Could this be the future of U.S. 98 in the Navarre Town Center area?
Part of the proposed but unrealized Navarre Town Center project has been sold, and the new property owner is planning to construct a drive-thru 7 Brew Coffee shop on the site.*
*Currently a small, multi-tenant office building occupies the parcel on the northwest side of U.S. 98 at Prado Street. The design calls for the existing building to be razed and a drive-thru coffee shop with three lanes, 11 parking spaces & water retention pond to be constructed.
TC’s Development sold the 0.74-acre parcel, currently zoned retail/multi-tenant, to Destin-based Olson Land Partners for $950.000 on Dec. 21, 2024. Olson Land Partners was involved in the development of another 7 Brew Coffee which opened in January 2025 in Pensacola. Additionally, there are two additional 7 Brew locations planned in Santa Rosa County, including adjacent to Panda Express in Tiger Point and at 4880 U.S. 90 in Pace – also adjacent to a Panda Express.
<<<Design for a future 7 Brew Coffee on Prado Street shows ingress/egress will not be off U.S. 98
Back in 2022, TC’s Development acquired several parcels on U.S. 98 in Navarre which were previously owned by Island View Development Corp. Bob Benaquis of TC’s Development then announced a major, multi-story condo development for that area, known as the Navarre Town Center; however, after facing strong community opposition, he withdrew the related rezoning request and started placing parcels on the market.
Initially a Chick-Fil-A franchise was being considered for some of the acquired property between Luneta and Presidio Street. But sources connected with that effort told South Santa Rosa News that project fell through. A Jim N Nicks BBQ was subsequently planned for that listed property, which included two parcels totaling 1.24 acres, providing up to 270 feet along U.S. 98. Multiple tenants in the existing building, formerly home to Century 21 Island View Realty headquarters, report they have been asked to move out soon.
“I’m not sure we’ll want Jim N Nicks on that site,” Benaquis said. Although he says tenants in the existing former Century 21 Island View Realty headquarters will stay until that building is torn down, at least two have stated they were informed to relocate soon.
In addition to the 1.24-acre parcel, which has the pending sale sign, Benaquis via TC’s Development Company, LLC and RJB of NW Florida, Inc continues to hold interest in (see map graphic):
(1) four other parcels between Luneta and Presidio Streets, including a 0.206-acre parcel zoned for mobile homes, two 0.206 vacant commerical parcels, plus a 1.239-acre vacant commercial parcel;
(2) a 0.992-acre vacant commercial parcel behind Centennial Bank;
(3) two 0.185-acre vacant commerical parcels adjacent to The Twist;
(4) a 0.371-acres vacant commerical parcel on the southwest side of the intersection of Esplanade and Alhambra Streets;
(5) a 0.742-acre vacant commercial property in the 1800 block of Prado Street.
Kenneth Cook of Destin, who has been a business partner with Benaquis, is still shown having interest in TC’s Front Porch restaurant and other parcels along Alhambra and Esplanade Streets.
Previously released design for the Navarre Town Center prior to the sale/pending sale
EDITOR’S NOTE: Previously a 7 Brew was being considered for U.S. 98 near Neighborhood Walmart at Joybrook Road; however, documents submitted to Santa Rosa County reveal a McDonald’s is now planned for that location
