Pier Park – More Stores to Open this week

March 3rd press release from Simon Property Group.

Pier Park Welcomes More Dining and Shopping Choices!
– Popular New Eateries and Stores Set to Open This Week –

PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fla. (March 3, 2008)- Pier Park options continue to grow as many anticipated restaurants and shops plan to open this week in the 900,000-square-foot retail and entertainment lifestyle center. New tenants scheduled to open include Dillard’s, JCPenney, Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville, Southern Waters Outfitters, Smoothie King, Trader Tom’s and ULTA Beauty.

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A Review of the 2008 TDC/CVB Spring Break Marketing Plan

As I am writing this, our first group of college spring breakers are on the road heading to liven up our beach. No one knows whether the TDC/CVB’s College Spring Break Marketing Plan will end up being a success, a failure, or somewhere in between. Hopefully President Dan Rowe has a plan for calculating a reliable estimate of how many college students visit our destination during the four-week period this year and what the actual economic impact is to Bay County. Lately, I have heard the estimate being mentioned that 250,000 college students came here for Spring Break last year and that we are expecting the same or better this year. However, it is my understanding that the TDC/CVB has no data to actually support this 250,000 figure. I am pleased that the new TDC/CVB board has been very diligent in questioning the attendance and economic impact of other special events; however, I do not believe that they have had the same diligence in questioning College Spring Break. But regardless of how successful the MTV plan ends up being, it is clear that the plan has some major problems.

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Dinner at Bootleg Barbeque, and it rocked (review)

Last night, my wife and I had dinner at Bootleg Barbeque. I have to say, it wasn’t our first choice, but I’m very glad we had the opportunity to eat there, it was great. Actually, great was an understatement.

One of the things that excited us about Pier Park, is that it is an all inclusive date. We got their early for our movie, walked up and down the boardwalk, and came back to eat at Camile’s Sidewalk Cafe, but to our surprise, they closed at 7. I’m not very familiar with them, but it would seem that on a Friday night, they would be leaving some business on the table by closing so early.

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Shores of Panama files for Bankruptcy

In an effort to continue operations after over 100 purchasers initiated the process to get out of their contracts, the Shores of Panama has filed for protection under Chapter 11 Bankruptcy.

The Shores of Panama consists of 709 condos in a 22 story building on Front Beach Road. When they were marketing and selling this project, huge emphasis was placed on the expansive resort-style amenity area. Situated right across from Laketown Wharf, the Shores of Panama is a beach-front U-shaped building.

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Lunch at Back Porch Seafood House at Pier Park

I had lunch with John Comer, the President of Southern Restaurant Group in Destin, who just opened Back Porch Seafood and Oyster House in Pier Park. This concept was brought from Destin where they own and operate the Back Porch, Pompano Joes, Fisherman’s Wharf Seafood House and Louisiana Lagniappe. They also own and operate Caribbean Soup Company in Pensacola, Cafe Grazie in Destin and Orange Beach, AL and San Roc Delicatezza in Orange Beach, AL.

Click the “more” link for the rest of the post.

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PC Prank in Starbucks

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I came across this the other day and couldn’t pass up on posting it. It is just too awesome.

This group in New York called Improv Everywhere is pretty well known for staging large scale public pranks. Some have a negative connotation on pranks, but these are more like friendly fun stunts.

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Fed Ready to Cut Rates Again

Ben Bernanke

With oil prices hitting record highs ($100.88) and the dollar falling to $1.51 for 1 Euro, the Federal Reserve is talking about interest rate cuts again. Many are predicting a .5% cut again with the term stagflation resurfacing in economic conversations.

According to Wikipedia, stagflation is a “term used to describe a period of inflation combined with stagnation (that is, slow economic growth and rising unemployment, possibly including recession). This term first came to be recognized in the 70’s.

Click the “more” link below for the rest of the post and a video.

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City Pier at Pier Park is under construction (video)

Both the City Pier and the County Pier are due for an overhaul with construction already underway at the City Pier, across the street from Pier Park. The County Pier is located in between Alf Coleman Road and Lyndell Lane on Front Beach Road.

Check out more pictures and the video by clicking the “more” link.

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Ron Jon Surf Shop is Open Pier Park Slammed on Saturday

On Friday, Ron Jon Surf Shop opened their store in Pier Park in Panama City Beach. This is the sixth store in the state and 9th in the country. They were welcomed by the Panama City Beach Chamber and tons of people. With the heavy raining we got Thursday, Bay County canceled school on Friday, and there were tons of families at Pier Park.

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