MOVING UP
Streetside parking is difficult to find in downtown Fort Pierce. However, the city’s free public parking garage is only a block or two away. RUSTY DURHAM
Ever-changing downtown Fort Pierce is flourishing
BY PATTIE DURHAM
The scarcity of parking spaces along the streets of downtown Fort Pierce indicate a strong economic outlook for local businesses. With new stores continuing to pop up, downtown remains a thriving center of commerce for the city.
According to Main Street Fort Pierce Executive Director Doris Tillman, quite a few new businesses have ventured into the downtown area during the past year. Tillman and her staff have begun including a piece in Main Street Focus, a publication on the Main Street website that lists commercial rental properties in the downtown area. “People can call Main Street, and we can show people around downtown and let them know what is available to rent,” Tillman said. “We try to assist people looking for places [to start a business] in the city.”
IN WITH THE NEW
Among the new faces downtown is Elena Vara, owner of the Cake Lady bakery on Orange Avenue. The business, previously owned by Staci Dunn, was sold to Vara, who also owns Sweet Tiers in Jupiter.
The Funky Cuda, owned by Pierced Cider entrepreneur Jon Nolli, recently opened at the corner of North Indian River Drive and Fisherman’s Wharf. Serving drinks and food, along with some entertainment, Funky Cuda has been getting good reviews from diners, which is a good sign of future interest.
Downtown Cellars is a new beer and wine establishment with a food menu that is also raking in the compliments online. Trina Angelone and Ken Gibson dipped their toes into the downtown business scene with this venture on Melody Lane along the waterfront. Reports indicate it is a welcoming and quiet lunch space with entertainment at times in the evening.
Also receiving excellent comments online is Happy Garden Café. This Asian fusion restaurant is sandwiched between Sunrise Theatre and Rosslow’s, a women’s boutique, on South Second Street. The café has interesting hours: open for brunch from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. and then reopening from 4:30-9 p.m. for dinner seven days a week. Its menu has too much to include, but does feature crepes and waffles with fruit, poke bowls, some curry dishes and Ramen offerings.
Ken Gibson, owner of Downtown Cellars along with Trina Angelone, chats with customers visiting the new wine bar on Melody Lane. Online comments are complimentary of the food served at the bar.
FARMERS MARKET
Over on Avenue A, near the railroad tracks, Ashley Bilz is opening an Indoor Downtown Farmers Market. The indoor artisan and green market will be opening soon on Saturdays from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Eventually, she said, she plans to open a kava bar in the space at 223 Avenue A. Bilz said her fiancé, Brandon Brown, will be helping her with this project.
Another new shop in Fort Pierce is the Pink Moon Beauty Lounge on North Second Street. Owner Estela Luna said The Pink Moon offers nails, facials, body waxing and a full-service salon. According to its Facebook page, the salon offers “revitalizing pedicures that include a hydrating foot mask, warm towels and a hot stone massage.” Julio Esparza is a new part-time stylist at the Pink Moon. Luna said he specializes in blonde highlights along with women’s hairstyles. The shop is open Monday-Sunday by appointment only. The number to call is 772.971.4620.
Moving from the Galleria to a larger space at 210-A N. Second St. is Wanderlust Book Boutique, which offers several varieties of novels as well as some children’s books. Lavinia Collins owns the bookstore and hosts a Book Reading Club meeting each month.
WAIT AND SEE
Starting in her 10th year on Second Street, Beryl Muise, owner of Notions & Potions Candles and More, said she thinks presidential election years slow down business. “I think people wait to see how things are going to turn out,” she said, noting that things have picked up a bit in her boutique.
Not a new face on the block, but Sailfish Brewery is having some work done to its interior. “We are just improving the look,” said Gabe Atkinson, general manager. “We are adding a more modern look.” The brewery, which is housed in what was once the J.C. Penney store, is also enjoying the increased foot traffic from Fort Pierce’s northern visitors.
Gabe Atkinson, right, general manager of Sailfish Brewery, focuses on the job as he and Justin Miley put in a new bar surface. RUSTY DURHAM PHOTOS
KING’S LANDING
A rendering shows the King’s Landing development to be built along Moore’s Creek. It will include a boutique hotel, condos, town homes, restaurants and shops. A Live Oak Holdings spokesman says work will begin soon on the site. AUDUBON DEVELOPMENT
One downtown story residents want to know about is the King’s Landing project at Moore’s Creek and North Second Street. Many years delayed, and now with a new developer taking over, the project is expected to be underway soon. Tillman said INB Homes of Central Florida, is building 10 villas along the north side of Moore’s Creek, on A.E. Backus Avenue, with work expected to begin as the magazine goes to press.
For the largest part of the project, which includes a boutique hotel, town homes, restaurants and shops, Live Oak Holdings of Jacksonville will now be developing the property. When a spokesman for Live Oak appeared before Fort Pierce City Commissioners in mid-January, changes to the site plan that had been approved by the city many years ago were mentioned. If more than 10 percent of the site plan changes, Live Oak will be forced to meet with the city commission to get approval for its changes. This will determine how soon construction will begin.