St. Petersburg's much-anticipated event, Localtopia, has brought back hope and energy to a community hit hard by recent hurricanes. The festival has been shining a spotlight on the resilience and determination of local businesses which, now more than ever, are reliant on community support for their survival. WFLA provided insights into the festival's significance through the eyes of small business owners like Justin Ruzinok, who said, "Localtopia is our hope to kind of bring everything back."
Les Lloyd, the manager for the event, highlighted the do-or-die nature of the event for some participants, stating "for many of them, they’re telling us whether we stay in business or not depends on how we do today," according to a statement acquired by WFLA. Olga Bof, Founder of Keep St. Petersburg Local, added urgency to the community's role in preserving these establishments, declaring "Save your faves this year, because we may lose them. If you don’t buy local, it’s bye-bye local this year."
The 12th annual Localtopia assembled an impressive turnout with 300 vendors and approximately 40,000 attendees. First-time vendors, such as Sam Gerth of Hamster G Designs, reaped the benefits of direct customer interaction, which he described as the most fun part during an interview with WTSP. The event not only served budding businesses working out of garages but also presented a crucial platform for small businesses to bounce back after being weather-stricken.
Several businesses have been grinding to stay afloat in the aftermath of the hurricanes, and Localtopia has been instrumental in their fight for recovery. Eniko Olah, owner of Sans Market, expressed how critical the event was, saying, "It’s really about the energy, the community, but it’s also about getting back on our feet financially," in a statement obtained by ABC Action News. The significance of the festival ran deeper amid economic challenges, providing a shared space for entrepreneurs to sustain their businesses and, by extension, the local economy.
St. Petersburg's community, while still reeling from the effects of Hurricanes Helene and Milton, gathered with a spirit of support at Localtopia. Local business plays an essential part in the city's economy, and as supporter Derek Cooper stated in the interview with WFLA, without it, "the community crumbles."
