Request for information: anchor brewery & taproom operator

The City of Palm Coast, in coordination with a private development team for The Promenade at Town Center, is issuing a Request for Information (RFI) to identify experienced craft brewery operators for an anchor brewery and taproom within a mixed-use development. The procurement seeks operators with proven taproom performance and strong brand identity to occupy a 5,250-square-foot brewery taproom and adjacent 5,225-square-foot enclosed food court area. Key objectives include establishing a high-quality food, beverage, and entertainment venue within a new mixed-use district that includes 204 apartments and extensive amenities. Qualified respondents must demonstrate substantial commercial brewery and potentially food service operational experience, with explicit exclusion of start-up or first-time brewery operators. Evaluation criteria will likely focus on operational history, brand strength, concept design, live event capabilities, and build-out considerations. The RFI timeline requires all questions to be submitted by January 26, 2026, at 2:00 PM, with full electronic proposals due by February 5, 2026, at 2:00 PM through the City's Bonfire Procurement Portal, with a public opening at City Hall.

The solicitation does not specify specific set-aside designations for disadvantaged enterprises, but it does offer a significant tenant improvement incentive framework that could benefit qualified operators. The development team will provide up to $40 per square foot in incentives, with an additional matching $40 per square foot available through the City's Downtown Urban Tenant Improvement Grant Program, potentially creating up to $80 per square foot in total improvement funding. The mixed-use project includes substantial supporting infrastructure such as over 500 parking spaces, resident amenities including a fitness center, swimming pool, dog park, and pickleball courts, and a shared courtyard gathering area with an entertainment stage. While no specific incumbent vendor is mentioned, the RFI suggests the City is seeking an established craft brewery operator with documented experience managing commercial kitchens and food safety compliance. The solicitation emphasizes that this is an information-gathering process and does not obligate the City or developer to proceed with any respondent, maintaining flexibility in the selection process.