New restaurant La Perla Tapatia opening in Florence

A new restaurant will open in the former Lizard's Thicket location in Florence. The restaurant, called La Perla Tapatia, is set to debut this May. The old Lizard's Thicket sign has been taken down, and a "leased" sign now stands in the parking lot. The Perez family, who have been running Mexican restaurants in Florence for about 20 years, is behind this new venture. They are currently renovating the space. Maritza Perez said they have been looking for a ready-to-use restaurant space for some time. "Florence hasn't had a restaurant-ready space," she explained. La Perla Tapatia will offer a variety of Mexican dishes, including seafood, pozole, and menudo. The restaurant will also feature popular items typically found in Mexican eateries. The decor will include sombreros and photos of mariachi bands to create an authentic atmosphere. A bar area is also planned, but they are waiting for liquor license approval. Glenn Godfrey, a local real estate investor, bought the property in December 2024 after Lizard's Thicket closed. He felt the building had great potential immediately after entering. Godfrey quickly decided to lease it to the Perez family when they expressed interest. La Perla Tapatia will join the Perez family's other restaurants in the area. It is set to open at 1712 W. Palmetto St. in Florence in May.