CLEARWATER, Fla. — On the first Friday of each month from now through February, the 400 block of Cleveland Street in downtown Clearwater will be turned into a lunchtime market.
“We are partnering with local vendors and our merchants here in the downtown to bring just fresh finds,” said Anne Lopez, assistant director of Clearwater Community Redevelopment Agency.
Those fresh finds from vendors are showcasing local produce, honey, jewelry and a variety of hand-made items. Organizers say the initiative is designed to activate downtown.
It’s called 1st Friday Lunchtime Market.
“What we’re hoping is, this is going to bring people out here,” said Lopez. “It brings them out during a different time of the day. Everybody goes to markets, they go on nights and weekends.”
“Hopefully, this brings people down to Clearwater and it gives them something new to do,” Lopez added.
Area restaurants will offer lunch specials during the event, and participants can win raffle prizes. Business owners say they hope it all helps bring more foot traffic.
“We hope this is gonna be a good way to bring more people to downtown,” said Nola Louvon, who has been a downtown business owner almost 20 years.
The market aims to bring visitors, residents and give business owners a mid-day break. Louvon, who owns Chiang Mai Thai & Sushi, was excited about being able to purchase some fresh produce for her restaurant.
“I saw this and it said organic, it’s so cute and it’s green and also in our Chang Mai Tai restaurant here,” Louvon said. “We do green papaya salad also, so it’s perfect, so I don’t have to go anywhere to find it. They come to me, they just come to me.”
The business owner says she’s proud to be supporting local and hopes more of the same helps strengthen downtown.
Organizers hope to expand the event down additional blocks.
The upcoming market dates are:
Nov. 7, 2025
Dec. 5, 2025
Jan. 2, 2026
Feb. 6, 2026
For more details, visit the 1st Friday Lunchtime Market website.
Melissa Eichman
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