When Charlie Douglas left his hometown of Palatka to attend the University of Florida, he quickly realized that most people either hadn’t heard of the town — or didn’t think much of it.
That impression stuck with him. But instead of turning away from Palatka, Douglas, now a successful lawyer, chose to invest in its future. Today, he’s one of several business leaders working to breathe new life into the community, hoping to revitalize the economy while keeping the small-town charm that makes Palatka special.
“I see it as my purpose to help change the narrative about Palatka,” Douglas said. “I want to give back to a place that’s done so much for me.”
Putting His Money Where His Mouth Is
Douglas isn’t just talking about helping — he’s making major investments in Palatka’s downtown. In 2020, he bought a historic building at Second Street and St. Johns Avenue for $2.56 million and spent even more renovating it. His law firm is now based there, and he leases part of the space to Velchoff’s Corner, a well-liked local restaurant. Upstairs, apartments are rented to students from St. Johns River State College.
He also acquired the nearby River Center property in a land exchange with the city. It’s home to the Palatka Coffee Co. and will eventually be connected to the Second Street building, expanding Velchoff’s footprint and adding rooftop options.
Beyond that, Douglas owns other downtown properties, including the Palatka Daily News and two radio stations, all now housed on St. Johns Avenue.
“I want to keep these assets local,” he said. “That’s why I bought the Daily News. It’s part of our identity.”
Others Join the Effort
Douglas isn’t alone in his efforts. The city is actively working to encourage investment, with Mayor Robbi Correa — who owns Lemon Street Market & Mercantile — advocating for more creative businesses downtown.
She envisions shops, restaurants, and galleries that highlight Palatka’s historic downtown and riverfront charm.
Another local investor is Jeremy Alexander, who helps manage Douglas’s properties and owns Saylor’s on St. Johns with his wife. They’ve transformed their building into an event space and are adding an outdoor courtyard to host celebrations.
“We’re betting our family’s future on this,” Alexander said.
A key development is the recent sale of a long-vacant former bank building at 511 St. Johns Ave. to an out-of-town investor. While the new owner hasn’t been named, Alexander confirmed they’re open to tailoring the space for entrepreneurs who want to bring fresh ideas to downtown — an encouraging sign for a block that’s lacked foot traffic.
The Challenge: Filling the Gaps
While downtown Palatka isn’t abandoned, it’s underutilized. The businesses that exist are solid, but there simply aren’t enough of them to make the area a must-visit destination. Many storefronts are closed on weekends, and some buildings are still undergoing renovations.
The hope is that filling in key spaces, like the building at 511 St. Johns and the stalled Hotel James project, will help change that. But renovating historic structures takes time and money, and there’s no guarantee of a big return.
Adding to the problem are absentee property owners who neglect their buildings, dragging down the area’s overall appeal and making future renovations more expensive.
To tackle this, the city launched the “Blight to Bright” program, aimed at forcing property owners to maintain their buildings or risk losing them. City Attorney Jane West, who leads the initiative, said it’s essential for improving how people view Palatka.
Building Momentum
For those who believe in Palatka, the time to act is now. While the city sits between booming areas like St. Augustine, Jacksonville, and Gainesville, it still fights old stereotypes. That’s part of why Douglas took on such a high-profile property near the river — he wants visitors to see a city with life and promise, not a place stuck in the past.
“We’ve got the bones to be a tourist destination,” Douglas said. “We just need to be discovered.”
Kimberly Morgan, VP of tourism for Putnam County, is working to promote the region as a place for outdoor adventures and a charming small-town feel.
“There’s so much untouched natural beauty here,” Morgan said. “Downtown is coming back to life — it’s that classic American experience where people wave at you as you walk by.”
Correa believes the tide is turning. With thoughtful development, Palatka could become a relaxing alternative to the overcrowded tourist spots nearby.
“We need to keep building pride in our community,” she said.
Plenty of business owners have already embraced that vision — shops like Urban Farmhouse, Magnolia Cafe, Miss D’s Quilts, and Daniel Thompson Bridal have all made downtown their home.
Even off the main street, businesses like Azalea City Brewing Co. are investing heavily. They turned the old Coca-Cola bottling plant from 1937 into a craft brewery and hope continued growth will bring more visitors to the area.
“We’re excited about what’s happening downtown,” said owner Andrea Conover.
Still, local leaders know there’s more work to do. They’d like to see more upscale restaurants, music venues, and nightlife options to bring energy after hours.
If more investors step up, they believe Palatka can become a sought-after destination — not by chasing trends, but by embracing what makes it special.
“We’ve got everything we need,” Correa said. “The challenge is just doing it right.”
Information from: https://www.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/news/2025/05/09/palatkas-downtown-revival.html
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