Comments on: Is Pier Park Killing Thomas Drive?

By: William W

William W — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 23:20:27 +0000

I rent 5 months every year in the east end of Thomas Drive .. nice and quiey usually. Waffle house, Lisa’s, and Schooners are favourite spots to eat and meet locals. We visit Pier Park but only occasionally. Other favourites: Salt Water grill and in the west, Dusties for wings. Great pub and friendly staff
Bill the Canadian guy

By: karen smith

karen smith — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 02:59:33 +0000

I just love it. Isn’t it wonderful when you have these great articles that make people want to chime in. I love that we have something for everyone here at the beach. I myself have always been a little west end girl and continue to be so and I can not get west enough. But having said that I enjoy all that Panama City Beach has to offer and the exiting thing to me as things ebb and flow we come up with new and better ideas to add to our favorite areas. The beach is just plain beautiful on the West in the middle and to the East, something for all kinds of people. I still can not believe I get to live and work and find joy here everyday and thanks again CEBO for bringing great conversation to life.

By: James

James — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 03:27:32 +0000

For those who think I contradicted myself in the prior comment, I don’t consider Waffle House to be in the same category as a “brand name” family restaurant.

Local establishments like those mentioned above set themselves apart from the numerous Red Lobsters, Olive Gardens and Chili’s — which most folks can go to in their hometowns any night of the week.

By: James

James — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 23:46:31 +0000

Troy, there actually is a “non-local” restaurant along the beach stretch of Thomas Drive. . .just yards from the Gulf. It’s called Waffle House — and it’s open 24hrs!

One of the allures of this section of beach is that there are NOT any brand name restaurants! There’s a sizable demographic that likes a less commercial, family-oriented experience with things they cannot also get at home. Places like Bishop’s, Schooners, Treasure Ship, Liza’s Kitchen, etc. are very appealing b/c they can only be experienced along Thomas Drive in PCB!

By: Gregg

Gregg — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 22:20:10 +0000

As I mentioned prior, our condo is on the East end. We purposely wanted to be away from the busy West end as where we are we can safely walk without getting run over by the traffic. We certainly enjoy visiting Pier Park but the one or two times we go while down, it is much easier fighting the traffic just a couple times than every time we get out.
I think Pier Park is great for our area, it certainly is a benefit, I’m just glad we are on the other end of the beach. I know everyone does not feel that way and likes to be “close to the action”, but at least there is a choice.
I remember when the area around Pier Park was the “quiet end” and that’s where we stayed for many years.

By: Chris Goswick

Chris Goswick — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 20:35:05 +0000

I am not local but visit Panama City Beach each year and most times more than once. For more than 14 years we have stayed on the east side of the beach. This past visit we stayed on the west end of the beach near pier park and it was very convenient to get to pier park, but we quickly realized we really enjoy the east side much better. That end of Panama City Beach to us is what we are comfortable with. Although I enjoy the new stores and restaurants at pier park we would rather be on the east end of the beach and make a visit to pier park but spend most of our time on Thomas Drive. I think the park has been a good thing for the area but when things settle down and after the new wears off everyone will benefit from the new attraction. By the way we just booked our trip in October and again we will be on the East end of the beach.

By: Jack Bishop

Jack Bishop — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 14:22:10 +0000

Pier Park is a fact of life, the Main Street of Panama City Beach. Thomas Drive does not compete; Thomas Drive must thrive on its own uniqueness with what it has to offer. Pineapple’s to the NSA is an alternative to Pier Park only with what is has to offer. Yes, Pier Park has affected Thomas Drive, just like it has affected all of Panama City Beach. The hope here is that is has affected us for the better, and I for one feel it has.

By: Troy

Troy — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 13:35:21 +0000

The issue with Thomas Drive is that there’s nothing on it except local restaurants. You can only eat so many times. That, and the northern side of it just looks bad.

By: Gregg

Gregg — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 18:49:40 +0000

Very good article Cebo, I think you hit the nail on the head on in order to prosper, a business on Thomas Drive has to be less generic and touristy.
Our Condo is on Thomas Drive and surprisingly our occupancy is up considerably and while rates have been discounted, even our net is still better than last year. Granted we have worked on it but still the numbers don’t lie.
In addition I look at some of the business’s around us. I could be wrong but I see our three neighborhood restaurants, Schooners, Montego Bay, and Scampi’s on most evenings have folks waiting outside to be served. They seem to be doing well in spite of Pier Park and this economy. I’m sure there are others but these are examples that we see.

By: jamnolfin

jamnolfin — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 18:33:09 +0000

I think Kat was the wrong person to interview, their business booms. I wish they would come to the west end. I drive to Thomas all the time from the west end for J. Michaels, Schooners, Newbys, Foghorns. i like the local haunts