Secretary of State Laurel M. Lee Designates Main Street Zephyrhills as the Florida Main Street Program of the Month

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. –

Secretary of State Laurel M. Lee announced today that Main Street Zephyrhills has been designated the March 2020 Florida Main Street Program of the Month. Programs are selected based on their development achievements and participation in the Florida Main Street program.

“I am so impressed by Main Street Zephyrhills’ growing success,” said Secretary Lee. “Their district continues to build on the community’s assets to celebrate and recognize their distinctive history and heritage.”

Main Street Zephyrhills in Zephyrhills, FL
Photo courtesy of Main Street Zephyrhills

Located in Pasco County, Main Street Zephyrhills overlaps a portion of the Zephyrhills Downtown Historic District that was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2001. The Downtown Historic District features a mix of residential and commercial architectural styles popular in the early to mid-20th century, while the commercial core of Main Street Zephyrhills largely consists of masonry vernacular storefronts.

Main Street Zephyrhills became a Florida Main Street community in 1994. Since their program began, Main Street Zephyrhills has reported more than $19.5 million in public and private reinvestment, more than 1,000 new jobs, and 185 new businesses within their district boundaries. They have also accumulated more than 26,000 volunteer hours. In addition to partnering with the local Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) for projects, Main Street Zephyrhills has been a crucial component in large public projects such as the “Splash on 5th Ave” interactive art murals and the installation of electronic speakers throughout the historic downtown.

Main Street Zephyrhills is gearing up for their Roaring 20s Dance and the 110th Founders Day Parade and Heritage Festival on March 6th and 7th in historic downtown Zephyrhills. Celebrating 110 years of the City of Zephyrhills, the theme is “Glitz, Glam and Tins Cans” as an ode to the 1920s flapper era, as well as to Zephyrhills’ reputation as an early tin can tourism destination. “Tin cans” were automobiles modified as campers to facilitate travel tourism popular in the very early 20th century through the 1920s.

“I am proud to be the Coordinator of Main Street Zephyrhills for the past two and a half years.” said Executive Director Anna Stutzriem. “I am filled with gratitude as I look back for the many people who are involved our success. Without the wonderful support of the City of Zephyrhills, our hard working board members and such extraordinary volunteers, our program simply could not exist, let alone thrive as it does today. In just a short time, our memberships have tripled, the events have exploded with growth and popularity, we have assisted several new businesses opening in downtown, and our public projects are beginning to blossom. I am proud to be a small part of preserving our small town charm!”

For more information about Main Street Zephyrhills, visit mainstreetzephyrhills.org or facebook/MainStreetZephyrhills. For more information about the Florida Main Street program, visit floridamainstreet.com or facebook.com/FloridaMainStreet.

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About Florida Main Street

Florida Main Street is a program administered by the Division of Historical Resources under the Florida Department of State, which currently oversees 46 communities throughout the state. By implementing the National Main Street Center’s Four-Point Approach©, Florida Main Street encourages economic development within the context of historic preservation through the revitalization of Florida’s downtowns – the community’s heart and soul.