Open a few months now, Delray Marketplace seems to be a success. The restaurants are busy. The Frank Theatres Cinebowl & Grille is a fun place and also seems packed. Here’s a panorama shot from inside.
There is, however, a big problem. The parking stinks. It’s completely inadequate. We don’t know where the blame lies, whether on the developer or the county. Probably both.
We’ve been here four or five times and parking has never been easy. If you come on a Friday or Saturday night for a movie, expect to park a quarter mile away near the Publix. In the photo below you get some idea how far that is.
Even the valet parking is problematic. Below is a photo of the line waiting for the valet in front of Burt & Max’s.
The parking problem will get worse. There are several places opening soon. The added traffic will exacerbate the situation.
We are hopeful that something will be done. We’ve heard rumors of a parking garage but nothing official.
Delray Marketplace is already great (other than the parking problem). Some, like Jeff Eats, wrongly predicted failure. He mocked the It’s Sugar candy store which was packed tonight.
With The Bridges filling up and more developments on the way, it’s not a stretch to picture another plaza like this in the not to distant future.
And hopefully the next one will get the parking right from the get go.
