PLANT CITY, Fla. — Downtown businesses in Plant City are banding together to pave a path forward. They created a “Downtown Merchant Committee” to find ways to draw more people to the area.

What You Need To Know

Downtown Merchant Committee forms in Plant City to work with the city to draw more people to shop

The committee is composed of five downtown merchants

The merchants are working to come up with ideas of what they want to see changed

It’s a whiskey wonderland, at least for Brandon Snyder.

“We are definitely a destination for Christmas gifts.”

He is the owner of Propagation Whiskey Bar and Kitchen. His business has been open for a little over a year now.

“This is all of our back stock that we have and all of our allocated bottles,” Snyder said.

He said December brings in about 8,000 people. And a big part of it comes down to signage that helps attract customers to downtown.

That’s why he is excited to be part of the “Downtown Merchant Committee” to work with city leaders.

“If a city, if a municipality, is not behind people like me putting everything in on these businesses, then you have nothing,” Snyder said.

The committee was formed after a meeting with City Manager Bill McDaniel to discuss a proactive courtesy letter that provided examples of code enforcement to each business.

McDaniel believes this is a step that will help bring about positive change.

“This is a great opportunity to work collaboratively with the merchant community to target and direct investments and programs that the city can get behind,” he said.

McDaniel said part of those changes could be done to existing codes.

Gregg Williams is the owner of Brick City Bricks and is also part of the five merchants that make up the committee.

He said they’re already looking for ways to ensure businesses thrive. “Our goal right now is to go and talk to every business here in downtown and get their perspective,” he said.

For Williams, getting people through his doors is important, especially during the holiday shopping season.

“I mean, the buildings can be beautiful, but if you don’t know what’s in those buildings, they may not stop,” he said of potential customers.

They’re working to create a booming downtown for people of all ages.

The Downtown Merchant Committee will be presenting a list of ideas of what could be changed or added to downtown at its next meeting with the city manager.