In a matter of mere hours, Florida’s very first HopCat will open – in Tradition Square.
“Things are going great!” said Chris Knape, spokesman for the restaurant.
The doors will officially open on Saturday with a grand opening celebration starting at 11 a.m. HopCat is located at 10553 SW Meeting St., right on the lake.
Knape, the vice president of communications for parent company BarFly, said all the final pieces are coming together and the tiny details are being finessed.
“Any project is going to have its complications,” he said, quickly adding that HopCat has had good cooperation with the City of Port St. Lucie getting final inspections and the like completed.
HopCat is a full-service restaurant featuring their famous “crack fries.” The fries have been named among the Top 10 in America by Food Network Magazine. They are beer-battered and sprinkled with HopCat’s signature cracked black pepper seasoning and served with a side of warm cheese sauce for dipping.
But the true stars of HopCat are the 80 craft beers on tap – many of them from small, local brewers.
The “Local 30” – 30 craft brews from local suppliers – are what will be featured daily for Happy Hour, according to Knape. He explained that it’s something that sets HopCat apart from other beer establishments. It’s a place to find a new favorite Florida beer as well as bring visitors to get a taste of what Florida has to offer.
Knape said the company has worked hard to develop and cultivate strong relationships with numerous breweries from around the region and state, creating a tap list so long that beers will often be rotated through. One beer could be offered today and gone tomorrow, only to return a few days later.
As if the all-too-addictive (according to reports) crack fries and the craft brews weren’t enough to keep patrons coming in, the sunsets are expected to put HopCat over the top.
“Sunsets on the patio are among the best,” Knape said.
The 9,000-square-foot restaurant is built next to the lake with a large patio along the water. “The views are incredible,” Knape said.
“It’s not a cookie-cutter restaurant,” he said of the establishment. Those who have been to other HopCats – in Michigan, Indiana, Kentucky and throughout the Midwest – will find the same funky vibe, but not the same décor and design.
What makes Florida’s first location so special? An “epic mural” – according to Knape, which was commissioned by two HopCat artists who spent a week painting it. A naming contest was being held on HopCat’s Facebook page – facebook.com/hopcatPSL.
Even though the eatery is about to open, Knape said they are still hunting for talented and eager staff. Already, HopCat is employing about 100 people, but more servers and cooks are needed.
In February, a hiring center was opened to help find the right talent for HopCat.
HopCat Chief Operation Officer Mark Gray knew the reputation of Treasure Coast – and in particularly Port St. Lucie – workers. Gray lives here with his wife and family.
Knape said Port St. Lucie – Tradition, specifically – was the best place to set up HopCat’s first Florida location, branching out beyond the Midwest. The restaurant is easily accessible via a number of routes, including Interstate 95, Crosstown Parkway and Gatlin Boulevard.
As for Saturday’s grand opening, get to the restaurant early. Knape said the first 200 people will get a Free Crack Fries card – good for a free order of the treat every week of the year. Not among the first 200? Don’t fret because you’ll still get a complimentary order Saturday. “It’s our way of saying, ‘Welcome,’” Knape said.