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Good morning!
Here’s what we’re covering today:
Santa Rosa Mall’s transformation advances with demolition plans for the former Dillard’s and food court, while Fort Walton Beach welcomes three new council members. Smalls Sliders looks to expand to the old Hardee’s on Beal Parkway, technical issues affected municipal voting, and forecasters warn of severe weather approaching this weekend.
- SPRING BREAK: Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Deputies have already written 88 notices to appear for underage possession of alcohol in the first two weeks of Spring Break.
FOOD+DRINK
Smalls Sliders eyes former Hardee’s location on Beal Parkway in Fort Walton Beach
The long-vacant former Hardee’s location on Beal Parkway could soon be serving burgers again, pending approval of plans for a new concept focused on sliders.
- Smalls Sliders, a rapidly expanding cheeseburger slider chain, has submitted a development order to Okaloosa County’s Growth Management Department for 822 Beal Pkwy, the former Hardee’s location that has sat empty for years following a fire.
The site has been a frequent topic on social media over the years, with many residents lamenting the loss of their favorite breakfast spot. Now, plans are in motion that could transform the property into one of Smalls Sliders’ signature “Smorange” colored modular shipping container buildings.
The brand offers a streamlined experience with drive-thru and walk-up windows, specializing in cooked-to-order cheeseburger sliders, seasoned waffle fries and shakes.
This development is part of a broader expansion announced in August 2024, when Smalls Sliders signed a multi-unit agreement with DPC Smalls Investments to open four locations across Northwest Florida, specifically targeting Panama City, Panama City Beach, Destin, Fort Walton Beach, Niceville and Crestview.
- Smalls Sliders currently operates in Ocala and Pensacola, with a Panama City location also in development, according to the company’s website. The brand has more than 300 locations either open or under development nationwide.
Founded in 2019, the now Atlanta-based chain has garnered industry recognition, including being named one of Nation’s Restaurant News “Breakout Brands of 2023” and appearing on QSR Magazine’s annual Contenders list in both 2023 and 2024.
The company was founded by restaurateur Brandon Landry and counts former NFL star Drew Brees among its investors.
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POLITICS
Riley, Browning and Merrell win Fort Walton Beach council seats; Niceville splits on referendums
Voters have elected three new members to the Fort Walton Beach City Council while Niceville residents approved one charter amendment but rejected another in Tuesday’s municipal elections.
Debi “Debra” Riley led all candidates in the Fort Walton Beach race with 878 votes (21.59%), followed by Logan Browning with 820 votes (20.16%) and Ben Merrell with 697 votes (17.14%).
- Incumbent Travis Smith received 585 votes (14.38%), short of reelection. The remaining candidates — Brandon Bishop, Sonya Faison-Vazquez and Jason Harwell — received 445 votes (10.94%), 339 votes (8.34%) and 303 votes (7.45%) respectively.
A total of 4,067 votes were cast in the Fort Walton Beach City Council election.
In Laurel Hill, where two council seats were available, officials have announced a recount after two candidates tied for the second position. Amanda Rosen received the most votes with 25 (36.23%), while Mike Blizzard and Shawn Cogan each received exactly 22 votes (31.88%).
- The tied result in Laurel Hill came from a race where only 69 total votes were cast.
Niceville voters decided on two charter amendments with mixed results. Voters rejected a proposal to eliminate the city residency requirement for the City Clerk, with 416 “No” votes (53.82%) against 357 “Yes” votes (46.18%).
However, residents approved a second referendum granting the mayor authority to vote and break ties when filling City Council vacancies. This measure passed with 473 “Yes” votes (61.35%) compared to 298 “No” votes (38.65%).
ELECTION
Technical issues impact morning voting in Okaloosa County Municipal Elections
Okaloosa County election officials worked to resolve multiple technical issues that affected a small percentage of morning voters in Tuesday’s municipal elections.
- Less than 0.5% of eligible voters were impacted by a printing error that caused precinct ballots to display “VBM” (vote-by-mail) markings in the official use box, according to the Supervisor of Elections office.
Affected voters were able to cast ballots using secure auxiliary bins. These ballots will be reviewed and counted by respective city canvassing boards after polls close Tuesday evening.
