Category: What’s New

Will the Y Be Gone at HW 79 and FBR West PCB?

Over the last 18 months, crews have been working quickly to widen the length of Highway 79 from two lanes to four lanes with much of it split with a large grass median.  For those of you that travel up 79, you know this has been a heaven send and has made the road much easier to navigate.  Last week at a city council meeting they voted to move forward on the extension of the widening south of Back Beach Road, or Panama City Beach Parkway.

One of the big hang-ups all along has been how to execute this with the dynamics of an awkwardly designed Y intersection that put businesses close to the corridor of travel.

Continue reading “Will the Y Be Gone at HW 79 and FBR West PCB?” →

Pineapple Willy’s Raises $3500 for the New Public Library

This past Friday, in an event that featured the famous Pineapple Willy’s BBQ and inspiring blues from the acclaimed Johnnie Marshall Band, Panama City Beach officials and library supporters danced the night away as they raised money to help furnish the son-to-open new public library. A plate-style fundraiser in the form of a BBQ buffet, dozen showed and purchased a plate and enjoyed the live music, all-in-all totaling $3500.

Continue reading “Pineapple Willy’s Raises $3500 for the New Public Library” →

Is Pier Park Killing Thomas Drive?

The answer to the aforementioned question is no, Pier Park is not killing Thomas drive, at least not in a definitive way like maybe how Rock-n-Roll killed Disco. But if you take a drive down Thomas drive and absorb the lack of traffic and innumerable “for lease” signs dressing business windows, you’ll know instantly that, although Pier Park isn’t killing the area, its influence is eye-opening.

It should be noted that the overall effect is difficult to quantify because Thomas Drive is a street, not a destination like Pier Park, so the draw is somewhat unrelated. Thomas Drive also has two identities sundered just past Grand Lagoon Bridge at the perpendicular intersection where Thomas goes East/West. At that point, a business driven, Navy Base inspired four-lane highway transforms into a quiet, scenic gulf front strip; two completely different socioeconomic streets. Pier Park’s continuing popularity has affected them differently.

Since Pier Park’s unveiling, North Thomas Drive, running from bridge to bridge, has seen a surge in development. Restaurants like Hooter’s, Sake House II and, locally acclaimed, Donut Island have been opened and flourished off Navy Base business. After speaking briefly with Debbie Johnson, one of the Donut Island’s owners, she said with confidence, “We’re doing great and growing.” Further down, staple restaurants like Captain Anderson’s and Treasure Ship have done well and so has the general area, evidenced by the opening of a small business like Sweet Racks and the groundbreaking of a franchise like Jasmine Thai restaurant. North Thomas has seen developments all over the place since Pier Park opened.

The other Thomas Drive has seen exactly the opposite; no new developments and lots, LOTS, of businesses closing down. The question remains, is Pier Park the culprit?

Kat Meeks, owner of Liza’s Kitchen, one of the businesses on that picturesque strip of Thomas Drive that has been able to thrive, quite well in fact, despite Pier Park’s success, had an interesting take on the matter. “I don’t think Pier Park is killing Thomas Drive as much as it’s just changing it. Yes, more people are staying on the west end, but that’s okay. Thomas Drive, I think, is just becoming the local’s end of the beach.”

Her take was that Pier Park’s greatest effect on Thomas Drive is accelerating its natural evolution, one that will weed out businesses that don’t fit the mold. “Panama City Beach has its own subculture, y’know?” She said. “While locals go to Pier Park as the one-stop-shop, here on Thomas Drive you have condo owners, families and locals that support businesses. Locals need some place to go too and Thomas Drive is becoming that place. It’s the local’s place and is locally driven.”

And a local haven may very well be Thomas Drive’s inevitable progressive destination. When locals, repeat tourists, eco-tourists and snowbirds want to get away from the generic areas, there is but one place for them to land and that’s Thomas Drive. One possible key to making this work is for businesses to embrace that role; to fashion themselves to cater to the locals, some tourists and flourish during the off-season. The question is how to do that.

