Tag: Downtowners

Marco Ricci is the embodiment of the American Dream. His journey to Downtown West Palm Beach began thousands of miles away in Rome, Italy. He recalls that early in life he “developed a love for music, marketing, communication, and, above all, connecting with people,” which has enabled him to thrive in his career in sales and hospitality. 

Before crossing the Atlantic Ocean, he spent a year working in London, England, an experience that he says “fueled my curiosity for new cultures and opportunities. In 2016, I took the leap and moved to New York City, eventually began working for Hotel AKA and, in 2022, relocated to West Palm Beach to become Director of Sales for the opening of Hotel AKA West Palm, the company’s first property in South Florida.” 

When not at the hotel, Ricci loves spending time with his family.  

“My wife and I are proud parents to our beautiful daughter, Stella, and our two Golden Retrievers, Cino and Cannella, who keep life entertaining,” Marco said. “I like to think of myself as someone who’s always looking for the next adventure and my wife, daughter, and our pooches share that passion. My wife and I love to travel, and over the years we’ve made exploring new places a big part of our lives.” 

What do you like most about being in Downtown West Palm Beach? 

I love its incredible energy. It’s a city that’s constantly evolving, and you can truly feel the excitement every time you walk its streets. There’s a sense that you’re witnessing something special. It’s a destination that’s growing into one of the most desirable places to live, work, and visit in South Florida. 

The lifestyle is hard to beat. Within just a few blocks, you can enjoy an amazing selection of restaurants, coffee shops, rooftop bars, cultural events, boutique shopping, and beautiful green spaces. The fact that you can walk almost everywhere makes it even more enjoyable and creates a real sense of community. 

From a hospitality perspective, it’s exciting to see how much attention Downtown West Palm Beach is receiving. People from around the globe are discovering what makes this city so unique. 

What do you and your family do for fun in Downtown West Palm Beach? 

One of the things we love most about Downtown West Palm Beach is that there’s always something to do, yet it never feels rushed. As a family, we enjoy spending as much time outdoors as possible, and Downtown makes that incredibly easy. You’ll often find us taking a walk along the Intracoastal Waterway, enjoying the waterfront views, or exploring CityPlace, where there’s always a great atmosphere, whether it’s shopping, dining, or simply people-watching. We’re also excited about new projects in the area, which are creating even more places for people to gather and connect. 

How has Downtown West Palm Beach evolved since you’ve been here? 

Everywhere you look, there’s a sense of progress. That includes new residential developments and modern office spaces, as well as exciting projects that are helping redefine the city’s landscape and creating even more reasons for people to live, work, and spend time Downtown. 

And the growth isn’t just physical; it’s also cultural and economic as well. The restaurant scene continues to flourish, new businesses are opening, and the city is attracting talented professionals, entrepreneurs, and families from all over the U.S., and around the globe. There’s a real sense of optimism and momentum that you can feel every day. 

PHOTO BY CAPEHART

Ann Savage has spent her entire professional career as a marketing, public relations, and branding specialist, using her expertise to build interest and awareness about her clients while working at the full-service firm PATHOS. And it turns out Savage is pretty fascinating herself.

Born in Kentucky, she and her family are lifelong fans of the Kentucky Derby and have hosted many Derby Day parties over the years. One can only imagine the hats and outfits that made appearances at those celebrations. And Savage is more than just a fan of horseracing — she’s also been a participant and spectator of other equestrian pursuits.

“I’m an equestrian at heart, having competed as a hunter-jumper rider in my early years and I’m also a huge fan of polo,” she explains. “To be honest, I really love anything horse-related.” She was also working remotely and traveling to Downtown West Palm Beach for business long before the digital age made it the norm.

Let’s let her explain.

What brought you to Downtown West Palm Beach?

It was for work — specifically my company, PATHOS. Our first office was on the first floor of the Comeau building on Clematis Street. The Downtown District was very different in those years, and let’s just say it wasn’t exactly thriving. But we loved the historic building and believed in the promise and possibilities of what was to come. Although I lived in Virginia at the time, I commuted to South Florida for 25 years, spending one week a month at the office. I was telecommuting long before Covid! Over the decades we spent time in different office spaces as our firm grew, but it was in 2018 that we reconnected with our roots and moved back to the first floor of the Comeau Building. Today, we are still in the Comeau Building on the third floor as a member of 1909.

What do you like most about being in Downtown?

Being located in Downtown West Palm Beach is very important to us as a firm. The energy and connection with leaders, creators, builders, and learners is fundamental to our vision to make Downtown West Palm Beach a creative capital. It is central to everything and the momentum is tangible. Personally, I love that there is so much to do within easy walking access. I also really enjoy showing out-of-town visitors the Downtown District. Both of my children have lived Downtown, and my mom has stayed Downtown during her winter escapes from the north.

The GreenMarket is a family-favorite (love the arepas!). We love strolling on the waterfront with our granddaughter, who loves running around the wide open green spaces and playing near the fountain. Of course, there are so many dining choices for every tastebud — too many to name! Then there’s the character and the Downtown “nooks” like Fern Street Chess Park, Friday night Que Bacano dancing at Salento Coffee Shop, and the Let’s Vibe creative hangouts.

And Brightline being right there is so cool: our PATHOS team recently took a day trip on it that was amazing and EASY!

How has Downtown evolved since 1990? 

Downtown West Palm Beach has “grown up” to be a thriving city with so much potential on the horizon. Looking back to when we first came here 36 years ago, we didn’t feel safe after dark. But today we love to hang out after hours and stay late into the night if we feel like it. And the future is so bright as Downtown West Palm Beach continues its growth into a city that all can enjoy.

PHOTO BY CAPEHART

To say that Valerie Neilson has experienced Mother Nature’s most divergent extremes would be quite the understatement. She was born and raised in Anchorage, Alaska, yet also has family roots in the South American coastal nation of Chile — where she has spent significant periods of her life. So one might argue by splitting the geographical difference and living in South Florida enables Neilson — who is Executive Director of the Palm Beach Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) — to thrive in an area that makes the best of both worlds. