Florida-based ice cream and candy shop is coming to new Manatee shopping center
A Southern-inspired ice cream and candy store with North Florida roots is expanding to Manatee County.
Pecan Jacks has signed a lease for a store at the SeaFlower Village Center off Cortez Road West. The Village Center is a shopping district that is part of the new SeaFlower housing development on the southwest corner of Cortez Road West and 75th Street West in Bradenton.
The shopping center is under construction alongside the SeaFlower community, which is scheduled to open later this year. According to commercial real estate company Casto, which is managing leases at the SeaFlower Village Center, businesses are expected to open by late 2026.
Other restaurants and shops previously announced for the plaza include Whataburger, Potbelly Sandwich Works and Playa Bowls.
Pecan Jacks serves a variety of ice cream, pralines, brittles, chocolates, gummies and sauces. The ice cream flavors vary by store, but they feature alcohol-infused and non-alcoholic flavors.
In 2010, founders Tim and Veronica “Ronnie” Wyatt began their business in Virginia when they made pralines at home and sold them at local wine festivals. The duo parlayed that success into the first Pecan Jacks in their hometown of Santa Rosa Beach, Florida.
Pecan Jacks gets its name from the Wyatt’s dog, a Siberian Husky named Jacks.
“His favorite spot was by the kitchen window, where he could watch us cook and, more importantly, wait for a taste of his favorite treat — amaretto pralines,” the company says.
Pecan Jacks has three Florida locations and one Georgia location. However, the company has announced expansion plans in Texas. Pecan Jacks is also planning stores in Utah, Kansas, South Carolina and one off Lakewood Ranch Boulevard near Interstate 75 in Sarasota, according to the company.
For more information, visit PecanJacks.com.
