I was at Lee's yesterday and was told that they are permanently closing their doors on Sunday. It is sad to see another SoWal business hit by these difficult economic conditions.
Replies
43
Beach Fanatic
You heard correctly. And I like fried chicken too, but if collections don't improve, I might have to raise my own chickens. :shock:
Anyone got a good chicken raising recipe?
SoWal Expert
That is the same number the rest association lady used last week. Said that the number of closures in this part of Florida was unprecedented. This just is not making a lot of sense if traffic and tourism and bed tax collections are remaining higher than last year. The grocery stores must be doing really well this round.
People continued to take vacations, but I can tell you that the Dec rental numbers will likely be way off, as I didn't see any tourists until the week after Christmas. Usually, people come down for at least the weekends in Dec. That didn't seem to happen this year.
I think this past summer, rentals were up, because the financial mess had not been hit so hard. Gas prices were crazy, but people still came to the beach, and found other ways to save, like your mention of buying groceries and eating out less often. Look at Pulblix, opening store number four in a 20 mile stretch, in a very small town.
Going back to my earlier reference of the restaurant in front of Office Max which closed, it was Ruby Tuesday's. A quick news search on the web indicates that Ruby Tuesdays will be closing 70 store locations over time. I think 30 were immediate, and 40 closing soon.
Beach Fanatic
So sad.
I'm so tired of this depressing economy. We're losing so much of our diversity.
I'm so tired of this depressing economy. We're losing so much of our diversity.
SoWal Expert
Anyone got a good chicken raising recipe?
I think Punzy may have a good one.
Beach Fanatic
You heard correctly. And I like fried chicken too, but if collections don't improve, I might have to raise my own chickens. :shock:
I'll miss Lee's Fried Chicken. I'll hope for a new opening in SoWal. I used to hear a rooster crow in the mornings. Maybe its time to find him some chicken friends. It also may be time for our SoWal TDC to ramp up their marketing of The Beaches of South Walton to help all rentals and related business. We need to make sure that business is directed to South Walton and other Walton County venues first. Love our surrounding county neighbors, but if we don't promote SoWal, then who will ? If we don't promote SoWal/Walton County as the best beaches, beautiful environment, historically authentic, then who will? We need a plan for today, and a plan for 10 - 20 years down the road. Name recognition starts here.
SoWal Expert
DuneLaker, is it a safe bet that you don't buy into "The Beach (TM)" promotion?
BTW, I still hear a rooster crow, from the back yard of a lake front home in South Walton. He may be trying to coax the ducks into coming for a visit.
BTW, I still hear a rooster crow, from the back yard of a lake front home in South Walton. He may be trying to coax the ducks into coming for a visit.
Beach Fanatic
So sad.
I'm so tired of this depressing economy. We're losing so much of our diversity.
True when you think about it. The next struggle will be when it comes back. We will be just another PC or Destin or will the individuals that made this area so special be able to start back up again to keep our character.
Beach Fanatic
DuneLaker, is it a safe bet that you don't buy into "The Beach (TM)" promotion?
That would be a safe bet, Smiling JOe. It would also be a safe bet that if we spent our best efforts on marketing South Walton/Walton County, we'd do so well we could help out our neighboring counties with our overflow crowds. The Chambers and TDCs sort of have an unofficial rule, or so I've heard, not to speak ill of each other or say they are "Better." Well, we are better. That is something I can really buy into. Our beaches in SoWal are better, our large number of Coastal Dune Lakes are a unique environmental treasure that the other counties don't have, and we are older historically than our surrounding counties. Our restaurants are better, too! Just being in SoWal air makes everthing taste better.
When you go to any Walton County website, it should first and foremost promote Walton County place names. Somewhere down the line if a business has other counties in its mix, they could mention it. But, the first link to a website paid for by Walton County tax dollars should not lead you away from Walton County and to another County. These are tough times, and we better watch out for our best interests, while remaining good neighbors. Thanks for asking. However, I really try to avoid that disaster of a marketing plan that you alluded to in your question! ;-)
Edited
Beach Fanatic
Totally agree, Dunelaker...the energy and the light are completely different here from the neighboring areas.
