Good Morning, Sunland
It's Tuesday! And first off, it's cold. Second off, there's a shelter. Percy Peek Gym is opening as an emergency cold weather shelter tonight at 5 PM through 8 AM Tuesday. Free transportation available starting at 6 PM from multiple locations across the county.
🏥 Local Affordable Healthcare: Amandla Wellness Center offers accessible healthcare services right here in our community. Check out their programs and services.(Sponsored)
💜 Jessica Kadie-Barclay is now a member! Thank you so much for the support! I appreciate you joining People Pass. If you want to join, support here.
Alright, let's jump right in!
Ja’Min Devon
🛒 Main Squeeze: BJ's Wholesale Club Coming to Port St. Lucie
I was scrolling on Instagram when I came across Jos just tries talking about a BJ's coming to Port St. Lucie. The conversation was not only about just that, but the fact that with the Costco distribution center coming right down the road, people were hoping that a Costco store might find its way here in the county. Looks like we'll be continuing to wait on that as a site plan has surfaced recently saying there's gonna be a BJ's.
Where It's Going: Gatlin Plaza shopping center is getting a massive expansion. The existing shopping center includes Home Depot, Dave & Buster's, Miller's Ale House, Bass Pro Shops, and Floor & Decor. The new BJ's will be 106,200 square feet and will include a liquor store, a propane refill station, and a 16-pump gas station. It'll take up about 13.4 acres.
What Else Is Coming: The site plan also shows a Golf Galaxy coming to the existing Gatlin Plaza area, west of Miller's Ale House and north of Bass Pro Shops. With BJ's and Golf Galaxy, the total square footage for all buildings at Gatlin Plaza will be well above 400,000 square feet.
The Competition: BJ's currently operates 260 stores and 198 gas stations for its 8 million members. The nearest BJ's to Port St. Lucie right now is in Jensen Beach. Sam's Club has a store a little bit over a mile from Gatlin Plaza. Costco opened its first Treasure Coast location in April and is building a distribution depot in Southern Grove, but hasn't announced plans for a Port St. Lucie retail location.
Timeline: Early construction is underway right now, limited to groundwork. BJ's hasn't announced when construction might begin or when the store would open. Before BJ's can open, developers must complete roadway improvements at several intersections around Gatlin Plaza.
Poll Time:
Sponsored: Stoney’s $6 Tuesday
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Starts at 11 AM.
Pull up to Stoney's and grab lunch for six bucks.
📍 912 N 25th St, Fort Pierce
🥳 Out-of-Towner: Jan 27 - Feb 3
Friday, Jan 30
🎬 Movie Night in the Park – Disney's Cool Runnings on outdoor screen at Memorial Park, Stuart. | 6 PM | Free | Event Info
🥖 Olive Branch Outdoor Market – Local vendors, BluWolf Ranch collaboration at Olive Branch Market, Jensen Beach. | 4–7 PM | Shop Here
🎬 Community Movie Night: Fantastic Four First Steps – Free outdoor screening, food trucks on 20ft LED screen at Indian Riverside Park, Jensen Beach. | 5:30–8:30 PM | Free | More Details
🎨 The Gathering – World dubster DJs, art showcase, live painters, fire circle at Northwood Art & Music Warehouse, West Palm Beach. | 6 PM–1 AM | Get Tickets
🤠 Bash Downtown Friday – Band, line dancing, food trucks, vendors at Downtown Vero Beach, 2046 14th Ave, Vero Beach. | 6–9 PM | Join Us
Saturday, Jan 31
🍹 3rd Annual Sip Tequila Fest – 50+ tequila brands, 200+ expressions, renowned distillers from Mexico at 2210 SE Federal Hwy, Stuart. | 1–5 PM | Buy Tickets
🌿 West Palm Beach GreenMarket – 150+ vendors, fresh produce, local goods, live music at City of West Palm Beach Waterfront. | 8:30 AM–1:30 PM | Visit Market
Sunday, Feb 1
🎵 Music at the Mansion – Live band at waterfront location, German pastries, food and drinks for purchase at Indian Riverside Park, Jensen Beach. | 3–6 PM | Free admission | Details
If you have an event, send it to me here
💧 The Last Drop: Coffee, Schools, and Airport
☕ Coffee Rush opening 3 Treasure Coast locations – Oregon-based drive-thru chain coming to Stuart (2 locations) and Port St. Lucie. First South Florida shops, Stuart Landings may open July. Coffee Rush
💉 Florida Senate bill eases school vaccine opt-outs – SB 1756 allows parents to cite conscience for skipping vaccines, requires more provider disclosures. Stuart Sen. Gayle Harrell opposes, says could cause disease outbreaks. Vaccine bill
✈️ PBI adding new restaurants and shops – Palm Beach Airport bringing mix of local favorites and national brands. Some open in phases, existing spots stay open during construction. PBI dining
🏫 State considers limiting Schools of Hope expansion – Florida DOE reviewing rules after charter operators sent 690 co-location letters to public schools in 22 counties. Changes could limit notices per operator. Schools of Hope
🚗 U.S. 1 and I-95 rank deadliest Florida roads – Two roads through Treasure Coast top study of 16,000 crashes over five years. U.S. 1 had 589 fatal crashes, I-95 had 490. Eight killed in six Treasure Coast crashes in 2026. Fatal crashes
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