Restroom breaks will become a more pleasurable experience. Each plaza bathroom will undergo a major revamp with stylish upgrades presenting a clean, modern look.
As guests enter the Sunshine Market, a Florida icon will greet them like the bear theme at Okahumpka characteristic of the renowned Florida black bear. Or a man on the moon at Turkey Lake symbolic of the nearby Kennedy Space Center.
Pending approval, bold splashes of color will cascade down the Sunshine Market’s interior walls for a burst of liveliness and a more engaging shopping experience.
Travelers with pets will welcome the new amenities offered at all the plaza pet parks. Artificial grass will be added and a full program of snacks for pets will be implemented in the Markets and advertised in the pet parks.
It is all a part of remodeling projects which also include lobby renovations, new furniture, and upgraded millwork. The work is about 40% complete at Okahumpka, Canoe Creek, Ft. Drum, and Ft. Pierce.
Also, along the Florida Turnpike…
Automation and Fewer Brands are the Future
Finding the right people to work at Areas’ Florida Turnpike locations has always been a challenge. The post-Covid labor shortage may have multiplied those difficulties, but it has also created a prologue for more automatization, fewer brands, and reduced staffing needs, although filling jobs is still a focus.
The plan is to reduce the number of underperforming brands and leverage the high-performing, larger brands. At the same time, automated vending areas will allow customers to pick up items, scan, pay, and get back on the road.
This project will take place in phases over the next three to four years.