PALMETTO, Fla. (April 29, 2026) – LQ Commercial is pleased to announce the groundbreaking of The Shoppes at Marriott, a new mixed-use commercial development located on the grounds of the Palmetto Marriott Resort & Spa. The event was held on-site this morning and was attended by local officials, hotel leadership, and the LQ Commercial brokerage team.

The groundbreaking marks the official start of Phase I of The Shoppes, which will feature approximately 8,200 square feet of commercial space designed to serve both hotel guests and the surrounding Manatee County community. Five tenants have been confirmed for the first phase, including Foxtail Coffee, Burger Monger, Noire Nail Bar, and White Diamond Shipping Co., with one additional tenant to be announced. FIN Construction has been selected to lead the build-out, with completion anticipated in late 2026 or early 2027.

“Groundbreakings are so special, because they represent more than new construction — they represent the vision you (the developer) have had, and the investment in our community.” — Sunshine Joiner, Vice Mayor, City of Palmetto

The development is strategically positioned to capitalize on the Palmetto Marriott’s hotel traffic as well as the adjacent convention center, providing a curated mix of food, beverage, retail, and business services in a walkable outdoor environment. White Diamond Shipping Co., a local concept with prior operations in Sarasota, will offer a full-service business hub including shipping, notary services, fingerprinting, and more.

“Palmetto was known as a drive-thru community. And that is no longer.” — Greg Ciaccio, General Manager, Palmetto Marriott Resort & Spa

LQ Commercial’s brokerage team, led by Senior Broker Associate Paul Rutledge and Associate Zachary Ellis, has been instrumental in leasing and developing the project from concept through groundbreaking.

“Marriott’s retail addition is exactly the type of development this market has been waiting for. We have assembled a strong first-phase tenant lineup, and we are already generating significant interest for the remaining available space. This is just the beginning.” — Paul Rutledge, Senior Broker Associate, LQ Commercial

“Not only is there a bigger plan here on this property to continue to grow and develop The Yard, we are fortunate to have partnered with Florida Central Credit Union and they have signed up to name it ‘The Florida Central Yard.’ With that sponsorship, we are going to continue to grow that venue.” — Tony DeRusso, Managing Partner, Palmetto Marriott Resort & Spa

Phase II of the development, currently in planning, will introduce “The Florida Central Yard” — a named outdoor entertainment venue made possible through a sponsorship partnership with Florida Central Credit Union. The venue is envisioned to feature major restaurant concepts such as a brew pub and a destination sports bar, alongside entertainment tenants including music, gaming, bowling, axe throwing, and interactive dining experiences. The design is inspired by acclaimed mixed-use destinations such as Truist Park’s Battery Atlanta and International Drive in Orlando. Groundbreaking timing and tenant mix for Phase II are still to be determined.

For more about Paul Rutledge, visit https://lqcre.com/paul-rutledge/ and Zach Ellis, visit https://lqcre.com/zach-ellis/.

Paul Rutledge, Senior Broker Associate, Zach Ellis, Associate, and Michelle Origer, Marketing Manager, with LQ Commercial Tampa, celebrating with the Marriott Resort & Spa at their Groundbreaking Day for Oyster Plaza | Phase I

About Palmetto Marriott Resort & Spa