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Old School Square Hosts 27th Annual Downtown Delray Beach Craft Festival

Friday, June 20, 2025 - 3:19pm

WHAT: The Delray Beach Downtown Development Authority (DDA), in partnership with Howard Alan Events, has announced the 27th Annual Downtown Delray Beach Craft Festival is returning to Downtown Delray Beach on Saturday, Sept. 9th & Sunday, Sept. 10th from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The show will take place outdoors at Old School Square, at 51 N. Swinton Avenue. This central, downtown location is surrounded by great shops, and fantastic restaurants in an artistic community.

 

WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 9th & Sunday, Sept. 10th from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m 

 

WHERE:  Old School Square, 51 N. Swinton Avenue, Delray Beach, FL 33444

 

COST: Free

 

For a full list of events happening at Old School Square, visit https://delrayoldschoolsquare.com/events or call 561-654-2220.

 

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POP2000 Tour Coming to Delray Beach This Summer Featuring Members of N’Sync, O-Town & More!

Friday, June 20, 2025 - 3:04pm

  

Delray Beach, FL – April 25, 2025: Get ready for a nostalgia-packed summer as the Delray Beach Downtown Development Authority (DDA) presents a "Pop Culture" celebration at Old School Square, featuring the electrifying POP 2000 Tour Concert at The Amphitheatre and a bold new art exhibition at the Cornell Art Museum.

 

POP 2000 Tour Concert – A Boy Band Blast from the Past!

On Saturday, July 5, 2025, The Amphitheatre at Old School Square will come alive with the POP 2000 Tour Concert. Hosted by Chris Kirkpatrick of NSYNC, the show will feature performances by members of O-Town, LFO, and Ryan Cabrera—a dream lineup for any 2000s pop fan. General admission and VIP tickets are on sale now at https://events.delrayoldschoolsquare.com/event-details/pop-2000.

 

COST:

  • General Admission: $27 per ticket (kids 5 and under are free). Bring your own seat.
  • Premium: $47 per ticket. Enjoy a premium seat.  
  • VIP Ticket: $67 per ticket. Enjoy our VIP experience with access to our exclusive VIP lounge area with a dedicated bar, a VIP seat at the front of the stage, and a free specialty cocktail.

 

"Pop Culture" Exhibition at Cornell Art Museum

Opening Saturday, July 5, 2025, the "Pop Culture" exhibition will take over the lower galleries of the Cornell Art Museum through September 28, 2025. Admission is free (donations welcome), inviting visitors to explore vibrant works by talented artists, including:

  • Gwak – A Sarasota-based artist whose 15-year journey in the arts reflects a fascination with the unconventional.
  • Ashleigh Walters – A Palm Beach County painter and sculptor known for her whimsical, oddly scaled creations.
  • Annina Rüst – A Jupiter-based artist-technologist pushing the boundaries of electronics and software-based media art.
  • Rogerio Peixoto – A Brazilian born South Florida artist creating 3D sculptures and pop paintings on mirror.

 

WHEN: Saturday, July 5, 2025. Cornell Art Museum exhibition opening takes place from 6 to 9 p.m. POP 2000 TOUR Concert is from 7 to 9:30 p.m. Gates open at 6 p.m. The “Pop Culture” exhibition will remain on view in the Lower NE and SE galleries of the Cornell Art Museum through September 28, 2025. Hours at the Cornell Art Museum are Wednesday 12 to 5 p.m.; Thursday & Friday 12 to 7 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Sunday 12 to 5 p.m.

 

WHERE: Cornell Art Museum and The Amphitheatre at Old School Square, 51 N. Swinton Avenue, Delray Beach, FL 33444. Parking available in Old School Square garage. Concert Entrance: Please enter the concert area at NE 2nd Avenue / Pineapple Grove Way.

 

TICKETS: https://events.delrayoldschoolsquare.com/event-details/pop-2000

 

IMAGES courtesy of the Delray DDA: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/0lz7eo8cbis9atvn6tj4d/AJBcpv_FuyFXV0ABd-wpnVE?rlkey=20785k4fa1lljmf7t1cyoe2c3&st=m8n2kjs7&dl=0

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DELRAY BEACH DDA CELEBRATES FOUNDER ROY M. SIMON (1930 - 2024)

Tuesday, August 20, 2024 - 1:39pm

Roy M. Simon, Delray Beach Architect and Founder of the Delray Beach Downtown Development Authority, Passed Away Today, August 14, 2024

