FOOD+DRINK

Texas Roadhouse could be coming to Crestview, job postings available

It looks as if a Texas Roadhouse could soon become a reality in Crestview near the intersection of I-10 and S. Ferdon Blvd.

First reported by the Northwest Florida Daily News, Texas Roadhouse Holdings LLC purchased a vacant 2.37-acre parcel for $1.6 million back in December, according to Okaloosa County Property Appraiser’s website. 

• The parcel sits between Lowe’s and the Country Inn & Suites on Rasberry Road.

Although there was no public timeline on when construction would start, Texas Roadhouse is already posting job listings on their website. As of Monday afternoon, they were hiring for a service manager, kitchen manager, managing partner and restaurant manager. You can view the jobs here. 

Currently, the closest Texas Roadhouse is in Milton.

INVESTIGATION

Niceville Police Chief reveals additional insight into double homicide

Niceville Police Department‘s Chief Dave Popwell revealed additional details on Monday surrounding Friday’s double homicide in Niceville.

• The incident occurred in the parking lot just behind the PNC Bank, next to the Props Ale House. 

In the interview with WEAR Channel 3, Popwell said that surveillance videos from Dunkin Donuts, and one of the nearby banks, captured the incident. The videos are currently being processed and cleaned up for review. 

He also said that the suspected white car has been located on I-10 toward Panama City and is now being brought to Niceville for processing. 

• “We should get a lot of evidence out of that car,” he said.

According to Popwell, police, so far, have two persons of interest, although names are not being released at this time. The gunshot victim is stable and underwent surgery Monday morning with non life-threatening wounds.

Given the concern of citizens, Chief Popwell reassured everyone, saying that “all parties involved in this were associates of each other, and the general public has nothing to fear at all. Popwell says that the shooting was not targeted toward anybody other than these specific individuals. 

• “The general public is as safe as can be,” he said.

Chief Popwell said that one of the victims has been identified as Brandon James of Tallahassee. The other deceased victim has not yet been identified. Ages of those involved are around their early to mid-20s, he said. 

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement has their crime lab working on the case, but Popwell says there is no estimated timeline for this investigation due to the scale and amount of people involved. 

VISIT FLORIDA

Gov. DeSantis holds press conference at Gulfarium, talks record tourism numbers

On Tuesday at the Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park on Okaloosa Island, Governor Ron DeSantis announced that Florida welcomed 30.9 million visitors between October and December 2021.

• This marks the second consecutive quarter that overall visitation has surpassed 2019, pre-pandemic levels. 

Overall in 2021, Florida had nearly 118 million domestic visitors, the highest level in state history, as residents of other states flocked to Florida.

“In Florida, we put freedom first, and as a result people are choosing to vacation in our state from across the country and the world to escape lockdowns, including the politicians who advocated for those reckless policies and who are often spotted vacationing here,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. 

“While tourism in other states is only just beginning to recover, Florida is at the front of the pack — now we are surpassing pre-pandemic levels and setting new visitation records,” he said. “I’m thankful that VISIT FLORIDA continued to market our state throughout the past two years, and I am confident that 2022 will be another great year for Florida’s tourism industry.” 

According to Dana Young, VISIT FLORIDA President and CEO, overall visitation not only exceeded 2019’s for the second quarter in a row, but domestically reached the highest point in Florida’s history. 

Florida also saw a significant rebound in international travel, including record visitation from Colombia that has made it now Florida’s No. 1 international origin market. 

“VISIT FLORIDA’s marketing continues to drive results on behalf of Florida’s tourism economy, and we are looking forward to taking this success to new heights in 2022 and beyond,” she said.  

Here are some stats:

• Preliminary estimates from VISIT FLORIDA show that 29 million domestic visitors traveled to Florida in the fourth quarter of 2021, reflecting a 57 percent increase from the same period in 2020, and a 7 percent increase from 2019. 
• Approximately 1.5 million overseas visitors came to Florida in Q4 of 2021, an increase of 198 percent from 2020, and 43 percent from Q3 2021. 
• In addition, 359,000 Canadian travelers visited Florida between October and December of 2021, nearly three times as many as in the previous quarter. 
• For the year, Latin America was the driving force of overseas visitationin 2021, with Colombia becoming the state’s No. 1 international market with a record 710,000 visitors. 
• In addition, Florida’s total hotel revenue reached its highest ever in 2021 at $17.3 billion, a 2 percent increase over 2019.

For Okaloosa County, we saw record numbers in 2021

Tourist Development Tax revenues were up 74% over 2020. 

“It’s really important to know how significant those revenues are because they do more than just marketing this wonderful place,” said Jennifer Adams, Tourism Director for Okaloosa. “We restore beaches, we clean the beaches and parks, and we pay for public safety.”

In addition to the tourist development tax revenues, the TDD focused on visitor spend. The goal was a 10% increase in spend. 

“We exceeded 30% increase in spend which was $736 million,” said Adams. “This is $184 million more than we had projected that went directly back into our restaurants, our fleet, our shops, our guides, and we are very blessed for that.”

Looking ahead, Adams says that the future of tourism is very bright in Destin-Fort Walton Beach, with projections for 2022 pacing well-ahead of those record-setting numbers.

“We are truly humbled that Gov. DeSantis has been a champion of tourism and our livelihood,” said Adams.

MONEY

Eglin Federal Credit Union upgrades ATMs in Niceville and Fort Walton Beach

Eglin Federal Credit Union is upgrading two of their ATM locations with two drive-up Video Teller ITMs at each location.

1. ATM near Niceville High School
2. ATM at the intersection of Jonquil Avenue NW and Mary Esther Cutoff NW in Fort Walton Beach

According to EFCU, construction is expected to be completed by the end of March for both locations. LaMacchia Group, the same company who is handling their new operations center, is the design/build firm for the project.

“Eglin Federal Credit Union continuously looks for ways to enhance the community in which we live and work,” said CEO Jerry Williams. “Members will have two additional convenient locations where they can speak with a live video teller. At the same time, the community receives the benefit of an upgraded look at these sites in Okaloosa County.”

With these upgrades, members will soon have the ability to speak with a live teller over two-way video between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday at these locations.

• Video Teller ITMs also operate as ATMs 24/7 using an EFCU ATM or Debit card.
• Additional drive-up Video Teller ITMs are located at most of EFCU’s branches.

In the meantime, members can view nearby surcharge-free ATMs at eglinfcu.org/locations/.

FOOD+DRINK

Joe and Eddies closes in Fort Walton Beach after 68 years

On Tuesday morning, Ann Perillo, the owner of Joe and Eddies, made the announcement that after 68 years, her beloved restaurant is officially closed.

Perillo says, “this was not an easy choice because it is a piece of my heart, but I am ready to hang up my apron.” 

In the announcement to her customers, she says, “thank you to Fort Walton Beach and everyone from Alabama and surrounding states.” 

As Joe and Eddies has been family-owned and operated since 1954, she says that many special memories have been made. Perillo states, “the amazing people I have met over the past 68 years are friendships I know will last.”

Many customers have expressed their sadness over their favorite local restaurant closing. For decades, Joe and Eddies has been a staple in Fort Walton Beach.

“As most of you know, all of my children and my grandchildren have worked here with me at one time or another,” she said. “I will fondly hold all of those memories and keep them very close to my heart. I just wish I could have lasted for my great grandchildren also.”

Joe and Eddies was well-known for their home cooked meals and service. 

In closing, Perillo says that she knows her “husband is looking down on me now, smiling, and saying ‘You got it made’.”