“We’ve been able to do more creative things and think outside the box.” Kat Meeks answered when asked how other businesses can compete. “You can’t just wait for people to come to your door. We have a lot of locals in this area that are looking for some place to go. We do everything we can to make sure they know we’re here.”

Strangely, what may affect Thomas Drive more than Pier Park could be the Grand Lagoon Bridge construction. “I’m nervous about it.” Kat said. “It has two sides. Once it’d done its going to be great, but the construction phase will be tough.”

It remains to be seen how quickly Thomas Drive will get over the Pier Park effect. One thing is for sure, it will be up to the locals and businesses to reaquaint themselves if Thomas Drive is ever to return to it’s beloved status.

The Madness That Is Krystal Burger: A Personal Experience

img_0502There are times when a very little story can suddenly become big news. Case in point, the newly opened Krystal Burger on Hutchison Blvd: where so many cars and people gravitated you’d think they were giving away burgers for free or someone glimpsed the Virgin Mary in a chilli cheese pup.

While you may not be a fan of the tiny, tasty burgers, it has become apparent that a lot of people are. In my lifetime, I’ve never witnessed the type of spectacle I saw at Krystals. First of all, it was nearly impossible to get into the parking lot as traffic on Hutchison trying to turn in was backed up severely. Once I got into the place, I noticed one uniformed police officer managing traffic and I thought, “at the height of the tourist season you’re managing drive thru traffic at Krystal burger?” It was then that I realized he was not the only badge-wearing fellow on drive-thru detail; there were in fact four, yes four, fully-armed police officers monitoring traffic at Krystals. Stunned, was I.

img_0498After I passed the first officer, I saw that the drive-thru itself was very strange, split in two by orange cones, a route reminiscent of a line at the Disney World Magic Mountain, as it wrapped around the building twice, whipping 360 degrees just to get to that all important intercom order stop. The process proved surprisingly quick and I made the first turn, then the second, the third and reached the intercom feeling a bit like a nascar racer. I was greeted by a woman at the intercom. I told the lady I wanted 4 of those savory burgers. Her voice, delightful in a rather raucous scene, told me my total and said, “it’ll be my pleasure to serve you at the first window.” When I drove up to that first window and it slid opened, half a dozen workers in light blue shirts, still obviously new to the system, tried hurriedly to get my order out. The whole process took about twenty-minutes–twenty minutes worth of armed guards, high-traffic and an amusement park drive-thru all for a soft, flavorful bite of a burger many have ached to finally get their hands on. And as you are reading this, you are probably asking yourself, “was it at least worth it?”

The answer is a simple, contented, muffled-by-a-mouth-full-of-burger, “definitely.”

New Dive Center Grand Opening This Thursday

You may remember an article I wrote about Lord’s Gym a few months ago detailing how positive and awesome their facilities and programs were for Panama City Beach. Well this Saturday, July 25th, they’ll be adding another feature that will raise the level of awesomeness to a whole new place.

The Lord’s Gym Dive Center, located at 1616 Allison Avenue, will have a grand opening complete with free air fills for all you divers, hot dogs and a bounce house for kids and even drawings for Scuba Pro giveaways. Lord’s Gym Dive Center is full service, providing all the dive equipment you could want as well as classes ranging from Discover Scuba to Advanced Open Water.

As with the very positive theme at Lord’s, every month a percentage of the Lord’s Gym Dive Center’s proceeds will go to a different charity. So if you are a pro diver or a novice, you’ll want to check out the grand opening or stop by the store for all your diving needs. If you’ve never taken a dive in your life, there’s something at Lord’s Gym Dive Center for you too. On August 8th, the Discover Scuba Diving course, a diving lesson for newbie’s in a pool, will be free to the public. All you have to do is sign up and get a full diving experience; try on diving gear, breath underwater and swim. This course is worth $35.00, but on the 8th it will be totally free. That’s right, another FREE service held by Lord’s Gym.

To sign up for the Discover Scuba Diving, just call 850-249-2001 or email Misty at lgdc@knology.net.

The Grand Opening Event for Lord’s Gym Dive Center will be on Saturday July 25th and will go from 8:00 AM – 7:00PM.

