Welcome to this edition of The Palm Beach Weekender. In today’s newsletter I’ll be featuring a weekend events preview (full list is sent out on Thursday), the weekly scoop, and more!
In today’s TPBW edition:
🏥 Good Samaritan plans to redevelop campus
🔦 Local Spotlight: oldest waterfront restaurant in FL
🌴 Beyond The Palm Beaches: a farm for elderly horses
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🍦 Sloan's opens a new location
Sloan’s Ice Cream just opened its newest location at Alton Town Center in Palm Beach Gardens, near Lynora’s. This new shop replaces the old Downtown Gardens location that closed a few years ago.
🎨 New paint & sip studio
Muse Paintbar, a popular instructor-led paint & sip studio with a full service bar and kitchen, has opened its first Florida location in Palm Beach Gardens. You can find them at Downtown Gardens near REI, located at 11701 Lake Victoria Gardens Ave Unit 1111
☕ New coffee shop in NPB
Desserv Coffee & Creations is North Palm Beach’s newest coffee shop. They offer unique coffee and matcha drinks inspired by cities from around the world (menu). Check them out at 11555 US-1, North Palm Beach
🏥 Good Samaritan plans to redevelop campus
After more than a century serving Palm Beach County, Good Samaritan Medical Center has unveiled plans for a complete redevelopment of its campus. It would include a new hospital, housing, retail, wellness spaces, and even a hotel. The transformation aims to boost healthcare and downtown West Palm Beach’s future.
🎵 The Palm Tree Music Festival will be back
After the huge success of its inaugural event, the Palm Tree Music Festival has officially secured a four year partnership with the City of West Palm Beach. It seems like the festival will fill the void left by the cancellation of SunFest.
🌕 Don't miss the lunar eclipse next week
The next total lunar eclipse will occur next Tuesday, March 3, and we’ll be able to see this spectacular event. It’ll be visible from 3:45 AM to 6:45 AM, with the best viewing around 6:33 AM.
🍪 New cookie spot coming to Boca
Insomnia Cookies, a popular late night bakery chain known for serving warm fresh cookies, has opened its first Palm Beach Location in Boca. They are located near FAU at 1799 NW 2nd Ave, Boca Raton
🔥 Guy Fieri meet & greet
Guy Fieri will be in Boca this Friday, February 27, hosting a bottle signing and meet & greet to promote his Santo Spirits brand at Total Wine & More, 5050 Town Center Cir, Boca Raton.
🏄 New self service kayak and paddleboard rentals in Boca
PADL has a new self-serve kiosk at Hillsboro El Rio Park South in Boca Raton. You can download the PADL app and rent a kayak or a paddleboard, with prices starting at $25 per hour.
📍300 E Ocean Ave, Lantana
This is one of the most iconic restaurants in Palm Beach County.
🏖️ Right On The Water
The restaurant sits right on the intracoastal and the views are some of the best in the area. Boats cruise by all day, and the sunsets here are hard to beat, especially if you grab a table outside or sit at one of the many bars. Highly recommend the floating bar or the second floor bar.
🌴 A True Florida Original
The building has been around since 1889, and is recognized as the oldest waterfront restaurant in Florida. The bright green building is impossible to miss and feels like a slice of the Keys without leaving the Palm Beaches.
🛖 Largest Tiki Bar in South FLorida
Old Key Lime House is known for having one of the largest tiki bars in South Florida, an authentic Seminole chickee hut. Their outdoor stage regularly hosts live bands, adding to the laid back, tropical atmosphere.
🍰 Famous Key Lime Pie
You can’t visit Old Key Lime House and not have a slice of their famous key lime pie. It’s tart, creamy, has a solid graham cracker crust, and is topped with whipped cream, just how it should be. I haven’t had many key lime pies in the county, but this one was really good. Curious to hear your favorite spot.
🌅 Final Thoughts
The food is okay, but there's really nothing else like it, with so much history and an amazing tropical atmosphere. This is a spot where you come grab some appetizers, have a few drinks with friends, and watch the sunset.
📍20307 Co Rd 235A, Alachua, FL
Just outside of Gainesville, there’s a family farm that takes in elderly horses who have been abandoned, neglected or abused.
🐴 Since 1984
Over 40 years ago, Peter and Mary Gregory turned their 335 acre farm in north central Florida into a nonprofit sanctuary for old, abused, abandoned, and retired law enforcement horses. Since then, more than 140 horses have been living out their golden years there.
👀 What To Expect When Visiting
The farm is huge, there are several hiking loops that let you explore the property at your own pace. There are also more than 40 paddocks where you can stop, say hi and feed the horses. Carrots, peeled bananas, and apples are welcome. Lots of walking, so wear comfortable shoes and bring plenty of water.
🐴 Life On The Farm
The horses have more than 200 acres of beautiful green pastures to roam, socialize and simply be free. They’re incredibly well cared for, with regular veterinary visits, carefully planned diets, and many volunteers helping out on the farm. The horses are given everything they need to live out their golden years as comfortably as possible.
🚔 You Might Recognize Scooter
Meet Scooter, a 16-year-old Clydesdale who last week retired after serving with the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office Mounted Unit. After eight years on duty in the Palm Beaches, Scooter will now spend his days grazing, relaxing and socializing with his fellow retirees.
🩷 How You Can Help
As a nonprofit, they rely solely on donations to care for these beautiful animals. It costs about $3,000 a year to care for each horse, covering food and medical needs, and they’re currently caring for around 140. You can donate any amount, sponsor a horse, stop by to spoil them with love, or simply help by spreading the word about this amazing organization.
🫶 Final Thoughts
It’s heartbreaking that some of these horses were failed by the very people meant to care and protect them. That’s why places like this matter so much, it’s a safe, loving space where these beautiful animals finally get the happy ending they deserve. Definitely worth checking out if you’re ever near Gainesville.
Thanks!
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