Pura Vida Expands To Broward County With Opening Of Pura Vida Las Olas In Fort Lauderdale

Pura Vida, the wellness-driven all-day cafe hotspot known for its healthy extensive menu and tropical chic vibe, continues its South Florida expansion with Pura Vida Las Olas set to open in Fort Lauderdale on Friday, December 17. Husband-wife founders, Omer and Jennifer Horev, both grew up in Fort Lauderdale. Launching in December 2021 in Las Olas, this marks Pura Vida’s ninth restaurant opening and the brand’s first location in Broward County, with anticipated plans for several additional Broward County outposts to come within the next 12-24 months.

“I am absolutely thrilled to be able to expand the Pura Vida brand into the great city of Fort Lauderdale - the very city which led to the start of my real estate career. Having lived in the area from 2005-2010, I am excited to be able to go back and I’m honored to have the opportunity for Pura Vida to be a part of it.” Said Omer Horev, Chief Executive Officer and Founder of Pura Vida.

Boasting 4,442 square feet of outdoor dining space, Pura Vida Las Olas is designed in the brand’s signature Instagram-worthy aesthetic, characterized by minimalist design elements, natural tones and light wooden finishes that create a bright and airy space. Located at the Society Las Olas building in Fort Lauderdale, the latest Pura Vida unveiling is nestled behind Multidisciplinary artist, Daniel Popper’s iconic “Thrive” sculpture and is poised to establish itself as an all day breakfast, brunch and lunch destination for locals and visitors.

“Aside from offering locals a new go-to spot for all day breakfast and lunch, we are also very much looking forward to collaborating with the community and surrounding local businesses. I also grew up in the Weston / Fort Lauderdale area, so this is a very special location for me as well. My family and friends are absolutely thrilled we are finally bringing the Pura Vida concept to Broward! ” Said Jennifer Horev, Chief Brand Officer and Founder of Pura Vida.

Pura Vida established roots in Miami Beach back in 2012. Led and founded by husband-wife team Omer and Jennifer Horev, what initially started out as a side passion project quickly expanded into a prominent health-focused restaurant and lifestyle brand with several outposts across South Florida. Today, the couple have nurtured and steadily expanded the Pura Vida brand to include numerous locations including eight cafes in Miami, one in West Palm Beach’s The Square and their most recent unveiling in downtown Las Olas, Fort Lauderdale.

Familiar Pura Vida patrons can look forward to the cafe’s quality-driven menu, offering an array of cold-pressed juices and superfood smoothies, kombucha, artisanal coffees, an amazing offering of freshly based goods, an extensive All-Day Breakfast Menu featuring a range of avocado toasts, free-range egg sandwiches, fresh bagels, wraps, and bowls, Raw organic Açaí Bowls, crisp and refreshing salads topped with wild ahi tuna, chicken, salmon, or vegan-lentil based adashah and a wide variety of gluten-free and vegan sweet treats.

Pura Vida Fort Lauderdale is located at 221 SW 1st Ave, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301 and will be open Monday through Sunday, 8AM - 4PM. Delivery and pick-up are available through the Pura Vida Miami app.

Images via Pura Vida

Tricera Capital And Merrimac Ventures Close On Society Las Olas Retail Acquisition

Tricera Capital and Merrimac Ventures have acquired the ground-floor retail space within the newly developed Society Las Olas mixed-use project in downtown Fort Lauderdale developed by PMG. The purchase of the prime 301 SW First Ave. space closed on Aug. 27. The venture purchased the retail for $3.8 million, while also acquiring 40 parking spots as part of the transaction.

Society Las Olas is the premier mixed-use project along the revitalized Riverwalk in the heart of downtown Fort Lauderdale. Tricera’s partner, Dev Motwani-led Merrimac Ventures, has been a driving force in the neighborhood’s reemergence. Merrimac acquired the former Las Olas Riverfront complex and brought in PMG to develop Society on a portion of the property before partnering with Tricera to acquire and curate the retail component.

Merrimac also owns the adjacent property and operates the Wharf Fort Lauderdale and Rivertail with Breakwater Hospitality Group. Tricera and Merrimac own a total of ~16,500 square feet of retail at Society, with ~8,500 square feet of prime space still available. Nearly half of the space is already home to numerous first-to-market tenants of national prominence. 

Thompson Hospitality, one of the largest retail food and facilities management companies in the country, is leasing over 6,000 square feet of space that will house the company’s popular Matchbox Restaurant and Big Buns Damn Good Burger Co. After an initial $14 million investment earlier this year, Thompson Hospitality has fully acquired the Matchbox Brand and strategically expanded the concept into emerging markets. Since 2003, the Washington, D.C.-based chain has provided a quintessential neighborhood gathering place for communities.

With 11 locations across the U.S. and more on the way, Matchbox’s menu is centered around fresh, premium ingredients, offering something for everyone, from wood-fired pizzas and mini burgers to simple, yet refined main courses, and a full bar featuring specialty cocktails, local beer and wines from around the globe.

Thompson is also bringing its latest venture, Big Buns Damn Good Burger, to Society. Big Buns is a fun-casual restaurant specializing in burgers, burger bowls, shakes, craft beer and cocktails. The restaurant is inspired by a true love for burgers and beer, and the belief that eating out should feel like a fun backyard party with delicious food, ice-cold drinks and good friends.

Pura Vida Miami, the popular Miami casual health food restaurant, is leasing an ~1,600-square-foot space. Society Las Olas marks the first ever Fort Lauderdale location for Pura Vida, which strives to bring healthy food and a sense of community to each of its South Florida locations.

“Fort Lauderdale continues to offer great opportunities for us to expand our presence in the market,” Tricera Capital Co-Founder and Managing Principal Ben Mandell said. “We are thankful to be able to close this deal mid-pandemic with confidence and plan to continue our efforts in the area.” 

“Bringing these exciting concepts to downtown Fort Lauderdale continues our company – and my family’s – long history of enhancing the city we are fortunate to call home,” Merrimac Ventures President and CEO Dev Motwani said. “The tenants we are securing at Society nicely complement Wharf and Rivertail and will help make this area the focal point of the Riverwalk.”