A Renaissance on the River
Fort Pierce enjoying historic downtown boom
Pierce Public Market opened in November and has delighted consumers with an indoor shopping place at 111 Orange Avenue, adding to the splendor of downtown attractions. Food, fashion, collectibles and a variety of other products are offered by some 100 vendors seven days a week. GREGORY ENNSBY JERRY SHAW
Doris Tillman, left, retired after 35 years as executive director of Main Street Fort Pierce. Michelle Cavalcanti takes over the position and has worked with Tillman for a smooth transition. MAIN STREET FORT PIERCE
Development, major improvements and great optimism still characterize what Historic Downtown Fort Pierce experienced during the past year. The long-awaited construction of King’s Landing has finally taken its first steps. The Indian River Drive corridor to downtown is undergoing a massive facelift, and Boston House will offer hungry patrons fine foods in its new restaurant.
“2025 was definitely a year of change,” said Michelle Cavalcanti, who takes over as executive director of Main Street Fort Pierce. She replaces Doris Tillman, who retired at the end of December after 35 years in the role.
Aside from continuing projects downtown, other shifts included everything from changing the Christmas parade route to “groups and businesses working together for long-term strategic goals. It’s happening, it’s moving,” Cavalcanti added.
She began working for the organization in 2018 for three years, then returned to help Tillman with operations and moving into the future. Tillman knew she would be retiring, so Cavalcanti assisted with the transition beginning in 2024.
Cavalcanti has already seen downtown growth and improvements for Friday Fest, expanded art shows, beautiful lights, arts and crafts, and music at the Backus House. “It seems to be happening fast, but it takes a long time. Doesn’t happen overnight. It’s electrifying, so much magic here.”
There’s no cold cash inside, but lots of warmth. The huge Pierce Public Market is in the historical St. Lucie County Bank building, owned by Steve Tarr. The old vault has become a wine bar for patrons to relax while enjoying the sights and sounds of the market. GREGORY ENNSDORIS TILLMAN’S LEGACY
Meanwhile, the Cake Lady now dishes up ice cream at Scoops inside the popular Pierce Public Market at 111 Orange Avenue. GREGORY ENNS
Tillman, she noted, was instrumental in accomplishing the revitalization of the Sunrise Theatre and Backus House. “Doris did absolutely phenomenal things. None of this would happen without her, though she would say others.”
Cavalcanti pointed out the hard work it took to get the Sunrise Theatre refurbished — eight years of preparations, paperwork and approval for what became the catalyst for downtown restoration.
“Doris was also a force of nature. I had the opportunity to work under her and work with her. She made things happen. Retail owners say she helps them look at downtown and see what can make it better.”
Cavalcanti noted that it takes a visionary to bring about the changes that have occurred downtown, from new shops and restaurants to the King’s Landing development. “You have to look 10-plus years in the future, and we can see when it’s going to happen. We are moving toward greater growth.”
Local vendors continue to offer food and treats at the Fort Pierce Farmer’s Market on Saturdays at the downtown Marina Square. Growing crowds have been enjoying live music along with everything from snacks and baked goods to fresh produce, seafood from local fisheries, and even gyros, tacos, healing herbs and honey. It has been a favorite to locals and visitors for decades.
To extend that downtown enjoyment, Pierce Public Market opened in November with some 100 vendors for the indoor market at 111 Orange Avenue, the original spot for the St. Lucie County Bank. Steve Tarr, the building’s owner, teamed with Trina Gibson, now the general manager, to open this latest hotspot where vendors can rent spaces or shelves. Tarr got the idea during RV travels throughout the West.
The huge market includes vendors that offer everything from beauty products and fashion to home decor and collectibles. Patrons can also enjoy a wine bar, coffee shop, ice cream, candy and beverages. Workshop, dining and party events are also available. The market is open seven days a week.
The Cake Lady, formerly at 205 Orange Ave., now has the ice cream space Scoops inside Pierce Public Market. A cake and dessert shop called Sweet Tiers, owned by Elena Vara, operates the storefront once occupied by the Cake Lady.
“This year has felt so long. I’m really excited to see what 2026 brings,” Cavalcanti said.
DOWNTOWN CONTINUES TO EVOLVE
Sweet Tiers, a cake and dessert shop run by Elena Vara, now operates in the spot once occupied by the Cake Lady. GREGORY ENNSTillman took control almost by accident in 1990. “I started as a volunteer and then asked to be on the board,” said the original director. Tom Kindred Jr. was manager of the organization at the time. Main Street was in its infancy and Tillman walked into the next meeting to discover they were so impressed with her volunteer work, they named her director, to her surprise. “Don’t ever miss a meeting,” she joked.
