02MillenniumVette

They have been laying off people since the last company bought Sandestin which was about a year ago and Sandestin is about to be sold off again. They are Sandestin employees though, not independant merchants.

It never does show that.

When the Sandestin owned stores are having problems making money as well as the independant merchants, then that is a good sign that the village is going to go dark. Like I said before, unless management changes their ways by this summer, then there will be only a handfull here and Im not sure how long they will last with the rest of the village gone.

I agree that there are still lots of people that have tons of money but when the village first opened, we were seeing the high class people that had black Am Ex's and didnt care what anything cost really. Now we are getting the low class people that dont want to spend $30-$50 on a steak at Marlin Grill. Im not saying there is anything wrong with that kind of person but they are not going to spend the money like the high class people do. Sandestin will still always be here but the village wont be for very much longer IMO.

As stated above, Sandestin shows you what you want/need to see. Not what goes on behind the scene like the merchants see.

cor28vettes

Good reply on a reality check!

Baytowne, where the event was held @ Sandestin Resort, does draw a lot of local 'outsiders' that seem to enjoy but not contribute to the base line. Someone has to pay for the fireworks etc.

Will see but don't think it will be that gloomy come summer. Worst case scenerio, Panama City is prime as I suggested many posts ago. Something to keep on the back burner.

richhoff

Calling people high class and low class? I understand what you are trying to say, but that sounds alittle no class.

cor28vettes

Don't take offense. He meant to say high-end/low-end.

Around here there's the full spectrum. Some trailer trash that continuously throws beer cans on other peoples property to self made people that own yachts worth millions. Most people are decent here regardless of circumstances.

I'm centrally located unless the powerball I bought in TN says otherwise.

Tally Ho

If the village fades away, I'm afraid VATV will go away as well. As for taking it to PC, I don't think our club would go that route since it's a logistics nightmare. Sandestin was a stretch, PC would not work. If ECCC wanted to put on a big event, I'm sure there would be the same support. I know MSCC's events on the beach in Pensacola and at the NAS museum draw big crowds.

The only other options are for PCC to find a venue in the local area that could handle the number of cars, or the gulf coast clubs to put on a joint show somewhere.

cor28vettes

w/big crowds @ Pensacola beach & Navy Museum but neither can handle 200-300 Vettes plus big crowds IMOP.

I think if the event was good for Sandestin, and good for the sponsor club, it will repeat full service. The first two were killers w/the heat. This year had a few conflicts w/other events. Nothing major but conflicts nonetheless.

Issues will come up no matter where it's held or who puts it on. If there's internal conflict it has to be dealt with for the good of the club and for what's good for Baytowne. If everything is on still the table, why not the first full weekend in Nov when Sandestin and the coast enters the 'off-season', with off season rates. When prices are more attractive to the customer, more customers buy (in this case ....'more will be inclined to stay' 2-3 nights). Most seem to have gotten in and out as fast as they can

With a few tips, this event can turn into a bonus weekend for many who have not seen what all the area has to offer.

And a couple of extra promos courtesy of Baytowne Fri or Sat night would make this years event something extra special. Don't know what those fireworks cost but the event fully warrants it. Our own Zydeco band back-to-back w/our local guy that does a super Lvis would round things out guaranteed. Baytowne Promotions knows them and has sponsored them. And Baytowne does fireworks as well as anyone.

I know it's up to the powers to be but that's my 2 cents again. I can assist to try to make things happen.
Baytowne staff is only a mile or so away.

02MillenniumVette

Ok next time I will call them low income people.


At our last meeting we were told that the next VATV is on Oct. 18th. Again, hopefully the village will still be here for it. If not Im sure we will move it to Destin Commons or somwhere around here. We might even still have it at Baytowne even if the village isnt here anymore, we will just have no shops or restaurants to go into.

RainJ

Thanks for the update - We are putting out annual calendar together and will pencil in Oct 18th.
Rain
MSGCCC.com

02MillenniumVette

Sandestin enters its off season at the end of August or the first of Sept. Our season is Spring Break and Summer. As soon as kids go back to school, our season is basically over with, with the exception of major holidays. As for the fireworks, Sandestin usually doesnt shoot them off that time of year except for New Years. Im sure they could do it, just need someone to pay them for it. It would be cool to do the fireworks on Sat. night after the show just to get people to hang out longer instead of going home or going back to their hotel rooms right after the awards.

02MillenniumVette

Your welcome.

cor28vettes

It's confirmed. Saw the newspaper announcing Oct 18, 2008 for the 4th annual event. Same location.

Looking forward to it.

RainJ

Gonna be my first year to miss it, but several from the MSGCCC will be attending.

Party on!

Blueheeler

we will party on..but will miss u.

cor28vettes

Oh I agree. That's a good draw. I heard loud fireworks for a month after July 4th. On Tuesdays & other days. Always wondered where the funds came from. They do a very good display.

Thought I'd give a little heads-up after reading the Oct 18 date in the local paper last Sat since most CF members don't get to read our local paper.

Perhaps a club member will post the contact info from the paper notification. A brand new post would work better. I don't want to interfere this year with official business by stepping on toes.

IrishMac

Closed per original posters request.