🏴‍☠️🏝️ St. Augustine Vision Meeting TONIGHT!

Good Morning, St. Augustine!

I’m James and this is the Old City Lowdown - the local newsletter giving you the latest and greatest in St. Augustine 🫡 

Wanted to give a quick shoutout to Russ & Vivian at Smokey Jones BBQ for hooking me up with a Pork Belly Sando at their Old Coast Ales pop-up last night 🤤 They are crushing the BBQ game with some original dishes and awesome combos. I’m picking up the Pastrami Stack next time!

Thanks Russ & Vivian - and happy anniversary!

Today’s edition is packed with news and events, so let’s get to it.

In today’s edition:

• Michael’s is moving (but it’s OK) 🍽️ 

• More development on the docket 🏘️ 

• Western-themed West King Wednesday 🤠 

Now, let’s get to the Lowdown.

-James Foote
Publisher | Old City Lowdown

Too soon to officially call it hoodie season?

Wed • 67 🌡️ 59 | ⛅️ | 💧15% | 🍃 N 20mph

Thu • 69 🌡️ 63 | ⛅️ | 0% | 🍃 NNE 18mph

Local News

👓️ St. Augustine Vision Meeting No. 4 takes place this evening at The Waterworks Building (184 San Marco Ave). These public workshops are open to all area residents, not just City of St. Augustine, and attendance is encouraged. The previous vision plan was drafted and adopted over a decade ago in 2014.

In December, a joint meeting comprising the Planning & Zoning Board (PZB), Historical Architecture Review Board (HARB), and Corridor Review Committee (CRC) will take place to adopt a final version of the plan.

It is important to take part in these workshops to help guide the future of our amazing town. Please attend if you are able to do so.

🌊 King Tides are expected for the next week thanks to a Hunter Supermoon. The Hunter Moon is the first full moon after the Harvest Moon, while a Supermoon happens when the moon is closest to Earth, causing King Tides. Expect higher tides and possible street flooding in vulnerable areas. This Thursday's Supermoon will be the largest of the year, with another coming in November.

🏘️ The St. Johns County Planning and Zoning Agency will consider a request to rezone 2,673 acres from Open Rural (OR) to Planned Unit Development (PUD) for a proposed "agrihood" on Thursday. The plan includes up to 3,332 residential units and 250,000 square feet of retail/commercial space, located between County Roads 214 and 208, near I-95 and County Road 13A N.

🏫 St. Johns County School District holds its final Town Hall Thursday at Nease High School to discuss the two Nov. 5 referendums: extending the half-cent sales tax for safety, growth, maintenance, and technology, and increasing property taxes by one mill to boost staff salaries, support school safety, and enhance educational programs.

⛪️ The City of St. Augustine Historic Architectural Review Board is meeting on Thursday and is expected to approve the partial demolition application for First United Methodist Church of 118 King St., a.k.a “The Pumpkin Church.” The church is seeking approval for partial demolition and possible reconstruction of the church’s west tower.

Business

🍽️ After nearly 20 years downtown, Chef Michael Lugo’s renowned Michael’s is moving to Vilano Beach. The restaurant will close at 25 Cuna Street on December 31, 2024, and reopen in February 2025 at the Hyatt Place St. Augustine in Vilano Beach, located below its sister restaurant, Pesca Vilano. (Press Release via Old City PR)

⛽️ Walmart Supercenter in St. Augustine plans to add a gas station and 1,618-square-foot convenience store in its parking lot, with utilities, drainage, and parking improvements. The project at 2355 U.S. 1, across from Hanania Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, includes eight fueling stations and 33 parking spaces.

🏘️ St. Johns County is reviewing plans for Water Lily, a 1,118-acre development with 3,000 homes and 280,000 square feet of commercial space at County Roads 214 and 13 North. Submitted by Aegis Gibson LLC on Sept. 27, the project aims for completion by 2038. Rezoning to Planned Unit Development is needed, and the age-restricted community could change if a school is required. An access road will connect CR 214 and CR 13 North to improve traffic flow.

Have news to report? Email me.

In today’s Local Lowdown, a big shoutout goes to Maggie Thal and Stella Hackler at Sandy Dunes Media! These Flagler College alums featured me in their #BehindTheDunes series, where they spotlight local businesses and the stories behind them. Check out our interview below 👇️

Sandy Dunes Media brings a creative ouch to social media, content creation, and digital growth, helping our community’s businesses shine online. Maggie and Stella are truly dedicated to telling St. Augustine’s stories and empowering local brands.

Thanks so much to these two and keep an eye out on their social media as they are doing big things here in North Florida!

🚖 West King Wednesdays
📆 Wed, Oct 16 | 5PM
📍 Buena Onda Cafe | 224 West King

Mosey on over to a Western-themed West King Wednesday behind Buena Onda Cafe from 5-8 PM, followed by the Paper Root Comedy Showcase at 8:30PM. Enjoy live music by Jessica Hope (aka Jam with Jess) from 5-7PM, with pop-up vendors from The Local Refillery and Graet Goods.

