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Economic Development

Our goal is to connect merchants with consumers who are willing to support the local economy and find the quality local products and services that Delray Beach is known for. The areas in and around Atlantic Avenue are filled with exceptional small businesses that offer the types of consumer goods that have been vital in helping us grow our Village by the Sea. If you know of any business who is looking to locate to Downtown Delray Beach, or who is currently in Downtown Delray Beach but needs help reaching their local market, we are here to help.

In The Biz

Tuesday, August 10, 2021 - 2:46pm

Delray Beach, Florida USA
August 05, 2021

The Florida Food And Beverage Workers Association (FFBWA) today announced the final agenda and current list of hiring restaurants for the InTheBiz Delray Member Social & Job Crawl happening on Wednesday, August 11 at the new Delray Beach Market. InTheBiz Delray features twelve interviewing stations that represent over fifty restaurant locations throughout South Florida. Both a free membership drive and job festival, InTheBiz Delray offers attendees an innovative way to interview for jobs while socializing with fellow hospitality professionals in a festive venue. Beginning at 5 PM attendees will be offered a complementary beverage and discounted food and drinks throughout the event. At 8 PM candidates are invited to visit local participating restaurants in person to meet more staff and continue the interview process. InTheBiz Delray concludes the evening with an after party hosted by Bru's Room off Atlantic Avenue from 8 to 10 PM.  

Participating restaurant and resort food and beverage departments include: Anthony's Coal Fired Pizza, Bru's Room, City Oyster & Sushi Bar, Delray Beach Market, Delray Sands Resort, Elisabetta's, Johnnie Browns, Lionfish Delray Beach, OPAL Grand, Rocco's Tacos, Rosewater Rooftop, Sundy House, The Agency and Throw Social. FFBWA spokesperson Paul Dudley commented "we purposely assembled this group of high profile operators based on them having multiple locations to hire for or are just opening and urgently need to fill all positions.". He continued  "we want to deliver our members a variety of employers to engage in an intimate setting without having the stigma of an old school job fair." Additional restaurant and resort operators are expected to participate and will be announced as they join.

Attendees requiring special access or mobility services should contact the organizers in advance by emailing inthebiz@ffbwa.org. Hospitality job seekers and hiring companies can get more festival details and register online at www.InTheBizFlorida.org.

About The FFBWA- Florida Food & Beverage Workers Association (FFBWA) is a trade advocacy group for the over one million rock star hospitality professionals throughout the Sunshine State. The FFBWA mission is to be the voice of the talent for the Floridian food and beverage service industry representing our membership with confidence, pride, and purpose.

See the Flyer below for more information.

Delray Beach Ice Cream Challenge Recap

Thursday, January 9, 2020 - 5:30pm

This fun summer program was created to develop both awareness for a subset of shops (everything ICE CREAM) in the Downtown Delray Beach area, while encouraging guests to try something new and explore Downtown Delray Beach. The campaign was launched both in-store and on Facebook.  The organic engagement that evolved from this program was really fun to see, even a local Youtuber got involved! 

We hope you enjoy our recap of this sweet summer campaign:)

Food Hall To Open in Downtown Delray Beach in 2020

Wednesday, June 5, 2019 - 2:21pm

Original article posted on WPTV.com

 

Foodies, listen up!

A brand new, 60,000-square-foot food hall is coming to Delray Beach that will feature 35 chefs and operators.

According to Brand Story Communications, groundbreaking is scheduled to occur later this summer at the corner of Southeast Third Avenue and Southeast First Street, which is just off Atlantic Avenue.

The Delray Beach Market will be housed in a four-story building and is being billed as Florida's largest food hall.

It will also feature multiple outdoor spaces and a four-level parking garage that can hold 220 vehicles.

The food hall is scheduled to open in the fall of 2020.

Delray Beach CRA inks deal with BH3 for West Atlantic mixed-use project

Tuesday, April 9, 2019 - 4:02pm

On April 9, the Delray Beach Community Redevelopment Agency board made plans to move forward with a purchase and sale agreement with Aventura-based real estate firm BH3 for the mixed-use project along West Altantic Avenue.

The firm was awarded the project after the CRA board was presented with six proposals to redevelop the 600-800 blocks of the West Atlantic corridor back in January. The proposal for "AtlaWest" includes floor retail space, professional office space, 700 total parking spaces with a grocery store along and residential units including workforce housing and a public space named "Frog Alley" - paying homage to the nearby historic area of the neighborhood.

Other proposals presented to the CRA board included Uptown Delray, Jones New Urban, Kayne Anderson, Land America and Prime Investors.

Downtown Delray Beach Property & Business Owners and Residents Attend Annual Town Hall Session

Wednesday, April 18, 2018 - 12:10pm

Delray Beach, FL (April 4, 2018)…The Delray Beach Downtown Development Authority(DDA) hosted the Annual Town Hall Session for Property & Business Owners – “State of the Downtown”- on Thursday, March 29, 2018 at 6:00 p.m. at the Crest Theatre at Old School Square.  DDA Board President Peter Arts welcomed the more than 150 guests, followed by Laura Simon, Executive Director who shared the mission and focus of the organization –  marketing of the Downtown District, placemaking, and economic vitality.  She also included highlights of Delray Beach Fashion Week, the Downtown Security Ambassador Pilot Program and Savor the Avenue. 

Featured speaker Robert Gibbs, Gibbs Planning Group presented the results of the Downtown Delray Beach Downtown Retail Market Study and the Downtown Shopability Analysis.  Highlights included: 

  • Through the Retail Market Analysis, provided the categories of retail/restaurants that are supportable within the Downtown.
  • Providing strong recommendations from the customers point of view regarding ways to enhance the Downtown shopping experience including first impressions, and how important these are for a return visit.
  • Downtown Delray Beach has a walkability score of 92 out of 100 - among the highest in the nation. 
  • Reviewed all master plans, land development regulations, codes, parking regulations, and signage, and provided short, medium and long-term recommendations to create the #1 Downtown in the US.

 

“Delray Beach is one of the top five downtown shopping districts in the US,” said Robert J. Gibbs, AICP, ASLA, Gibbs Planning Group.  “It is filled with an exciting collection of restaurants, specialty shops and hotels all clustered around beautiful, walkable streets and squares. Delray has the rare X-Factor desired out by many millennials, young families, empty nesters and tourists.”

 

To view the complete reports, please visit:  www.DowntownDelrayBeach.com/Research-Data. The DDA is appreciative of Dada and Dr. Doodles Donuts for providing refreshments at the Property & Business Owners Town Hall.

 

About the Downtown Delray Beach Retail Market Study:  The report includes a written and illustrated summary of relevant population and demographic characteristics of the Downtown trade area, including the socioeconomic characteristics and buying patterns; and a qualitative opinion as to whether or not retail development is supportable, sales forecasts, and size estimates of the retail categories.

 

About the Downtown Shopability Analysis:  A comprehensive, market-based plan for the downtown commercial district to improve its retail market share and become more appealing to leading retailers and restaurants.  The plan includes short- medium- and long-term strategies and recommendations for building infill, lighting, open space, parking, storefronts, streetscape, tenant mix, vehicular circulation and walkability that can be made to achieve maximum shopper appeal and potential sales

 

 

For more information, please contact the DDA by email DDA@DowntownDelrayBeach.com or call 561.243.1077. 

 

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About the Delray Beach Downtown Development Authority

The Delray Beach Downtown Development Authority mission is to stimulate, enhance and sustain the economic vitality of Downtown Delray Beach and the quality of life enjoyed by locals and visitors.  For more information, please visit www.downtowndelraybeach.com or phone 561.243.1077.