New plaza on U.S. 1 to feature restaurant, retail

Construction of a new plaza is scheduled to begin next month on the west side of U.S. 1, just north of the Lighthouse Diner.

A restaurant with outdoor seating, two retail stores and a medical office are called for in the approved plans filed with Jupiter.

The property is just south of Park Avenue BBQ & Grille. Owner Dean Lavalee said he expects “high-end” tenants in Inlet Plaza to meet the demands of a north county population that is becoming increasingly younger and more affluent.

“I wouldn’t be surprised to see something like 3 Natives or Subculture Coffee go in there,” said Lavalee, who plans to open another PA on Indiantown Road in Jupiter. Lavalee opened the U.S. 1 restaurant in 1996.

The more restaurants along U.S. 1 the better, said Richard Perez, co-owner of the Lighthouse Diner, which opened in April 2014.

“Another restaurant brings more traffic. That’s better for everyone,” Perez said.

The developers of Inlet Plaza declined comment on potential tenants.

The 1-acre vacant Inlet Plaza property was bought by Tequesta-based Inlet Plaza Investment Corp. in July 2014 for $775,000, according to the Palm Beach County property apprais- Have a Jupiter issue you’d like to see The Post tackle, or a story idea? Contact Bill DiPaolo at BDiPaolo@pbpost.com.

er’s office.

The Inlet Plaza building will be set back about 100 feet from U.S. 1. The 40-space parking lot faces U.S. 1. The entrance/exit is on U.S. 1, according to the plans.

Economic challenges will face the new plaza when it opens, Lavalee said.

Increasing competition for highend customers is happening in north county at places such as Harbourside Place. Also, the new plaza will have limited customers north of Countyline Road, which is about a mile north of Inlet Plaza, because it’s mostly preserved land in Jonathan Dickinson State Park.

However, overall, Lavalee expects north county growth.

“There’s a revitalization happening,” he said.