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Delray's Fabulous Fashion Week Hits Its Stride

Tuesday, January 27, 2015 - 1:24pm

DELRAY’S FABULOUS FASHION WEEK HITS ITS STRIDE

Delray Beach, FL (January 27, 2015)… That’s a wrap! The 2nd annual Delray’s Fabulous Fashion Week transformed Downtown from January 17-24, 2015 with runway events, designer trunk shows, styling tips, beauty events and of course shopping. With 35 events and more than 70 models showcasing over 250 looks throughout the week, hundreds of people attended the events, and the sold out fashion show runway seats raised more than $4,000 for the Achievement Centers for Children & Families, as well as Delray Beach Center for the Arts.

Led this year by Jule Guaglardi, owner of RoxyLuLu and created by the Delray Beach Downtown Development Authority and the local merchants, Fashion Week was a great opportunity for the more than 70 participating businesses to showcase their merchandise, designs, and create in-store events.
Highlights included:
• The festivities kicked off Saturday, January 17th with over 20 beautiful models, both men and women showcasing Delray SWIM in the streets and on the runway at Worthing Park.

• The inaugural Recycled Runway Fashion Show and Vintage Trunk Show & Tea Dance was presented January 18th by Naked Hair Salon & More and 4th Avenue Photography & Video and benefitted the Delray Beach Centre for the Arts.

• The Bold & Print – Ready to Wear Resort Wear Fashion Show was held on January 20th at 777 Plaza E. Atlantic Ave., and featured designs such as BCBG, Alan Paine, Lily Pulitzer, Trina Turk, Julian Chang, Lola Australia, Surf Bazarr, as well as a meet and greet with the Downtown Designers.

• Delray’s Fabulous Fashion Show Finale - “Gypsy’s to Jetsetters” - took place Saturday, January 24th on Atlantic Avenue in front of the Colony Hotel at 525 E. Atlantic Ave. Featuring original designs from 10 local designers and evening wear from over 40 fashion boutiques and shops throughout Downtown, the event also included a Vendor Showcase, entertainment by Matthew Farmer, and co-hosts Tim Byrd and Jules Guaglardi. A huge thank you to the downtown hair salons and makeup artists for beautifying all of the models, and to fashion show guest hosts Tim Byrd, Jules Guaglardi, and Arleen Roberts.

This year the 10 fashion designers based right here in Downtown Delray Beach took center stage. Their lines were featured throughout the week and incorporated into the Grand Finale fashion show. Be sure to stop by their stores for fashion of all kinds for men and women including pants, dresses, tops, leggings, shorts, skirts, belts, jewelry, handbags, swimsuits, ready to wear, one of a kind couture, bridal, and fitness wear.

“Fashion Week is truly a special event for Delray Beach because all of the participating businesses are based within the Downtown area, “ said Laura Simon, Associate Director, DDA, “ one of the main goals of the DDA is to market and promote the businesses to drive economic growth, and everyone coming together to highlight this unique niche, is a fantastic way to do this!”

Delray’s Fabulous Fashion Week sponsors were: Platinum - Lincoln of Delray; Gold - Delray Beach Magazine, Swatches and Rags, Roxy Lulu, Grimes Tents & Events, INNOV8; Silver - Naked Hair Salon & More, The Colony Hotel & Cabana Club, Salt7, Delray Garden Center, Samar Hospitality, Haystacks; Bonze – Margaux Riviera, The Fairfield Inn and Suites, 4th Avenue Photography, Birthdaycomp.com, and Miami Fashion Network; Media: The Pineapple Newspaper and VUP Media.

For a recap of Fashion Week photos and videos please visit downtowndelraybeach.com/fashion-week and facebook.com/delraydda.
For more information, please call 561.243.1077.
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DOWNTOWN DELRAY BEACH SALES GROWTH OVER $62 MILLION FROM 2008-2013

Saturday, August 23, 2014 - 2:23pm

Delray Beach, FL (October 23, 2014)…Downtown Delray Beach DDA District retail and restaurant sales volume from 2008-2013 has increased by $62 million. The additional sales totaled $237,008,429, a 35.4% increase in retail and restaurant business over the past five years. The Delray Beach Downtown Development Authority requests figures from the State of Florida Department of Revenue to track growth in the retail and food/beverage categories. During that same five-year span, Palm Beach County’s growth in the same two categories was 10.9%.

“The DDA has consistently worked with the merchants and businesses in the downtown Delray Beach area on economic development, marketing, and maintaining a clean, safe and enjoyable experience for residents and visitors to our Village by the Sea, and wow has it paid off!” said, David Cook, Chairman of the Board, Delray Beach Downtown Development Authority and Downtown Merchant.

