Pier Park opened yesterday with 17 retailers and restaurants. It was really more like a "soft" opening than a grand opening, but they expect many more retailers, restaurants and shops to open up between now and March. There will be a total of over 100 business after all phases are completed.

Read more from WJHG.com:
Boardwalk Section of Pier Park Opens

Also, we hear they may be planning some holiday celebrations at Pier Park, including ice skating, horse-drawn carriage rides, fireworks and more.

We'll try and stop by soon to take more photos.

Here's a list of what opened on Feb 14th:

Red Brick Pizza
Emerald Coast Photo
Kilwin's Chocolates & Ice Cream
Sunglass World
Fish Tales
No Regrets Stationary & Gifts
tatoe tots
Mermaid Trading Co.
Hofbrau Beer Garden
Buffalo Wild Wings
Unique Boutique by Irene & Co.
Five Guys Famous Hamburgers & Fries
Marble Slab Creamery
Starbucks Coffee Company
Camille's Sidewalk Cafe
Alltel
GNC

Added more photos from today... lunch at Five Guys Burgers was great! So glad to have more choices for lunch and dinner now. I'm very impresses with Pier Park so far.

(if you go, stop by Sunglass World and say HI to Tony or John... tell 'em Tripsmarter sent you!)

Pier Park Photo Update, February 15, 2007

That's it! I'm definitely going there next week! Thanks for the pictures

You guys need to try Five Guys Burger and Fries. It was an excellent burger!!

I understand that the ribbon cutting for Margaritaville will be March 5. Also Guy Harvey is opening an 8500 sq foot restaurant at Pier Park and part of the contract requires three personal visits a year.

Yep, Guy Harvey Island Grille is right up front (right next to Reggae J's Island Grille, oddly enough)

And, yes... Margaritaville opens on the 5th. We were invited to a soft opening on the 3rd, so we'll have pics and maybe video on the 4th. Maybe Jimmy will show?