Local farmers market vendors will have their first permanent storefront when The Downtown Pantry FWB opens Saturday at 222 Miracle Strip Pkwy SE in Fort Walton Beach.
- The new marketplace brings together fresh produce, grass-fed meats and handcrafted goods that residents could previously only find at weekend farmers markets.
“Opening ‘The Downtown Pantry’ is more than just starting a business for me,” said Jordan Weldon, the store’s owner. “It’s a chance to create a welcoming space where our community can come together around fresh, local food and more.”
The marketplace concept started with Whitney Cramer, who wanted to bring the community high-quality handmade, raw, natural and Florida-sourced goods. After Cramer experienced a tragic family loss, the Weldons decided to make the vision reality.
- “We were all so excited about this and thought it was something amazing to be brought to the community,” Weldon said. “I knew and saw how much it meant to our community so my husband and I wanted to make it come alive – not only for Whitney but for the locals.”
Weldon was born in Shreveport, Louisiana, and moved to Florida with her three siblings when her father wanted to make his dream of living in the sunshine state a reality for the family. She met her husband Nick in 2006, a Destin native who owns Weldon Marine Fab Works, and they married in 2012 and have two children, Abby and Maverick.
Shoppers will find local honey, grass-fed beef, chicken and pork straight from area farms, fresh produce, handcrafted items, fresh eggs, raw milk, sourdough bread and natural treats. The store will keep the same vendors weekly while adding new suppliers and hosting pop-up events for other local businesses.
The Downtown Pantry isn’t Weldon’s first venture into entrepreneurship. After becoming a full-time stay-at-home mother, she became business partners with Katie Heath nearly three years ago to start Zapped Permanent Jewelry. The jewelry business will offer walk-in services at the new marketplace beginning in February, marking three years in business.
“This opportunity means being part of the heartbeat of downtown, supporting local suppliers, and giving people easy access to quality products they can feel good about,” Weldon said. “I hope to gain not only a thriving business, but also lasting connections, a stronger community, and the satisfaction of knowing that I’m helping to make downtown a vibrant place to shop, gather, and grow. We are so excited for this.”
The Downtown Pantry FWB will be open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and closed Sunday and Monday. Customers can follow updates on Facebook, Instagram @thedowntownpantryfwb or email thedowntownpantryfwb@gmail.com.
4 Responses
Good story, GTC! Thank you Weldons for saying “yes” and picking up the opportunity to bless your community. We look forward to the milk, the honey, the salt the bread and even the light in your business – all goodness that flows from the bounty of God’s creation. – tg
I’ll definitely come check this out. However, a little concerned about the location, as downtown locations tend to have higher prices due to the price of the venue. Not a fan of paying higher prices to help pay the rent, but will come check it out.
Love the idea but downtown is not easy to get in and out of, I avoid the area because it’s more a tourist destination. Ugh. The prices need to be low for me to frequent the store. Downtown usually means pay more. Good luck.
Grass fed & organic is never cheap!