Yes, it’s a BJ’s Wholesale Club that’ll be rising on parts of a 40-acre parcel along State Road 100 in Palm Coast, near the county airport, in a deal very close to completion.
The development will consist of a 103,000 square-feet BJ’s, a 3,500 square foot fast-food restaurant, 10,700 square feet devoted to a variety store, a 6,500 saure foot sit-down, fast-casual restaurant, and a 7,800 square foot tire store, according to documents submitted for regulatory review to the county’s planning division. Drawings for the development also include a gas station, and a liquor store attached to the club.
Jay Gardner, the Flagler County property appraiser who happens to own the land, had said back in November, when the acreage was going through rezoning at the county’s planning board and county commission, that the commercial development would be “something that everyone in the county will be happy about.” But he would not let on further, saying it was too early yet.
Rumors have been flying around since. Contacted by a reporter this afternoon, he put the reporter on hold for several minutes, then picked up again and confirmed it: “This one is pretty far down the road, and it is BJ’s,” Gardner said. “Pretty much the cat is out of the bag, so it’s OK” to speak of it. He said the deal could still break down: the economy could turn, the unforeseen could intervene, but he repeated several times that this one was “pretty far down the road.” He had just spoken with the developer to tell him “everybody is talking about it,” and to get clearance to disclose BJ’s identity.
“This still could still blow up and go, down the road, as pretty often happens,” he said, “but we’re hoping it’s going to continue, that the deal will go through.”
BJ’s operates 226 “clubs,” or stores, in the Eastern United States on the model of Costco and Sam’s Club. Palm Coast is still too small to support a Costco or a Sam’s Club, with those stores either in Daytona Beach or in Jacksonville. BJ’s also operates 157 gas stations at more than two thirds of its “clubs.” It had revenue of $15.4 billion last year, compared to $51.9 billion for Costco and $73.5 billion for Sam’s Club. BJ’s called 2021 “the best year in the company’s history” in a release issued earlier this month.
On Wednesday, savvy observers would have noticed an item among the six before Flagler County’s Technical Review Committee, that would authorize Matthew Development to conduct site development work on the acreage. The application included a (redacted) purchase and sale agreement dated June 14, 2021. (The selling price has been redacted.) The buyer is Matthew Development LLC, which has developed BJ’s, Wawa, Target, and many other such stores. “The developer is predicating his whole show on whether his big box comes or not,” Gardner said.
LTG, Inc. has been retained by Matthew Development to prepare a traffic impact study for the proposed wholesale club. The development is currently expected to generate some 7,600 daily vehicular trips, a substantial addition to State Road 100 that will also impact Seminole Woods Boulevard.
The acreage is being developed under the county’s jurisdiction, but once developed, the parcels will be annexed into Palm Coast. The two governments’ administration have been cooperating closely. All zoning issues have been resolved (the land was recently rezoned commercial).
Repeatedly, however, Gardner urged caution about considering it a done deal. “I’m never one to get all excited until it’s a done deal,” he said. “They’re not 100 percent committed yet, it’s pretty far down the road.” He said he expected the deal to close probably around the middle of the year.
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Keep Flagler Beautiful says
Something other than a nail salon or a Dollar Store, for a change. Glad to hear it. I used to buy gas at BJ’s and saved quite a bit of money. I hope it will be an asset to Flagler County.
Aloyd Hurley says
You will not save on gas in Palm Coast. All station about the same price that why I buy my gas at Buc-ee’s Daytona.
Lori says
Need a newer bigger Walmart. Not that I like it but it does have lower prices and if you need any odd thing!
Peggy says
long drive from PC to save a few cents. then of course, there’s the ride back. I frequently buy gas when i see it advertised for cheaper. I usually go to the race trac. both gas stations on sr 100, have a lower price for gas than the other race trac on pc pkwy.
Peter says
BJ’s offer big discount of 50 cent per Gallon on Gas Station when you spent $100 on shopping at the same day. Last price was a $2.85 a gallon, compere to $3.49 at Palm Cost. Huge discount.
