Latest news with #Penrod'sBeachClub
Miami Herald
14-07-2025
- Business
- Miami Herald
Penrod's Beach Club Comes Back to Miami Beach For One Day Only
Miami Beach has no shortage of iconic addresses, but few carry the cultural weight of 1 Ocean Drive. Before the luxury hotels, international DJs, and curated hospitality experiences, there was Penrod's. Part beach bar, part nightclub, and part cultural reset, Penrod's wasn't just a place to go. It was the place to be. And on July 4th, for one day only, Penrod's Beach Club is coming back to where it all started. The tribute will take place at Nikki Beach Miami Beach, the globally recognized destination founded by the late Jack Penrod. This isn't just a nostalgic party, it's a celebration of legacy. A look back at the original beach club that helped transform a fading South Beach into the world-renowned destination it is today. In the 80s, Jack Penrod launched his beachfront operation in Fort Lauderdale, where his original Penrod's Beach Club became legendary for its high-energy spring break crowds, MTV appearances, and larger-than-life atmosphere. At the same time, Miami Beach was in steep decline. Crime was rampant, South of 5th was rundown, and the city's glamour had all but vanished. That's when the mayor approached Jack with a bold request: bring that energy and vision to Miami Beach. After committing a $4 million investment and an ambitious marketing plan to help revitalize the area, Jack was granted a 40-year lease by the City of Miami Beach for the prime stretch of sand at the southern tip of the city, along with beach management rights from 1st to 15th Street. He accepted the opportunity, and what followed was a complete reimagining of South Beach's potential. Palm trees were brought in by the truckload, beach scenes were staged with vintage convertibles and bikini runway tours, and construction began on a three-story, 35,000-square-foot venue at 1 Ocean Drive. Jack and Lucia worked side by side to bring the venue to life. After moving to Miami from Nicaragua, Lucia made her mark managing the successful Jockey Club before joining Jack on the project that would redefine South Beach. Together, they created a new kind of destination that brought people together through fun, hospitality, and larger-than-life experiences. But in 1997, everything changed. Jack's 18-year-old daughter, Nicole, was killed by a drunk driver. In her honor, Jack and Lucia filled the empty land south of Penrod's to create a peaceful space now called Nikki Beach. That moment marked a shift, not just in design, but in purpose. 'We opened Nikki Beach in 1997,' Lucia says. 'And in a way, we ended one club to start another. That's what Nikki Beach was born. Every detail was designed with Nicole in mind. It became a place to celebrate life.' With white sunbeds, flowing fabrics, global music, and organic textures, Nikki Beach introduced what the world would come to define as a 'French-style beach club in the American way.' This new approach resonated instantly. Over the years, Nikki Beach evolved into a global lifestyle brand rooted in the spirit of Celebrating Life. The vision quickly expanded to include dining, entertainment, fashion, film, and art. The brand now includes beach clubs, resorts, residences, and special events in 14 countries around the world. And at its heart, it remains family-owned and deeply personal. 'We've had team members with us for 10, 15, even 20 years,' Lucia shares. 'That kind of loyalty is rare in this industry. Our team is family, and they carry the Penrod's spirit of bringing joy to the world.' Following Jack's passing earlier this year at the age of 85, the upcoming July 4th tribute at Nikki Beach Miami Beach has morphed into a powerful full-circle moment. 'We wanted to honor Jack in the place where it all began,' Lucia says. 'This is more than a nostalgic event. It's a celebration of his legacy and the joy he brought to so many lives.' Guests can expect an immersive experience that channels the spirit of the original Penrod's. There will be beach volleyball, throwback music from the 80s and 90s, and a special menu bringing back fan favorites like All American Cheeseburger, Crispy Conch Fritters, Smoked Fish Dip, and Key Lime Pie. Classic cocktails like the Penrod's Rum Punch and Frozen Coconut Piña Colada will also be available. 'These dishes are memories,' Lucia says. 'We wanted to bring that feeling back. That sense of carefree, sun-soaked celebration.' What makes the moment even more special is the generational connection that continues to grow. 'We see people who partied at Penrod's in the 80s and 90s now coming back to Nikki Beach with their kids, or even their grandkids, for Sunday brunch,' she says. 