Restaurants Wanted!
Why should your eatery be located in Downtown Sebring?  Here are a few reasons why locating restaurants in Downtown makes financial sense:

• Dining Market Opportunity - According to a 2009 Downtown Sebring market analysis, there's a $2 million dining market currently not being captured within a 5-mile radius of Downtown Sebring, which includes residents, a 110-room hotel and the people working in the city.  Add 10 area hotels, and this missed dining market is $15 million.
• Restaurant Money Available - Through its Restaurant Incentive Program, the CRA has budgeted $100,000 this fiscal year to help fund start up costs for restaurants in the Downtown CRA District, which encompasses 650 acres.  To find out if you are eligible, call (863) 471-5104.
• Eateries Needed - Downtown is attracting an increased number of people with an aggressive marketing campaign and more events than ever before.  With higher numbers of people coming Downtown, they are asking for restaurants, wine bars, bakeries, coffee shops, eateries, especially ones open in the evenings.
• Foot traffic in Downtown Sebring is over 200,000 people who visit Downtown Sebring events and attractions. That's not even factoring in everyday traffic.  How would you like 200,000 potential customers to walk by your business?
• State Road 17, which runs through Downtown, is second most traveled road in Highlands County after US 27.  But while speeds on US 27 range from 45-55 MPH and people are driving from point A to B, speeds through Downtown Sebring are 35 MPH and people are looking for things to do and places to eat.  In Downtown Sebring, your business won't get lost in a random strip mall on the highway.
• Government, churches, professionals - Downtown is saturated with government workers, churches, and professionals (lawyers, accountants) who all need places to eat during the day and in the evenings, as well as places to grab coffee, snacks, etc. Wouldn't you like to capture this business?
• Attractions - Downtown Sebring has the highest concentration in all of the County of attractions for visitors, families and residents looking for things to do.  These include Circle Theater, Highlands Little Theatre, Highlands Museum of the Arts, Highlands Art League, Children's Museum of the Highlands and Circle Theatre (Opening 2013).  We also have fun things to do Downtown's quaint and charming setting like a paint your own pottery studio, antique shopping, strolling and more!
• Downtown Restaurant Success - McLane's Garden Cafe was a recipient of CRA's Restaurant Incentive Fund.  Within their first year in business, they won the Highlands County Start Up Business of the Year and purchased the lot next door for a planned expansion.
• Coordinated Marketing Efforts - The CRA organizes and pays for coordinated marketing efforts on behalf of the Downtown area with advertising, public relations and online outreach paid for by the CRA.  We will focus on getting them Downtown so you can focus on getting them into your business by targeting their preferences.
• Downtown Sebring Map - You will find a new Downtown Sebring map in this packet which is distributed to visitors coming to the area at no cost to Downtown business owners.  If your business was located Downtown, you'd be featured on the map too.
• Buy Downtown Sebring program - The CRA manages and pays for the advertising of the successful Buy Downtown Sebring consumer incentive program at no cost to Downtown businesses or consumers.
• Continuing Educational Opportunities - The CRA sponsors FREE continuing educational opportunities for Downtown Sebring business owners in the areas of marketing, customer service, business management, etc.

New Sections Added to CRA Website

The Sebring CRA has recently added new sections to its website, www.DowntownSebring.org. These sections include: Restaurants Wanted, Getting Here, We Are Downtown and Retail Academy.  This new information helps keep residents, visitors, merchants and other interested parties updated on happenings and news in Downtown Sebring.