Latest news with #MartinTheater
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
104 year old business owner's legacy courses through Downtown Panama City
PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WMBB) – Tucked between downtown Panama City's renovated storefronts and decades-old facades, sits Collectibles Etc. The man behind the counter is proof that time can sometimes stand still. At 104 years old, John Natoli still comes to work every day, greeting customers, dusting off memories, and sharing his love for beautiful things in his store. It's like his business, Collectibles Etc., is frozen in time. However, John has lived his life like a man in motion. U.S. Postal Service unveils new delivery vehicles and upgraded facility He started his journey working at a stockyard in Jersey City, then found his voice in media working for a radio program called 'The Answer Man.' That led him to ABC Paramount's record company. He eventually made his way west, settling in Arizona until 1976, when life brought him to Panama City. 'Came to town looking for a location to do a flower shop. We found the building next door, opened it Bay Flowers Etc. And we were lucky as hell,' Natoli said. The shop was extremely successful. However, 10 years of hard work took a toll on John and his partner Fred. He said they were worn out and ready for a new adventure. 'At that point, we always had the business right next door, 318. And we always had this place for storage. So when we got rid of the flower shop, it rented out, you know, to somebody we opened this as collectibles,' Natoli said. As successful as Bay Flowers was, John noticed the shop's gift section was also doing big business. 'If somebody wanted a birthday thing for their daughter. Well, why do just a thing of flowers? Why not incorporate a doll, so we got into that sort of thing. So I made use of the collectibles that way,' Natoli added. After more than 10 years, Collectibles Etc has been a downtown Panama City staple. The opera and theater lover said his only regret is the possibility he won't see the Martin Theater reopen. Northwest Florida Airport celebrates 15 years of exceptional service and growth 'I strongly regret and hate the fact that the powers that be have not got the Martin Theater landmark back after eight long years, eight long years. I don't regret anything. I was an optimistic person, which is why I'm probably still around. But that is the only thing I'm sorry not to have,' Natoli said. John's one piece of life advice? 'Don't get old. Do not get old. It ain't worth it,' Natoli said. John said he has no plans to retire soon. In fact, he said he doesn't make many plans at all. As he sees it, he's not just preserving the past, he's proving that purpose doesn't retire. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
19-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Panama City adds new signage downtown
BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) – There are new street signs at the corner of 5th Street and Grace Avenue right in front of the Panama City City Hall. It is part of the community redevelopment agency's newest revitalization project. The signage is black and gold, with an 'Art Deco' theme. The in-house city design workers were inspired by the Martin Theater. 'We decided to take that historic building. And because it is an artistic building and the downtown has got an artistic vibe, we decided to go with that one. And this was the end result,' Community Redevelopment Agency Program Manager Michelle Zirkle said. The CRA is investing $110,000 to put up 70 of the new street signs. They'll be located from 6th Street South to the marina, and in between the bridges on West Beach Drive, Tarpon Dock, and on 4th Street by the Bay County Courthouse. Florida State Board of immigration Enforcement held first meeting in Niceville Most will be installed in the next two weeks, but workers will be accommodating some of the other construction going on downtown. 'We do have a new infrastructure project with new water and sewer going on in parts of downtown. So those signs will be installed during that construction phase,' Panama City Commissioner Ward 1 Jenna Haligas said. The project will also include wayfinding signs, directing people to some of downtown's main buildings and points of interest. City officials hope the new signs will help attract more visitors to the downtown area. 'We're seeing so many younger people and children and families it's just a wonderful place to be. And we're just hoping it's just kind of, you know, adds to the placemaking that we've created downtown,' Haligas said. The city is also working on new lighting for McKenzie Park and the ongoing downtown marina projects. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
