Craft kitchen chain to replace Naples restaurant closing at Mercato

A growing — and popular — restaurant concept out of South Florida is coming to Naples.

The Fort Lauderdale chain Tap 42 Craft Kitchen & Bar plans to open a 6,622-square-foot eatery in the city next year. The restaurant will be at Mercato, the upscale 455,000-square-foot lifestyle center managed by North American Properties, in the space just vacated by AZN Asian Cuisine and below the soon-to-open Alamo Drafthouse Cinema.

The space where Tap 42 will move into opened up when AZN shuts down Dec. 9 after a nearly 15-year run at the mall. In a statement on its website, AZN says Saturday was its final day and thanked supporters.