Florida Secretary of State, Cord Byrd, and Florida Main Street honors Vilano Beach Main Street with 3 prestigious awards at the 39th annual Florida Main Street and Preservation Awards Ceremony.
The Four Points Approach is a business model used by both Florida Main Street and Main Street America. The Four Points that guide Vilano Beach Main Street are:
Organization, Promotions, Design and Economic Development.
Organization
A significant reorganization of the 20-year Vilano Beach Main Street community (VBMS) began in 2022 under leadership of new President and Town Center business owner, Linda LaCerva. An action-oriented team of volunteer board members was established bringing professional expertise in finance, marketing, branding, events, promotion, beautification, and business ownership. New organizational procedures were put into place including revised by-laws.
Through a meticulous focus on fundraising, VBMS now has a healthy bottom line. New reporting and tracking has been established to manage all financial transactions. The CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency) was reorganized, and community and government partnerships were forged.
Promotion and Design
At the heart of Vilano Beach’s resurgence is an inspired rebranding initiative—”Catch the Vibe”. Through a masterful blend of website redesign, social media innovation, and captivating branding efforts, VBMS unleashed a tidal wave of enthusiasm, driving well over 200,000 visits to the website. A priority has been placed on driving memberships and a new Small Business Directory was added to the website to aid small business promotions. The Town Center entrance was redesigned. A monthly meeting was set up to inform the community of Town Center progress, address problems, and offer residents a sounding board. A monthly Artisan Market for residents and visitors expanded from 20 to 65+ vendors .
VIBE-Rations Music Festival occurs annually. Vilano has a month-long family-oriented Vilano Holiday Village in December. A three-day Whiskey, Wine and Wildlife event is held in the Town Center. We participate in the St. Augustine Food and Wine Festival as a charity-of-record. Both of the culinary events have generated over $75,000.00.
Economic Development
Economic development continues with the opening of the 2 Hyatt Place Hotel.
Several new restaurants opened:
- PESCA’s – a high-end restaurant, lobby and rooftop bar located in thy Hyatt Place Hotel.
- Vilano Coffee shop, located in the Holiday Inn Express offers coffee, ice cream and pastries.
- Yamo Beachside Caffe, located at Magic Beach Motel.
Future development:
- An Irish Pub will replace Haley’s Pub.
- Snappers, a family-friendly restaurant with historic preservation status, will open in 2025.
- Breakwater Villas, a 49-unit townhome development, broke ground and will include mixed-use flex space.
- Costa De Sol, a residential condo development with two buildings totaling 11 units near the ocean, has been approved.
- Restoration of three oceanfront parks is in process.
VBMS stands as a shining example of what can be achieved through vision, dedication, and collaboration. From organizational excellence, promotion and design triumphs, and smart economic development, VBMS has redefined the narrative of Vilano Beach, transforming it into a vibrant, thriving destination.
What is Florida Main Street?
Florida Main Street is a state-wide program dedicated to revitalizing historic downtowns and commercial districts through a comprehensive, community-driven approach. By focusing on economic development, historic preservation, and improving the quality of life, the program encourages local stakeholders to work together to create vibrant, sustainable communities. The “Four Points” approach—organization, promotion, design, and economic vitality—guides these efforts, ensuring a balanced and effective strategy. Through collaboration and innovation, Florida Main Street helps breathe new life into neighborhoods, fostering pride and a sense of place among residents and visitors alike.