First Friday Lunchtime Market Debuts in Downtown Clearwater

First Friday Lunchtime Market Debuts in Downtown Clearwater

Published on October 07, 2025

Downtown Clearwater's new 1st Friday Lunchtime Market made its debut this month with a strong turnout from residents, downtown employees, and local visitors. The event transformed Cleveland Street into a lively lunchtime destination, filled with local vendors, live activity, and community engagement.

The market, sponsored by the Downtown Development Board (DDB) in partnership with the Clearwater Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA), was recently featured on Bay News 9 for its successful launch and creative approach to activating downtown during midday hours.

From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the 400 block of Cleveland Street came alive with music, food, and local flair. Attendees browsed handcrafted goods, sampled local treats, and enjoyed lunch specials from nearby restaurants.

"We partnered with local vendors and merchants here in downtown to bring fresh finds," said Anne Lopez, Assistant Director of the Clearwater CRA. "The goal was to create a daytime experience that draws people out during lunch hours, giving them something new to enjoy downtown."

The market featured a diverse mix of small businesses and makers, including Seminole Bee Farms, Churned Small Batch Ice Cream, Blair Soap, HEP (Homeless Empowerment Program), Succulent City St. Pete, Coastal Classics Ozona, Jewels by Juli, Alpha Maui, Barbara's Kitchen Jams, Petals on Pedals Flower Co., and BayCare Sound.

Downtown business owners also shared their enthusiasm for the new event. Nola Louvon, owner of Chiang Mai Thai & Sushi, noted how the market supported both local commerce and community connection.

"We hoped this would be a good way to bring more people to downtown," Louvon said. "It's great to support local and even find ingredients we can use in our own restaurant-like fresh green papaya for our salads."

The 1st Friday Lunchtime Market was one of several DDB-sponsored initiatives aimed at strengthening downtown's identity and supporting small businesses through creative programming.

Upcoming Market Dates:

• November 7, 2025

• December 5, 2025

• January 2, 2026

• February 6, 2026

Those interested in joining as a vendor can apply online.

Vendor Application

Interested in Sponsoring a Downtown Event?

The Downtown Development Board offers a Micro-Pop-Up Grant for individuals or organizations looking to host creative, small-scale events in downtown Clearwater. This program helps fund activities that activate Cleveland Street and attract new visitors to the district.

Micro-Pop-Up Grant Highlights:

• Maximum grant funding: $5,000

• Events must be located on the 400-500 blocks of Cleveland Street

• Applicants may apply once per month

To learn more about the Micro-Pop-Up Grant and how to apply, visit MyClearwater.com/DDB .

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