New businesses are sprouting up in New Port Richey. They're filling space downtown that has been empty for years.
Things are bustling a little more than usual in downtown New Port Richey. You’ll begin to see signs that say “Now Open” or “Coming Soon.”
“We don’t want to be the only one here; we want to be one of the first to have come to downtown New Port Richey and start a revolution. That’s our goal,” said Nelson Ohihoin, owner of Dulcet.
Ohihoin opened Dulcet less than a year ago. He is one of the first since the recession. Nearly half the businesses were boarded up and closed several years ago.
“I always loved downtown New Port Richey because I just believed nothing is really happening yet, but I believe it is a place that has potential,” Ohihoin said.
Others are feeling the same. The city says over the past two years 24 businesses have opened shop, with the majority over the past six months.
The city’s incentive program may have something to do with it. It’s earmarked $450,000 towards helping new businesses.
“It’s a reimbursement program,” said community development director Mario Iezzoni. “When the business owner actually pays their cost, the city will reimburse them or match that investment that they made into the city.”
The city says at least 10 businesses have already taken advantage of its incentive program. Like Rose’s Bistro. “It’s helping us with our sign work and awnings, landscaping,” said Rose’s Bistro owner Rose Mohr.
Rose’s Bistro started off as a market but has since evolved into a restaurant. It moved into the heart of downtown a little over a week ago.
“It’s been wild. We’ve had our regular customers follow us over, and we’ve seen a lot of new people, too, which is very encouraging,” said Mohr.
The city is also offering grants to residential and old businesses to spruce things up in hopes downtown will have its comeback.
New Port Richey is also working on a number of other projects to revitalize downtown, including overhauling Sims Park and restoring the historic Hacienda Hotel.