New restaurants, stores coming to University Town Center. See the full list
There are several new dining and retail options coming to the University Town Center area this year.
UTC will have 13 new tenants covering more than 86,000 square feet of space by the end of the year, according to a news release from Benderson Development, the developer of the large shopping and dining destination off Interstate 75 along University Parkway.
Here’s a look at what’s coming.
Playa Bowls
In the West District at UTC, Playa Bowls is replacing Five-O Donuts near Chipotle. The national franchise, which began in 2014 as a pop-up stand in New Jersey, serves acai bowls, smoothies, cold brews and cold-pressed juices.
Founders Robert Giuliani and Abby Taylor launched Playa Bowls along the Jersey Shore after experiencing acai and pitaya bowls on surfing trips to Panama, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Puerto Rico, California and Hawaii, according to company history.
Zen Dumpling
The Florida-based restaurant is planned for The Shoppes at UTC next to Marshall. Zen Dumpling specializes in handcrafted soup dumplings, bao buns, dandan noodles, General Tso’s chicken and Mongolian beef.
It will be the company’s first Manatee/Sarasota location. The nearest one is in Brandon.
Just Salad
Founded in 2006, New York City-based Just Salad is planning a location at The Market at UTC. The fast-casual chain has plant-focused menu, with two different reusable bowls available, house-made dressings, triple-washes and other plant-based options.
Mister O1 Extraordinary Pizza
A pizza place named after an American visa status is set to open its second Manatee County location planned for The Market at UTC. Located next to Mission BBQ, Mister O1 Extraordinary Pizza takes its name from the O-1 visa designation, which the United States government hands out for “individuals with extraordinary ability or achievement,” the Miami Herald previously reported.
The restaurant started in Miami and has locations throughout Florida. The first local planned restaurant announced was at the Marketplace at Heritage Harbour plaza near State Road 64 East and Interstate 75.
Pure Green Juice Bar
Also inside The Market at UTC, Pure Green Juice Bar is planning to open next to Pure Barre. The company began in New York in 2014.
Pure Green specializes in smoothies, acai and pitaya bowls, oatmeal bowls, toasts, cold-pressed juices and cold-pressed juice shots. Like Mister O1 Extraordinary Pizza, Pure Green also has a planned Marketplace at Heritage Harbour location.
ScandyCandy
Two Swedish brothers opened the first ScandyCandy in South Florida in 2025. Now they’re planning to bring Scandinavian candies to UTC with a ground-level spot inside the mall. The company says all its candy is authentic, imported from Sweden.
West Elm
Furniture retailer West Elm is coming to The West District at UTC next to L.L. Bean. An 18,000-square-foot store is under construction.
IKEA
Popular home furnishings store IKEA is opening its first Manatee/Sarasota county store. The big box furniture giant is planning a 48,000-square-foot store in The West District at UTC near REI. A typical IKEA store encompasses more than 300,000 square feet.
The UTC location is expected to open later this summer, a news release said.
It will boast more than 5,000 products available for immediate purchase, while large items such as sofas, beds and appliances can be ordered in-store for delivery or pickup.
Body Hot Pilates
A new 2,200-square-foot Body Hot Pilates studio is slated to open next to New Balance along the Cattlemen Road corridor. The Miami-based concept features 95-degree classes that use infrared sauna technology to create a full-body workout experience, a news release said.
Pure Hockey
Construction is underway for a 6,000-square-foot expansion next to F45 Training to bring Pure Hockey, the nation’s largest ice hockey retailer, to The Square at UTC, according to a news release.
Sticks, helmets, pants, gloves, skates and more will be sold at Pure Hockey.
LaserAway
Near Club Champion, LaserAway is planned for a 1,700-square-foot space at The Market at UTC. What started in Southern California has become a national brand that specializes in aesthetic dermatology, offering advanced laser hair removal, tattoo removal, Thermage, laser facials and more, according to a news release.
James Avery Artisan Jewelry
Inside The Mall at UTC, Texas-based James Avery Artisan Jewelry is planned for a second-floor space near Hollister.
Dick’s House of Sport
Dick’s House of Sport is under construction inside The Mall at UTC, too. The concept features a rock climbing wall, multi-sports demo cage, golf pro shop, house of cleats and more. In select locations in northern states, a Dick’s House of Sport also has an ice rink.