Delray Beach, Florida – August 14, 2024: The Delray Beach Downtown Development Authority (DDA) is deeply saddened to announce the passing of Roy Simon, a cherished member of the Delray Beach community. Simon, age 93, a longtime architect and founder of the Delray Beach DDA, passed away today, August 14, 2024. Simon, who is also the father of current Executive Director of the DDA, Laura Simon, was surrounded by family.Simon was born in Delray Beach and grew up in Downtown Delray where he attended Delray Beach Elementary School and Delray Beach High School – both of which are now part of Old School Square. He was the grandson and son of Delray Beach pioneers who first settled in Downtown Delray Beach in 1912. Simon, one Delray Beach’s oldest working architects, established his firm in Delray Beach in 1959, providing architectural services in building design, preparation of construction documents, interior design, historic preservation, and more. One of his most notable projects was the recently demolished Atlantic Plaza near Veterans Park, open from 1987 to 2023. He also designed Pompey Park, the original Urban Outfitters building and many of the churches in Delray Beach, such as Trinity Lutheran and St. Vincent’s Catholic Church.

In 1971, Simon founded the Delray Beach DDA in order to grow, strengthen, and enhance the economic vitality of Downtown Delray Beach. His mission was to create parking for visitors and employees in Downtown Delray. He spearheaded the creation of the in-lieu parking program, and he assembled and helped the DDA acquire the majority of the public parking lots in Downtown Delray Beach. Then in 1987, Simon was part of a “task force” created to save the buildings that had once housed Delray Beach Elementary and High School but had since been abandoned by the Palm Beach County School District. Simon, along with Frances Bourque and Ken Simback, had a vision of turning the property into a people-oriented activity center for the arts and culture – one that would revitalize downtown Delray forever – and they called it Old School Square. The task force then officially created the Old School Square Foundation.

Simon was an active member of many boards for Delray Beach and Palm Beach County, including the Code Enforcement Board, Community Appearance Board, Planning and Zoning Board, and Zoning Board of Adjustments. He served as Vice President and two-time President of the Delray Beach Chamber of Commerce, was a former Trustee and Board Member of the Old School Square Historic Preservation Project, and twice served as Chairman of the Delray Beach DDA. A charter board member and 42-year board member of the Delray Beach Historical Society, he also served as a Trustee since 1977. As a member of the Rotary Club, he earned the “Service Above Self” award.

Simon resided in the Delray Beach Lake Ida neighborhood for more than 65 years and dedicated his life to the growth and vitality of his beloved city. You could find him eating lunch almost every day at his favorite restaurant, the Green Owl and he always honked as he drove past the DDA offices in Downtown Delray on his way home from work. His widow, Beth, who was by his side since 1961, passed away in 2023.

“My father’s passion and commitment to his hometown and, most of all, the DDA is incredible. There was not a day that went by where he did not ask how Downtown Delray and the DDA were doing, along with sharing what we SHOULD be doing to help downtown prosper,” said his daughter Laura Simon who started with the DDA in 2010 after her father’s encouragement. “It is and has been truly an honor and privilege to serve in his footsteps for my hometown.”

 

Photos of Roy Simon, courtesy of the Simon Family: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/otzyyedcito8wnv4e3wub/AFzLHj2DHBXszsv7eVKI58s?rlkey=9dkpz5ni67tu6xug1amcm8kvj&st=cm0splf2&dl=0

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"Wings Over the Square" Butterfly Art Installation "Flying" Over Old School Square

Tuesday, July 16, 2024 - 2:45pm

The Delray Beach Downtown Development Authority (DDA) has announced the installation of the new art activation at Old School Square in Downtown Delray Beach called “Wings Over the Square".

The extensive butterfly art installation is up just in time for the 2nd Annual Delray Walls Mural Fest on Friday, July 26 and Saturday, July 27. “Wings Over the Square” by artist Lisa Littell is part of the DDA’s “Summer at the Square” initiative, a months-long series of exciting summer happenings at Old School Square in downtown Delray Beach.
 
“Wings Over the Square” features ten large (four-feet tall) butterfly installations with smaller groupings in the Amphitheatre area of Old School Square campus for photo ops. The butterflies will also be painted on the exterior doors of the Cornell Art Museum as well as featured inside the museum as part of an upcoming exhibition, “Nature’s Palette: Art Inspired by the Earth,” which opens September 6, 2024.
 
“We are excited to bring this creative, whimsical and unique art installation to downtown Delray,” said Laura Simon, Executive Director of the Delray Beach DDA. “Our hope is that Wings Over the Square will bring feelings of joy, lightness, and transformation to our residents and visitors that visit our downtown this summer.”
 
“Wings Over the Square” was created by professional fine artist, graphic artist and muralist, Lisa Littell. The butterfly art serves as a symbol of transformation and love for Littell, who said she hopes to create a ripple of positivity and joy that transcends boundaries and touches the heart. According to Littell, the butterflies are meant to send a message of hope to anyone who visits the installation.