The DDA created a mix of merchant marketing programs which enhanced this growth in sales. Elements of the promotional program included an aggressive schedule of merchant events, ongoing media presence, a dedicated Downtown website and meeting regularly with retailers and restaurateurs to maintain communication, offer assistance with cooperative advertising programs and provide marketing materials. A concentrated effort to expand thenightime economy has also helped maintain the growth, with lighting and security being addressed, as well as stores, galleries and restaurants extending their evening hours.

“Downtown Delray, with the leadership of the DDA, has strategically reinvested the 1 Mill tax on the property owners within their District to drive awareness for the area and encourage residents to shop locally, said Joan Goodrich, Economic Development Director, City of Delray Beach.

About the Delray Beach Downtown Development Authority
The Delray Beach Downtown Development Authority mission is to enhance and stimulate balanced economic growth through position marketing activities that engage Downtown Businesses, residents and visitors, while creating a clean, safe, physical and experiential place to live, work and invest. For more information, please visitwww.downtowndelraybeach.com or phone 561.243.1077.

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Delray Beach DDA receives two 2014 Downtown Merit Awards by the International Downtown Association

Friday, August 22, 2014 - 2:22pm

Delray Beach Downtown Development Authority named recipient of two 2014 Downtown Merit Awards by the International Downtown Association for “The Practical Guide for Downtown Businesses” and “Delray’s Fabulous Fashion Week”

For Immediate Release:
(Washington D.C.) August 21, 2014--- During its 60th Anniversary Conference and Tradeshow in September, the International Downtown Association will recognize the Downtown Development Authority (DDA) with two Downtown Merit Awards for its work and initiatives related to “The Practical Guide for Downtown Businesses” and the “Delray’s Fabulous Fashion Week.”

The Practical Guide for Downtown Businesses project was among 10 qualified entries in the category of Downtown Leadership and Management This category features comprehensive and unique organizational approaches, projects, or programs that improved the effectiveness of downtown management organizations.

“Delray’s Fabulous Fashion Week” was among 17 qualified entries in the Events and Programming category. Submitted projects and initiatives in this category come from those organizations, such as the DDA, that are working to further their city centers by completing the following:
• Focused on programs and events that improved the image and vitality of downtown with events that promote downtown and attract visitors.
• Delivering projects that communicate the vision, mission, function, and achievements of the downtown or business district association.

“The Delray Beach DDA is honored to have been selected as a IDA International Award winner and recognize that our partners, the Downtown businesses, volunteers and board members were all a part of making these projects such a huge success,” expresses Marjorie Ferrer, Executive Director, Downtown Development Authority.

“The DDA’s projects received the IDA Merit Awards for delivering excellence in downtown management”, said David Downey, IDA President and CEO. “Each year the IDA Awards Jury recognizes organizations that utilize best practices in our industry. Both the Practical Guide for Downtown Businesses” and Delray’s Fabulous Fashion Week are shining examples of excellent downtown management delivering real value to the city.”

The Washington, D.C. based International Downtown Association (IDA) is a champion for vital and livable urban centers and strives to inform, influence, and inspire downtown leaders and advocates. With 500 members and thousands of friends, IDA is a guiding force in creating healthy and dynamic centers that anchor the well-being of towns, cities, and regions.

The Delray Beach Downtown Development Authority is the advocacy and management organization representing the interests of property owners in Downtown Delray Beach and is a proud member of the International Downtown Association.

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Caffé Luna Rosa Earns Prestigious TripAdvisor® Certificate of Excellence

Thursday, May 22, 2014 - 2:17pm

(Delray Beach, FL – May 22, 2014) Caffé Luna Rosa, Delray Beach’s favorite beachfront restaurant, is pleased to announce that it has received a TripAdvisor® Certificate of Excellence award for 2014, according to the restaurant’s founder/partner Fran Marincola.

This accolade, which honors hospitality excellence, is given only to establishments that consistently achieve outstanding traveler reviews on TripAdvisor and is extended to qualifying businesses worldwide. Only the top-performing 10 percent of businesses listed onTripAdvisor receive this prestigious award.

To qualify for a Certificate of Excellence, businesses must maintain an overall rating of four or higher, out of a possible five, as reviewed by travelers on TripAdvisor, and must have been listed on TripAdvisor for at least 12 months. Additional criteria include the volume of reviews received within the last 12 months.

“Caffé Luna Rosa is pleased to once again receive a TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence,” said Marincola. “We strive to offer our customers a memorable experience as well as a delicious meal, and this accolade is evidence that our hard work is translating into positive reviews on TripAdvisor.”

“Credit for this award goes to our hard-working staff in the kitchen, on the floor, and behind the bar. It is their daily commitment to superior service and support that has earned this prestigious award for Caffé Luna Rosa,” he added.

