5 Major Reasons The Plaza At Citrus Park Is Thriving In 2025 (And What's Coming Next)
The Plaza at Citrus Park is cementing its status as a premier retail destination in the Tampa Bay area, defying the national trend of shopping center stagnation with a significant influx of new and high-profile tenants. As of late 2025, the center is not just holding its own but actively expanding its appeal, driven by strategic leasing and a prime location in one of Florida's fastest-growing regions.
The latest developments underscore a robust retail strategy focused on value and convenience, ensuring the center remains a vital hub for Hillsborough County residents. This mix of established national brands and new, highly anticipated additions signals a confident future for the entire Citrus Park retail corridor.
The Arrival of a Retail Powerhouse: Nordstrom Rack
The single biggest piece of news defining The Plaza at Citrus Park's immediate future is the highly anticipated opening of a major off-price retailer. This new anchor tenant is set to dramatically increase foot traffic and solidify the center's position in the competitive Tampa retail real estate market.
A Massive New Store Set for 2025
- Tenant: Nordstrom Rack.
- Size: A substantial 24,700 square-foot store.
- Projected Opening: The new location is slated to open its doors around July 28, 2025.
- Impact: The addition of Nordstrom Rack, known for its discounted designer apparel and accessories, is a significant win for the center's operator, Kimco Realty. This move places a globally recognized, high-value brand directly alongside existing anchors, creating a powerful synergy for shoppers seeking quality and savings.
This strategic placement is a clear signal that the center is focusing on a diverse tenant mix that appeals to a broad demographic. The off-price retail segment, which includes stores like Burlington and J.Crew Factory, has proven to be highly resilient, making this a future-proof investment for the plaza.
The Core Strength: A National Tenant Lineup
The existing tenant roster at The Plaza at Citrus Park provides a strong foundation, offering essential services and popular retail options that draw consistent daily traffic. This mix ensures the shopping center is a one-stop destination for a variety of consumer needs.
The Plaza's current lineup features a beautiful brick façade and excellent street visibility, contributing to its strong performance. The strength of the tenant base is what makes the location so attractive for new leases, such as the Nordstrom Rack deal.
Key Existing Tenants at The Plaza
- Electronics: Best Buy
- Apparel/Value: J.Crew Factory
- Off-Price Retail: Burlington
- Pet Supplies: PetSmart
These national brands, combined with the new additions, highlight a retail strategy centered on convenience and high-demand categories. The center's location near the larger Citrus Park Town Center (formerly Westfield Citrus Park) also contributes to the entire area’s commercial vitality, creating a massive regional shopping hub.
The Surrounding Area Development and Expansion
The Plaza at Citrus Park is not an isolated success story; it is part of a larger commercial and residential boom in the Citrus Park and Tampa Bay area. Recent developments in the surrounding properties, including the adjacent mall and nearby outparcels, point to a vibrant, evolving mixed-use environment.
Commercial and Residential Entities on the Rise
The immediate vicinity is undergoing a transformation that will bring more residents and visitors, fueling future retail demand. This includes:
- Residential Growth: A new residential community is being developed near the Citrus Park Town Center. This influx of new residents provides a ready-made customer base for all the shops and restaurants in the corridor.
- Hotel Development: At the nearby Citrus Park Crossings, a major hotel brand, Marriott Courtyard, has substantial construction plans underway for a new hotel, catering to business and leisure travelers.
- Outparcel Transactions: The sale of a separate Citrus Park Plaza outparcel for $5.65 million recently demonstrated the high value and investor interest in the area’s commercial real estate.
This comprehensive development—retail, residential, and hospitality—is creating a true "live, work, play" environment, a modern retail strategy that ensures long-term stability for properties like The Plaza at Citrus Park.
New Dining and Entertainment Options Nearby
The adjacent Citrus Park Town Center mall is also seeing a flurry of activity, particularly in the dining and entertainment sectors, which complements the retail offerings at The Plaza. This diversification makes the entire area a more compelling destination for consumers looking for a full day out.
Recent and Upcoming Additions at the Town Center
- New Brazilian Restaurant: A new, standalone Brazilian restaurant is slated to open this summer near the Elev8 Fun entertainment center, adding an exciting new culinary option to the area.
- Specialty Retail: K-Pop Nabi, a popular K-pop specialty store, recently moved to the mall, catering to a growing and passionate niche market in Tampa.
- Entertainment Anchors: The presence of major entertainment options like Elev8 Fun (a family entertainment center) helps drive traffic beyond traditional shopping hours, benefiting the entire retail ecosystem.
This focus on experiences—dining, entertainment, and specialty retail—is essential for the modern shopping center to compete against online commerce. The Plaza benefits from the spillover traffic generated by the mall's diverse offerings.
The Economic Strategy: Success in the Tampa Bay Market
The continued success and growth of The Plaza at Citrus Park is a microcosm of the strength of the overall Tampa Bay retail market. Unlike some older, declining malls, this center has maintained relevance through strategic management and a focus on high-performing tenants.
The center’s operator, Kimco Realty, emphasizes its "strong national tenant line up" and its role as a "beautiful brick facade center" with abundant parking. This attention to both aesthetics and functionality is crucial for consumer experience.
A Model for Retail Resilience
The strategy at The Plaza at Citrus Park, and the surrounding developments, can be summarized by several key factors:
- Value-Oriented Anchors: The heavy concentration of off-price retailers (Nordstrom Rack, Burlington, J.Crew Factory) appeals to budget-conscious consumers.
- Essential Services: Tenants like Best Buy and PetSmart provide goods and services that often require an in-person visit, protecting them from e-commerce competition.
- Mixed-Use Synergy: The proximity to residential communities, a major hotel, and a full-service mall creates a mutually beneficial economic environment.
As the Tampa metropolitan area continues its rapid expansion, The Plaza at Citrus Park is well-positioned to capitalize on the growth. The July 2025 opening of Nordstrom Rack is not just a new store; it is a powerful statement about the center's long-term viability and its role as a dominant retail force in the northern Hillsborough County area.
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