Q: We live in Naples Reserve and see that the parcel directly across 41 is now being developed after being cleared months ago. Can you tell me what is going to be built there? I know we will share the cost of a coming traffic light with whoever that development belongs to. Thanks in advance! – Chris Bindel, Naples
A: Construction started in early May on Creative Commons, a four-story, 107-unit independent senior living facility on 5.76 vacant acres at Creative Drive and U.S. 41 East.
Creative Commons, 14050 Tamiami Trail E., is being developed by FL Star Development as part of the Torres Family Trust commercial planned unit development. The construction project is targeted for completion in June 2026.
The majority of the Creative Commons apartments will be one-bedroom units, but 38 units will have two bedrooms, plans show. Designed by MK Architecture, the 55-plus multifamily community will include a resort-style pool, fitness center, dining room and covered outdoor seating, a clubroom bar and a visiting home health care office with a therapy room.
The property is a mile southeast from the intersection of U.S. 41 East and Collier Boulevard. It lines up on the East Trail with Naples Reserve Boulevard, which leads to the Naples Reserve and Reflection Lakes communities.
Fort Myers-based Torres Family Holdings LLC acquired the land for $75,000 in December 2012, Collier County property records show. The lot is across Creative Drive from an undeveloped commercial tract for the Fiddler’s Creek planned unit development.
Bravo shoutout
Q: What’s going on at the Naples South Plaza on Rattlesnake next to Harbor Freight? Looks like a grocery store. – Phyllis Farren, Naples
A: Interior buildout is underway for a 16,368-square-foot Bravo Supermarket in Naples South Plaza on the corner of Rattlesnake Hammock Road and Tamiami Trail East.
Bravo joins a lineup that includes Anthony’s ladies apparel, Dollar General and Harbor Freight. The supermarket will be in the center’s inline commercial strip behind the Wawa convenience store. Before work began to build Wawa in 2019, a nearly 15,000-square-foot section of the plaza was razed on that end.
“We’re probably estimating starting groceries there in July, which could change,” said Dennis Wallin, executive vice president of new business development for Alpha 1 Marketing, a New York-based merchandising and marketing company that owns the Bravo and C Town name brands.
Although Alpha 1 licenses the Bravo name, the stores are all independently owned and operated by local residents, Wallin said.
“They own the stores, but we help with the back-office work,” he said. “We’re part of Krasdale Foods here in New York, which is part of a food wholesaler.”
Bravo operates full-service, independently owned supermarkets best known for their diverse selection of international products, especially Latin and Caribbean foods. The chain has 45 locations in Florida, which is more than half of the brand’s stores nationwide. Bravo has other locations in Collier County at 11965 Collier Blvd. in Golden Gate and 50 Wilson Blvd. S. in Golden Gate Estates.
The new store in Naples South Plaza eventually may have an attached liquor store, if a license can be obtained, Wallin said. Otherwise, the store will sell beer and wine in addition to groceries.
Bravo typically has 30 to 40 employees, about a third of which are employed full-time, Wallin said.
New build
Q: What’s going in next to Roadies drive-in on Immokalee Road near Founders Square? I see they broke ground. – Kristen O’Riordan, Naples
A: Panda Express Chinese Kitchen is building a fast-casual restaurant with a drive-thru lane on a Founders Square outparcel lot next to the new Roadies Pit Stop beverage business on Immokalee Road east of Collier Boulevard.
A nearly 2,700-square-foot restaurant — with 52 seats inside and 22 seats outside — is planned, according to a concept plan that California-based Panda Express filed with Collier County Growth Management. Property records show that the 1-acre vacant commercial lot at 8955 Founders Square Drive was acquired in March 2025 for $2,134,000 by Las Vegas-based CFT NV Developments LLC — a limited liability company affiliated with the Cherng Family Trust, the family investment firm for Andrew and Peggy Cherng, the founders of Panda Express and Panda Restaurant Group.
Plans for another 2,600-square-foot freestanding Panda Express have been submitted for a Lowe’s parking lot outparcel space at 6409 Naples Blvd. in North Naples.
Panda Express serves Chinese-American cuisine featuring a menu of entrees such as Orange Chicken, Firecracker Shrimp and Black Pepper Angus Steak, with sides that include chow mein and fried rice. A food court space at Coastland Center mall in Naples is the only other Collier location so far for Panda Restaurant Group, which operates more than 120 Panda Express locations in Florida and 2,200 worldwide.
The “Tim Aten Knows” weekly column answers local questions from readers. Email Tim at tim. aten@naplespress.com.
