September is considered “locals’ month” and many local attractions are taking part and showing how much they appreciate residents by offering discounts and other specials.
The initiative has been going on for years now and it there has been a shift in the way September is viewed because of the effort.
“September had traditional been referred to as ‘painting month,’ within the business world, because it was typically slower, so businesses took that time to apply a fresh coat of paint to their building,” said Richard Goldman, president and CEO of the St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra & The Beaches Visitors and Convention Bureau.
It is the first month after the busy summer season, which is fueled by an influx of tourists traveling through the area.
According to Goldman, the idea has been going on in the county for at least more than a decade.
“It has worked, not only to keep the employees of a business employed, but also to show the locals that they are very important,” Goldman said. “We’ve made definite progress.”
Tourists may leave, but the residents are the ones who remain throughout the year and are vital to keep the local economy consistent during that time.
There was a time in the past when businesses would close following the summer months and became essentially seasonal themselves.
However, that has changed and now residents can go to their favorite restaurants throughout the year and even have a growing variety of musical acts and entertainment to enjoy during the fall and winter months.
September is just the start of that, which is another reason why Goldman believes the “locals’ month” initiative has become so vital, because it sets the tone and establishes momentum for the months to come.
An example of the increased focus on improving entertainment options is the Sing Out Loud Festival in St. Augustine, which consists of three weekends of performances at a variety of venues around town during September and is in its fifth year.
“It attracts wonderful music selections throughout the month,” Goldman said. “We love our residents, and this is just another way of showing that.”
Go to floridashistoriccoast.com/blog/ to find the details for each of the businesses and attractions offering September discounts for residents of St. Johns County.