I see that the County is advertising for an Economic Development position; I wish the TDC and the Economic Development person would team up and really promote our area as one unit--with so many different attractions-- both to the tourist and the business person.
I have never understood why things are done the way they are done.
The marketing for the tourism seems fragmented and way too interlocked with Destin, et al. And, from what I have seen from the last eight years, there has been no marketing for business locations.
And, the ( orange)The Beach is a joke--and the joke will probably be on all of us in the long term.
I see that the County is advertising for an Economic Development position; I wish the TDC and the Economic Development person would team up and really promote our area as one unit--with so many different attractions-- both to the tourist and the business person.
I have never understood why things are done the way they are done.
The marketing for the tourism seems fragmented and way too interlocked with Destin, et al. And, from what I have seen from the last eight years, there has been no marketing for business locations.
And, the ( orange)The Beach is a joke--and the joke will probably be on all of us in the long term.
SoWal Expert
Based on my recent review of the ski areas during their high season, we will have max of 80% of our usual crowds - many will still come (if the hurricane season cooperates), but when they do, they will make a shorter visit and will severely cut back on the extras like eating out and shopping.
Despite a variety of marketing schemes, lodging deals, extended days of lower priced lift tickets, food deals, and even gas cards, this year's holiday numbers were 70-75% of what they were last year and food/bev numbers were even lower.
The public statements of the ski areas are that "if it snows, they'll still come" but privately they are cutting back staff, hours, expenses and are quite worried.
Despite a variety of marketing schemes, lodging deals, extended days of lower priced lift tickets, food deals, and even gas cards, this year's holiday numbers were 70-75% of what they were last year and food/bev numbers were even lower.
The public statements of the ski areas are that "if it snows, they'll still come" but privately they are cutting back staff, hours, expenses and are quite worried.
Beach Fanatic
Totally agree, Dunelaker...the energy and the light are completely different here from the neighboring areas.
I see that the County is advertising for an Economic Development position; I wish the TDC and the Economic Development person would team up and really promote our area as one unit--with so many different attractions-- both to the tourist and the business person.
I have never understood why things are done the way they are done.
The marketing for the tourism seems fragmented and way too interlocked with Destin, et al. And, from what I have seen from the last eight years, there has been no marketing for business locations.
And, the ( orange)The Beach is a joke--and the joke will probably be on all of us in the long term.
I would think the goals of the TDC director and the EDA are totally different. If we are going to get serious about the development of industry then we are going to have to get assets in place in order to quickly respond to the needs of industry.
As for tourist marketing, that appears to be nothing more than the TDC responding to the needs of those that are going to generate the most dollars. Those huge complexes already have advertising budgets and are already spending hundreds of thousands marketing their properties. It would be good business to augment that marketing, but this does leave out the little guy.
Beach Fanatic
Yes, Goodwitch 58, we need more focused marketing on SoWal, Walton County. I'd like to say to Lee's Fried Chicken, "Please come back and we promise not to send clients over to "D" in the next county." Our economic development and tourist interests do need to be "NSync". This will be even more important if the 75% etc. numbers Scooterbug44 mentions are experienced here in SoWal. Let's promote SoWal and keep our numbers up. With truth in advertising, people would rather be here in SoWal. I really question another county's city's "best" beaches banter. If we got to the bottom of those numbers, where clients were really talking about was SoWal and not them. Destin is glad to have visitors in Sandestin think they are in their city and not SoWal. Who in their right mind would select Destin as a best beach over SoWal? Crazy!!! Destin has its unique attributes that it should market. But, our businesses, our future and yes our tax dollars depend on more accurate place name promotion and disclosure.
Edited
SWGB
That is the same number the rest association lady used last week. Said that the number of closures in this part of Florida was unprecedented. This just is not making a lot of sense if traffic and tourism and bed tax collections are remaining higher than last year. The grocery stores must be doing really well this round.
