Happy Fall!

Aw, my favorite time of year, fall, is finally here!  With the new season come new merchandise, new sales, and perfect weather for shopping downtown.  To set the mood for shopping, stop by Willow’s for a cup of hot tea, or Trigo’s for a cup of coffee (they have Pumpkin Spice!).  For me, coffee, cool weather, and a great book go hand in hand.  Books by the Sea is all the time having a sale going on and have authors of the week where their books are BOGO.  Check out their Facebook page to keep up with the authors of the week and other sales they have going on!

Rachel’s Dress Shop is a one stop retail shop.  She has clothes, jewelry, shoes, purses, and more!  This week, she has a 50% off Fall sale on select racks.  Love Me Again has increased their vintage clothes selection.  They also have handmade art, jewelry, and bath soaps made by locals.

This month is national oyster month and Estate Treasures is celebrating by offering 20% off all their oyster plates and shrimp cocktail bowls during September and October.  They have quite a selection to choose from!  They also have a great selection of jewelry; I have three pieces from there and absolutely love them!

Accents Home Décor and Gifts is offering 15% off all Mariana jewelry.  Be sure to stop by and check them out, they have a lot of gorgeous jewelry, accessories, and home décor. 

Sugar Britches has 25% off all “previously loved” clothes and 10% off all toys, strollers, and baby gear.  They have lots of merchandise to make for a great day of shopping!

Tomorrow Night, 5:30pm to 7:30pm, Avenue Sea is having a party!  The theme for this party is paint and sprinkles.  This is a great chance to see what new merchandise they have and what items are on sale.  I know I will be attending this one!

The Dance Life Dance Studio always has something fun going on.  This past Saturday was the 007 Casino Royale Murder Mystery Dinner and Ball. It’s always fun to get all dressed up, meet new people, solve a mystery, and of course, dance!  If you missed that, then you missed a lot of fun, but the fun will continue Thursday Night at 7:30pm with a Social Dance Night.  Don’t have a partner? No worries! The Dance Life team will be more than happy to dance with you.

Enjoy this fall weather and get out and do a little shopping.  Shop Local, Dine Local, and Play Local! 

Wine, Dancing, and Bargains!

I love this much cooler weather! Fall is definitely on its way!  Come Downtown and enjoy this beautiful weather with some great wine, lots of dancing, and amazing bargains. 

Avenue Sea is having their kick-off wine tasting on September 13^th, 5:30pm to 7pm.  The theme for the tasting is “bubbles and bling” in which they will feature champagne.  At the tasting, you can peruse new items for entertaining for casual elegance including champagne glasses that keep the champagne bubbling for 2 hours.

Also on September 13^th, Dance Life Dance Studio is having a Social Dance Party at 7:30.  It is $10 per person.  This week is the last week to purchase the 007 Murder Mystery Ball tickets for $50.  After this week, they will go up to$75.  I purchased mine and am excited to attend!

The Fit Life side of the studio is having a sneak peak on Saturday.  At this sneak peak you can talk with Kat Holmes, the trainer and learn how she can help you get fit!

There are a lot of great bargains to take advantage of Downtown!  You can get a head start on your Christmas cards by stopping by No Regrets.  They have major discounts during the months of September and October on all their Christmas cards.

Sugar Britches is having a 25% off sale on all their clothing.  They have such a large selection that it would be hard to not find something!  They will also have a booth at each Friday Fest right in front of the store, so while you are at Friday Fest, be sure to check them out.

Accents Home Décor and Gifts has all their Mariana jewelry 15% off.  They have the largest selection of Mariana jewelry in Bay County!  To see what all they offer, “like” their Facebook page.

You can find some really unique items at Franci’s Unique Treasures and get 25% off your purchase if you are willing to dance a little jig when you check out.  Get funky with it!

It is also that time of year to buy your season tickets from the Martin Theatre.  Their first show of the season is premiering this weekend, September 14^th and 15^th at 7:30pm.  This production is a comical satire on life in rural America.  Two actors will be playing all roles involved – men, women, children, and animals!

On September 11^th, there will be a commemoration at 9am on the Panama City Marina for all those that lost their lives on this tragic day 11 years ago.

The Northwest Florida First Responders’ Wounded Warrior Tribute will be held on Thursday, September 13^th.  The escorted warriors will be leaving the beach at 4:30 and will make their way down Harrison Avenue to the Marina.  The public is encouraged to line the route to show their support.  For more information, visit www.warriorbeachretreat.org.

Hogs and Grogs is also this Thursday in Downtown Panama City at 6pm.  Bring your bike down to show off, meet up with some friends, and have great evening listening to great music and enjoying delicious food from some of the Downtown restaurants! 

Better Late Than Never!

I was thinking of not doing a blog post this week because I was on vacation last week and Monday was Labor Day, but then I found where I had collected some information from a few of the business owners before I went on vacation last week.  Better to have the information late than not at all!

On September 6th, the Dance Life Dance Studio is having a FREE open house!  From 3pm to 5pm, you can get a sneak peak of their new children's classes.  They will be offering ballet, ballroom, and hip hop classes for the young ones.  Then, from 6pm to 8pm, it is the adults' turn to drop in on a group class and see what the Dance Life is all about.

On September 7th, Dance Life is hosting another Latin Night.  You can dance the Merengue, Bachata, Salsa, and more from 9pm to 11pm.  This event is $10 per person.

You can make this gorgeous Rivoli Ring
on September 8th at the LH Bead Gallery.
550 Harrison Avenue.

