4 minute read
COVER STORY
When I was a child, I recall the hustle and bustle of downtown Panama City. Growing up, that was our only shopping destination. Clustered together was JCPenny, Sears, Belk Hudson, Woolworth’s and numerous other locally owned shops such as Field’s, Dad’n Lad, Christo’s five and dime,
Hy’s Toggery, Cogburn’s, Schneider’s Shoes, Buddy Harris Shoes,
Elegant Heirs and so many more.
To take a step back on a more personal note, I feel as though I have deep roots in downtown Panama City. My mom and dad met at Christo’s as my mother was a “window dresser” and my daddy worked in the warehouse. My sister in her high school years worked at Field’s Dad’n Lad, and I have memories of the story told by my parents of losing my big brother in downtown. They drove frantically throughout the streets looking for him. They passed in front of what was then the Panama City Coca-Cola Bottling
Company, and there in the windows where you could watch the bottles go around being filled, workers had my brother sitting on a stool, drinking a Coke. It makes me smile to think back on those memories and stories told.
Then along came the construction of the Panama City Mall. We all know what happened at that point; that the big box stores pulled out to open in the new location, leaving downtown with many empty storefronts. It seems as though it's been a struggle ever since. Although there have been many efforts to revive both on an individual investment basis and government, nothing really seemed to work.
Now our environment has changed and our residents and visitors are looking for more quaint shopping and dining, walkable destination. Entrepreneurship is abound in downtown. Owners such as the Bagel Maker, Inktrax, The Clemons Company, McNeil Carroll Engineering and Harrison Rivard & Duncan were some of the original investors who worked to bring the community back. Of course, there are those such as The Appliance Center and C&G Sporting Goods who never gave up on the area, and are still bringing an abundance of traffic to the downtown area.
The Arts have always played a huge role in generating interest and driving people to the area. Paul and Lana Jane Brent, Mary Ola Miller and many others were key in building the interest and attraction to the arts. Bay Arts Alliance, Martin Theatre and the Marina Civic Center were all and remain key elements. Shown on our cover, arrives the Next Generation of investors opening restaurants, bars/pubs, retail stores, professional offices and more creating a renewed level of excitement. When discussing with these young entrepreneurs on their investments, here’s what they had to say:
Their state of mind is to invest in their hometown with an opportunity to change its trajectory forever and if they didn’t act, who would? They’ve put skin in the game and got to work for the sake of the community. These folks aren’t just investing financially, but are giving their time to support and volunteer at many levels, serving on local non-profit boards, volunteering to host events and more as they understand the need to give back and support the community who supports their businesses. Their individual efforts are evident. Just for example, I can’t tell you how many times I have witnessed Allan Branch walking the streets of downtown with his bucket or trash bag in hand, picking up trash. Now, that is true love for your community.
The icing on the cake took place on April 1, 2021 with the groundbreaking of Hotel Indigo on the Panama City Marina. The St. Joe Company saw the excitement being generated by these entrepreneurs and wanted to be a part of the team. The hotel is scheduled to open in 2022 and will certainly be the attraction needed to ensure the future of everyone’s investment by drawing visitors to Panama City’s only waterfront hotel.
In the mix, and scheduled to open in June, is the new Destination Panama City visitor center also in the vicinity of the marina and will serve to draw even more visitors to the area.
Local government continues to invest in downtown as it for the most part, serves as a government center with the State Attorney’s Office, Bay County Court House and Panama City-City Hall. Along with the existence of the government offices comes a large population of professional offices such as attorneys, engineers and other supporting professions.
As I began this story on a personal note, I will close on one as well. Never did I imagine that I would spend my career in Downtown Panama City now for 44 years. Your Bay County Chamber of Commerce’s commitment has never waivered for the area as it has 109 years invested in downtown. The Chamber has had several opportunities offered by many to relocate, but those Board of Directors saw the importance of our continued support of the area. Although the organization has temporarily relocated several times since 1913, it never left and remains committed to the growth and development of all of Bay County. The organization has fought for years to assist in the revitalization of downtown Panama City and we’re proud to play a part in paving the way for change.
