Category: ShopLocal

Fat John’s Pizza

Debbie Roney Smith on

It’s National Pizza Week! From now until January 20th, celebrate all things pizza; indulge in your favorite pizza, try a new recipe, support a local shop, or read up on the history of pizza. 

Did you know that approximately 350 slices of pizza are eaten every second?! Pizza became popular in the United States in the 1950s. A boom in pizza consumption occurred when Italian immigrants brought the beloved staple to their new homes in the cities. Fast forward to the here-and-now: the U.S.A. consumes more than three BILLION pizzas a year.

This National Pizza Week, be sure to support locally-owned pizzerias. One excellent option is Fat John’s Pizza. They opened in 2018 in Marianna and have been a community favorite since. Visit to enjoy specialty pizzas, wings, and more!

 

Pensacola Poultry & Farm Animal Swap

Debbie Roney Smith on

The Farm & Nursery Mart is hosting a Poultry & Farm Animal Swap for Pensacola and surrounding areas on January 6th from 8am-Noon. Located across from Five Flags Speedway, the event occurs on the first Saturday of each month. The Swap is a free event with vendor set up being first come, first serve. The Mart invites you to bring chickens, turkeys, bunnies, goats, quail, ducks, and small farm animals to sell, buy, swap, and trade with your fellows. There will also be plants, herbs, honey, and homemade jams to obtain. 

For more information, contact Rick Lipham at 850-287-2103. Farm & Nursery Mart is located at 7460 Pine Forest Road in Pensacola. 

Jackson County Isn’t Growing

Debbie Roney Smith on

While Florida is ranked as the eighth fastest-growing state in the United States, Jackson County is ranked as the ninth fastest-shrinking county in Florida. Jackson County is not only not growing, it is actively losing population. While Florida’s population grew by 14.5% from 2010-2020, Jackson County’s population declined by 4.5%.(1)

Florida itself is benefiting from the movement of industries and individuals from other states while Jackson County has failed to experience any significant inrush. The County has an abundance of natural resources, land space to accommodate affordable homesites, an above-average school system, and a highly-rated hospital. Community leaders are looking to create an action plan to draw new families, businesses, and individuals into the area. 

Christmas on the Square

Debbie Roney Smith on

Come out to Magnolia Square in Blountstown this Saturday for a day of family fun, food, and holiday shopping. Christmas on the Square will start at 8am on December 2nd. Start your Christmas shopping by visiting your local vendors; then grab lunch at one of the event food trucks. Learn more by visiting the event’s Facebook page. 

Milk & Honey

Debbie Roney Smith on

Today’s local business spotlight is Milk & Honey!

Located in Marianna, the shop is a multi-purpose shop that serves coffee, fro-yo, soft serve, and more. They also function as a community center where individuals can hang out doing computer work, catch up with friends, and more. They even rent out their rooms for organizations and groups to host meetings and events.

Visit the Milk & Honey Facebook page to stay up-to-date. 

Sunland Center Fall Festival

Debbie Roney Smith on

Sunland Center’s 42nd Annual Fall Festival is less than a month away! Held on the historic grounds of the Sunland Center in Marianna, this festival features over 100 vendors offering a variety of food, crafts, arts, and activities. There will also be live entertainment, food trucks, and a parade. Best of all? The event is FREE to enter. Be sure to bring cash and card for vendors and food. So come out on October 28th from 9am-2pm and get ahead on your holiday shopping with a family-friendly fall afternoon! 

Interested in snagging a booth rental? Contact Onna Lipford (850-482-9371) or James Godwin, Jr. (850-557-0911). Parade inquiries should be directed to Chris Weeks at 850-482-9372.

Little Village Conch Festival

Debbie Roney Smith on

The second annual Little Village Conch Festival is happening on September 30th! Come out to Little Village in Panama City for a day of family fun in the sun. There will be a plethora of Conch Shell festivities including the Cap’n Scuba Memorial Conch Shell Blowing Contest, The Queen of Conch, an all-age Conch Shell Blowing Contest, live music, kids arts & crafts, and more! Finns restaurant will have a Conch Special for one-day only. Live music will be provided by local talents Tyler James & The Momeuxs (noon-3pm) AND The Gr8tful Dads (6-9pm). Learn more by visiting the Facebook event page HERE. 

 

Emerald Coast Native Plant Fair

Debbie Roney Smith on

Paradise Plants and Palms is excited to announce that they’re hosting the first-ever Emerald Coast Native Plant Fair! Join them on September 16th from 10am – 4pm EDT. The Fair will be a celebration of all things Florida Native Plants and conservation. There will be a variety of conservation groups, local artisans, native plant sellers/nurseries, and arts-n-crafts vendors. There will also be a food truck! 

Along with arts-n-crafts, native plants, and food for sale, the event will feature free educational classes, wildlife conservation experts, and coastal ecosystem informational services. A complete list of native plant sellers, vendors, and conservation groups listed below:

  • Paradise Plants and Palms
  • Sandhill Native Nursery
  • Native Plant Company
  • Revive Native Plant Nursery
  • Root and Stem
  • Pojars Plants
  • Pawsative Chaos
  • Hannah’s Treasures
  • Bohemian Funk
  • Aleigator Supply
  • Clay by Kim
  • Nate Buckley: Bat Conservation
  • Saneka’s Legacy Corp: Ecology Conservation

Visit the event Facebook page HERE for more information.

Mid-South Harbor Farmers Market

Debbie Roney Smith on

Mid-South Harbor Farmers Market is hosting their monthly Farm, Garden, Craft & Animal Swap next Saturday, September 9th from 8AM – 2PM. This is a FREE event for both vendors and the community. Meet with local vendors and creators supplying fresh produce, baked items, canned goods, hand-made arts & crafts, plants, and small animals. Interested in being a vendor? Email: youngstown@midsouthlumberco.com or midsouthlumber@knology.net for a vendor application. Visit the event’s Facebook page to stay up-to-date with event announcements and more.