Baseball, beer, brats, boutiques—Abacoa in Jupiter sets an idyllic scene for those in search of family fun. Its most prominent features are Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium, the spring training home for two Major League Baseball teams (St. Louis Cardinals and Miami Marlins), and Florida Atlantic University’s Jupiter campus. Fitting between the two is Downtown Abacoa Town Center, which boasts some of the area’s tastiest restaurants, a vibrant nightlife scene, and cool events.
As a whole, Abacoa attracts young families and professionals who appreciate its sense of community and convenient placement in North County. “Abacoa has a little bit of everything,” says Noel Martinez, president and CEO of the Palm Beach North Chamber of Commerce. “The biggest things that make it stand out would be the baseball games in spring and summer, major events like ArtiGras Fine Arts Festival and the Jupiter Craft Brewers Festival, and its location. It’s right off I-95 and five minutes from the beach. It’s where everyone wants to be.”
The community of Abacoa was built in the late 1990s as part of the New Urbanism architectural movement, which emphasizes walkability and open spaces in an effort to promote healthy habits and camaraderie. There’s no better champion of Abacoa’s good vibes than Civil Society Brewing, which North County native Karl Volstad opened in 2015 alongside his brother, Kaleb, their cousin/professional baseball player, Chris, and high school friend, Evan Miller.
“We were just home brewing in the garage at first, and we got ‘the bug’ to open a brewery,” says Karl Volstad, who serves as head brewer. When it came to choosing Abacoa for their first tasting room, Volstad knew it was the right place immediately. “The name [Civil Society] says it all. We built out the space that we wanted to hang out in, and we’re just super fortunate that other people feel the same way.”
The Downtown Abacoa Town Center, where Civil Society is located, has become a regional hub for activity. It’s home to shops such as Palm Harbor Boutique, a blend of upscale and casual restos, an amphitheater, and even a children’s art studio called Kids Need More Art. Highlights from the Town Center’s monthly schedule include a Food Truck Invasion on second Fridays and a classic car show on first Saturdays.
Whether you prefer the beach or baseball, there are numerous ways to spend the day here. Martinez, who also lives in Abacoa, describes his ideal itinerary to PBI: “I have a dog that I love to walk every morning in the neighborhood I live in. Then, a great afternoon of catching a baseball game. When the game’s over, you can have a craft beer at Civil Society [before grabbing] dinner at a really nice restaurant in Abacoa Town Center. That, for me, is the perfect day.”
Neighborhood Nosh: For a taste of Havana in the heart of Abacoa, dig into a delicious meal at Copacabana Cuban Cuisine, located in the Town Center. After a day at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium, head into the restaurant for a pick-me-up pairing of café con leche and pan de lechon, a sandwich of slow-roasted mojo pork and onions on pressed Cuban bread.
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