About TripAdvisor:
TripAdvisor is the world's largest travel site, enabling travelers to plan and have the perfect trip. TripAdvisor offers trusted advice from real travelers and a wide variety of travel choices and planning features with seamless links to booking tools. TripAdvisor branded sites make up the largest travel community in the world, with more than 260 million unique monthly visitors, and over 150 million reviews and opinions. The sites operate in 39 countries worldwide, including China under daodao.com. TripAdvisor also includes TripAdvisor for Business, a dedicated division that provides the tourism industry access to millions of monthly TripAdvisor visitors. In addition, TripAdvisor (NASDAQ: TRIP) manages and operates websites under 22 different brand names.

About Caffé Luna Rosa:
Located at 34 S. Ocean Boulevard, directly across from the ocean in Delray Beach. CafféLuna Rosa offers a memorable and authentic Italian dining experience in a casual atmosphere. The restaurant is designed on two levels with alfresco seating and an elevated open-air dining room highlighted by granite, authentic artwork and magnificent woodwork. Perfect for congenial conversation and people watching along the shoreline during the day.

The professional wait staff offers epicurean service including the decanting of wine and table side filleting of whole fish, and the restaurant’s carefully researched wine list offers superior Italian and American selections. Full bar service is available.

Caffé Luna Rosa is open daily from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. To make reservations, please call 561. 274.9404 and for hassle-free online ordering for easy pick-up, please visitwww.caffelunarosa.com.

Available for Interview:
Fran Marincola
Caffé Luna Rosa
561.274.9404
pepsi1@bellsouth.net

Media Contact:
Gary Schweikhart
PR-BS, Inc.
561.756.4298
gary@pr-bs.net

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Urban Outfitters to Open in Downtown Delray

Wednesday, May 21, 2014 - 2:16pm

URBAN OUTFITTERS TO OPEN LOCATION IN DOWNTOWN DELRAY BEACH, FLORIDA

The Delray Beach Downtown Development Authority District is the new home of the Lifestyle Retailer.

For over two years the DDA has been working closely with CBRE’s Roxanne Register and Eassa Properties, LLC, owners of the vacant 10,954 -square-foot space is the center of the historic downtown as resource of data and key information to assist in capturing a new tenant. On May 9th, the DDA was notified that Urban Outfitters, Inc. (Nasdaq:URBN), a leading lifestyle specialty retail company, had signed at 306 Atlantic Avenue in Delray Beach, and the retailer will open by the end of the year. CBRE’s Roxanne Register represented the landlord, Eassa Properties, LLC and Elliott Kyle of The McDevitt Company represented the tenant.

The DDA was able to provide key information to Ms. Register and Eassa Properties such as pedestrian counts completed in 2013 along Atlantic Avenue as well as the Cluster Analysis and Retail Development Strategy Update, a 96 page patron profile completed by H. Blount Hunter, Retail & Real Estate Research, in 2004. Other data that was critical was the 2008 Retail sales numbers received from the Department of Revenue for the DDA district which was a total of $190 Million. “As a keeper of the downtown data, we are proud to have been a part of this business development process,” expresses Marjorie Ferrer, Executive Director, DDA.

“Urban Outfitters recognized the potential of Atlantic Avenue as it evolves into one of South Florida’s fastest-growing pedestrian retail districts, and selected a prime location in an architecturally distinctive building that places them at the center of Delray Beach’s vibrant retail, restaurant and nightlife scene,” said Ms. Register.
Built in 1936, 306 Atlantic Avenue is a beautiful building with historic elements originally built by the current owner’s father, Alexander Simon. The owners, along with Urban Outfitters, will redevelop the façade while preserving some of the architectural features, and construct a completely new interior with an expansive interior staircase leading to the second-floor retail space.

“As we have learned from many Downtown experts, that if a downtown has a national brand presence, the surrounding businesses revenue will increase an average of 12%,” say Marjorie Ferrer. “with that said, we are excited to welcome Urban Outfitters to Downtown Delray Beach.”
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About the Downtown Development Authority:
For the past 43 years, the Downtown Development Authority has assisted in successfully branding Delray Beach as the Village by the Sea. The Delray Beach DDA was created by Resolution 9-71, which became law on March 22, 1971, as a dependent district of the City of Delray Beach.

“The DDA Mission is to enhance and stimulate balanced economic growth through position marketing activities that engage Downtown businesses, residents and visitors while creating a clean, safe, physical and experiential place to live, work and invest.”

The main areas of involvement in downtown include: Marketing and Promotions; Economic development programs; Place Making within the DDA boundaries. The DDA also works closely with merchants to develop seasonal retail awareness campaigns to generate traffic sales and has created a powerful website www.downtowndelraybeach.com and facebook site that attracts thousands of visits weekly.

MEDIA CONTACT: Laura Simon, Associate Director, Downtown Development Authority 561-243-1077 or email lsimon@downtowndelraybeach.com

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