'It's full circle. We've become part of family traditions, and that's something I'm incredibly proud of.' As Nikki Beach looks to the future, the brand continues to grow. New resort sites are currently in development across the Caribbean, Asia, and the Middle East, and plans for future full-scale lifestyle destinations that bring together beach clubs, wellness, dining, music, art, and retail are already underway. The group is also expanding creatively with the launch of Lucia, a new restaurant concept that brings a different side to the hospitality landscape: 'Nikki Beach is 'lots more,'' Lucia concludes. 'Lucia is 'more is more.'' It's bold, citrusy, and unapologetically maximalist.' Sourcing local produce and bold ingredients is key to the menu, Lucia is due to unveil it in Cannes in 2024. This summer, the experience expands to Marbella with Lucia Summer Club, a vibrant seasonal preview ahead of the full resort experience opening in 2026. 'Still, July 4th is about returning to where it all started — and sharing the magic people experienced Miami Beach,' Lucia says. 'It was the spark for everything that followed. And for one day, we get to bring that magic back.' PENROD'S BEACH CLUB AT NIKKI BEACH 1 OCEAN DRIVE, MIAMI BEACH FRIDAY, JULY 4TH 12-9 P.M. Reservations via Resy Bring vintage Penrod's merch for a complimentary beer (Must be 21 or older)
Forbes
24-06-2025
- Business
- Forbes
The Legendary Penrod's Beach Club Is Popping Up In Miami This July 4th At Nikki Beach
Nikki Beach will transform into Penrod's Beach Club this July 4th While Nikki Beach Miami Beach is always one of the best spots to hunker down and enjoy July of 4th festivities, this year they are upping the ante by hosting a legendary celebration in honor of its founder, the late Jack Penrod, who passed away earlier this year. In his honor, Nikki Beach is bringing back Penrod's Beach Club. For one day only, the ultimate 80s & 90s playground that once defined the spirit of this iconic location will return, promising to take Nikki Beach guests on a journey through time back to where it all began. 'While Nikki Beach has grown into a global luxury lifestyle brand, its heart is still rooted in the spirit of Penrod's,' says Lucia Penrod, co-found, owner, and chief executive officer of Nikki Beach Hospitality. 'I used to tell my husband [Jack]Jack Penrod The original Penrod's Beach Club (which was later transformed into the Nikki Beach we now know and love) was all about the emphasis toward music, good food, and spending time at the beach with friends — that energy is the thread that connects it all according to Penrod herself. 'Penrod's Beach Club was always about creating a carefree, joyful space where people could feel free, dance barefoot in the sand, and make memories,' says Penrod. 'That same ethos lives on in every Nikki Beach location around the world.' Miami Beach was known as the American Riviera in the 1950s and 1960s, attracting celebrities and upscale clientele to its beaches and world class resorts. By the 1980s, it was in desperate need of revitalization as it became ridden with crime and drugs. At this time, banks didn't want to lend money for investments, plus tourists and residents felt unsafe. For lack of better words, this was the Scarface-era of Miami Beach. Due to Jack's success helping other cities thrive with business, the city of Miami Beach encouraged him to help them. Alongside his future wife and business partner, Lucia, Jack led the charge to revitalize the area with a vision of hospitality that blended fun, food, and unforgettable experiences. Jack was the first businessman that invested $4 million dollars to build Penrod's Beach Club on Miami Beach in 1989. His vision, commitment and delivery gave way for more investors to join him. Penrod's Beach Club in its heyday 'When Penrod's opened, it was electric,' says Penrod. 'You'd see everyone from models and artists to locals and tourists dancing side by side with their toes in the sand. Professional and amateur beach volleyball competitions, concerts on the beach, food festivals, superbowl parties — it all happened here.' By opening Penrod's, Jack helped turn the city around. 'Penrod's brought energy and attention to Miami Beach,' says Penrod. 'It showed what was possible. After that, investors and major brands started to take notice. It became a cultural magnet and set the stage for the city's revival. It truly was a movement and Jack was the spark behind it all.' This 4th of July celebration plans to bring those vibes back in a big way. Expect a full retro transformation of Nikki Beach Miami Beach, echoing the look and feel of the original beach club. Nikki Beach Miami Beach's resident DJs will spin the best tracks from every era that Penrod's lived through, alongside live musicians and dancers bringing the energy back to the sand. Enjoy a special throwback menu featuring classic dishes once served during the club's golden days like conch fritters, burgers, smoked fish dip, and key lime pie. For Lucia, this event is deeply personal, and she's excited to bring back the sense of nostalgia and connection to Miami Beach that Penrod's embodied. 