Papalani Gelato (Delray Beach)
* Papalani Gelato, 16800 Jog Road, Delray Beach, Florida 33446, (561) 536-5866.
Next week Papalani Gelatio a franchised gelato/hand-made chocolates/dessert/breakfast/coffee fast food “concept” out of Hawaii is scheduled to open in the Shoppes of Addison Place, 16800 Jog Road, Delray Beach.
This morning, Jeff Eats “peeked” in Papalani’s window and the store is almost set-to go…I will tell you, that it’s a real nice looking upscale “ice cream” store! No ifs ands or buts, the franchisee went for some nice cash building the joint!
If I got my geography-straight, Papalani Gelato is opening in the exact-same center that “now failed” Orange Leaf Self Serve Frozen Yogurt did back in April, 2010.
Only time will tell if this new player’s concept is strong enough to overcome a strip center which back in 2010, as well as today – literally had/has no foot traffic! Just between you guys and Jeff Eats, I have never been to a Papalani Gelato store, so, I have absolutely no idea as to how its stuff is…that said, a pretty thorough Google Search turned up some real nice “feedback” on its products/operation. Not to harp, but all I know is Jeff Eats’ mantra for “these” kind of fast food businesses is…location, location, location- but like I said 1.4 seconds ago, time will tell!
Papalani Gelato will be open Sunday-Thursday 6am-10pm, Friday-Saturday 6am-11pm.
You can follow the Papalani Gelato “story” at papalanigelato.com.
By the way Papalani Gelato currently has 4 opened-locations (2 stores in Hawaii, 1 store in Temple Terrace, Florida, 1 store in Brandon, Florida).
Jeff,
I am very familiar with the location and you are right there is very little foot traffic.
The concept sounds interesting but I am not so sure it works in this particular spot. Maybe South Beach or Las Olas but sleepy Boca Raton doesn’t seem like the place to be.
Why would anybody buy into a franchise which has a grand total of 4 operating locations is beyond me?
Based on what I’ve read, this concept could be copied in a heartbeat.
This is a nickel dime business. It makes no sense paying a franchisor 5-6% of the gross.
Good luck to this guy because he’s going to really need it.
That is not a destination concept which is what you would need to succeed in that location.
The problem with this spot is the parking. A couple of decent restaurants, a bagel shop and a bunch of stores create a situation where parking anywhere near the shop is nearly impossible. I’ll give it a try because it’s close to home but I don’t see this working. But then again what do I know.
Going to be a real rough ride for this joint.
Location sucks as do the demographics.
Another guy is going to lose his money.
Jeff,
Slim to none.
What a piss poor spot.
Maybe in South Beach but in a bs Boca Raton strip center on Jog Road, no way Jose.
This has to be one of the dumbest moves that I’ve seen.
Horrendous location,
Won’t last for too long.
Maybe it lasts 9 months.
Bad bad bad location.
Went yesterday.
Nice looking store.
Nice assortment of gelato.
Not too expensive.
Horrendous location.
Jeff,
I went yesterday.
I thought that the store was okay looking but nothing really special in design. It looks like every other ice cream store that I have been in.
The gelato looks great and is made in house. I had a coffee flavor and it was delicious.
The chocolates they sell are a waste of space and energy. Not going to work in that location.
On prices, fair enough.
Location is not good. This is a dead strip center. Just not enough people coming and going.
They have a breakfast menu. This won’t work. Nobody is going there for breakfast with a huge bagel operation something like 150 feet away in the next center.
I hope that I am wrong but the folks who own this one are in for a really tought ride here.
Jeff,
From day one you knew this joint wouldn’t make it. Location stunk.
It’s out of business.
They would have saved a fortune if they had asked you before they signed a lease what you thought.