From the outside, little has changed. The pink exterior and neon signage of City Tropics Bistro on Fifth Avenue in Indialantic seems ready to beckon hungry guests for an evening of dining and mirth. But inside, demolition of the interior nears completion this week as part of a metamorphosis of one of Djon Pepaj’s culinary investments in Indialantic.
Come the fall, the restaurant – and the four buildings to the east – will get a new name and a new purpose, converted into Village Market, a multi-faceted gourmet gathering for foodies. Pepaj’s restaurant, The Copperhead Tavern, at the eastern end of the block will remain in business as a complement to the complex.
An engineering design package, which took over a year in development, will be ready for submittal to the town’s building department by July. “We will begin construction immediately after the approval,” Pepaj said.
The conversion brings a new concept to the town. “I always thought that a gourmet market was part of a missing puzzle. I thought that our town deserved to have our own market, so I decided to go forward with my idea instead of continuing with the eatery. This would make much more sense and fill the void of local culture.”
Pepaj said the Village Market will highlight many different food options, from groceries to ready-to-eat foods to table service dining. It will also feature a coffee bar, bakery, fresh juice and smoothie bar, oyster and noodle bar, charcuterie bar, taco stand and roof top bar.
“Our mission is to provide the community with local organic produce, non-genetically modified food products, natural grazed meat products and fresh seafood options. We will have a large wine shop along with a cigar shop.”
While the Green Turtle Market in Indian Harbour Beach offers some of the same types of products, Pepaj said they are not alike.
“My concept is similar to Eataly in New York City,” said the restaurateur, who moved to Indialantic in 1995.
Eataly has made a name for its array of high quality food and drink from around the world, with locations in Japan, Turkey, Monaco, Italy, and in the U.S., in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles and Boston.
“Indialantic is a very special place,” Pepaj said of his decision to expand his investments. “The people, the culture is unlike any other town around.”
Indialantic Mayor Dave Berkman praised the new venture. “I think Djon’s new market will be a fantastic addition to our town and for beachside as a whole. Djon has shown me the plans and explained the concept. We have nothing like it here and he should do very well. I have been to markets like what he is creating in New York and California where you can buy quality organic and gourmet items.”
Because the final project incorporates four other buildings, overcrowding should not be an issue when it comes to cars.
“We will have plenty of parking,” Pepaj said.
He expects the Village Market to take four months to complete. “However it will be done when it is done correctly,” he said.
