What’s Coming to State Road 52? Walmart, Lowe’s, New Restaurants & the Growth North of Wesley Chapel

What was once predominantly open land is becoming a major commercial and residential corridor. New restaurants are opening, national retailers are planning stores, housing developments are expanding, and roads are being improved to support that growth.

For residents of Mirada, Epperson and surrounding communities, these developments could significantly change where they shop, dine and access everyday services.

But there is another side to the story: traffic, ongoing construction and the long-term character of nearby neighborhoods.

Here is what we know as of October 28, 2026.

Where is all this development happening?

The major growth area runs along SR 52 just east of Interstate 75, toward McKendree Road, Mirada and Curley Road.

Three developments are particularly important:

• Abbey Crossings: A large mixed-use development centered around SR 52 and McKendree Road, including proposed big-box retail, restaurants, offices and residences.
• Double Branch: A roughly 965-acre mixed-use project near I-75, incorporating logistics space, housing, planned retail and a waterfront dining district.
• Mirada commercial area: Existing shops and restaurants near Mirada, plus additional proposed retail and services.

Although these sites are closely connected to the northern Wesley Chapel housing market, much of this development is located in the San Antonio area of Pasco County.

What’s already open along SR 52?

Culver’s

Culver’s opened its San Antonio location at 30203 State Road 52 on September 14, 2026.

Taco Bell

Taco Bell is operating at 30171 State Road 52, adding another dining option near Mirada.

The Market at Mirada also provides existing grocery and neighborhood retail options anchored by Publix.

These businesses are important because they represent amenities residents can use today, rather than projects that exist only on development plans.

Walmart and Lowe’s planned for Abbey Crossings

Two of the most closely watched projects are the planned Walmart and Lowe’s stores at Abbey Crossings.

Development reporting identifies a planned Lowe’s of approximately 107,000 square feet, alongside a planned Walmart.

Both stores would significantly expand shopping options for residents in northern Pasco County.

However, neither retailer has announced a confirmed opening date for these locations.

These are planned retail developments, not stores currently operating or guaranteed to open on a particular schedule.

What restaurants are coming to Abbey Crossings?

Several recognizable restaurant chains are part of the Abbey Crossings development pipeline.

Panera Bread, Chipotle and Dunkin’ have been reported in active construction, including exterior building work.

McDonald’s and Panda Express have also appeared in development plans. Wawa is progressing through county permitting, with plans for a convenience store and fueling facilities near McKendree Road.

Developer materials identify additional prospective national tenants, but a listing in a development plan or a signed letter of intent does not necessarily mean a business has opened, begun construction or finalized an opening date.

That distinction is important for residents following the construction.

Abbey Crossings is more than shopping

Retail attracts attention, but Abbey Crossings is planned as a broader mixed-use district.

Other components include:

• Abbey Crossings Professional Park, a planned 23-building office/medical development, with construction underway on some of its buildings.
• A proposed TownePlace Suites by Marriott hotel and restaurant.
• The 330-unit Springs at Abbey Crossing apartment community, which began construction in 2026.
• Approximately 150 planned Lennar townhomes.
• A proposed childcare facility.

This combination of housing, offices, hospitality and retail suggests a district intended to serve both residents and workers, rather than a single shopping center.

Individual projects remain subject to their own approvals, construction schedules and market conditions.

Double Branch: Future waterfront dining and shopping

Closer to Interstate 75, Double Branch represents another major piece of the SR 52 transformation.

The development includes logistics facilities and residential construction, along with plans for two retail destinations: The Shops at Double Branch and The Boardwalk at Double Branch.

The Boardwalk is envisioned as a waterfront-oriented dining and entertainment district with restaurant spaces and outdoor gathering areas.

The developer is marketing these spaces, but individual retail and restaurant tenants and public opening dates have not been confirmed.

For now, Double Branch should be viewed as a major long-term development with different components progressing at different stages.

Aldi planned near Mirada

Farther east, Aldi is planning a San Antonio location within Mirada, off McCabe Road.

The proposed store is approximately 19,400 square feet, according to development reporting.

The project was in permit review in October 2026, and an official opening date had not been announced.

For residents of Mirada and nearby communities, a future Aldi could provide an additional grocery-shopping option without traveling farther south.

What does this mean for nearby homeowners?

This is the question we think deserves more attention.

1. Everyday convenience could improve

Additional grocery, home improvement, dining and neighborhood services could reduce the need for some residents to drive farther south for routine errands.

2. Traffic patterns will change

More retail, housing and employment activity means more vehicle trips.

New traffic signals and road connections are intended to support development, but residents should expect changing traffic patterns as individual projects open.

3. The surroundings of existing neighborhoods may evolve

Buyers often choose a community based on what they see during a tour.

But nearby vacant parcels, future commercial access roads and construction areas may look very different several years later.

Understanding the surrounding development plan is part of choosing the right location.

4. More development does not guarantee rising home values

New amenities can make a location more attractive and convenient.

However, home values are also influenced by mortgage rates, housing supply, property condition, competing new construction, insurance costs and buyer demand.

It would be misleading to claim that the arrival of a Walmart, Lowe’s or restaurant automatically increases the value of every nearby home.

The effects can differ substantially by neighborhood and property.

What should buyers considering Mirada or Epperson know?

Mirada and Epperson offer different locations, housing options and community experiences.

As the SR 52 corridor develops, buyers should consider more than whether a particular retailer is coming.

We encourage buyers to ask:

• How will the commute work during normal weekday traffic?
• Which surrounding parcels are already developed, and which remain vacant?
• Are nearby roads intended to connect to additional housing or commercial projects?
• Would they prefer proximity to new shopping or a more established residential setting?
• How do the total ownership costs, including HOA and CDD assessments where applicable, compare?

These are questions worth answering before choosing a homesite or signing a new-construction contract. For the wider picture across the area, see What’s Coming to Wesley Chapel.

Prefer to talk it through? Schedule Your Strategy Session.