Recently, we became aware of a group of businesses that decided to band together, in person as well as on Facebook, in an effort to bring awareness to their unique locations. These businesses have a few things in common. They are all small, local businesses, they are all trying to bring customers in through their respective doors, and they are all located in the same plaza, City Market Place on Cypress Point Parkway in Palm Coast.
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One of the unique issues with this plaza, is that it doesn’t look much like a business plaza from the road, which Redefined Food Co. owner Jodee Soltes said is a huge struggle for many of the businesses there. Signage is not allowed on the green space by the sidewalk, nor can you have a marquee sign in the City of Palm Coast according to City Ordinances. The plaza itself does not allow for flag signs or a-frame signs as well, so getting noticed by customers can be difficult.
Jodee Soltes from Redefined Food Co., also talked about how the design of the building and the layout of it makes it very easy to confuse with the senior living community that is built right next to it. She stated that their business plaza is laid out in such a way that it is often confused with apartments or senior living to those who don’t already know the location.
But with all of these unique challenges, this group of businesses continued to push on. This last week, on July 26th, 16 businesses banded together to hold a community event. The event was dubbed Sizzlin’ Summer Nights, and businesses gave out coupons, freebies, deals and raffles for guests who came out to participate. Guests were provided passports at the start of their journey, and each participating business would stamp the passport. At the end of the event were raffles and giveaways.
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The participants of the first Sizzlin’ Summer Nights event were Hashtag Brows, A&G Bookkeeping, Your CBD Store, Redefined/Toasties, Sandpiper, Infiniti Salon, Cuddle Pet Grooming, City Repertory Theatre, Easter Seals (Early Learning Center), Illeana Nails, Cut UP & Sew, Sweet Melissa’s, Ocean Learning Center, Indigo Door, Conquer Fitness, and Community Cats of Palm Coast.
The next Sizzlin’ Summer Nights will be held August 23rd from 5pm to 8pm, and in September, on the 27th from 5pm to 8pm. There are plans to hold a Haunted Halloween Trick or Treat event on October 25th, from 5pm to 8pm. A Small Business Saturday at City Marketplace – Shop Local, Support Small – November 25th 11 am to 3 pm is in the works as well as a Candlelight Shopping at City Marketplace – December 6th 5 pm to 8 pm. There will be more details on these events as the dates get closer.
There are existing plans to continue holding these summer night events, along with some fun other holiday events in the future. To follow up on events this group of businesses continues to plan and hold you can visit their Facebook group here.
Jodee Soltes is also staying in close contact with City officials as she works to try and bring a second farmers market to Palm Coast here at City Market Place. There are some hurdles to work around with codes and ordinances, but she continues to try and bring in more local family friendly events to our area. Her goals are to ultimately provide a farmers market, similar to the Palm Coast Farmers Market at European Village, at the City Market Place Plaza. This would not only provide more family friendly events for the community, but it would be putting foot traffic in the plaza, helping the local businesses to gain notice and exposure.
