A monthly event has returned to Punta Gorda to help revitalize the downtown district’s business community following numerous calamities, including hurricanes and the Great Recession.
The Punta Gorda Downtown Experience is the new iteration of an event held the third Thursday of each month, created to promote downtown businesses and give back to the community. It will take place from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday in the Breezeway of Herald Court near the Dream Salon and parking garage and on Taylor Street near Marion Avenue and Retta Esplanade in the downtown district.
After Hurricane Charley destroyed many businesses and buildings in the city in 2004, Punta Gorda began a revitalization effort to rebuild, and after several years the downtown district again bustled with activity. Then the Great Recession hit and in 2022, Hurricane Ian caused more destruction to the city.
Jerry Presseller, whose family has owned businesses in the downtown district, began the Downtown Punta Gorda Farmers Market 15 years ago. It remains a local and tourist mainstay, operating from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. in tourist season, and 8 a.m. to noon in warmer months.
To continue the revitalization effort post-Hurricane Charley, the Punta Gorda Chamber of Commerce and merchants began an event on the third Thursday of each month called Gallery Walk, then later Alive After Five, Wine Walk and now, after Hurricane Ian, the Punta Gorda Downtown Experience.
Vendors open their doors after hours to provide a variety of specials, free samples and other perks. In years past, musicians played New Orleans-type jazz on the street.
The pandemic brough a halt to the events in 2020. As life slowly returned to normal in the downtown district with visitors and locals turning out to explore the city, newer business owners expanded the scope of Punta Gorda’s offering to the city.
Patti Haley-Herndon, owner of Punta Gorda Chocolate & Wine, joined forces with other merchants to promote the monthly third Thursday event.
Presseller’s daughter, Julie Presseller, and her partner joined Downtown Experience. Herndon represented the brick-and-mortar stores and Julie Presseller’s team, which included her father, brought in outside vendors who sell home-grown arts and crafts, gifts and small food options on the street, beginning in October.
“[It’s] our comeback from the pandemic,” Julie Presseller said.
The Thursday event also will focus on helping others. In support of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, which needs supplies of hygiene products, namely toilet paper, deodorant, soap, cleaning products, toothpaste and brushes and shampoo, there will be a drop-off table in the breezeway of Herald Court Centre accepting donations. Those unable to be there that night can drop off their donations at the Punta Gorda Chamber of Commerce, 252 W. Marion Ave., and the chamber will arrange to deliver the goods to St. Vincent de Paul on the donors’ behalf.
The second cause is the Charlotte High School Silver King Band, which has the opportunity to visit Tennessee to represent the area in a musical event in early 2024. Some of the students and their families are not in a financial position to afford the trip.
“We want every child to get the chance to go. Together we can do this and send them on a trip of a lifetime,” Punta Gorda Chamber of Commerce President John Wright said.
The regular band and advanced band will play in the parking lot of Illusions Salon and Spa on Taylor Street, next to the Taylor Street Saturday farmers market Thursday. Donations can be made on-site or at any of the participating merchants.
There will be other ways to help during the Downtown Experience.
Pomegranate & Fig will be collecting baby items for its baby supply drive, collecting diapers size 3-6, pull-ups of any size and baby wipes.
There will be other events that evening, including a craft beer tasting at Punta Gorda Chocolate & Wine, and the public can try a hazelnut mocha frappe at Punta Gorda Coffee and Tea.
