Category: ShopLocal

Blueberry Season

Debbie Roney Smith on

We’re about halfway through the blueberry season here in Florida. Blueberries have been foraged in North America for more than 13,000 years. Here in Florida, we have FIVE native blueberry varieties and countless cultivars that thrive in our humid, sunny summers. Best of all, blueberries freeze well so you can enjoy them year-round. Visit a local blueberry you-pick farm like Blue Acres Berries to get the most bang for your buck(et)! Learn more by visiting their Facebook page or visit the Florida Department of Agricultre and Consumer Services’ You-Pick map online to find a farm closer to you.

2024 North Florida Wildflower Festival

Debbie Roney Smith on

The North Florida Wildflower Festival is held annually on the last Saturday of April in Blountstown, Florida. This year, that means it falls on April 27th. Blountstown is located in the heart of the Panhandle, just an hour from Tallahassee, Panama City, and Dothan, Alabama. Held in the picturesque Magnolia Square and surrounding streets, the event will run from 9am-2pm. 

The festival features over 100 vendors specializing in flowers, plants, garden and outdoor items, handcrafted goods, jewelry, home décor, artwork, apparel, food, and more!

VENDOR REGISTRATION is now open! Apply HERE. The event is coordinated by the Calhoun County Chamber of Commerce. 

The Enchanted Fairy Realm in Altha

Debbie Roney Smith on

Located in Altha, Womble Farms is a local up-and-coming flower, animal, and event farm. They are hosting their first event next Saturday, April 20th. When the flowers bloom on Womble Farms, fairies arrive! Come see them before they’re gone and experience a family-fun event!  Admission is only $1! Do bring cash or card for applicable vendors. 

There will be a drum/dance circle (bring your own drum!), a DIY potted fairy garden, food, plants for sale, enchanted selfie stations, vendors, and a costume contest. The costume contest will be held at 7pm. There will be multiple categories organized by age: under 5, 6-12, 12-17, and 18+. Each age category will have a 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place prize. Dress up as a gnome, elf, fairy, or mix of all three! The costume contest is for all ages and all genders. 

Womble Farms is currently accepting new vendors for this event and others. Email cre8byn8@gmail.com for more information! Or visit their Facebook page here.

First Ever ASC

Debbie Roney Smith on

Sandhills Native Nursery, based in Fountain, is hosting its first Annual Sandhills Celebration (ASC)! Starting tomorrow, the three-day event will offer community education, kids’ activities, and opportunities to do some DIY activities. There will also be a collection of wares by local artists and snacks/drinks available for purchase from Wild Root. The event will run Thursday (12pm-5pm), Friday (9am-5pm), and Saturday (9am-5pm).

National Mom and Pop Business Owners Day

Debbie Roney Smith on

The National Mom and Pop Business Owners Day was established by Rick and Margie Segel in honor of their parents and the successful hat shop they opened in 1939. Mom-and-pop shops are incredibly important to the economy and the communities they exist in. Almost 70% of all new jobs in the country are the result of mom-and-pop shops. There are more than 7,936,977 small businesses in the USA. Small mom-and-pop shops provide more than just their services and jobs; they also function as community centers. The phrase mom-and-pop refers to small businesses run by families in the community they serve. Shop local, promote local small businesses, and help improve your community today!

Milk & Honey Announcement

Debbie Roney Smith on

We are sad to report that the locally owned coffee shop, Milk and Honey, will close in April. They’ve been serving Marianna for 12 years. They announced that they would be permanently closing on Sunday, April 14th. This is a sad lose for Marianna and Jackson County as a whole; Milk & Honey has served the community as a place to host meetings, birthday parties, gather after kids’ sports events, and more. They will be missed. 

While they are still open, please come out and support them. The more income they make during the next few weeks, the more they will be able to give their employees upon closing. Visit Milk & Honey on Facebook for more information. 

New Quilting Store in Marianna

Debbie Roney Smith on
Click the image to visit Cookie’s Fabrics Facebook page.

Marianna is excited to be welcoming a new quilting shop on Constitution Lane. Cookie’s Fabrics, named after the owner’s mother, celebrated its grand opening on Tuesday. Cookie’s is still growing and hopes to offer the following:

  1. Endless Fabrics
  2. Expert Advice
  3. Classes & Workshops
  4. And a Community Hub for Quilters

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.