Lisa Littell has found immense joy in creating art that touches hearts and brings smiles to the art appreciator. As a professional fine artist, graphic artist and muralist, her art is creative, whimsical and unique, always incorporating an interesting play on color and perspective. Through struggles and sacrifices in her personal life, her art has been both empowering and inspiring, allowing expression of emotions for herself and her collectors. The art breaks down walls of isolation and provides a space where creativity, passion and connection flourish. The butterfly art, as a symbol of transformation and love, marks a new chapter as she hopes to create a ripple of positivity and joy that transcends boundaries and touches the heart. The butterflies are sending a message of hope for anyone who visits the installation.

"Wings Over the Square" will be up at Old School Square through at least the end of September. 

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New Restaurants and Retailers Opening in Downtown Delray

Friday, July 12, 2024 - 10:42am

The Delray Beach Downtown Development Authority (DDA) is excited to announce the opening and expansion of numerous new and existing restaurants and retailers in Downtown Delray Beach this summer and beyond.

“We are excited for the continued growth of Downtown Delray Beach,” said Laura Simon, Executive Director of the Delray Beach DDA. “Not only are we continuing to bring in new retailers, businesses and restaurants to our business district, but we are successfully and quickly filling vacancies as existing businesses choose to leave or move locations at the end of their leases. These are all signs of a healthy downtown.”

Visitors and residents to Downtown Delray Beach can expect the following this summer and in the coming months:

RESTAURANTS/CAFES:

  • Subculture Coffee is opening its new Downtown Delray Beach location at 302 NE 6th Avenue (Northbound Federal Highway). The grand opening is Wednesday, July 17, 2024 at 5pm. 
  • Kapow Noodle Bar will open at Salt7’s former location (32 SE 2nd Ave) in the Fall of 2024.
  • Michelin-starred Chef Michael Mina will open his Bourbon Steak restaurant at The Seagate Hotel on Atlantic Avenue. The new space will seat 310 and feature a 34-seat bar, patio seating, and a private dining room for 24. It is expected to open in late 2024.
  • Amar Bistro is moving to the Bar 25 location on Federal Highway (25 SE 6th Ave) where it will offer a full bar, covered outdoor patio and additional seating. The new Amar Mediterranean Kitchen and Bar is scheduled to open in September 2024. Amar’s current location (522 E Atlantic Ave.) will reopen in November 2024 as Gesto, an artisanal pizza shop.
  • The owners of Tropical Smokehouse in West Palm Beach will open a similar concept in the former Pour and Famous location at 524 W. Atlantic Ave. Tropical Smokehouse is a Florida BBQ restaurant.
  • Pura Vida is opening in the former BurgerFi location at 6 S. Ocean Blvd. on the southwest corner of Atlantic Avenue and A1A. Pura Vida is a healthy-minded café serving natural, wholesome foods.
  • The Standard, a modern American restaurant and bar with one location in Mizner Park, has opened its second spot to replace The OG at 166 SE 2nd Ave.
  • Lefkes will open July 2024 in the Delray Beach Market. Lefkes offers traditional Greek dining.
  • Geronimo Tequila Bar & Southwest Grill, located in New Haven, CT, will open a South Florida location at 105 E Atlantic Ave, which was formerly Cabana El Rey.
  • True Grit Hospitality has taken over the former Taverna Opa space at 270 E. Atlantic Ave. and will open a new concept, “Roka Hula,” a full service modern Asian Tiki Bar & Restaurant.
  • The Bridge Café is expanding into the vacant space just east of its current location (814 E. Atlantic Ave) where the owners will open a complementary concept.
  • Gabriella’s Modern Italian, created by the popular New Jersey restaurant of similar name and concept, Gabriella’s Italian Steakhouse, will open this October on NE Seventh Avenue within Atlantic Crossing.
  • Jerk and Lime at Nicole’s House, a family-owned Jamaican fusion restaurant, is opening late summer/fall at 182 NW 5th Avenue.
  • Johnny’s Deli opened at Toni’s Market on West Atlantic Avenue near the Tennis Center.

RETAIL:

  • New York City-based gourmet cookie shop, Chip City, opened its first Delray location at 302 E Atlantic Ave, Unit 302, in May.
  • Candle Land opened at 415 E. Atlantic Ave on June 9.
  • Delray Design Studio by Zelman Style Interiors opened on June 13th at 111 SE 1st Avenue.
  • Tootsies and Kokonuts are being combined and moving to 400 E Atlantic (Global Pursuit).
  • House of Perna is relocating from Arts Warehouse to Shoppes at the Ray on NE 2nd Ave. This will be fashion designer Amanda Perna’s second downtown location (she also co-owns A Little Wyld).
  • The Shops at the Seagate are moving to Pineapple Grove where they will reopen as Tern Studio
  • Surf District, located in Ocean City Lumber Co. (220 NE 1st St.) is under new ownership.
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