Sugar Boogers Honors Elvis and Helps a Local Charity

Well, we made it two whole days without rain, but the storms started back this morning :-/  The weather held off enough on Saturday for all the shoppers and “cash mobbers” to enjoy a day Downtown.  There was hardly a parking space to be found!  Saturday was the first cash mob and it was a success! Everyone had a great time.  Be on the lookout for the announcement of the next one!

Sugar Boogers is honoring Elvis Presley with their cupcake of the week “Rockin’ Banana.”  This concoction is made up of banana cake and peanut butter icing with caramel and bacon on top.  They did this because Elvis used to eat a peanut butter banana bacon sandwich.  I’m thinking I am going to have to try the cupcake this week and will soon make the sandwich to see what it is that appealed to the King of Rock and Roll so much.  Also this week, Sugar Boogers will be accepting donated bags of dog and cat food to give to the Animal Rescue Center of Bay County along with a portion of their proceeds that they earn on Monday, August 20^th in honor of National Cupcake day!  On Monday, you can enjoy a tasty treat and help out a local charity!

You can find some great deals on unique items at Elegant Endeavors.  They have 20-50% off select booths.  You never know what you will find!  I know I see something new every time I go in there.  The store is so big that you can’t see everything in one shopping trip!

Dance Life Dance Studio is hosting a Country Western Dance Party on Thursday, August 16^th, 7pm-9pm.  It’s $10 per person.  This isn’t just a two-stepping kind of party; you will be doing some country cha-cha-ing along with all the other dances such as the salsa!  Dress in your best country western style and come out for a good ol’ dancing time.  Don’t forget your cowboy (girl) hat!

Also on Thursday night is the BayBreeze concert on the Panama City Marina.  This month, Jam Therapy will be rocking it out!  Bring the whole family for this free outdoor concert.  There will be a bounce house for the kids and the parents can purchase wine by the glass from Seabreeze Winery.  The concert starts at 6:30 and runs until 9pm.

Even though it looks to be another wet week, you can find shelter from the rain in one of our shops or restaurants and don’t forget to bring a bag of dog or cat food to Sugar Boogers to be donated to the Animal Rescue Center of Bay County! 

Cash Mob to hit Estate Treasures!

The thing that I am most excited about that is happening this week is the CASH MOB that will be taking place at Estate Treasures on Saturday, August 11^th at 1pm (during Art-Tique).  The idea of a cash mob is to get a large group of people together to spend their money at a small, locally owned business to show the business their support and give them a bit of an economic stimulus.  The first cash mob was held in August 2011 in Buffalo, NY and they are now poppingup all over the United States.  There are only three rules during the cash mob:

1) Spend $20 (cash)

2) Meet three people you didn’t know before

3) HAVE FUN! 

Estate Treasures was chosen because they have something for everyone.  They have antiques and new merchandise, things for men and women.  Hopefully, cash mobs will be a regular occurrence in Downtown.  It is a great way for the community to come together and support the local businesses!

Everyone is invited to participate in this event.  The mob will convene outside of Estate Treasures at 1pm and after everyone is done shopping they are encouraged to grab a bite to eat at one of the nearby restaurants.  Anyone participating should bring cash, so that the business can avoid paying the credit card fees.

On Thursday, Hogs and Grogs will be happening once again from 6pm-9pm.  The Hurricanes will be playing some great classic rock and the restaurants will have tables set up outside for outdoor dining.  Millie’s will be having Cajun shrimp, raw oysters, gumbo, and nachos. Sounds delicious!

Every Saturday, East Bay plays at Millie’s at 6pm and raw oysters are available.  Sounds like a good time!

The LH Bead Gallery has some great deals going on this week.  Get 10% off when you spend $25, 15% off when you spend $50, and 20% off when you spend $100.  These discounts are only good for bead strands, loose beads, loose findings, and chains.  They always offer a 10% Military discount (ID required) and Wednesdays are Senior Citizens day (55 and older).  If you re-use your Blue Bead Gallery Bags, you will receive 5% off!

Dance Life Dance Studio is hosting another sizzling Latin Dance Night on Friday from 9pm-11pm ($10 perperson).  Come set the dance floor on fire with your sizzling dance moves!

If you know of anything else happening Downtown this week, feel free to post a comment!  

I hope to see you on Saturday at 1pm at Estate Treasures for Panama City’s first CASH MOB! 

