Kevin Elliott fell in love with Panama City, Florida, in the late 1980s as a 13-year-old military transplant. Today, not only does this entrepreneur host one of the Emerald Coast’s most successful film festivals, but he’s also an ardent supporter and the city’s “unofficial ambassador.”
I met Kevin this summer at a party hosted by our mutual friends, Bo and Dave King, who also own 30a’s newest and most successful creative space, SOWAL House, in Rosemary Beach. It didn’t take long for Kevin’s love and support for Panama City to spring forth in our initial conversation.
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After spending a couple of decades on the corporate merry-go-round, Kevin exercised his creative energy by founding Wewa Films, a company specializing in commercial film work and documentaries. Concurrently, Kevin saw an opportunity to highlight both Panama City’s downtown and documentary films by co-founding the Redfish Film Fest in 2024.
Panama City, not Panama City Beach
Before moving to the Sunshine State, I often needed clarification on Panama City (PC) and Panama City Beach (PCB). You leave and enter the other without noticing much difference or seeing large signs. The Hathaway Bridge connects both communities.
Yet there are a couple of significant differences between the two sister cities.
Located 102 miles southeast of Tallahassee on a bay along the Gulf of Mexico, Panama City was incorporated in 1909 by community leaders. A local developer created the city’s name, hoping to exploit trade possibilities through the newly built Panama Canal.
Kevin Elliott, co-founder of Wewa Films in Panama City, Florida
Shipbuilding, paper mills, and commercial fishing paved the way for other businesses. Beginning with a population of 422 residents, PC is home to about 35,000 today.
However, the city’s partial namesake and western neighbor, Panama City Beach, didn’t incorporate until 1970 and is known primarily for high-rise hotels and condos that host thousands of tourists looking to frolic on white-sand beaches.
Post Hurricane Resurgence
Panama City has experienced its share of ups and downs like many other communities. Yet two events, Hurricane Opal in 1995 and Hurricane Michael in 2018 demolished large sections of the city’s homes and businesses. The storm damage was so extensive that many residents and business owners fled the city. Extensive damage revealed an overwhelming and problematic rebuilding job.
Today, revitalization and growth highlight a variety of business ventures, specifically in the area south of 6th Street. Many of these are owned by young entrepreneurs who bet their energy and drive will attract like-minded transplants. From what I’ve seen, their plan is working perfectly.
Panama City’s recent rebirth came after and partially as a result of Hurricane Michael. The city’s downtown had experienced a slow decline for the previous four decades. A devastating hurricane, thrown on top of suburban flight, left the city’s once-thriving business district along Harrison Avenue a shell of its former self.
Thankfully, declining real estate values made a hearty supply of buildings and stores more attractive after the 2009 recession.
That’s when visionary residents like Allan Branch began purchasing downtown properties, which were, for the most part, being used as storage and warehouse space. Once a handful of new property owners had control over prime downtown real estate, things began to change. They began leasing to budding entrepreneurs opening coffee shops, restaurants, breweries, vintage arcades, clothing, and gift stores, among other uses.
Exploring Downtown Panama City
Before recording our podcast episodes, I met Kevin late one Tuesday afternoon at The Press, a quaint coffee shop just off the Harrison Avenue turn-about. During our chat, Kevin relates Panama City’s recent growth to someone who’s experienced a significant health scare or grief.
You eventually find a new lease on life and realize you can’t return to your former life, nor do you want to. At least that’s what some long-time residents felt.
I was very curious how Panama City plans to compete with neighboring areas whose economies are based entirely on tourism. In other words, how is Panama City taking advantage of the area’s tourism and influx of new residents?
“It’s simple. We’re not a beach town and don’t want to be one,” Kevin explained.
“If you talk to the locals, we have zero interest in becoming a ‘beach town.’ I’m not saying we don’t want tourists to visit. Of course we do. We don’t want to compete with PCB or 30a communities because we don’t have beaches. However, as our local tourism director says, people like to visit towns where locals like to live.”
Panama City, Florida’s downtown area being revitalized.
That’s precisely the attraction I experienced meandering the cobblestone streets leading to Hotel Indigo, a recent hospitality project developed by St. Joe, one of Bay County’s most prominent corporate neighbors and leading employers.
I also experienced local craft brews and live music at History Class Brewing Company, appetizers at House of Henry Irish Pub, and an exercise class at Downtown Boxing Club.
In the coming months, the historic Martin Theatre will undergo an extensive renovation, adding another dimension to the downtown area.
Panama City’s Long-Term Vision
I wanted to ask Kevin where he thought Panama City would be in five years.
“I see more of the same, which is a very good thing. Even though we’ve made massive progress, we are nowhere near meeting our potential. We are at the very beginning. It is nascent with wonderful things are going on. I don’t know exactly what it will look like in five years, but it will be spectacular.”
“Imagine the cutest little downtown you’ve ever seen, full of art and artists, cool restaurants, and bookshops and other things, and sits on one of the prettiest bays you’ve ever seen. We have the water, great seafood, a mix of southern charm, old Americana downtown, and new art and life on the water. It makes PC one of the best downtowns I’ve ever seen. Of course, I’m biased.”
These are only a few of the issues Kevin and I addressed during this podcast episode. Please remember to pass the link on to others interested in learning more about PC.