Erika Shanoff, owner of Erika’s Tea Room and president of the Clermont Downtown Partnership, had a vision and the vision included a trolley.
Clermont’s first trolley was introduced to the community on Friday, May 4 by Erika and members of the Clermont Downtown Partnership. The South Lake Chamber of Commerce officiated at the ribbon cutting.
After the ribbon cutting, Ericka proudly read her statement to those attending the ceremony:
“As the president of the Clermont Downtown Partnership, we are proud to introduce our trolley as another great enhancement to our Downtown. The purpose of our organization is to provide opportunities for business growth and prosperity. We continue to strive for ways to bring awareness and feet to the street on a regular basis.
Our Trolley is our newest way to add attractions to our downtown. We would like to thank all of our supporters of our trolley initiative. From Pastor Tony McCoy of Hope International Church who worked with us to make the transfer a smooth one to our main sponsor, Noland’s Roofing who has been on board from the beginning of the project. We would also like to thank our other sponsors, City of Clermont, Pamela Helton Esq., Lily’s on the Lake, Optima One Realty, and all of the other downtown businesses who will be participating through sponsorships.
We are excited to begin offering trolley rides Saturdays and Sundays in the month of May for free. We hope to start in June with additional days and times. We will be operating the trolley with stops from Waterfront Park to Historic Village to all of the shopping and dining establishments in Downtown. We are thrilled to have this up and running as all of the new exciting businesses begin to open over the coming months and years.
Our Trolley is actually the very first one of its kind created by Anheiser Busch in St. Louis, Missouri, thus the number 1 on our trolley’s nose. Built in 1983, it is exactly 1 year younger than myself and is considered vintage. How exactly at 36 am I know considered an antique.
We hope you will join us now for our maiden voyage. Please share our bundle of joy with all of your family and friends. Thank you for coming this morning. We look forward to many happy journeys together.”
Beginning Saturday, the trolley will begin its inaugural run down Montrose /Downtown Clermont, stopping along the way to pick up and leave off passengers. The route and schedule are subject to change based on demand and events. Free rides the month of May. For updates on the route, schedule, visit
Free rides the month of May. For updates on the route, schedule, visit ClermontDowntown