“Situations such as these are regrettable, but are not up to the standard Okaloosa voters have come to expect from our elections,” said Paul Lux, Supervisor of Elections. “I take full responsibility for this.”
In a separate incident, a single Fort Walton Beach precinct incorrectly directed voters to Niceville City Hall. Poll workers resolved the issue by providing preprinted emergency ballots, allowing voters to cast ballots at the correct location using auxiliary bins.
- The office also addressed concerns about cached test data appearing on the county’s results website early Tuesday.
“We immediately took the necessary steps to correct these situations and we are using this opportunity to improve our election processes,” Lux said. “I want to assure voters who voted early this morning that their votes will be tabulated before election night activities are concluded.”
Officials confirmed all issues were corrected early Tuesday morning and are working with their vendor to prevent cached test data from being publicly available in the future.
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Origin Bank opens new location in Fort Walton Beach
Origin Bank has expanded its presence with a new financial center in Fort Walton Beach.
- Operating from a temporary building at 212 Racetrack Road NW (the intersection of Denton Boulevard NW), the center offers comprehensive banking services including small business and personal banking, home loans, and financial support.
The location currently operates Monday through Friday, with the drive-thru open 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and appointments available by calling (850) 904-8613. For more information, click here.
WEATHER
Enhanced risk of severe weather forecast for Saturday
The National Weather Service in Mobile, Alabama has issued a warning about an enhanced risk of severe weather expected this weekend for the area, with a less severe system also moving through the region Thursday.
- Okaloosa Public Safety Director Patrick Maddox shared this information in a Tuesday email, noting that the area’s severe weather risk level for Saturday has been upgraded.
“As expected, the Enhanced Risk area has spread to include our area for Saturday’s severe weather event,” Maddox wrote.
The first weather system is expected to pass through Thursday afternoon with a marginal risk of severe storms, primarily affecting areas north of Highway 84. This system could bring hail and gusty winds.
The more significant concern is for Saturday into Saturday night, when the Storm Prediction Center has placed the area under a 30% or “Enhanced Risk” of severe weather. This weekend system could produce damaging wind gusts, hail and tornadoes throughout the entire area.
- Maddox noted that the timing of Saturday’s severe weather remains “inconsistent at this time, and will come into better focus as the event approaches.”
The National Weather Service expressed low confidence in Thursday’s severe weather risk but indicated that the likelihood of severe weather on Saturday and Saturday night has been increasing.
BUSINESS
Old Dillard’s, food court at Santa Rosa Mall to be demolished for redevelopment
Radiant Partners announced Tuesday that new demolition at the Santa Rosa Mall will begin within the next 30 days, focusing on the old Dillard’s building and former food court area as part of its ongoing redevelopment project.
- The partial demolition marks a new phase in the transformation of the mall property, which Radiant Partners has been redeveloping since acquiring the Dillard’s department store building in early 2023.
“We are excited to begin the next phase of this transformation,” said Radiant Partners in a statement on Tuesday morning. “The demolition is the first step in bringing our vision of a vibrant, mixed-use development to life.”
The company, working with its management firm NBI Properties, is targeting specific sections of the property that will no longer serve as retail space. The demolition advances Radiant Partners’ master plan to create what it describes as an “interconnected, pedestrian-friendly, mixed-use development with layered housing options.”
This follows previous redevelopment efforts at the mall. In 2021, Phase 1 of the Renaissance Santa Rosa Apartment complex was completed in the former Belk section.
- The City of Mary Esther’s Local Planning Agency also approved a preliminary development order in May 2022 for Phase 2, a 206-unit apartment complex planned for 8.25 acres on the east side of Phase 1 where the new demolition is slated to take place.
When Radiant Partners announced its acquisition of the Dillard’s property in November 2022, David Schonberger, Managing Partner of Radiant Partners, indicated the company’s long-term approach would include residential, retail, medical, education and entertainment uses.
The company states the redevelopment aims to enhance the community while serving as a catalyst for further growth and revitalization in the Mary Esther area.
As demolition progresses, Radiant Partners plans to continue its planning and design efforts, which will include “sustainable practices and community-focused elements” throughout the redevelopment. The company has promised to provide additional updates and details about the project as they become available.
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