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Minneola Marketplace Plans Shift Toward Big Box Retail: Walmart and Sam's Club?
January 17, 2026
What is the Minneola Marketplace?
The Minneola Marketplace is a proposed commercial development planned near the intersection of North Hancock Road and Citrus Grove Road in Minneola, as part of the larger Hills of Minneola master planned community. What was once envisioned as a walkable town center has since shifted direction, prompting ongoing discussion and concern among residents as new details continue to emerge.
What else is Coming to Minneola?
Minneola continues to experience steady growth, with multiple residential, commercial, and mixed use developments planned or underway across the area. Minneola Marketplace is just one of several projects shaping how the city will grow and evolve in the coming years. For those looking to better understand what is being proposed and where new developments are located throughout Minneola and the Clermont area, the OnlyinClermont Interactive Map is a helpful resource.
The map highlights current and upcoming projects, allowing residents to explore what is coming, see locations, and gain a clearer picture of how growth may impact Minneola and the surrounding communities. This image is directly from the OnlyinClermont Interactive Map.
Original Vision for a Walkable Town Center - 2023
The Minneola Marketplace site has been part of long term planning efforts connected to the Hills of Minneola development, which has been approved in phases over many years. According to reporting from 2023, the original concept for the town center emphasized a mixed use, pedestrian friendly destination. Plans at that time included restaurants, retail shops, office space, a hotel, apartments, green space, and areas designed for community events such as markets and gatherings. The goal was to create a central hub for residents rather than a corridor dominated by big box retail.
Shift in Plans and Introduction of Big Box Retail - 2025
In 2025, updated reporting revealed a significant shift in direction for the Minneola Marketplace portion of the development. New site plans introduced two large side by side big box stores as anchor tenants, along with outparcels for additional retail and restaurants, a gas station, and a large parking footprint. While the retailers were not initially named, the building layouts closely resembled Walmart Supercenter and Sam’s Club developments announced in other parts of Central Florida, which led to widespread speculation among residents.
Sunterra Communities, the developer behind the project, stated that the earlier town center concept had not attracted enough tenant interest and that large anchor stores were needed to generate traffic and support the overall viability of the site. This explanation raised concern among residents who had supported the original lifestyle focused vision.
Community Concerns and Public Feedback
Public concern became more visible during a Minneola City Council workshop held on July 29, 2025. During that meeting, Sunterra Communities formally presented a revised master plan and confirmed that Walmart and Sam’s Club are the proposed anchor stores for Minneola Marketplace. City staff provided background on the site’s development history, and representatives from Walmart spoke about potential benefits such as job creation, tax revenue, and disaster response capabilities.
Many residents used the public comment portion of the workshop to raise concerns about increased traffic along North Hancock Road and Citrus Grove Road, strain on infrastructure and water pressure, impacts on public safety services, potential effects on small businesses, and the loss of the originally envisioned walkable town center. Others also expressed concern about setting a precedent for future large scale commercial development in Minneola. While some residents spoke in support of added convenience and economic growth, the overall tone reflected unease with the shift toward big box retail. The workshop was discussion only, and no vote was taken.
CITY OF MINNEOLA MEETING MINUTES 7/29/2025
Upcoming Community Meeting With Sunterra, Walmart, and Sam’s Club
Most recently, Sunterra Communities, Walmart, and Sam’s Club announced a community meeting to further discuss the proposed plans and answer questions from residents. This community meeting is scheduled for Thursday, January 22, from 4:00 to 7:00 pm and will be held at Minneola City Hall, located at 800 US Highway 27, Minneola, Florida 34715. The meeting is being hosted by Sunterra Communities, Walmart, and Sam’s Club and is not affiliated with the City of Minneola, despite taking place at City Hall. Representatives from all three organizations are expected to be present to answer questions and gather community feedback.
It is important to note that the proposed development has not been approved. Any plans for Minneola Marketplace would still need to go through the City of Minneola’s planning and zoning process and receive City Council approval before moving forward.
As discussions continue, many residents remain closely engaged in the process. This is an ongoing situation, and additional meetings, revisions, and decisions are expected in the future.
Staying Informed on Future Updates
Residents who want to stay informed are encouraged to follow upcoming City of Minneola City Council meetings and Planning and Zoning Committee meetings to stay up to date on discussions, proposals, and potential votes related to Minneola Marketplace.
OnlyinClermont will continue to monitor this development and share updates as more information becomes available. Make sure to stay in the loop by following us on Social media @OnlyinClermont!
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