7 Things to Know About Shubee Flowrider

Ok, so I know that we just did something on this, but I wanted to get something up that had more information, since there seemed to be some questions.

  • Shubee will be the name of this Flowrider, but Flowrider is the name of an actual “ride”.  A Flowrider is a proprietary name that describes an attraction that is essentially a man-made, surfable wave.  The way it works is basically a jet-engine blasts a flattened stream of water at around 30,000 gallons a minute up a padded slope to create a wave.  More can be found here, although something seems to be wrong with their web site as google was telling me its been blocked.
  • The Flowrider surface is a padded material that has a plastic feeling with the slope gradual at first, then increases.  I’ve been told by younger people that falling on it feels like you are falling on a cloud.  We’ll see how my 30 year old body takes it.
  • Steel structure is up, and has been for over a week.  Next step?  The roof.
  • The Flowrider equipment and machinery will be installed once a roof is on the place.  I’m unsure at this time whether they will have the building “dried-in” before this happens, or if they’ll have to leave the walls open.  There wasn’t anyone there that knew the size of the equipment pieces before installation.
  • The expected open time has been pushed back to August.  There was a longer than expected cure time on the actual structure that houses the Flowrider, but everything should begin moving fairly quick.
  • Most of the inventory is in, they’re just waiting for the roof and walls to start moving stuff in.

CVB and PC Dive Center to Sink the Red Sea

PANAMA CITY BEACH CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU IN COOPERATION WITH FLORIDA AQUATIC & MARINE, PANAMA CITY DIVE CENTER & LOCAL DIVE SHOPS TO SINK THE RED SEA
Local Tug Boat will be the Latest Addition to a Variety of Dive Sites and Artificial Reefs off the Coast of Panama City Beach

WHAT:

On Wednesday, June 24, Panama City Beach will give diving enthusiasts another underwater area for exploration as local tug boat, the Red Sea, is scheduled to descend 75 ft. below the water’s surface approximately six miles off shore.

Known as the “Wreck Capital of the South,” Panama City Beach provides a great variety of dive sites. Divers have their choice of natural, historical and artificial reefs in the waters off Panama City Beach. The Red Sea joins over twenty dive sites in the area and is the first boat to be sunk in 2009 in Panama City Beach and the most recent shallow wreck site since the sinking of LCAC in 1995.

WHEN:

TUESDAY, June 23, 2009

2:30 p.m.

St. Andrews Marina, 3151 W 10th St Panama City, FL 32401

*In advance of tomorrow’s event, media are invited to come to St. Andrews Marina TODAY at 2:30 p.m. to preview the Red Sea prior to its final descent.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 24, 2009

*10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Red Sea will leave St. Andrews Marina at 6:30 a.m.

* Boat designated for media and invited guests to observe and cover the sinking of the Red Sea will leave Capt. Anderson’s Marina promptly at 8:30 a.m. Space is limited. RSVP to 850-233-5070, att. Dana Lent

WHERE:

Target Coordinates:

30 00 98 / 85 42 20

Roughly 1 mi. South East of the old Midway site in the vicinity of the USS Strength

For additional information, contact the Panama City Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau at 850-233-5070 or Florida Aquatic & Marine at 850-872-8016

Now Renting: Laketown Wharf

What was at one time riddled with controversy and held back by a cloud of uncertainty now has, what it would seem, a new and happy re-beginning.  Laketown Wharf, what was once dubbed Condo Canyon by its creator unaware of its negative connotations, is open for business and has 300 fresh new rentals available for rent to families who are traveling to Panama City Beach.

A breif summary:

Laketown Wharf was a victim of timing.  They pre-sold, they started building, the market tanked, very few actually closed.  With over 700 total condos, less than 50 condos fell into the hands of individual owners.  This threw the developer right in the middle of a very nasty spot, and the bank took the development over.

