Flowers Plantation has long been the commercial anchor of life near Portofino in Clayton, NC. For residents of 297 Bonaventure Dr, this mixed-use development is the go-to destination for grocery runs, dinner out, and weekend errands — all within a five-minute drive from the community gate. This summer, Flowers Plantation has added several major new tenants, and more are on the way. Here is a look at what has arrived and what it means for the neighborhood.
Chick-fil-A: Open for Business
The biggest recent opening at Flowers Plantation is the new Chick-fil-A at 10 SE Flowers Parkway, which started serving guests on June 25, 2026. The restaurant created roughly 130 new jobs in Johnston County and adds a fast-casual dining option that was previously a 15-minute drive from the community.
For Portofino families, the addition of Chick-fil-A is more than just another quick dinner option. The restaurant's playground and family-friendly atmosphere make it a regular stop for weeknight dinners, weekend lunches after a morning at the community pools, and post-soccer-game meals. Being five minutes from the Portofino gate instead of 15 makes a meaningful difference in how often families use it.
Mellow Mushroom Joins the Lineup
Adding to the casual dining scene, Mellow Mushroom is under construction and expected to open soon at Flowers Plantation. Known for its creative stone-baked pizzas, craft beer selection, and vibrant, playful atmosphere, Mellow Mushroom will bring a new dining option that fills a gap in the current lineup. Alongside Chipotle (which opened in November 2025) and Panera Bread (October 2025), the new additions create a fast-casual dining cluster that gives Portofino residents more choice than ever within a two-mile radius.
The addition of Mellow Mushroom is particularly good news for families with teenagers, remote workers meeting colleagues for lunch, and anyone who wants a relaxed dinner option with high-quality food that does not require a trip to Raleigh.
The Big Picture: Flowers Plantation's Maturing Mix
Flowers Plantation has evolved significantly in the past 24 months. Here is a quick snapshot of the current dining and retail landscape:
- Grocery: Publix and Harris Teeter anchor the shopping center — both are within five minutes of Portofino and offer everything from weekly essentials to prepared meals and catering.
- Quick service: Chick-fil-A, Chipotle, and Panera Bread now cover the fast-casual spectrum, with Mellow Mushroom adding sit-down pizza and beer.
- Sit-down dining: Skylines Cafe at 8878 US-70 BUS offers American comfort food with a sports-bar atmosphere, and Eggs Up Grill at 12965 US-70 BUS serves breakfast and lunch daily.
- Services: CVS (with MinuteClinic), a UPS store, salon services, and professional offices round out the mix, reducing the need for longer trips for everyday errands.
The Waterfront District on the Horizon
The longer-term vision for Flowers Plantation includes the Waterfront District, a mixed-use development planned along NC-42 that would add condominiums, additional retail and dining, and a hotel. While construction timelines have shifted — as they often do with large-scale mixed-use projects — the development's land is secured and planning continues. For existing Portofino homeowners, the Waterfront District represents upside: additional dining and retail options, increased property values from proximity to a destination-style development, and a walkable evening destination just minutes from home.
In the nearer term, True Homes is building townhomes called North District at Flowers Plantation, designed as the only residential community located adjacent to the Waterfront District site. This signals developer confidence in the area's continued growth.
Why This Matters for 297 Bonaventure Dr
When buyers evaluate a home like 297 Bonaventure Dr, they consider not just the home itself but the entire ecosystem around it. A gated community with resort amenities — two pools, 7+ miles of trails, and an equestrian center — provides an exceptional private lifestyle. But the quality of life outside the gate matters just as much.
Flowers Plantation's transformation from a basic shopping center to a true dining and lifestyle destination changes that equation. When you can grab dinner at Chick-fil-A, pick up groceries at Publix, stop by CVS, and be back home in under 20 minutes, the convenience factor is hard to beat. And as more tenants arrive — with Mellow Mushroom opening soon and the Waterfront District in the pipeline — the area's appeal only grows.
What's Next for Portofino's Neighborhood Dining Scene
Beyond the Flowers Plantation area, the broader Clayton dining scene continues to expand. Downtown Clayton's Main Street corridor offers local favorites like Clayton Steakhouse, Mannings Restaurant, and Aaktun Restaurant. The Casto's West Edge development along Clayton Boulevard — a $100 million, 74-acre project with Target as an anchor — will add even more retail and dining options west of town.
For now, Portofino residents enjoy a rare balance: a quiet, gated community with nature trails and pools, and a thriving commercial district five minutes away that is adding new options every quarter. It is a balance that is hard to replicate in any other Triangle community.
Experience the Lifestyle
The best way to understand what makes 297 Bonaventure Dr special is to see it for yourself — and to see how close everything you need really is. Schedule a private tour with Phil Slezak and discover why Portofino's combination of space, amenities, and location is unmatched in the Triangle.
Book a private tour: Schedule a consultation with Phil Slezak
Call directly: 919-899-2320
Email: info@philslezak.com
Phil leads one of the top-producing real estate teams in the Greater Triangle and Brunswick County areas — with over $100 million in sales.