'We'll have dishes from the original menu, beach volleyball, retro music from the 80s and 90s, and we're inviting guests to bring back their original memorabilia,' says Penrod. 'There's something very special about recreating those iconic moments and sharing them both with guests who knew and loved Penrod's and a new generation.' More than anything, this celebration is a tribute to her husband Jack. She says this popup is a way to honor the incredible legacy he left behind, not just as a visionary in the hospitality world, but as someone who helped shape the spirit of South Beach. 'Penrod's was more than a beach club, it was a cultural touchstone, and Jack was at the heart of it,' she says. 'Seeing it come to life again, in the place where it all began, is our way of saying thank you to him and recognizing everything he gave to this city we all love.' Reservations are recommended for this epic beach party 'I'll never forget the early days,' says Penrod as we reminisced on what made Penrod's Beach Club such a special place. 'Some moments feel almost surreal looking back,' she continued. 'MTV Spring Break taking over the beach, Bon Jovi Performing live in the sand, the Super Bowl parties that drew thousands. It was a time when Miami Beach was transforming, and Penrod's was right at the center of that cultural shift.' After 25 years in business on the beach, Miami-Dade County and Miami Beach named April 17, 2012, 'Jack Penrod Day' to honor his contributions to the community and this 4th of July celebration aims to show him another day of love and appreciation. This epic celebration will take place on Friday, July 4th, from noon to 9 p.m. at Nikki Beach Miami Beach (1 Ocean Drive). Reservations are now open via Resy.
Miami Herald
07-02-2025
- Business
- Miami Herald
Jack Penrod, founder of Nikki Beach, dead at 85
Founder of the iconic Nikki Beach, owner of over a dozen resorts around the world and one of the godfathers of modern South Beach, Jack Penrod died Monday after battling cancer. 'I shared an extraordinary life with Jack. As a life partner, father, and businessman, he was everything one could ever dream of,' said Lucia Penrod, Jack's wife and Nikki Beach CEO, in a statement. Penrod, 85, spent much of his life transforming Miami Beach through his ownership of bars and restaurants, helping change the city from a once sleepy retirement community into a resort destination. Born in 1939 to Ruth and Chester Penrod in Columbus, Ohio, during the Great Depression, Penrod was one of five siblings. His ascent to resort tycoon started humbly, from line cook to owning one of the largest McDonald's franchises. He went on to own several bars and restaurants in Fort Lauderdale, Miami and Daytona Beach. In 1988, he launched Penrod's Beach Club on South Beach, which helped transition the area into a travel destination. In 1997, Penrod's 18-year-old daughter, Nicole, died in a car crash. He founded Nikki Beach on the Penrod's Beach Club site in 1998 to honor her memory. After 25 years in business, Miami-Dade County and Miami Beach named April 17, 2012, 'Jack Penrod Day' to honor his contributions to the community. Today, there are 11 Nikki Beach locations and five resorts around the world. When he wasn't running his businesses, Penrod was a diver, pilot and constant explorer. He released an autobiography, titled 'One Grand Adventure: Becoming Rich in Business, Family and Life,' in 2023. 'Jack was humble, loving, intelligent, and kind — genuine to his core, with an adventurous spirit that was truly magnetic,' Lucia Penrod said. 'His children and I loved him deeply, and we will keep his spirit alive through years of cherished memories.' In 2023, Penrod lost his grandson, Max, and then his second daughter, Tracey. He is survived by his loving wife of 30 years, Lucia Penrod, and their children, Jake and Isabella, as well as his children Michele and Michael from his first marriage to Annette Yarborough. He leaves behind several cherished grandchildren, including Caitlin Shearsmith, Zachary Payne, Cassidy Payne Firt, Austin Higney, and Skylar Penrod, along with great-grandchildren Sienna, Juliette and Henley Shearsmith, and Arlen Payne. He is also survived by his sisters, Carol Ann Penrod-Kramer and Melodie Cunningham. His family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in Penrod's memory to Nikki Cares, the charity he launched to support causes close to his heart. Donations can be made via Zelle using the email address AP@ 'He meant so much to so many, leaving a lasting impact on everyone he met. He inspired people to reach for the stars and never give up. It was my deepest privilege to be his wife,' Lucia Penrod said. 'We will continue to spread happiness and love for family and friends all over the world and he will live forever in our hearts.'
