About Saint Augustine's Vilano Beach

4th of July in Vilano Beach, FL

Welcome to the busiest weekend in Porpoise Point, the wonderful waterfront neighborhood in Vilano Beach, FL. It is one of the best places to view the St. Augustine fireworks from the St. Augustine inlet at Porpoise Point, and a great place to spend the day at the beach. With jet skis, kayaking, boating, surf fishing, stand up paddle surfing, skim boarding, hunting for shark's teeth, swimming, kitesurfing, and more, it's a wonder if you will ever leave the beach at Vilano Beach.

But, trust me, you will. There is so much planned in the Vilano Beach Town Center this 4th of July weekend. The locals are all excited about the new grocery store, Publix, being constructed, but locals and visitors alike will enjoy all the great specials the local businesses are having. As a Porpoise Point resident, I have the good fortune to be able to walk to all these events. Won't you join us?

Directions:Porpoise Point and the Vilano Beach Town Center is located on the northside of the St. Augustine inlet. Take a right onto Coastal Highway after crossing the Intracoastal on the Vilano Bridge from downtown St. Augustine.

Here's what's happening for the 4th of July in Vilano Beach Town Center:

OVER THE DITCH CAFE -- 80 Vilano Road - 904-824-9680
From 11:30 til after fireworks, a Family Friendly Celebration in their parking lot. Captain America, Spider Woman, fire truck, games for kids and adults, music, henna tatoos, water baloons, hula hoop competition, cotton candy, hot dogs, hamburgers, draft beer & sangria, Note: Their new hours are 7 am to 3 pm (breakfast & lunch but not dinner).

VILANO MOBILE VET -- 904-315-1331
Will be on duty all weekend through the 4th if you have a pet problem that needs attention.

BEACHES ON VILANO - 254 Vilano Road at the Pier - 904- 823-8840
From noon on til after the fireworks, live music all day. Barbeque, burgers and dogs in the parking lot next to the pier. There will be a $5 charge to park, refundable with a meal purchase. Come watch the fireworks from their deck and beach.

BAY RAY BOAT RENTALS at Inlet Marina - 904- 826-0010
Open for boat rentals from 8 am to 8 pm.

VILANO SURF HUT - 115 Vilano Road - 904-806-8119
Open 9 to 5 or 6 (Sunday 11 to 5). Special sales and coupons.

BEACH HOUSE CAFÉ & GRILL-10 Vilano Road at the Ocean - 904-217-3765
Saint Augustine Beach House (aka Ocean Blue I) at the Vilano Beach access ramp. There's an old fashioned beach snack bar walk-up window from 11 to 5 seven days a week where you will find hot dogs, burgers, personal pizzas, chicken tenders, sides, beverages, beer, a daily special like a tuna wrap, and of course ice cream. For the disabled there is an elevator up to the deck. Perfect for beach goers who get hungry and don't bring their own picnic.

REAL ESTATE
Barbara B. Jenness, P.A. - Licensed Real Estate Broker- Porpoise Point and Vilano Beach 904-823-0027 in case you have to see some homes in the area!

Vilano Beach Publix Groundbreaking is today, January 12th at 4 p.m. at 120 Vilano Road, the former home of the Surf Hut. From St. Augustine, cross the Usina Bridge (aka Vilano Bridge) to Vilano Beach. Take a right at the light and a right onto Vilano Road at the stop sign to the white tent on the right. The Sheriff's office will be on hand to direct traffic and parking.

Last night the North Shores Improvement Association's Board of Directors heard informally from one of the developers, Joe Lelonek of Land Design South in preparation for today's groundbreaking. He announced that they signed a contract with VJ Usina Contracting last Friday, January 7th for demolition and clearing of the site covering the first 75 days. Once plans are released from the county, which should be soon, the demolition will begin and is planned to be completed in 2 to 3 weeks from now.

Then, Joe, explained, expect about 1 month of truckload after truckload of fill dirt as they add 2 to 3 feet of dirt to the site. During this time they will also be rerouting a force main that runs through the middle of the property. Additionally, they will be getting the final plans from Publix.

Rough timeline was 30 days to get Publix plans, 30 days to go out to bid and 30 days to get permits equating to about 3 to 4 months before they will start construction ("going vertical"). A rough estimate is 8 months construction will a completion expected around this time next year.

Retail space is available with the smallest space of 600 sq. ft. ideal for a dry cleaner according to Joe. There is space for two small restaurants that are quick serve/take-out as the space is 1000 to 1500 sq. ft.

Please attend today's groundbreaking to get more details. See you under the white tent!

Vilano Beach Publix Groundbreaking will be January 12, 2011 at 4 p.m. at the Surf Hut on Vilano Road across from the Vilano Beach Hampton Inn.

I know to some, I must sound like a broken record or Henny Penny---Publix is coming, Publix is coming.

But being a board member of Vilano Beach Main Street, Vilano Beach Waterfronts before that and the current Vice-President of the North Shores Improvement Association (NSIA), the parent organization of these groups, I have been working on the redevelopment of Vilano Beach as a citizen volunteer for 13 years.

Our number one objective was to bring a grocery store to Vilano Beach as this was the number one request of residents in the area.

We are so excited that not only has Publix posted a sign saying they are coming, but that the ceremonial groundbreaking is scheduled for Wednesday, January 12th at 4 p.m. The public is invited and we hope for a great turnout. This has been many years in the making and we are thankful that the developer, Vilano Town Centers Partners, LLC, a partnership of Atlantic Land Realty, Inc., and Land Design South of West Palm Beach were able to make this happen. They had community and government support making this a true public/private partnership.

Come help us welcome Publix to the Vilano Beach Town Center!

Vilano Beach Main Street Designated Florida Main Street Program

On December 3, Interim Secretary of State Dawn K. Roberts announced the selection of Vilano Beach Main Street as the Florida Main Street Program of the month for December 2010. Vilano Beach was designated a Main Street community in 2003. The press release gives more information about Vilano Beach and the Florida Main Street Program.

I have been a part of the revitalization of Vilano Beach since 1998 and serve as the current Vice-President of the North Shores Improvement Association, the parent organization of Vilano Beach Main Street. The Vilano Beach Main Street community volunteers (was Vilano Beach Waterfronts before 2003) have accomplished much since 1998 when we worked on our vision. Our most exciting announcement is the Publix Grocery store planned to open in late 2011/early 2012.

Vilano Mobile Vet in St. Augustine, Florida is the newest business in the Vilano Beach area. They were recently featured in North Shores News, the local publication that serves the Vilano Beach and North Beach areas of St. Augustine.

Dr. An Nguyen and vet tech Katherine, just stopped by and treated one of our cats. She and I thank Vilano Mobile Vet.

It was such a treat for both me and my cat, to have the neighborhood vet stop by, do a thorough examination and provide medication all from the comfort of my home. Vilano Mobile Vet is a time and cost saver. I am not just talking about the time to drive to the vet's office, but the time to actually "capture" my cat and get her in the carrier!

Their vehicle has a PC, printer and medication so they can print labels on the medicine bottles. Dr. Nguyen expressed to me the difference in my cat's pulse and respiration rates vs being in the vet's office. She was so calm.

It was such a pleasant experience. Thank you Vilano Mobile Vet!

Vilano Mobile Vet can be reached at 904-315-1331 or by e-mail at vilanomobilevet@gmail.com. Their hours are Monday-Saturday 8 a.m. - 7 p.m. You can call to arrange other times.