Revitalizing Outback Plaza in New Smyrna Beach: Welcome Riptides Raw Bar & Grill 2nd Location

The Outback Plaza property, located beachside at 429 3rd Avenue in New Smyrna Beach, will be revitalized. Plans for a four-story, 114-room Hyatt Place hotel will replace the distressed former grocery-centered commercial strip. Additionally, Ormond Beach’s Riptides Raw Bar & Grill will be adding a second location, developed on the same parcel. Construction plans for the new restaurant call for breaking ground on the 8,500-square-foot building by the end of summer 2019.

“That commercial strip had only one business tenant for many years,” stated Tony Otte, CRA/Economic Development Director for the city of New Smyrna Beach. “The redevelopment of this prominent site will bring a welcome gateway to motorists entering the beachside area on State Road 44.”

Citizens have mixed opinions on the redevelopment. Many welcome the new businesses and are happy to see some activity at the “blighted” shopping center. The southwest side of the property sits waterfront at Callalisa Creek. Others have concerns on the environmental impact and parking/traffic issues at one of the busiest intersections on the beachside. 

“There was considerable public input on the height of the hotel building, and the rendering of the approved site are impressive.” Otte commented, “This amount of investment in the site also signals the continuing viability of New Smyrna Beach as a great place for new businesses.”

According to a previous news release, Riptides Raw Bar & Grill negotiated a long-term land lease for 1.91 acres onsite. The new location will be in front of the planned hotel and between The Sea Shack and Dunkin’ Donuts, right along 3rd Ave. The owners, Brad and Mary Hoffman, plan to invest $2 million into developing that portion of the property.

The new building will be reflective of the existing restaurant in Ormond Beach. The owner, Brad Hoffman, explains, “the interior decor will be streamlined with the existing location including a Floridian coastal, surf-themed decor.” According to the website, RiptidesRawBar.com, the restaurant offers a variety of quality seafood options at reasonable price points. 

“Our flying banner advertising all-you-can-eat crab legs has been waving along the New Smyrna Beach coast for seven years,” Hoffman stated. “The location is a great fit for our product. Our menu is fresh Floridian cuisine and prep-intensive, which provides the highest standard of quality.”

In the Ormond Beach community, Riptides is known for giving back. Currently, at the height of summer season, the restaurant employs over 100 people. “Our business is known for supporting kids, cops and schools,” says Hoffman. “We are looking forward to sharing that same support with the New Smyrna Beach community.”

Future plans for Riptides includes food and drink specials. The restaurant also plans to host live music events for local singer/songwriters regularly. The restaurant plans to open for business spring 2020.