Happy August!

It’s the first week of the month again and you know what that means…Friday Fest!  It’s this Friday, August 3^rd, 6pm to 10pm.  The band line-up for this month is Emerald County Line, Panama Redd, Bone Daddy, East Bay, and KD of Legacy.  Bring your dancing shoes because it’s going to be a rocking good time!

There are some great sales going on Downtown this week.  Sugar Britches has 10% off strollers and car seats, 20% off ALL clothes, 25% off jewelry, and 25% off pageant wear.  They will also be open until 10pm on Friday, so when you come to Friday Fest, be sure to stop by!

"Come 'Sea' what we 'caught'
at market.  Summer is at Avenue Sea!"

On Thursday, August 2, Dance Life Dance Studio will be hosting a Social Dance from 7pm until 9pm.  It is $10 per person to attend.  Also, they have a surprise in store for Friday Fest, so be on the lookout, they could pop up anywhere within the event!

Avenue Sea has some great new merchandise, so stop by to see what they "caught" at the market!

Relief Skate Supply just got some new DGK merchandise in, so if you are a skater, or know someone who is, be sure to check them out.  They have one good looking store.

Estate Treasures is celebrating “International Clown Week” August 1-7.  You will receive 20% off if you buy something that has clowns on it.

Many of the other stores that were not mentioned also have some great deals going on; I know Books by the Sea always has discounts on “authors of the week.”  Be sure to make a trip Downtown and make it a day of shopping!

Be sure to check out the “Downtown Deals” on www.pcdib.com to get your copy of the Downtown coupons!  Have a great week experiencing Downtown Panama City!

Awesome Sales and Fun Events Are Happening This Week!

My favorite thing about writing this blog is going to each of the merchants and asking what they have going on this week.  If only you could see the excitement on their faces!  Since this is the last week of July, there are a lot of sales that will be ending this week, so you need to hurry Downtown and take advantage of them!

Accents Home Décor & Accessories is ending their month long 25% off sale this week.  Next week, be on the lookout for new merchandise straight from the market!

On Friday, July 27^th, Dance Life Dance Studio will be hosting a Latin Dance Party from 9pm-11pm.  It’s only $10 per person, so it would make for a cheap night out!  Since it starts at 9, there is plenty of time for you to have dinner at one of the many restaurants that are Downtown!

James Gregory, “The Funniest Man in America,” will be performing live on Saturday, July 28^th at 7:30 pm at the Martin Theatre.  Tickets are available at the Martin Theatre box office.  For more information, visit www.martintheatre.com or call 850-763-8080.

Do you want a chance to win a $100 gift certificate? Then stop by and shop at Estate Treasures before the end of July! Your name will be entered into the drawing when you make a purchase.  Also, be sure to “Like” their Facebook page for your chance to win the different monthly contests they host for just their Facebook fans.  I know this is taking place next week, but July 30^th is National Paperback Book Day and Estate Treasures is celebrating with 50% off all their paperback books.

When you go to Avenue Sea this week, be sure to welcome Mary! She’s a new sales representative for Avenue Sea (you may recognize her from Harrison House).  Their summer time blue tag mark downs also continue this week and when you show them the coupon (found at www.pcdib.com under Main Street) you can receive $25 off your purchase of$50 or more.  They have new merchandise coming in everyday, so be sure to stop by and see what’s new! On Monday, July 30^th only, when you spend $50 or more, you will receive $20 off (no coupon necessary)! You can’t beat a deal like that!

As they do every week, Books by the Sea has a buy 2 get 2 free special on their authors of the week.  The authors this week are Debbie Macomber, Lawrence Sanders, Danielle Steel, and Agatha Christie.  In addition to this sale, all mysteries are buy 2, get 1 free (excluding Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes book).  You can’t beat deals like this! Be sure to find them on Facebook to see what sales they have each week.  They even have some surprise one day only sales that only their Facebook users know about, so find them on Facebook to stay informed!

Elegant Endeavors has 15% to 75% off within select booths.  This is such a large store (2 stories!) that you can find anything in it and it is even better if it happens to be on sale!

C&G Sporting Goods is also having an outdoor rack sale.  Everything that is on the rack just outside their door is 50% off.  Did you know they also do trophy engraving and have been in business for 62 years?

