COCOA BEACH, Fla. – A new, 27,000-square-foot food hall is set to break ground this fall in Cocoa Beach.
The release said construction on Cocoa Beach Mercado is set to be completed by fall 2025, but no exact dates were given for the groundbreaking or its completion.
The food hall is expected to hold 12 different restaurants, along with an on-site brewery, an 8,000-square-foot covered courtyard and a roof-top bar. The food hall is also expected to have several private event spaces and bring 150 jobs to the area, according to a news release.
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The food hall is set to be built at 1325 N. Atlantic Ave, between Cocoa Beach Health & Fitness and La Quinta Inns and Suites, opposite the Westin Resort and Convention Center.
The area has long been an empty lot.
Karl and Carol Kruse, Kelly Poiani and other residents living nearby say it’s been an eyesore.
“Anything is better than the vacant parking lot with a lot of grass weeds and random parking,” said Carol.
Restaurant owner Daniel Todd, who grew up in Cocoa Beach, said he wants to see his hometown flourish. Todd is also the owner of 4th Street Fillin’ Station and The Alibi Cocktails & Bites.
“There’s no brewery in Cocoa Beach,” Todd said. “There’s a small one in Cape Canaveral. We’re excited to kind of bring something new and fresh to the town.”
Residents we talked to are excited about the new development, though they have some concerns.
“The overflow parking on the street. I don’t want our street to become an extension of the parking lot,” said Karl.
Todd said they plan to add around 100-150 parking spaces.
“As long as it’s in the scale of Cocoa Beach and the character, it looks like it’s gonna be a beautiful addition to our area,” said Todd.
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