Tony Mack says
Wait a second — a county official who owns the land will profit from zoning the land for a big box store and this isn’t a conflict of interest? Well then…all we need is a few more county officials who own some land up here in the Northern Territories (Matanzas and US 1) to build a hospital or strip mall or how about another Walmart/s?
FlaglerLive says
The property appraiser has no involvement in zoning decisions.
Ron says
Wow, time to sell your house people and head to Orlando! This town is total kaos with all the development and destruction.
Vince says
Orlando is way worse. See ya!
Monica says
But so is Orlando. Time to leave the state. The Northeast has ruined this place. Thanks!!!
Mike McGuire says
How about a little pertinent information? SR 100 near the airport is a pretty big swath of land, is it east or west of Bulldog? You state in the article that they have submitted drawings and plans, would be nice to include them.
FlaglerLive says
The article specifies: by the county airport. The documents are accessible here.
C’mon man says
You should try reading the article
Mike McGuire says
I did, the fact that it is next door to the Racetrac and exits onto Seminole Woods were missing.
G A says
I wonder if this is one of the two restaurants the article mentions? Since it’s BJ owned, I would bet yes! Good news all around!
G A says
https://www.bjsrestaurants.com/menu
Melissa Morris says
There’s no option to apply for the new location. Where does one go to find out what position one are available or where does one go to apply???
John says
They are transferring most people in from another store in deland.
NW says
So, a deal that isn’t done yet, a building that hasn’t been built yet..and you know they are transferring employees from the Deland store? People who wouldbe traveling miles more.
Sure…..
John says
That might be jumping the gun a little bit. I’d say it will be Summer of 2023 at the earliest, and the article states it’s not a done deal anyway, although it looks pretty likely at this point.
Steve K says
I think it would be great to have a BJs here to save me trips to Port Orange or Jacksonville. Hopefully it will be a BJs gas station which will provide wholesale prices for gas. That should drive gas prices down a bit. And BJs restaurant is one of my favorites. Excellently prepared food and anyone who likes to eat out will love BJs restaurant.
Monica says
Palm Coast should grow up. I’m so bored living here that I will be moving as soon as I can. There are no good restaurants here, and too many ppl in one place! It’s insane. You can have it.
Sherry Basford says
I really think this is a great production of growth for palm coast not only for the income but for the great work static that gives many opportunities for employment. I’m the manager of Alpha Thrift Store and I love seeing new faces every day and this great accomplishment gives us little business a great opportunity to shine as well. Thank You For Opening Up More Choices Of Shopping & Confidence Right To Where We Don’t Have To Travel To The Big Cities.
Shark says
Wow – finally a business in this town that pays more than minimum wage !!!!!!
Harry says
Might finally get a decent restaurant that doesn’t sell a greasy hamburgers or pizza!!!!
Erin says
Strip malls, gas stations, buildings. Wow! 10 years ago this was a beautiful town will woodlands and no traffic. Now it’s become a typical big town like Jacksonville. What a mess.
Bartholomew says
Thirty years ago, it was empty. People waved at others. There was what, 3 stop lights maybe less in the county. Walmart was where staples was and we had a McDonald s. The ultra growth is kinda sad BUT, I knew it would happen.i
Mark says
Should have seen it 40 years ago.
Frank says
That’s right, when 100 and Belle Terre was only two lanes. It was great to live here then the retired idiots politicians moved here turned it into a city. That was before Home Depot, Lowe’s
Alonzo says
Was wondering when a store like this would come here. May be good for P.C. I get gas from Sam’s, Hopefully they will have good gas prices.
Mark says
Surprising that the article says “Palm Coast is too small to support a Costco or Sams Club.” We came from an area that had a Sams and the population was about 150,000 with a Costco 5 miles down the road too. The next nearest Sams from that location was about 10 miles with a similar population. The City is at approximately 90,000 now and growing leaps and bounds, I would think they should be courting these big box retailers now instead of adding another Dollar General. Note: Nothing against DG they do their homework where to place stores and if there’s a market so be it.
