and Additions:

  • Seaside has broken ground on a new Post Office Plaza which is their first step toward their planned Krier Tower development. The new plaza is expected to take 6-months to complete and will feature 7 new public restrooms, additional bike parking and additional reserved parking for Post Office customers. The overall project, The Krier Tower, is an architectural landmark designed by renowned architect and urban designer Leon Krier and is one of several planned projects set to shape Seaside’s long-term vision.
    • Website: seasidefl.com
    • Phone: (850) 231-2220
    • Address: 2235 E Co Hwy 30A, Seaside 
  • Sunshine Shuttle is proud to announce the addition of their new, non-emergency medical transportation service. The new service, called “GoVetted” will allow residents and visitors with greater access to their medical care. GoVetted offers a mobile app that will allow patients, families and healthcare providers to schedule, follow and track their transportation services via real time technology. Other services include: child transportation service for grades K-12 who need access to school events, after school programs or social activities.