Relief Skate Supply has their Van Shoes and more brands on sale this week.  They also have decks on sale for $29.99.  With school restarting soon, they will have more sales, so be on the lookout for them and I will keep you posted!

Need some new clothes for the kids?  Sugar Britches in Downtown Panama City has all their children clothes 20% off this week.  They also have $50% off all their jewelry and women’s swim wear!

You may be wondering why I am telling you about things that are taking place on Monday, July 30^th.  That is because the News Herald is promoting “$30 on the 30^th” to help stimulate the local economy.  Consumers are encouraged to spend $30 at a locally owned business on July 30^th that they would not normally spend. 


Businesses participating in this event, such as our Downtown merchants, will have special deals for this day.  Be sure to check out the businesses’ websites and Facebook pages to see what deals they will be having on this particular day. 

Great things are happening Downtown, get out and experience them! 

New Restaurant Downtown

Wow! What a busy week last week was! The Downtown Improvement Board is in charge of the SUNsational Awards program for the Florida Festivals and Events Association and the judging was held last week at FSU-PC.  There were a lot of submissions! Thanks to everyone who helped in the judging process!

With that being said, please forgive me for posting late and having a somewhat short post.  As always, there is something happening Downtown!

Event wise, we have the Baybreeze concert this Thursday at 6:30pm on the Panama City Marina.  Tidewater will be performing, so be sure to come and enjoy a relaxing night with some great tunes.  Be sure to have dinner at one of our many restaurants Downtown!

If dancing is more your thing, then be sure to attend the 80s dance party at the Dance Life Dance Studio.  The fun begins at 7:30 and is only $10. Be sure to wear your best 80s attire!  Their zumba sweepstakes is also still going on, so be sure you join a class and keep going back for your chance to win some amazing prizes! You may even win free zumba classes!

On Thursday at 10:30am and on Saturday at 10:30am and 1pm, you can take part in a class at the LH Bead Gallery to learn to make some gorgeous jewelry!  Be sure to check out their website, www.lhbeads.com for their full calendar of classes.

Probably some of the most exciting news this week is that Tito's Downtown Cafe and Bakery opened up today! Tito's is an amazing Latin restaurant that serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner.  They are located where Chef Imondi's used to be in Downtown (448 Harrison Avenue).  Stop by this week and try it out and welcome them to Downtown!

I know it's short, but I let the time get away from me, so I couldn't gather more information.  I promise I will have a lot more for you next week!

Another Week Downtown

Whew! What a busy week last week! We had Salute to Freedom on Wednesday, then Friday Fest on Friday.  I hope everyone had a great time celebrating!  The fun will continue this week with Hogs and Grogs on Thursday, 6pm-9pm between 4^th Street and Oak Avenue and Art-Tique on Saturday, 10am-3pm.

Some of our merchants will have some special events going on for Art-Tique.

Avenue Sea has some great markdowns on furniture, art, and accessories all throughout the store! On top of the markdowns, you can use their coupon for $25 off your purchase of $50 or more.  You can find that coupon and more here.  Though the coupon does not expire until the end of July, the markdowns in the store end July 15^th, so be sure to take advantage of them while you can!

Also, the LH Bead Gallery is celebrating their four year anniversary on Saturday, July 14^th, 10am-5pm (during Art-Tique).  They are celebrating with door prizes, special sales, and refreshments.  If you go by there, you can also enter to win a $100 gift certificate!  Be sure to stop by and congratulate them!

Dance Life Dance Studio will be hosting a Dance Party with Martino and Tirado performing Big Band music live.  In the tradition of the Rat Pack, Martino and Tirado bring the swagger of the best music on the Coast to Dance Life Dance Studio on Thursday, July 12^th, 7pm-9:30pm.  It is $15 for non-members and $5 for member (sounds like a pretty sweet deal to become a member).  Also, on Friday Night, they will be having a Latin Night from 9pm-11pm.  Dance the night away with the steamy Latin sounds.  Dance the Merengue, Bachata, Salsa, Cha-cha, Mambo and more!  There is plenty of time before each Dance Party to enjoy a nice dinner from one of our many restaurants in Downtown Panama City.  The studio is right in the heart of Downtown, so everything is within walking distance.

There is plenty going on this week in Downtown, especially the latter part of the week, so come spend a day Downtown and don’t forget to stop by the LH Bead Gallery on Saturday during Art-Tique to congratulate them!

