$3 million restaurant project under construction at The Shoppes at University Town Center

UNIVERSITY PARK -- Two new restaurants are being built at The Shoppes at University Town Center with opening dates set for early next year.

The two new eateries -- Fresh Kitchen and Daily Eats -- are part of a $3 million project, said Matthew Lanza, a partner in the Tampa-based Ciccio Restaurant Group.

When construction is complete, each restaurant will occupy 3,300 square feet spaces in the vicinity of the 8500 block of Cooper Creek Boulevard.

The Fresh Kitchen is a "quick way to higher-quality food," with an innovative, mix-and-match format for customers who can choose among such delights as kale slaw, sweet potato noodles and cubed tuna with ponzu sauce, Lanza said.

"It's high-quality food at an affordable price -- fast," he said Wednesday.

Daily Eats is a modernized diner that offers traditional dishes such pancakes, burgers and salads in a relaxed, casual setting.

The shopping center just south of University Parkway at Interstate 75 boasts other new tenants, including a popular Mexican-style eatery coming soon, and a new beauty salon open a couple of months.

A new Poppo's Taqueria is an evolution of the popular original from Anna Maria, which opened more than two years ago, said Micheal Coleman, operating partner for the Taqueria Restaurants Group.

In late summer, the company will open its fourth location, an 1,800-square-foot store seating up to to 60, and features burritos, quesadillas and tacos, he said.

Coleman chose the location at The Shoppes just north of the new Mall at University Town Center because "it's hard to beat the demographics out there -- there's so much in the

way of family traffic."

Asked what demographic he sought to attract, Coleman deadpanned: "People who eat food."

Nearby, a new hair-styling salon, Nuovo, has been successful almost from the day it opened at 8231 Cooper Creek Blvd., according to co-owner Terry McKee.

He began looking for a new location in Manatee County because many of his clients lived there north of University Parkway.

"We looked at lots of places, and nothing worked out," recalled McKee, who has been in the beauty business more than 30 years.

When he saw the space available at the Shoppes center, he said he knew it would be fine.

"We're thrilled with the location. Great parking. We've beaten every goal, exceeded all our anticipated numbers," said McKee. "We're busy all the time." McKee is co-owner of three other salons in Sarasota.

Sara Kennedy, Herald reporter, can be reached at 941-745-7031. Follow her on Twitter @sarawrites.

This story was originally published April 9, 2015 at 12:00 AM with the headline "$3 million restaurant project under construction at The Shoppes at University Town Center ."