Clermont Main Street is a 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization comprised of Downtown Clermont business owners, local businesses and individuals who are passionate about investing in the historic heart of Clermont. Clermont Main Street is more than a merchant’s or business association — it is a volunteer-driven, nonprofit organization working to revitalize and amplify the health and economic vitality of Downtown Clermont.
Clermont Main Street sees the downtown area as a welcoming central Florida gem where. miles of scenic lakefront and trails connect to a vibrant historic downtown and the authentic Clermont experience. Its mission is to bring Clermont together through active community engagement that revitalizes the historic downtown, celebrates the rich history, fosters innovation and creativity, and grows the local economy for the benefit and enjoyment of residents and visitors alike.
Since Downtown Clermont began the process of re-activating the Clermont Main Street Program, a lot has been going on.
Below are some of the highlights:
- The Clermont Downtown Partnership board and membership voted to have one unified organization representing downtown. Its membership voted to dissolve the merchants association and transfer its assets to the 501c3 nonprofit Clermont Main Street program.
- The new Board was developed consisting of 14 members and two ex-officio City members.
- The CRA approved $70,000 in Clermont Main Street funding in FY 22.
- Clermont Downtown has been working with the destination marketing firm Prismatic, and has rebranded and adopted the tagline “Lure of the Lake, Gem of the Hills.
- A new Downtown Clermont website was launched in April.
- Maritza Rivera was hired as executive director of Clermont Main Street in September
Downtown events held this past year drew more than 50,000 attendees. Events included:
- First Friday Food Trucks (monthly)
- Mega Food Trucks (January and June)
- Sunday Farmer’s Market (weekly)
- Wine Strolls (Monthly)
- Harvest Festival (Annual)
- Candy Cane Lane (Annual)
- Spring Forward (Annual)
Other Promotions held this year:
- The Autumn Storefront Scarecrow Stroll
- Small Business Saturday
- Street of Dreams videos (featured 22 downtown businesses as part of a weekly $25 gift card giveaway)
- Umbrella Art Project (53 painted umbrellas were displayed in 40 downtown businesses this summer.
Clermont Main Street was selected as the state’s Main Street Program of the Month for August.
The FY22-23 Board of Directors is comprised of 14 members:
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- Kimberly Grogan – President (Dash Sports, FloDash Event)
- Darren Johnson – Vice President (The Southern on 8th, Clermont Brewing Company)
- Mike Bucher – Secretary (United Southern Bank)
- Keith Mullins – Treasurer (Bacchus Vino Etcetera)
- Patrick Bianchi (VP Development Enterprises)
- Roxanne Brown (Clermont Historical Society)
- Meghan Budds (Orlando Health)
- David Colby (South Lake Chamber of Commerce)
- Regina Cruz-Morales (Keller Williams)
- Rocky DeStefano (Chick-Fil-A)
- Thom Kieft (Lake-Sumter State College)
- Jeff Powell (Powell Studio Architecture)
- Jill Swidler (Everly Marketing & Events)
- Michele Pines (City of Clermont – Ex Officio)
For more information on Downtown Clermont Main Street, visit their website: Clermont Main Street. Mailing address: P.O. Box 120734 Clermont, FL 34712. Email: clermontdowntown@gmail.com or speak to a board member.
