NEWS

Delray Beach, FL (April 2, 2018)…Delray Beach Downtown Development Authority(DDA) Executive Director Laura Simon has been selected to serve on the International Downtown Association (IDA) Nighttime Economy Council.  She will work with five other members representing Downtown Orlando, Jacksonville, Lower Eastside NYC, Denver and Winnipeg, to create best practices for developing a nighttime economy for established, growing and emerging Downtown urban districts. Ms. Simon has worked for the Delray Beach DDA since 2010, and was promoted to Executive Director in 2015.

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.

Delray Beach, FL (April 4, 2018)… Cheers to a successful 10^th Annual Savor the Avenue 2018!  Downtown Delray Beach on East Atlantic Avenue from Swinton Avenue to East Fifth Avenue (U.S. 1) was once again the place to be on March 26^th as 1,100 guests sat down for dinner together at the five block long, 1,320 feet dining table.  This culinary tradition, made possible by the Delray Beach Magazine & Boca Raton Magazine’s partnership with the Delray Beach Downtown Development Authority (DDA), and hosted by Steve Weagle of WPTV NewsChannel 5, showcased many of the award-winning restaurants located within the Downtown area.

For the 6th year, the Savor the Avenue restaurants competed in the “Best in Show” table décor contest. The winners were: 1^st place – Salt 7, 2^nd place – Max’s Harvest, and 3^rd place – 50 Ocean. For the People’s Choice Award, guests voted for their favorite Savor the Avenue table scape by uploading a picture of the best table to Facebook or Instagram, using #SavorPeoplesChoice and checking in to or tagging the restaurant name.  The 2018 People’s Choice Award winner for the restaurant with the best table décor was Salt7.

The 16 restaurants with three chefs and at least 10 staff each prepared 4,400 food courses and included: 32 East, 50 Ocean, Avant, Cabana El Rey, Caffe Luna Rosa, Che!!!, City Oyster & Sushi Bar, Cut 432, Gary Rack's Farmhouse Kitchen, Lemongrass, Max’s Harvest, Rack’s Fish House & Oyster Bar, Rocco’s Tacos, Salt 7, The Office, and Vic & Angelo’s.

“Savor The Avenue is an economic development focused program for the DDA, and as such, guests were asked to participate in a survey and were entered into a drawing for an opportunity to win a dinner for two at a Downtown Delray Beach restaurant of their choice, ” said Laura Simon, Executive Director. In addition, the Not One Homeless Hungry Student Delray Beach initiative was the beneficiary of $3,200. Each guest reservation included a $3 contribution to this non-profit whose focus is to fill the hunger gap over the weekend for homeless students in Delray Beach. We greatly appreciate everyone’s support for this unique and social dining experience.”

Savor the Avenue is presented by: Delray Beach Magazine, Boca Raton Magazine, and the Delray Beach Downtown Development Authority.  Savor the Avenue 2018 was sponsored by: 236 Fifth Delray, Douglas Elliman, Atlas Event Rentals, and Grimes Events & Party Tents.

For more information, please visit downtowndelraybeach.com or phone 561.243.1077. To view photos from the event visit facebook.com/DelrayDDA and #SavorTheAvenue on Instagram.

ABOUT 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.