Operations flowed gradually over the years, she pointed out. “It goes in patterns for several years and then another pattern for several years.” It takes time for changes and developments to take place. “I was lucky to be part of Main Street all these years.”
During those decades, Tillman saw the ups and downs of the economy play a role in what was new to downtown. Some of the recent additions are minor but enjoyable to patrons, such as the Cake Lady, ice cream shops, boutiques, health food stores and even the “hippie” shop with colorful fashions of the past. Then there are the old favorites, including the Second Street Bistro, which is always undergoing unique additions to give downtown attractive features.
Larger additions include the King’s Landing development and reconstruction of Indian River Drive. Across U.S. 1, the Arcade Building added new businesses, and First United Methodist Church initiated a garden to feed people.
“The Christmas parade was fabulous this year,” she said. “We had to reroute it because of road closures at Indian River Drive, but it worked out.”
Tillman remembers Friday Fest starting out with one or two restaurants in the area, and now that has grown to 14. Visitors have more room to roam at the festival. “People have choices. Vendors do well. The crowd filters through and it doesn’t seem crowded.”
The Boston House on South Indian River Drive will soon include a restaurant with Northeastern and Southern-style dining downstairs, upstairs and outside with seating for about 200. The 1909 building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. boston house
BOSTON HOUSE
The anticipation of the Boston House Restaurant has locals eager to take advantage of this new downtown venture. The landmark originated in 1909, known as Cresthaven and the home of William T. Jones, the third sheriff of St. Lucie County and a friend of Henry Flagler. The building was renovated in 1985 and is on the register of historic places by the U.S. Department of the Interior.
Preparations for the Boston House Restaurant took hold in 2025 for the historical structure on Indian River Drive. Co-owners Georgette Angelos and Martin Mohr have planned Northeastern and Southern-style dining for guests in various rooms. A downstairs dining room has seating for 70 with an upstairs cocktail bar and lounge for 35 to 40. The restaurant will offer “white glove service with a warm Southern feel.” Lunch will be served seven days a week with dinner Wednesday to Sunday.
There is also outside dining with a new kitchen and outside bar to give the establishment nearly 200 seats in total. A members-only social club will be established for the third floor.
The restaurant had hoped to open in December, but construction delays have pushed it back. The restaurant is in a “coming soon phase,” said co-owner Angelos. She promises that “the menu is absolutely divine, and we are ready to serve the community.”
HOTEL AND CONDOS
In September, the city commission approved updated plans for the hotel and condominiums at King’s Landing, a 7.5-acre site on the waterfront, the former location of H.D. King Power Plant. Plans include additional parking and a roadway system for improved traffic flow. Live Oak Contracting was given control as master developer to replace Audubon Development.
The project features a 140-room hotel, 10 luxury villas and 106 residential condominiums with more than 35,000 square feet of commercial and restaurant space as well as 17,000 square feet of retail space. There may be the addition of rooftop entertainment on one of the buildings, according to discussions.
The first phase, the hotel, is scheduled for completion by July 2028. Restaurants, shops, residences and a parking garage will be added by May 2029, with completion of retail and residential areas set for November 2029.
A rendering shows the King’s Landing development to be built along Moore’s Creek. It will include a hotel, condos, town homes, restaurants and shops. The hotel is scheduled for completion in 2028 with full completion in 2029 by Live Oak Contracting. AUDUBON DEVELOPMENT
INDIAN RIVER DRIVE CORRIDOR
City officials held a groundbreaking ceremony in November at Veterans Memorial Park to kick off the Indian River Drive Corridor Improvements Project. The event was hosted by Mayor Linda Hudson, who welcomed community residents and local dignitaries, including Peter Tesch, president of the Economic Development Council of St. Lucie County; Javier Cisneros, director of the Fort Pierce Utilities Authority; and Mark D’Annunzio, project manager for Ferreira Construction.
Beautification, safety and improved functionality are the goals for major reconstruction of Indian River Drive between Seaway Drive and Marina Way, a $10.25 million project. There will be infrastructure improvements along with utility upgrades. Landscaping aims at beautifying this waterfront area. Walking and connection lanes will provide safety for pedestrians. Replacement of the Moore’s Creek Bridge is included in the plans.
The City of Fort Pierce is funding the project with assistance from a Florida Job Growth Infrastructure grant, the Fort Pierce Redevelopment Agency and the half-cent infrastructure surtax.
Project completion is expected in 2027.
