Shoppers and bargain hunters alike are getting ready for, Pier Park, one of this year's most anticipated openings here along the northern Gulf Coast.

The developer, Simon Group gave an update today on the this multi million dollar project.

Several restaurants and small specialty shops like 'No Regrets Stationary' will be opening as soon as next week on Valentine's Day. By the end of the month, thirty to thirty-five other stores are expected to open including Ron Jon's Surf Shop on February 22nd.

Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville is scheduled to open the first week of March.

Even though locals are excited about the project, Les Morris of the Simon Group says this will be a regional attraction.

"This is a reality. We are now so excited, not only for the tourist and resident of Bay County but we really think its a regional attraction that we really are thrilled to be part of the opening people from the panhandle, we're just really thrilled to be opening it."

By the time the project is complete, there will be over 100 retailers, many of them new to the market.

Simon Property Group, Inc. is the country's largest owner, developer and manager of high quality retail real estate. Pier Park is a 900,000 square foot retail and entertainment lifestyle center located on 93 acres that covers land from Front Beach Road (at the City Pier) to the heavily traveled Highway 98 (Back Beach Road).

These stores join Target, The Grand 16 Theatres, Panera Bread and LongHorn Steakhouse, which are already open.

Anchors to premiere in February/March include:
Dillard's
JCPenney
Old Navy

Specialty shops to premiere in February/March include:
Alltel
Beach Scene
Bebo'z Gifts & Collectibles
Bootleg Barbeque
Buffalo Wild Wings
Camille's Sidewalk Cafe
Candymaker
Del Sol
Emerald Coast Photography
Fish Tales
Five Guys Famous Burgers and Fries
Gamestop
GNC
Guglielmo's Italian Restaurant
Hofbrau Beer Garden
Jake at the Beach
Kilwin's Chocolates & Ice Cream
Marble Slab Creamery
Margaritaville
Massage Envy
Merle Norman Cosmetics
Mermaid Trading Co.
No Regrets Stationary and Gifts
Payless Shoes
Quizno's
Red Brick Pizza
Ron Jon Surf Shop
Smoothie King
Southern Water Outfitters
Starbucks
Sunglass World
TaToe Tots
The Back Porch
Trader Tom's
ULTA Cosmetics
Unique Boutique by Irene & Co.

The new stores will occupy portions of the 233,000-square-foot Boardwalk area, located on the east side of Pier Park. The Boardwalk at Pier Park contains three large stores, Ron Jon Surf Shop, Margaritaville and The Grand 16 Theatres, and more than 30 small shops.

"Pier Park will provide a regional gathering place-a destination for residents and tourists of the panhandle and surrounding areas," said Paul Ajdaharian, vice president in Simon Property Group's community/lifestyle centers division.