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A BIG KIND OF SMALL TOWN

FOLLOWING A DIFFERENT BEAT.

Moving from Broward to Ave Maria puzzled Ariel and Juan’s family and friends. “We’ll give it a year,” they were told.

“I wasn’t sure, either,” says Ariel. But a focus on finding a better place to raise a family led them here. “Both kids have so many friends. My son loves playing baseball, and he and I are taking drumming lessons,” says Ariel. As for the skeptics? “Her parents are moving a couple of blocks from here,” laughs Juan.

Following your own drum has its benefits. Especially when you follow it to Ave Maria, A Big Kind of Small Town.

AVE MARIA

A BIG KIND OF SMALL TOWN

Between Naples and Fort Lauderdale lies the balance you’ve been looking for. Nestled in the heart of Collier County, Ave Maria may be the biggest surprise of Southwest Florida.

BIG CONVENIENCES. SMALL TREASURES.

Ave Maria is a happy community where children ride their bikes to school, and everyone knows their neighbors. A welcoming town center, beautiful single-family homes and impressive recreational facilities are surrounded by parks, preserved open space and the world-class beaches of Naples, Florida. Put the top down on the convertible, and you’re at Vanderbilt Beach in under an hour. And in just over an hour, you can hit the bright lights and big city of Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

BIG TIMES. SMALL MOMENTS.

Living in a Big Kind of Small Town means not having to sacrifice in terms of choices or convenience. A self-sustained town, Ave Maria offers a wonderful array of amenities, and invigorating recreation.

Active adults, young professionals, and families will find exactly what they’re looking for — from a water park, championship golf, and miles of paths to a variety of shopping and dining options, award-winning schools and more. Ave Maria has everything you need to enjoy life — and to celebrate every moment of it.

Come take a look around.

Ave Maria Activities Keep Family Members of

All Ages Engaged

From cul-de-sac barbeques, water balloon fights in the front yard, weekly Friday movie nights and joy rides in the golf cart to Town Center, Ave Maria teens have found plenty of action when forming new bonds with neighborhood families.

Seventeen-year-old resident Sera Sanchez shares, despite being homeschooled, her and her siblings do not struggle with meeting other teenagers with the help of countless social opportunities the town offers.

“Ave Maria really has been a blessing when making new friendships. Everyone is like a family,” said Sanchez. “There’s a diverse network of people, young and old, who live in our community. I haven’t met one person who isn’t motivated to try something new or spontaneously join in on an activity taking place.”

With weekend farmers markets, large-scale festivals and a variety of clubs to join, the Sanchez fridge calendar gets quite colorful. Activities include days the kids will be at so-and-so’s house or when the first tailgate kicks off the Ave Maria University football season.

“Everyone is always saying it, but it’s really true, I’ve never felt so involved in a community as I do here in Ave Maria,” Sanchez said.

Sera’s friends share Ave Maria’s amenities and events have even benefitted their parents to connect with other residents. “My dad shares all the time that golfing at The National has been his outlet in meeting other fathers who live in Ave Maria. He now has a buddy to go to the town brewery with for bingo nights,” shared resident LaQuisha Jones, 19.

A childhood filled with memories has been an appreciated comfort by young adults like Sera and LaQuisha because nothing is better than good times with good people.

AVE MARIA GROWTH

Growing and Celebrating Under One Roof

As Ave Maria continues to grow, so do the generations that make the town a place to call home.

Racquel Cervera-Arcaya immigrated from Mexico to Miami. Even though she adjusted to the busyness of the city, she felt there was something missing from her life. Traveling the backand-forth work commute of Alligator Alley, Cervera-Arcaya and her husband noticed billboards highlighting a bright lifestyle and tempting home prices and the headline, “A Big Kind of Small Town.” She thought to herself, “What does that even mean?” The pair say it was destiny. “After visiting just once, we fell in love with the area. Its affordability and in-between coasts location was a no-brainer,” said Cervera-Arcaya. They soon purchased a new home and their family followed shortly after.

Residing several houses and streets away are in-laws, grandparents, nieces, and nephews — all part of the “Arcaya Clan” who have weekly gatherings and regular home and block parties. They also collaborate with their community lifestyle director for neighborhood-wide clubhouse events.

Having longed for a calm place to settle where family bonds could thrive, Ave Maria’s small-town ambiance gave the family an ability to reconnect with their cultural roots, foster a stronger sense of community and rebalance their city lives, which were once so hectic.

