The island is buzzing with rumors about a new private dinner and drinking club coming to 32963 this fall.
While all the details haven’t been finalized, the members-only White Pelican Club will offer “refined indoor and outdoor spaces, seasonal dining experiences with guest chefs, private tastings and exclusive events – all designed to reflect the Club’s timeless sophistication,” according to the club website.
In April, a group of local businessmen bought Vinz at Pelican Plaza, a popular wine bar and restaurant that served the island for more than a decade, acquiring its wine collection and taking over its lease. The group will also lease an adjacent storefront and outdoor space.
The plan according to one partner who did not want to be named is for an exclusive enclave with 100 founding members who will enjoy “a sanctuary where the golden age of music meets the refined elegance of an exclusive whiskey lounge … where every pour is a ritual, every conversation lingers, and every evening is an experience.”
“There is a lot of buzz about it,” said John’s Island Real Estate broker associate Luke Webb. “I don’t think they will have any trouble getting members, and it will be a nice addition to island nightlife.”
Josh Stalls, who manages Pelican Plaza for his family’s real estate company, is excited about the new tenant.
“The White Pelican will have an immersive ambiance that hopefully rivals a night out in Palm Beach or Manhattan,” Stalls told Vero Beach 32963. “Their goal is to be a refined escape in the heart of Vero Beach that serves some of the finest food and drinks to members only.
“Pelican Plaza being the home of the club in my view elevates the entire plaza and by default increases the plaza’s value. They will be investing a large amount of capital in Pelican Plaza and bringing in out-of-state designers and consultants to transform the courtyard and suite space into an impressive destination.”
The club will lease 1,540 square feet of air-conditioned space, including the former Vinz location and another storefront next door, along with floor space and a bar area in the covered courtyard at the center of the plaza, according to Stalls. The second storefront will serve as a bar, cigar lounge and high-end retail liquor location.
“We’ve also discussed different ways to utilize additional space in and around the courtyard,” Stalls said.
The Vero Grounds coffee stand in the courtyard will remain after the club opens, according to Stalls.
Vero Grounds proprietors “Matt and Taylor Oostdyk can stay as long as they want,” he said. “I found them on Facebook and when I met them both I was blown away by how great they were.
Our family has not charged them a penny [in rent] because we want to help these young, motivated entrepreneurs build a foundation to grow from.
“I am hoping eventually when a space opens, they will move into their own suite where they have said they want to expand their offerings to include food and baked goods.”
Pelican Plaza, which consists of four buildings with 38,000 square feet of retail and office space, has 31 tenants, according to Stalls.
For more than a decade, the second floor of the building where the club will be located has housed the main office of Vero Beach 32963 Media.
Stalls’ family purchased the property in 2016 as part of a 1031 exchange after selling a piece of property in Queens, New York, that had just come out of a 100-year land lease.
“Business is good!” he said. “We are just winding down what I would say is a very busy and successful season. Year after year the difference between season and summer continues to be less and less noticeable. Our tenants are positive about their future, and judging from our full parking lot, I understand why.
“As owner/operator, I see people from all over the country come and go from our plaza. Although they are all from different places and do different things, the one thing that they have in common is that they are all some of society’s best.
“We are blessed to be surrounded in 32963 by creative and successful individuals and families that continue to do great things generation after generation.”