Celia M Pugliese says
As a resident I do not oppose the BJ’s in that location to the contrary. Is near Town Center on the Rte 100 corridor away from the crowded residential communities and traffic. Also will create local jobs besides being a good supplier of needed goods for Palmcoasters. Years ago I bought the only kayak we own in BJ’s. Always to far from me to justify the trip now Welcome BJ’s!
Barn says
Come on Melissa,’ONE*,dosent read much does (one)? didn’t the article state the deal is far from done!🥴
Rob C says
Let me make a suggestion for the fast food spot,
Miami Subs and grill, Long John Silvers, Captain D’s, Del Taco, Jack on the box, White castle or Whataburger…..for the restaurant i say go with either Bahama Breeze, Applebees, or Red Robins
Celia M Pugliese says
I would go for an Applebees after watching the current tv ad.
tulip says
@Celia–Me too! I had hoped Applebees would have moved into the old Ruby Tuesday instead of what did.
Melissa says
AGREED!!!!! I mean they got rid of Red Lobster to put another seafood joint in that probably was jumping at first opening and now not so busy. Why not something new like Applebees. They would be better here in Palm Coast I think
robert reid says
we dont need more chain restaurants and in my opinion applebees is one of the worst restaurants ive ever eat eating in
Richard Smith says
GREAT more traffic on 100, it’s bad enough already.
Jane Gentile-Youd says
We have enough people to justify a BJs ( yes I love the idea) but yet not enough people to support a Trauma Center, a Maternity Center nor a real Cardiac Surgical Center at the tax free Advent Hospital. Hope fully with the arrival of this mega store the hospital will run out of their excuses of ‘not enough population’ not to be a full service hospital !
Welcome BJs. As far as Jay Gardner doing anything illegally; his family fortune enabled them to buy tons of vacant land; that does not make him a criminal.
tulip says
@ Jane We have two more hospitals that are going to be built. Another Advent. so scratch that one. but I heard a Flagler hospital is going to be built also? That one hopefully will give Advent a good run for it’s money with good competition.
Jane Gentile-Youd says
Tulip
Advent is not a FULL SERVICE hospital – Their ER is their very best and only worthwhile medical service ( in my opinion) !!!!BJs will destroy that excuse! I hope Flagler Hospital gives them run for their money
Lily Sanchez says
I had heard a while back that a maternity center won’t be built due to malpractice insurance being too costly.
Jay tomm says
Well, this sucks! More traffic, more people from outside the county driving around. I fail to see how this is a good idea in any aspect. Anyone go to the port orange one? you see how much traffic that road gets on a Saturday afternoon? You see how many out of county people go there?(me included)
This is going to add another light or 2 on 100. And don’t forget the school. Where you think those kids may hang out to eat?
It’s going to kill the remaining small business’s. Hijackers may go under.
May as well change the city name to little orlando.
Catherine says
How about some real restaurants other then fast food which some people don’t eat.
JP says
Did anyone do a traffic study? Is PC planning on additional lanes or alternate routes?!Or is this just another ignorant, cluster F of local development? Why wasn’t US 1 North or evn South considered?
Kristine says
Agree, need decent restaurants instead of all the fast food chains!! There are no fine dining restaurants in PC
Traffic on 100 is already a nightmare, do not need to make it worse than it already is! I hope BJs does NOT come to PC.
Moved here for the small town living, with the knowledge would drive to St A or JAX or Daytona for shopping.. well that small town living is gone for good!
Disappointed!
de says
Although I am Happy there’s another option for a store being built closer to 32136, I am concerned about the increased traffic on 100. There’s already a lot of congestion and a lot of accidents on it all the time, especially with a couple schools emptying out on it too. I’m tired of seeing all the storage units and car washes being put here. Interesting article Flagler Live that the Flagler Tax Appraiser owned all that land. I remember when we first built in Flagler Beach and what we went through just building a home on a legal lot, now everything goes….a hotel, a big box store, more car washes and storage units…….and officials own the land? Interesting.