*Source: Photos by Daniel Sutphin
For around four years now, the popularity of Taco Tuesday has helped boost business, notoriety and upgrades at the City of Arcadia Municipal Airport.
Arcadia Airport, 2269 SE AC Polk Jr. Dr., hosts “Taco Tuesday” every week from 10:30am-3pm, featuring live music and food trucks that range from tacos and burritos to barbecue and desserts.
As a result of the weekly event and low fuel prices, Airport Director Shelley Peacock said the airport has seen consistent increases in aviation traffic and hangar demand over the years, leading to renovation and expansion needs.
Arcadia Airport is in the process of adding 10 new T-Hangars and a taxilane on its property to help accommodate hangar demand. Currently, the airport features 23 hangars and two large maintenance hangars.
“We’re also getting ready to start ramp expansion and ramp resurfacing because of Taco Tuesday,” she said. “We don’t have enough places for people to park.”
In a given week, the airport sees around 100 pilot operations a day, if not more.
The airport has had a hangar waiting list since 2014, listing 42 general aviation pilots who want to rent out the hangars at the time of this post.
Through grants, the Florida Department of Transportation provided 100% funding for the $2 million hangar and taxilane project.
For the future ramp expansion and resurfacing — planned for Fall 2024 — a grass field to the east of the current ramp will be cleared and paved over with funding from FDOT. The current concrete ramp will also be resurfaced with funding from the the Federal Aviation Administration.
“So, nothing (of expense) from the city,” Peacock said.
In the last few years, other completed projects include a resurfaced runway and a turf runway drainage project, both funded solely through grants with grants from FDOT and FAA.
For more information about Arcadia Airport, go to Arcadia Municipal Airport – X06 – City of Arcadia (arcadia-fl.gov) or Facebook.com/arcadiax06, or call 863-494-7844.
*Source: Photos provided by Crews Bank & Trust and by Daniel Sutphin
The First State Bank of Arcadia opened in 1973 on N. Brevard Ave. in Arcadia.
The decades-old bank, now Crews Bank & Trust, has undergone multiple major additions over the years, as well as numerous interior renovations.
After heavy damages incurred by 2022s Hurricane Ian, owners are looking for a fresh start going forward for the property, 335 N. Brevard Ave. (US-17 N) in Arcadia.
“The bank initially made plans to renovate the current space,” said Justin Fussell, area president for DeSoto and Hardee counties. “However, it was recognized that we would incur the expense of the renovations (and) still have the flooding risk in the future.”
As a result of Hurricane Ian, the bank sustained as much as 14 inches of flooding throughout the entire 19,000 sq. ft. building, as well as substantial roof damage on the flat roof portion of the building.
Ground water and rain water intrusion in the building was also an issue, Fussell said.
On July 31st, demolition of the old bank began and is estimated to take 20 days for it to be completely demolished and the site cleared. Construction of the new building is slated to begin in Fall 2024.
“The new building will be a full-service location with the drive thru attached, and will be positioned to where the front entrance faces the highway,” Fussell said. “That is a big change from our previous design where the front faced Volusia Ave. (parallel with N. Brevard Ave.)
“The new building will also provide a new home for our pet fish that have been with the bank for over 20 years!”
The new structure will be built to modern building codes.
“The biggest change from the old building will be raising the elevation to safeguard from future flooding,” Fussell said. “It will have impact doors, windows, etc.”
While Crews Bank representatives look forward to the new building, for some the demolition has been a bit bittersweet.
“This bank has been a cornerstone of our community for decades,” Fussell said. “Serving not only as a place of commerce but also as a home to hundreds of employees and customers alike. We look forward to serving our community from this location for generations to come.”
For more information, go to Crews.bank or call (863) 494-2220.
*Source: Photos by Daniel Sutphin
Demolition is underway at the former Maassen Oil Co. buildings and North Side Shell Gas Station, built in 1972.
The project will make space at the corner of North Brevard Avenue (US-17 N) and East Gibson Street for a new 7-Eleven convenience store and gas station.
Owners of Maassen Oil Co., who also operated the Shell Gas Station, look to retire soon. Their company was recently acquired by Palmdale Oil Company, a family-founded and operated business, and a leading provider of fuels, lubricants and chemicals.
As part of the Palmdale family, customers will continue to receive the high-quality refined fuel, lubricants and propane products customers rely on, including across the agricultural and industrial markets, according to a Maassen Oil representative’s July 31 Facebook post.
Since the acquisition, Maassen Oil Co., now referred to as Palmdale Oil, has moved its business to 119 S. DeSoto Ave. (US-17 S).
Maassen Oil Co. traces back to 1931 when Noren Murray and Samuel Maassen founded the company, reporter Carol Mahler wrote in an August 8, 2024, Arcadia Community Local paper.
Regarding 7-Eleven
The City of Arcadia approved the demolition of the Shell Gas Station, as well as the Maassen Oil office and warehouse on the property at 612 N. Brevard Ave.
7-Eleven site plans have also been approved by the city of Arcadia; however, building and construction permit applications must still be submitted before any development can begin.
Site plans show multiple traffic entrances and exits onto the 7-Eleven site: two separate access points on N. Brevard Ave. and two additional access points on E. Gibson St.
Access points can be seen in the photos below.
*Source: Site plans provided by DeSoto County and City of Arcadia
*Source: Photos provided by Decker Plumbing & Drains Facebook and Website
Decker Plumbing & Drains owners Billie Jo and Brian Decker are excited to bring their top-notch plumbing services to DeSoto County.
Originally based out of North Port, the company has been operating for around five years, serving North Port, and Sarasota and Charlotte Counties, but have since spread into DeSoto after moving their family to the county.
“We’ve worked in Arcadia for the last few years,” Billie Jo said. “My husband and I own the company. We have nine trucks on the road and when you call, you’re still going to get me, Brian, or my son.”
For Billie Jo and Brian, community has been important in any area they work.
“I’m part of the Charlotte-DeSoto Building Industry Association (CBDIA) and am on the board there so we’ve been involved in DeSoto and Charlotte (and surrounding areas). We like to be involved in the community that we live.”
Billie Jo recently joined the DeSoto County Chamber of Commerce. Business has picked up in Arcadia for the Deckers the more she gets involved, she said, whether in person or through social media.
“We’ve picked up on calls out here,” Billie Joe said. “I think it’s because we are closer, have a presence on social media pages, and are able to show that we are here; it’s been good!”
For more information, go to DeckerPlumbingandDrains.com, or call 941-979-0896.
Physical Address:
Economic Development Office
Turner Agri-Civic Center
2250 N.E. Roan Street
Arcadia, FL 34266
Hours: Mon-Fri 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