🧑‍🌾 Wednesday Pier Farmers Market
📆 Wed, Oct 16 | 8AM-12PM
📍 SJC Ocean Pier | 350 A1A Beach Blvd

Over 40 vendors offering fresh produce, seafood, local honey, local art, jewelry, and much, much more.

🦓 Sarbingo at Sarbez!
📆 Wed, Oct 16 | 8PM
📍 Sarbez! | 115 Anastasia Blvd

Deals! Prizes! Cash Jackpot! Swing by Sarbez for 5 rounds of bingo starting at 8PM. Cash only, so hit the ATM on your way over!

🛥️ Hunter’s Moon Sunset Cruise 👉️ Tickets 
📆 Thu, Oct 17 | 6PM
📍 Camachee Cove Marina | 107 Yacht Club Dr

Take in the Hunter’s Supermoon with Florida Water Tours Thursday night! Check out the Bayfront, Castillo, Lighthouse and more aboard the 45’ pontoon, Osprey. Enjoy the bar on board and take in the sights of our beautiful town. Adults only; $39 tickets.

🎂 St. Augustine Lighthouse turns 150 today!

The Weekend Ahead:

👚Vintage Fashion Show at Spinster Abbott’s 👉️ Info
ℹ️ Presented by Graet Goods, Mumu Vintage, Snake Bird Vintage & Spinster Abbott’s
📆 Fri, Oct 18 | 7PM 📍 Spinster Abbott’s | 61 San Marco Ave

🎸 St. Benedict the Moor Blues Fest 👉️ Tickets
📆 Oct 18-20 📍 St. Benedict the Moor Catholic Church | 86 MLK Ave

🎃 Creatures of the Night: Trick-or-Treating at the Zoo 👉️ Register
📆 Oct 18-20 | 5:30PM-8PM 📍 St. Augustine Alligator Farm | 999 Anastasia Blvd

🪦 Pinehurst & San Sebastian Cemeteries Restoration Day 👉️ Info
📆 Sat, Oct 19 | 8AM-12PM 📍 711 Pearl St

🐦️ Vilano Vibe-Rations 👉️ Tickets
📆 Sat, Oct 19 | 10:30AM-6:30PM 📍 Vilano Beachfront Park | 2725 Anahma Dr

🤠 65th Annual Cracker Day 👉️ Info
📆 Sat, Oct 19 📍 St. Johns County Fairgrounds | 5840 SR 207 (Elkton)

__________

Want us to share your event in the Old City Lowdown?

Wednesday, October 16

• Bin 39 Wine Bar | Damon Slaughter, 2-5PM

• Casa de Vino 57 | Havana Night w/ Dharma, 7-10PM

• Fuzion 904 Eatery | Carry the Day Duo, 5:30-8:30PM

• Guy Harvey Resort | Vinny Jacobs, 5-8PM (Surf Shack)

• Milltop Tavern | Vinny Jacobs, 5-8PM (Surf Shack)

• Pesca Vilano | Bad Endings Band, 5-9PM

• Pierre’s Pub | Adam Latiff, 1-5PM | TJ Brown + John McMillan, 6-10PM

• The Press | Dewey Via, 5-8PM

• Prohibition Kitchen | Cookin’ in the Kitchen, 6PM

• Salt Life Food Shack | Colin Kosco, 6-10PM

• Tradewinds Lounge | Smokin’ Joe, 1-4:30PM | Mark Hart, 5-8PM | Jack Hammer, 9PM

Thursday, October 17

• Beaches at Vilano | Josh Ford, 5-9PM

• Bin 39 Wine Bar | Scott Halls, 1-4PM | Shyla Macaluso, 4-7PM

• Casa de Vino 57 | Ivan Smith, 7-9PM

• Casa Maya | Carry the Day, 6-9PM

• Colonial Oak | Playin’ Possum, 7-10PM

• Conch House Marina | Mike Cook, 5-9PM

• Fuzion 904 Eatery | Rob Peck & Alex Richmond, 5:30-8:30PM

• Guy Harvey Resort | Evan Dease, 5-8PM (Surf Shack)

• La Cocina at San Sebastian Winery | Tony Scozzaro, 1-4PM

• Meehan’s Irish Pub | Josh Worthy, 1PM (Backyard)

• Milltop Tavern | Jim Lamb, 12PM | John Tyler, 4:30PM

• No Name | Chillula, 10PM

• Oasis | Allen Arena, 5-8PM

• Pesca Vilano | Bad Endings Band, 5-9PM

• Pierre’s Pub | Adam Latiff, 1-5PM | TJ Brown + John McMillan, 6-10PM

• Prohibition Kitchen | Cookin’ in the Kitchen, 6PM

• Salt Life Food Shack | Colin Kosco, 6-10PM

• Tradewinds Lounge | Smokin’ Joe, 1-4:30PM | Mark Hart, 5-8PM | Jack Hammer, 9PM

*Artists & times are subject to change. That’s showbiz, baby.

👋 Thanks for reading! If you found it useful, consider sharing it with a wordsmith.

📱 Keep up with the Lowdown on Instagram. Send comments & suggestions to [email protected].

🖼️ Get your business in the Old City Lowdown. Let’s talk about how we can put your business in front of thousands of St. Johns County locals.