Vero Beach, FL – May 3, 2022 – Two decades ago, Tim Smick had a vision: Develop a hospitality management company that specializes in senior living with a mission to develop communities in which we ourselves envision living. In 2002, Harbor Retirement Associates (HRA) was launched and Smick’s concept for serving seniors was positioned to transform the industry. He would encourage associates to apply their God-given talents through exceptional hospitality, premium amenities, and dedicated service to others.
By 2005, Regency Park, an Independent Living community in Vero Beach, Florida opened its doors. Two years later, HarborChase of Vero Beach opened as the first HRA Assisted Living and Memory Care community. Today, HRA manages 38 HarborChase communities in 14 states with more than 3,600 associates who serve hundreds of residents and families every day. Each community’s hallmark is centered on delivering hospitality and amenities that give seniors choices and opportunities to create impactful memories while living the full life they deserve.
“Twenty years ago, had I asked friends if one day, they would dine out at a senior living community and expect to enjoy fine dining at an intimate restaurant or visit an on-site luxury salon and spa and receive premium services, they would have responded no. Perceptions of senior living were still stuck in the past with cold, sterile living environments associated with nursing homes. My vision was to disrupt that way of thinking by changing how seniors are served and how they live their best retirement years,” Tim Smick, HRA Managing Partner said.
Fast forward to 2022 and today’s aging boomer generation expect the level of service HarborChase communities provide.
“Seniors know what they like, want the freedom to make choices, and enjoy breaking bread with friends and family any time of day. Our goal is to create their best days ever,” Sarabeth Hanson, HRA CEO said.
More like a luxury resort than a senior living community, the restaurants and salons at HarborChase communities are points of pride for HRA. Perfecta Salon & Spas offer hair, nail, and massage services managed by a full-time Director of Beautification. Under the direction of executive-trained chefs, five on-site restaurants – Signatures, Counter-Offer café, Fusion Lounge, The Chefs Studio, and The Grill Room – provide culinary options ranging from gourmet five-course dinners to casual grab-and-go breakfast and lunch fare.
At The Chefs Studio, chefs showcase their culinary talents through live demonstrations and special tastings, while The Grill Room provides an intimate, reservation-only weekend dining experience featuring land, sea, and air entrees. Counter-Offer is a cafe near the main entrance offering artisanal sandwiches, handcrafted salads, pastries, and a variety of beverages, coffees, and snacks. For residents who prefer something less formal than the traditional three-course daily meals in Signatures, the cafe is ideal. For professionals and families who frequent the community, Counter-Offer is convenient for fresh, fast meals, and an ideal meeting space. In the heart of each HarborChase community is Fusion Lounge, a full-service bar where daily happy hours include appetizers like the famous HarborChase crab cakes and charcuterie boards, live music, and the occasional Smartini trivia game.
To learn more about the history and vision of HRA, watch the 20th anniversary video at www.HRASeniorLiving.com. For information about HarborChase hospitality, watch chef stories at www.HarborChase.com/senior-living-dining/.
About Harbor Retirement Associates
Harbor Retirement Associates (HRA) is a national senior living management and development company, focused primarily on Assisted Living and Memory Care communities, but also engaged in the development and operations of Independent Living communities. HRA operates 37 communities in 14 states and is partnering on the construction of supplementary communities in additional states. Celebrating 20 years in the industry, HRA manages over $150 million in revenue and approximately $1 billion in assets while employing 3,800 associates. For more information, visit www.HarborChase.com and www.HRASeniorLiving.com.