Businesses relying on Localtopia more than ever this year
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., (WFLA) – Local businesses need the community's help more than ever after people are still recovering from Hurricanes Helene and Milton.
Organizers for the 2025 Localtopia said this year is the one that is going to make or break businesses.
Localtopia will be at Williams Park on Saturday, February 22 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The event is a celebration of all things local and this year, businesses are depending on the community.
'The cleanup is still happening, and for me, it meant losing my woodwork shop which held all of my boards, my tent, all the essentials to run this business, right before the holiday season was starting,' Jessica Roberts said.
Jessica Roberts owns Afterburnt, a business made from creating artwork out of wood. She said a lot of her inspiration for her pieces, especially the cookware, comes from her grandparents.
The business owner was only able to do one-weekend show before Hurricane Milton hit, but she did not just lose some of her livelihood, she lost her car and had to move out of her home.
'The overwhelm of the storm on top of running a business, and also, having a collective that I share with other artists. Physical overwhelm, emotional overwhelm that I am definitely still dealing with as I am temporarily housed in Tampa, running my business very makeshift-ly,' Roberts said.
Her customizable woodwork is just one of hundreds of businesses participating.
Olga Bof, the Founder and Executive Director of Keep St. Petersburg Local, said this is the most important Localtopia ever.
'It really just is heartbreaking what they've been going through and this is why this is our shirt this year, it's help local thrive in 2025. Not just the participants that day, but all of your favorites, save your favs this year,' Olga Bof said.
The event is a day of communities coming together and a day that business owners depend on.
'Because of everything our local businesses have been through, obviously, with the hurricanes primarily, but that's just an accumulation of the past few years between the pandemic and price increases. This is literally the year that will make or break them,' Bof said.
'The day is just filled with so much love and especially, what we've all just went through, this is what I've been looking forward to,' Roberts said. 'This is what I have been putting aside all the stress and of the overwhelm, and I have been making, creating for my community, that's what has been holding up my spirits right now.'
More than 300 local businesses will be taking part. For road closures and available parking, click here.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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