Fast-forward to today:

Sterling Resorts has been brought in by the bank to manage the hospitality side of the operation as the bank has smartly furnished 300 condos and made ready to rent to vacationers.  Sterling Resorts is known for managing (and being a part in the development of many) local resorts such as Sterling Breeze, Sterling Reef, Sterling Beach, Splash, and Reflections at Bay Point.  Having personally toured Sterling Beach, I’m well aware of their operation and excellent reputation for having some of the nicest properties around.

The furniture packages that were placed in the 300 condos were provided by Palette-Coastal and include many of the same furnishings used in Sterling Breeze.  I can’t attest to how it lives up to the kids, but I can say it looks fantastic.  From most of the condos, you have Gulf-views with plenty of space on the interior walkways to step outside and enjoy the view of the lake.  At night, the water show in synced with music and beautifully colored lights.

Laketown Wharf, despite all of the criticism (including me) is actually pretty cool.  With tons of amenities and a healthy supply of commercial space, the potential here can result in one of the best resorts in Panama City Beach.

Amenities include:

  • Five resort-style pools:
    • Zero-edge family pool, main level
    • Lagoon Pool on main level
    • Rooftop seasonally heated pool & spa with spectacular views of the Gulf of Mexico, 10th floor
    • Large island pool on the lake
    • Kiddy interactive aqua play pool with delightful views of the beach, 4th floor
  • Steps away from the white sandy beaches of the Gulf of Mexico
  • Pristine freshwater lake
  • Over 52,000 sq. ft. lakefront boardwalk
  • Spectacular dancing-style lake fountains
  • Children’s playground overlooking the lake
  • Seasonal children’s activities
  • Fitness center
  • Meditation garden, 3rd floor
  • Port-a-corchere covered entry with stylish Welcome Center
  • Two covered multi-level parking garages
  • Convenience of nearby shopping, restaurants and attractions
  • Community management/security company on-site 24 hours
  • Complimentary guest parking

Be watching SeePCB.com for a full list and write up on this resort that will include a feature video on SeePCB TV later this summer.

Cut That Ribbon: The Palms is Now Open

palms15On Wednesday, June 17, 2009 Suite Hospitality, accompanied by both the Panama City Beach Chamber of Commerce and the Bay County Chamber of Commerce, cut the ceremonial ribbon on the new Palms Conference center, with plans to also cut into an under-appreciated business niche market on Panama City Beach.

Mayor Gayle Oberst and other officials were on hand to welcome the new addition to the Sleep Inn on the corner of Joan Avenue and Front Beach Road. With dozens in attendance, the ribbon cutting event turned into a nice social for everyone, as the facilities proved comfortably genial.

Previously the Mariner Restaurant, The Palms is an impressive 6,000 sq. ft. conference center, complete with outdoor patio and, the rather nicely appointed, Leaping Lizard Sports Bar, that has been revamped perfectly to suit meetings, seminars, wedding receptions and fundraisers. The Palms’ impact has been so well received that already, within a week of opening its doors, has been home to several seminars and has pre-booked weddings, Christmas parties and even a ballroom dancing event this July. What becomes apparent the moment you enter the Palms’ doors, is that it also fills the void of one of Panama City Beach’s most eschewed niches: the business traveler.

The facility at the new Palms Conference center lends well to every sort of endeavor requiring lots of space, food and a state-of-the-art sound system outfitted with projectors, surround sound and wireless internet. They offer in-house catering for events, prepared by local chef Dee Brown who, by Sales Manager Kathy Barrs’ account, makes “the best crab cakes on the beach. ” The layout of the building is broken into three large rooms, the largest of them able to seat 20 tables of 10 while the adjacent room provides additional seating or can be used as a buffet. The third room extends over to the Leaping Lizards sports bar. This addition, open to the public, has wall to wall 40-inch flat screens and an enormous 130-inch projection screen, for those who can’t miss a second of the game. If you’ve ever eaten at the Mariner Restaurant years back, you’ll notice immediately that the Leaping Lizard maintained the old nautical theme by keeping the infamous bar-top as well as the inlaid tables.

The Palms Conference Center and Leaping Lizard Sports Bar are both open to the public. For additional booking information please contact Kathy Barrs at 850-624-4150 or Kathy@suitehospitality.net