The Florida Retail Federation, the state’s premier trade association representingretailers for more than 75 years, announced today that the average person celebrating Halloween this year will spend $74.34, compared with $77.52 last year. Total spending nationally on Halloween is expected to reach $6.9 billion, according to the National Retail Federation’s Halloween Consumer Spending Survey conducted by Prosper Insights & Analytics.
The Gulf Breeze Area Chamber of Commerce hosted the 3rd Annual Taste of Gulf Breeze last Friday evening in conjunction with the Gulf Breeze Community Expo. Over 600 people attended this year’s event and sampled delicious appetizers, beverages, and desserts from 18 area restaurants and food and beverage providers while they visited with area businesses. Awards were given for Best Appetizer, Best Beverage and Best Dessert in Restaurant and Specialty Divisions, along with the overall Best of Taste award.
United Way of Santa Rosa (UWSR) recently named Debra Baez as operations & campaign director. Reporting directly to executive director, Guy Thompson, in this dual-role position she assists with day-to-day operations and manages the annual county-wide workplace giving campaign.
The August jobs numbers released Friday in Tallahassee reflect continuing momentum for Santa Rosa County, where employment grew by about 500 from the same period a year earlier and the joblessness rate fell to 4.8 percent from 5.7.
Cutler Dawson was in town Tuesday to check out the latest Navy Federal Credit Union branch. It opened in June in Gulf Breeze and is one of eight concept branches in the company.
In the wake of the largest infestation of Oriental Fruit Flies in Florida’s history, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner Adam Putnam has declared a state of agricultural emergency.
A National Labor Relations Board ruling that modified the definition of an employer could hurt small businesses including franchises and subcontractors, according to industry groups that advocate for those companies.
The Gulf Breeze Area Chamber of Commerce will host the 26th Annual Gulf Breeze Community Expo Friday and Saturday Oct. 2 and Oct. 3 at the Gulf Breeze Community Center. The Expo is a free indoor event showcasing businesses serving the Gulf Breeze and Pensacola Bay areas. The doors open to the public from 5 – 8 p.m. Friday evening starting with the Taste of Gulf Breeze, the popular event where local restaurants, bars, and food vendors offer their tasty fares throughout the business exhibition areas. Saturday’s business showcase is also free to the public and begins at 9 a.m. and continues until 2 p.m. Saturday’s showcase features local businesses, children’s activities, and door prizes.
The Navarre Beach Area Chamber of Commerce held its monthly Commerce and Coffee Aug. 28 Raider style. The meeting served as a hometown pep rally for the Navarre High School football team as they prepared for their home opener against Pensacola’s Catholic High School. Head Coach Jay Walls and Dr. Steve Jordan with the Andrews Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Center were the featured speakers.