“Having family who live so close happened because of the safety and opportunities in this town,” said Cervera-Arcaya. “We support each other, we care for each other, and we continue to grow as this place grows with us.”

PICTURED LEFT TO RIGHT: Andy, Racquel, Andrea, Max & Franes Arcaya (Courtesy Photo)

Entrepreneurs Find Ave

Maria the Perfect Place to Plant Their Family

As entrepreneurs in the music industry, Winston and Nicole Thomas lived a busy lifestyle in Broward County, Florida. They were long time renters and as their family grew, they wanted to become homeowners. The search began but everything they saw in Broward within their budget was too small. They needed space for their family of five as well as two home offices to run their businesses. “We could not find what we wanted at a price we liked,” Nicole shared. “I remember thinking are we going to be renting forever?” Luckily the couple was introduced to Ave Maria through a good friend. “I remember driving into the entrance of Ave Maria saying, “Wow, this place feels like an oasis,” Winston shared. “I immediately felt a vibe, it felt a little too perfect… Is this too good to be true?”

Finding their new dream home was easy to come by because of the town’s reasonable pricing. Fast forward five years and they emersed themselves in the community. Winston works as a DJ at a restaurant/bar in the Town Center and Nicole continues creating custom baby clothes for clients near and far. They also just launched a new ‘Everything Ave Maria” business, educating residents of everything there is to do in Ave Maria. “We see this place as a goldmine for business and investment, we love the peacefulness and safety. We don’t have to worry so much about our kids,” said Winston.

“We saw a bunch of bikes scattered on the grass and sidewalks and were amazed they were unlocked. We were blown away by that,” Winston admitted. “What we love most about Ave Maria is the family-minded people. Our neighbors think family first, such as schools, environment, and safety. We wanted our kids to grow up in a better environment than what we grew up in. We found that and more in Ave Maria.”

PICTURED LEFT TO RIGHT: London, Nicole, Nyla, Winston & Aspen Thomas

(Courtesy Photo)

Come Experience the Ave Maria Lifestyle at these Signature Events

TASTE OF AVE

Saturday, February 3 12:00 – 5:00 p.m.

Sample a variety of eats from grills and restaurants, shop boutiques and a 60+ vendor farmers market, and experience what makes this Big Kind of Small Town the community everyone keeps talking about! Expect live music from hometown bands Steinbeck Way and the Back Country Boys, free-entry raffles, plus a variety of family-friendly activities, arts and crafts vendors, and small business booths.

BLUES, BREWS & BBQ FESTIVAL

Saturday, February 17 12:00 – 5:00 p.m.

Enjoy full sets by Southwest Florida’s biggest names in blues entertainment! The fun includes vintage and high-performance car exhibits, finger-licking good barbecue and a wide assortment of craft beers, plus a great selection of retail vendors, face painters, and kids’ activities. There’ll be plenty of laughs when challenging the mechanical bull ride!

MARGARITA & TACO FESTIVAL

Saturday, March 16

12:00 – 5:00 p.m.

Ave Maria takes on a funfair atmosphere for this annual celebration! Bring your lawn chairs and enjoy the afternoon with live music by local country bands, food trucks featuring Mexican specialties and desserts, plus a variety of refreshing margaritas! Anticipate Lucha Libre wrestling, farmers market and local vendors, car shows and exotic animal encounters, plus plenty more family-friendly activities.

TROLLEY TOURS & LIVE MUSIC

Tuesdays, January 16 – April 23

11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Tour Collier County’s ‘Community of the Year,’ 9-years running, during a 1-hour narrated trolley tour and discover all that’s new! Explore the town, learn its history, and enjoy live music. After the tour, grab lunch, do a little shopping, and view 25+ model homes by premier builders CC Homes, Del Webb, Lennar, and Pulte Homes. Guests receive a complimentary trolley bag filled with swag items, coupons, and more! Tours are free and reservations are not required.

FARMERS MARKETS & LIVE MUSIC

Saturdays, Through April 27 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

A Town Center favorite, the Ave Maria Farmers Market, keeps growing every year! Browse locally sourced goods and handmade creations from a great mix of 60+ vendors! It’s fun to socialize with new friends when browsing locally grown produce, flowers, honey, specialty foods and baked goods, home décor and accessories, artisans and much more!