CLIENT NEWS: Jamón ibérico lovers rejoice. A Spanish marketplace is coming to Wynwood

A Spanish food marketplace is expanding into Wynwood at a time when many South Florida restaurants are struggling to survive.

The global specialty food brand Enrique Tomás, known for its Jamón ibérico, has signed a 5,400-square-foot lease for 2701 NW Second Ave. The company plans to spend $2 million on renovation and open in late 2021.

It will be the company’s second U.S. location. The first opened in Dallas earlier this year.

Metro 1 Managing Director Andres Nava and broker Hector Antunez made the deal on behalf of the tenant. Dwntwn Realty Advisors Co-Founder and Managing Partner Tony Arellano and Investment Sales & Leasing Executive Joe Fernandez represented the landlord.

“The lease talks to Wynwood’s appeal,” Nava said. “Restaurant owners see what has happened to Wynwood in the last decade and they want to be part of it.”

Nava said Metro 1 is working with nearly a half-dozen other specialty restaurants looking to sign leases in Wynwood. “This is a reflection of the market moving forward,” Antunez said.

Enrique Tomás opened its first location 38 years ago and now has 111 locations worldwide.

Another new-to-market company also recently signed a lease in Wynwood — the co-working company Spring Place. Although commercial real estate brokers saw a slowdown in new leases earlier this year, activity is picking up.

Nava said, “There has been a slowdown, but quality tenants see this as an opportunity.” – Rebecca San Juan

Published September 15, 2020 in The Miami Herald