WHAT'S GOING UP ...

From roads to restaurants, and gas stations to downtown shifts -- and even a new trucking academy -- development continued in DeSoto County in Fall 2023. For more details, continue reading.

*For previous editions of "What's Going Up," see below.

FDOT to hold public hearing on SR 70 and SR 72 intersection proposal

*Update (021424): this workshop has since been concluded. This is an ongoing FDOT project. For more information, go to www.swflroads.com/project/443123-2

A proposed plan from Florida Department of Transportation is being discussed Thursday, Dec. 7, 2023, from 5-6 p.m. at the Turner Agri-Civic Center, 2250 Roan, regarding changes at the intersection of State Road 70 and 72 in DeSoto County. Read more in the image above. More information is also available at www.swflroads.com/project/443123-2. 

Shifts in Downtown Arcadia

Cowboy Corner has a new corner

*Source: Photos by Daniel Sutphin

Now located at Rosin Arcade, 101 W. Oak St. Arcadia, FL -- often referred to as the 'pink building' -- popular Cowboy Corner shop and boutique has moved down the street from its original location for a more prominent and larger location. 

"It was a very easy decision to make just by square footage," Cowboy Corner CEO Jo Dawn Martin said. "You look around here and you have a sizeable store here compared to the other."

"As soon as we opened the door over there," Martin said, referring to Cowboy Corner's original location at 132 W. Oak St., "We were stacked on top of each other (and) people were having a hard time shopping.

"They couldn’t see what they were shopping for or what we had to offer. The people who were in the space here (in the pink building) decided to make a move and they relocated their store; it was an opportunity for us to grow and that’s what we did."

Cowboy Corner has also become popular throughout DeSoto County for hat parties where guests can design his or her own cowboy hats. 

"The hat parties have been taking off," Martin said. "We wanted a space where I could create a place for people to come in here and be artistic and do their thing and this kind of organically happened." 

For more information, go to Facebook.com/CowboyCornerArcadia.

The "Pink Building," is a historic building in Downtown Arcadia that also inhabits Mary Margaret's Tea & Buscuit (10 Polk Ave.)  and the soon-to-open ...

The Florida Farmhouse Coffee shop 

*Source: The Florida Farmhouse Coffee shop Facebook and other photos by Daniel Sutphin.

"We are so excited to be joining Arcadia Main Street as we prepare to open a coffee shop," wrote owner Charity Reesor in a Nov. 16 Facebook post. "We love our little town and we can’t wait to build community over coffee. So excited to provide locally roasted goodness, amongst other things!"

The owners added that they will be offering a coffee membership in December that is good for 12 bags of local, fresh roasted, high-end coffee.

"It does not expire so you can redeem for your bags at anytime (once a month or as frequently as you like)," Reesor wrote.

For more information, go to Facebook.com/the.florida.farmhouse.coffee or call 941-440-6161.

Mixed Emotions expands

*Source: Mixed Emotions Facebook.

Cowboy Corner's previous location --  132 W. Oak St. -- filled quickly as neighboring business Mixed Emotions Craft Studio & Retro Boutique expanded into the location. The primary location for Mixed Emotions is 213 W Oak Street, Arcadia, FL, just a block away. 

"I am so excited to announce that we are expanding Mixed Emotions," wrote  store owner Laura Partridge in a Nov. 15 Facebook post."I am so grateful for all the support from the community and the business owners on Oak St!"

For more information, go to MixedEmotionsRetro.com or call 863-263-4598.

Other Downtown Arcadia additions

*Source: Photos by Daniel Sutphin

*Update (as of 021424): Some businesses listed here have relocated within the downtown area.

New businesses have also opened up -- or reopened -- in the downtown Arcadia area during the fall, including GLASS, Antique-or-Not, Dragon's Den Books, Mermaids Keep, and SubCultures.

GLASS, Antique-or-Not, an antique shop, is located at 127 W. Oak St., Arcadia. For more information, call 863-491-0100, find them on Facebook, or go to GlassAntiqueorNot.com.

Dragon's Den Books, a book shop, is located at 122 W. Oak St., Arcadia. For more information, call 941-447-4685, find them on Facebook, or go to dragonsdenbooks.com.

Mermaids Keep, an antique and novelty shop, is located at 110 W. Oak St., Arcadia. For more information, call 252-370-3548.

SubCultures, a clothing boutique, is located at 102 W. Oak St., Arcadia.  For more information, find them on Facebook or go to subculturesfl.com.

SunCoast Trucking Academy

*Source: Photos by Daniel Sutphin

For those looking into a career in trucking, SunCoast Trucking Academy has made a location in DeSoto County. Centered at  217 S. Polk Ave., Arcadia, FL, the school offers CDL Training in just four weeks, job placement assistance and more support for those looking into trucking and more as a career.

For more information about the academy, go to SunCoastTrucking.com or click here: CDL School | SunCoast Trucking Academy | United States

The academy also works with CareerSource Heartland. More information can be found by clicking here, or by going to CareerSourceHeartland.com.

In Case You Missed It

*Source: Photos by Daniel Sutphin and Nav-A-Gator Facebook

While it might not be breaking news, Wawa and Take 5 Oil have opened. Also, after a year of renovation and rehab form Hurricane Ian, Nav-A-Gator Bar & Grill has reopened. 

Wawa is located at 1509 E. Oak St., Arcadia.

Take 5 is located at 2551 SE Hwy 70, Arcadia -- the car wash portion of Take 5 is still under construction.

Nav-A-Gator Bar & Grill is located at 9700 SW Riverview Circle, Lake Suzy, FL (in DeSoto County). For more information, go to Nav-A-Gator.com, or find them on Facebook. 

UPdates

Culver's Restaurant

*Source: Photos by Daniel Sutphin

*Update (as of 021424): Culver's Restaurant owner/operator Alexis Evans stated the restaurant expects to open late February 2024 in a January 17, 2024 Facebook post.

Progress continues at Culver's Restaurant at 2455 SE Highway 70, outside of Publix Super Market at Arcadia Crossings Shopping Center in Arcadia.

Last spring, County Commissioners approved the development. 

When it's done, the 4,827 sq. foot restaurant will provide a drive through and all the other amenities associated with the franchise chain. For more information, go to Culvers.com.

*Source: Photos by Daniel Sutphin

Development continues at the corner of 70 and Turner Avenue for the new three-unit shopping center that will include Aspen Dental and an AT&T cellular store. Previously, the property housed Seacoast Bank, a building demolished in April 2023. The third unit of the development, which includes a drive-through is still available. 

*Facebook image provided by Brandi Long, Williamson Group Realty

"The third (unit) has not been signed as of yet but the space is an end cap drive through which sets up well for a coffee or food type tenant," said Andrew Hupp, a represenative of One Oak Development, the company that owns the property. "We have projects throughout Florida and this site fit our criteria relative to daytime traffic, traffic light location, good traffic counts, and being in an active commercial node."  

WHAT'S GOING UP past editions...

What’s Going Up April 2023 | Team DeSoto

What’s Going Up May 2023 | Team DeSoto

What’s Going Up June 2023 | Team DeSoto

What’s Going Up July 2023 | Team DeSoto