Destin Magazine Autumn 2008

Community-Centric In addition to bringing new stores and restaurants to the region, Destin Commons set a new precedent for retail centers in the area over the past five years by offering a full slate of unique special events and community programs geared towards local charities, kids and families. Concerts, festivals, fashion shows, community performances, boat shows, car shows and charity group functions happen year-round throughout the center and in their pedestrian-friendly Center Plaza. Parents and grandparents flock to Destin Commons with their kids. Highlights for kids include special holiday events and a nautically themed children’s soft play area with imaginative sea creatures and a lighthouse. Children can be seen year-round delighting in running in and out of the interactive 49-head pop fountain in Center Plaza. Kids seem to take to the pop fountains at Destin Commons like ducks out of water. Destin Commons created Coins For A Cause in 2003, yet another way to support local and national charities, as well as a way to give customers the chance to get involved, too. The concept behind Coins For A Cause

is a simple one, that is to make a positive difference in the community. When shoppers park in any of the convenient metered spaces along the Main Street of Destin Commons, all of the parking meter money collected helps local and national charities. The coins go directly to financially benefit various not-for-profit organizations who represent a variety of causes such as health, disabilities, education, the arts, children’s well being and other humanitarian initiatives. To date, the center has donated over $350,000 to sixty-eight organizations.

“We are proud of the fact that as we celebrate our first five years in operation, we have seen well over 50 million shoppers visit Destin Commons. Our economic impact on the region has been notable with many millions of dollars in sales, tax revenues collected, and the employment of 2,000+ people at Destin Commons,” concluded director of marketing, Crystal Petti. “Our continuing goal is to redefine the family shopping and entertainment experience to always make it the best it can be. Destin Commons is Where Destin Comes Alive.” b

October 20, 2007 Destin Commons goes wireless with free WiFi connectivity throughout the center.

November 9, 2007 Destin Commons unveils an all new Norman Rockwell themed Holiday décor, including a museum exhibit showing hundreds of Saturday Evening Post covers by America’s Favorite Artist, multi-media displays, lights, Santa station and a 50’ interactive musical Christmas tree.

November 23, 2007 6-Story Parking Garage opens on Black Friday.

January 23, 2008 Destin Commons obtains permission from Okaloosa County Commissioners to build a 1.65-acre linear park between Destin Commons and Choctawhatchee Bay. The linear park, on land donated by the center, will also include Destin’s only dog park.

March 4, 2008 Okaloosa County Commissioners unanimously approve Phase 2 expansion

plans to add more retail, parking and an all suites hotel with convention and conference space.

March 12, 2008 90,000 Square foot West Tower office building opens.

April 2008 Destin Commons Coins For A Cause program has donated over $350,000 to sixty-eight area charities via parking meter monies collected since the initiative’s inception in late 2003.