The LH Bead Gallery also has some great classes and discounts going on this week!  On Thursday, September 6th at 10:30am, you can learn how to make a Chinese Cord Herringbone Leather Wrap Bracelet.  this instructor fee is $25.  On September 7th at 10:30am, you can make a Braided Wire Bracelet (Instructor fee is $40).  Again, on September 8th, at 10:30am, you can make a gorgeous Rivoli Ring. This instructor fee is $30.  Through September 15th, the LH Bead Gallery is offering 20% off all seed beads!

This Saturday, Art-Tique will be taking place again, along with the Vintage Market!  Special for Art-Tique, Estate Treasures will be offering 30% off all framed art and pictures!  They will also be having a local artist working right outside their shop.  You can stop and watch the artist work and possibly purchase an original piece for yourself!  If you are interested in being that artist, contact Erin at Estate Treasures 850-215-3782.

Friday Fest is also this Friday, so be sure to come Downtown for a good time!

Dancing Downtown

There is so much going on this week, especially a lot of dancing! There is something happening everyday/night that gives everyone a chance to feature their best dance moves.

Dance Life Dance Studio has a ton of fabulous events happening this week!  They are hosting a workshop with guest instructor Ashley Minzes on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday nights this week 7pm-9pm.  You can learn the Rumba on Monday, beginner West Coast Swing on Tuesday, and the Hustle and East Coast Swing on Wednesday!  It’s $30 per class.  You can check their website, www.pcdancelife.com, or call them at 850-215-4453 for more information.

In celebration of an extra party in August, something that only happens once in a blue moon, Dance Life is hosting their first ever Blue Moon Party!  Wear your most comfortable blue jeans or your prettiest blue dress and have fun with the Dance Life family on August 30th, 7pm-9pm! It’s $10 per person and a great way to try out your new dance moves, or learn them!  They are also sponsoring another Backstage Pass concert at the Marina Civic Center on August 31^st at 6:30pm.  It’s only $5 to get in!  On Saturday, they are hosting a “West Coast in a Day” workshop.  This relaxed workshop is designed to build on previous experience, from Tuesday's beginner's workshop or before.   As always you will learn not only the steps and patterns but how to link moves, turning & spinning, freestyle techniques.  As well as being taught the moves, you will also learn how to string them together so you can “freestyle” your way through a dance and you will immediately have a repertoire of core beginner’s moves.  The fee for this workshop is $75.  

Dance Life also has tickets for sale for their 007 Casino Royale Murder Mystery Ball taking place on September 22, 2012 ($50 through August, they go up in September).  This will be a fun filled night of great food, mystery, and dancing! I’m excited for this event; it’s going to be so much fun!

Stop by Franci’s this week to “dance for discounts!”  All you have to do is dance a little jig for them and you will receive 25% off your purchase! Even if you can’t dance, give it a shot and you will get a discount.

As always, Elegant Endeavors has sales on select booths.

Love Me Again (located at 229 Harrison Avenue, next to Gaston’s Hideaway) is having a By One Get One ½ off sale on all their clothing a shoes.  They have some really cute and unique items, so take advantage of this wonderful sale!

Sugar Boogers raised $756 for the Animal Rescue Center of Bay County last Monday!  People really came out and showed their support!

Make sure you check out our Downtown Deals for the different coupons offered from our Downtown Merchants!  When you go shopping, mention that you saw their sales and offers in this blog.

FYI, next week’s blog will be a few days late because I am currently on vacation, but I expect to hear about your Downtown experiences from this week!  

Local Cupcake Shop Helps the Animal Rescue Center!

What a beautiful start to the week! Nothing like starting the week (and first day of school) off with lots of rain!  It has to mean some kind of good luck thing like when it rains on someone’s wedding day, right?  Anyway, there are some great sales and events taking place in Downtown Panama City this week.

A portion of today's proceeds go to support the Animal
Rescue Center of Bay County!

Sugar Boogers is donating a portion of their sales today to the Animal Rescue Center of Bay County.  You can also bring in pet supplies such as dog or cat food, leashes, food bowls, etc. to donate.  They are open from 10am to 5pm, so be sure to stop by and help them support this great cause!

Dance Life Dance Studio is also starting their registration this week for the new group progressive lessons (Latin 101 and 102, Rhythm 101 and 102) and their Social Dance classes (beginner and advanced).  You can check their website, www.pcdancelife.com, or call them at 850-215-4453 for the class dates.  They are also hosting a Latin Dance Night on August 24^th.  It is $10 per person and a great way to try out your new dance moves, or learn them!  They also have tickets for sale for their 007 Casino Royale Murder Mystery Ball taking place on September 22, 2012 ($50 through August, they go up in September).  This will be a fun filled night of great food, mystery, and dancing! I already bought my ticket, so you should join me for a night of mysterious fun!

Avenue Sea has their Spring and Summer merchandise up to 70% off.  This is a great time to take advantage of the sale and the $25 off of $50 coupon they offer to freshen up your home’s look.  You can find the coupon, along with others on our website, or the Downtown Facebook page.

No Regrets has some of their seasonal items up to 75% off and all of their napkins are Buy One Get One FREE!

Need some new clothes for the kiddies or yourself?  Sugar Britches has all their clothes 25% off.  All their jewelry is also 25% off and their car seats and strollers are 10% off.

Accents Home Décor & Gifts has many new pieces, home décor, and jewelry arriving weekly, so be sure to stop by and see what all they have!

Estate Treasure also just received some beautiful new merchandise!  They have many unique treasures for you to find.  Just last week a bought a gorgeous bracelet, I love the jewelry they have there! It is so unique and there is a lot to choose from!

As always, Elegant Endeavors has sales on select booths.

Make sure you check out our Downtown Deals for the different coupon offered from our Downtown Merchants!  When you go shopping, mention that you saw their sales and offers in this blog.

Be one of the first to find out what’s happening Downtown by subscribing to the Blog via email and feel free to comment and share your Downtown experience!  

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!