Independence Day Downtown Style

Downtown Panama City is celebrating Independence Day all week and in many different ways!  The Downtown Improvement Board and the City of Panama City are bringing you the “Salute to Freedom” event which will take place on July 4^th, 2pm-10pm on the Panama City Marina.  There will be great live music all day, lots of food, and plenty of vendors.  Home Depot will also have a kid’s workshop for the young ones to build something of their own.  The night will end with the largest fireworks show in Northwest Florida at 9pm that will also be simulcast with Magic Broadcasting stations!  The Tony Vegas Band will be performing at 2pm, Red Hot Momma and the Alligator Daddies perform at 4pm, and the Shawn Rader band will take the stage at 6pm.

July is also the month for phenomenal contests!  There are multiple chances to win gift certificates, free zumba, and many more prizes!

Estate Treasures is giving you two chances to win a gift from their store!  The first drawing will be held at the end of the day today.  All you have to do is “like” their Facebook page (I just entered, so you should too)!  By liking their page, you are not only entering a contest, but you are also going to be the first to know about their sales, new products, and when they are holding their next contest.  When I went to their page, I saw a picture of a teapot they have that I am hoping is still there when I stop by today!  This second contest is a good one.  Every time you make a purchase at Estate Treasures, no matter how small or large, you will be entered into a drawing for a $100 gift certificate to the store! The winner will be drawn at the end of the day on Tuesday, July 31, so be sure to stop by and enter for your chance at $100!  When I stopped by to get all this information, they said they would be holding monthly contests, so be sure to watch their Facebook page for the next one!

Dance Life Dance Studio is also hosting a contest!  They are having a zumba sweepstakes that will give you a chance at three months of free zumba.  The last chance to enter is July 31.  The winner will also be drawn on this day!  There are three different winners.  Whoever brings the most friends wins, the person with the most points wins, and the person whose sweepstakes entry is drawn wins!  Here is how to enter: every time you attend a zumba class, you are given a point and a sweepstakes entry.  Every time you bring a friend you are given 2 points and a sweepstakes entry.  Everytime you go to zumba, you have a chance to win free unlimited zumba for three months, zumba gear, zumba music, and zumba clothes!  Be sure to attend zumba so you can win these phenomenal prizes!

On Thursday, Dance Life will also be having a Dance Party from 8pm until 10pm with the Muddy Rudder band performing live!  It is only $10 per person to attend this party.  Be sure to visit their website www.pcdancelife.com to find out when all their classes are this week.

Avenue Sea has some fabulous markdowns all throughout the store that you can take advantage of through July 15^th.  On top of the markdowns, they have a coupon to use that if you spend $50, you get $25 off your purchase!  They are pretty much paying you to shop at their store!  The coupon expires at the end of the month, so be sure to get in there and use it!  They are having an event night on Tuesday, July 3^rd, so be sure to stop by for their late shopping hours and take advantage of the markdowns and use your coupon!  You can find the coupon at www.pcdib.com under the Main Street tab.

In celebration of Independence Day, Willow’s British Tea room will have a special Independence Day sheet cake made with ice cream on Wednesday, July 4^th.  After you have a spot of afternoon tea, be sure to enjoy a piece of this delicious cake.  Sugar Boogers will also be celebrating America’s Independence in a way that only they know how!  Wednesday through Saturday, everything will be decorated in Americana style.  They will have red, white, and blue cupcakes and blue punch.  Stop by Sugar Boogers and enjoy a patriotic cupcake!

The LH Bead Gallery is hosting a design contest that you can be the judge of!  12 participants purchased a bead kit and designed their own necklace for a chance to win a gift card to the gallery.  Be sure to stop by and vote for your favorite piece.  Judging ends on July 21^st and the winner will be announced July 24^th.  You can vote while you are attending their class on Friday at 10:30am to learn how to make wire-wrapped bead pendants or on Saturday at 10:30am to make a basic earring and at 1pm to make a basic necklace.  You can check out contest pieces and find out when all their July classes are at www.lhbeads.com.

As you have read, there is a lot going on this week including Friday Fest!  Visit www.facebook.com/PCFridayFest to find out more about Bay County’s favorite festival!  You can shop at all these stores during Friday Fest as well since they have late shopping hours for all the special events that take place in Downtown!   There is plenty to do, so get Downtown and support your local small businesses! Leave a comment to let me know what you plan on doing Downtown this week!