BUSINESS
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town events, including Santa on Saturdays and the Grinch on
Thursdays and Fridays. I think the music helped slow people
down and they started to shop.
“We had a lot of fun with the police department,” Tillman
continued. “They sent a spoof BOLO Be On the Lookout
out for the Grinch who was trying to unplug the downtown
Christmas tree lights. Chief Hobley-Burney got into the spirit
by arresting him and videoing it all.
“One of the advantages of living in a small community and
being in Florida is that we’re not afraid of going outside, as
in New York. You have to adapt to changing circumstances.
Our Reverse Raffle fundraiser this year was virtual. Was it as
exciting? No, but the proceeds will keep us going for a few
months. We also held a virtual Coffee with the Mayor event.
“The community is all about supporting each other. I feel
very optimistic about downtown. We’re working with the
Small Business Center at Indian River State College to offer
grants to new businesses.”
Tillman is looking forward to the upcoming residential and
commercial Kings Landing development on the former H.D.
King power plant site on Indian River Drive. The project will
include an upscale 140-room hotel, which should benefit the
Sunrise Theatre and other festivals, Tillman believes.
HOTEL PLANS UPGRADED
Kings Landing developer Dale Matteson also is bullish on
Fort Pierce, despite the pandemic having delayed progress on
his project by between six and eight months.
“COVID decimated the hotel and travel industries, but
residential and retail sales have gone through the roof,” Matteson
noted.
Demand for proposed townhomes and condominiums
Pickled, which opened in downtown Dec. 23, offers a Southern-inspired menu and a variety of bourbons.
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Doris Tillman, executive director of Main Street Fort Pierce, replaced the
annual Christmas parade with jazz musicians who performed at downtown
events during the holidays.