BOCA RATON, Fla. -- Rumors of NexStore MarketPlace's demise have been greatly exaggerated. Bill Knight, president of Knight Development Group, which owns NexStore, said his inventive c-store/restaurant concept in Boca Raton is doing just fine, despite a report in The Palm Beach Post suggesting the contrary. Knight Commerce Centre Inc., a real-estate holding company headed by Knight, filed for reorganization last week, but that filing has no bearing on NexStore, which is a tenant on property owned by Knight Commerce Centre.
"The paper printed a retraction," Knight told CSP Daily News, which [image-nocss] picked up the incorrectly reported Post story. "When I saw that [original report], you can imagine my surprise. NexStore is actually doing very well."
In fact, NexStore is in the process of expansion. Knight said he plans to open two more company-run NexStore locations in South Florida next month: one in Boca Raton and another in Jupiter. He is also moving closer toward franchising the concept.
"We've got a lot of interest in franchising," said Knight of the concept, which focuses heavily on prepared foods. "I'd say we have 20-some people interested, [just] in this area.… When we solve the issue of regional commissaries, we will be prepared to expand outside of South Florida."
The original NexStore location offers chef-fashioned meals-to-go for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Made fresh daily, entrées include everything from seared tuna to beefsteak, pasta, oriental and other international fare. Selections include freshly prepared sandwiches, soups and salads, as well as sushi, pizzas and oriental dishes. These meals-to-go are also found in NexStore's merchandising areas known as Chef's Showcase and The Grill. The store has an outside patio with 40 tables and seating for 150 people, as well as a separate convenience store.
The new "NexStore Express" in Boca Raton, which is located about a mile from the original NexStore store, will span approximately 3,000 square feet, while the one in Jupiter will measure more than 5,000 square feet. Both are "more in line with what we'll be franchising," said Knight.
The original NexStore measures more than 12,000 square feet, half of which consists of kitchen and commissary facilities. The original location will act as a commissary for the second Boca Raton outlet, while the Jupiter store will have its own kitchen.
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