In its 50th year of business, Butler Plaza continues to grow, with 10 new shops and restaurants that are coming to or have recently opened.
With over 160 stores and restaurants spanning 1.7 million square feet, locally-owned Butler Enterprises in Gainesville is the largest retail shopping center in North Central Florida, with more than 20 million people visiting each year.
Here’s a roundup of new and upcoming businesses.
Arnold Palmer’s CenterCup
Status: Coming soon
Launched by the cofounders of Ford’s Garage, crews broke ground on the restaurant and mini-golf combination last fall. CenterCup will feature a 27-hole mini-golf course, gold simulators, billiards, shuffleboards, cornhole and an official Arnold Palmer Pro Shop. The business will also partner with 23 Restaurant Services to run an 11,000-square-foot restaurant and a 19,000-square-foot covered entertainment area that will include a patio bar, swing suites, and indoor and outdoor dining.
Bank of America
Status: Coming soon
America’s second-largest bank is set to open its seventh Gainesville storefront and ATM in Butler Plaza. The new location will provide a convenient place for shoppers to make transactions and access funds.
Bonchon
Status: Coming soon
The South Korean fried chicken’s Gainesville location will be one of nearly 500 around the world. Founded in 2002 in Buchan, the name “Bonchon” translates to “my hometown, my roots.” Bonchon’s menu offers hand-battered and double-fried chicken strips, wings and drumsticks brushed with a variety of sauce flavors. They also serve traditional Asian starters and main dishes such as pot stickers, fried rice and kimchi. The Gainesville location is already listed on Bonchon’s website, but ordering is not available yet.
Buckle
Status: Coming soon
The clothing, footwear and private label denim store will add to its Oaks Mall location (6337 W Newberry Rd.) with a storefront in Butler Plaza.
lululemon
Status: Coming soon
“@lululemon is ALMOST HERE!” posted Shop at Butler to Facebook on Oct. 29. Originally planned to open in 2019, Scherer Construction crews are still working on bringing the athletic and yoga-wear store to Butler Plaza. The new location neighbors the recently opened Victoria’s Secret.
Mochinut
Status: Coming soon
Gainesville is getting another mochi donut shop with Mochinut in Butler Plaza. Similar to Mochiry’s recipe, Mochinut donuts incorporate rice flour into their mix for a crispier outside and chewier inside to the fried dough. The chain operates close to 200 stores in the U.S. and in South Korea.
Pepper’s Mexican Grill & Cantina
Status: Now open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday to Thursday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday
The Florida-based chain opened its third Alachua County and second Gainesville location last week with a new space in Butler Plaza (3236 SW 35th Blvd.) next to Jeremiah’s Italian Ice. Along with made-from-scratch Mexican meals, the restaurant serves its own brand of tequila crafted in Mexico. Pepper’s new location will offer lunch, dinner and catering menus.
Texas de Brazil
Status: Coming soon
The “churrascaria” Brazilian steakhouse is poised to open its ninth Florida location and first in Gainesville at Butler Plaza in 2026. According to the restaurant’s website, all of the meats, such as filet mignon, lamb leg and chops, are cooked “the gaucho way” over an open flame with natural wood charcoal.
Victoria’s Secret and PINK
Status: Now open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday to Saturday, noon to 6 p.m. Sunday
The lingerie partner stores opened in Butler Plaza last month to add stand-alone locations to the brand’s spot in Oak’s Mall (6415 W Newberry Rd. SPACE B-0008). According to the new location’s website, Victoria’s Secret & PINK in Butler Plaza aims to serve women of all sizes, budgets and phases of life with undergarments, pajamas, activewear, swimwear and beauty products like perfume.