They are, people are not eating out like they used to.
You heard correctly. And I like fried chicken too, but if collections don't improve, I might have to raise my own chickens. :shock:
Wouldn't you still have a job regardless of the amount of tax collected?
Beach Fanatic
The TDC and EDC should team up. Certainly they will have some different goals. But, they should partner for the betterment of all of Walton County. The Chamber of Commerce is designed to support its members. Economic Development is designed to increase new businesses in the area. The TDC is designed to "put heads in beds." This has the potential of attracting visitors who book rooms, eat in restaurants and shop IN SOWAL, WACO while attending supported events. Like the Mercedes plant in Alabama was brought in by EDC. Walton County Economic Development needs to bring in new business like it did with the new hospital in SoWal, Sacred Heart Hospital on the Emerald Coast. This ripple effect brought in doctors, other businesses, home buyers and restaurant clients. This benefited residents and tourists. A good partnership. The TDC is an important part of the Walton County Chamber. Their focus is bringing in tourists, but this is certainly big business in Walton County. Economic Development is growing the pie. Lets eat more pie (and chicken)!!
Beach Fanatic
The TDC and EDC should team up.
Two different objectives.
Beach Crab
Oh yeah, Delta Kitchen's still open.....it's sooo good!
Beach Fanatic
I disagree, Robert...they have the same objective: a viable economy for Walton County...the methods are a bit different, but not all that much.
It is all geared toward Commerce.
In the state system before it was privatized, the Department of Commerce included both the Division of Tourism and the Division of Economic Development. I worked as the Communications Director for the agency and was involved in both bringing tourism to Florida and "luring" new business...especially the movie making business. During the time I worked there in the 80s, Florida had the distinction of being the #1 tourist destination (thanks Disney) for the U. S. and the #1 state for business development.
We worked as one unit and benefitted the entire state. This is how it is done in many, if not most, places.
Now, we have Visit Florida and Enterprise Florida, two separate entitites...not sure the "powers that be" in either organization talk to one another.
It is all geared toward Commerce.
In the state system before it was privatized, the Department of Commerce included both the Division of Tourism and the Division of Economic Development. I worked as the Communications Director for the agency and was involved in both bringing tourism to Florida and "luring" new business...especially the movie making business. During the time I worked there in the 80s, Florida had the distinction of being the #1 tourist destination (thanks Disney) for the U. S. and the #1 state for business development.
We worked as one unit and benefitted the entire state. This is how it is done in many, if not most, places.
Now, we have Visit Florida and Enterprise Florida, two separate entitites...not sure the "powers that be" in either organization talk to one another.
Beach Fanatic
I disagree, Robert...they have the same objective: a viable economy for Walton County...the methods are a bit different, but not all that much.
It is all geared toward Commerce.
In the state system before it was privatized, the Department of Commerce included both the Division of Tourism and the Division of Economic Development. I worked as the Communications Director for the agency and was involved in both bringing tourism to Florida and "luring" new business...especially the movie making business. During the time I worked there in the 80s, Florida had the distinction of being the #1 tourist destination (thanks Disney) for the U. S. and the #1 state for business development.
We worked as one unit and benefitted the entire state. This is how it is done in many, if not most, places.
Now, we have Visit Florida and Enterprise Florida, two separate entitites...not sure the "powers that be" in either organization talk to one another.
I think economic development is a whole lot different today than it was in the eighties. The massive amount of regulations put in place in the last twenty years has changed the whole dynamic. Now you have to work on getting assets in place before you even begin your marketing plan. Having the two agencies combined back then, imho, is what led us to build such a tourist only economy that has gotten us into the mess we are in, especially in this county. Opting for tourist/service workers and never really going after manufacturing. It appears we are just now starting to see why we should have investing more in the latter with the creation of the commerce center in Mossy Head. Now if they will only get the infrastructure in place.
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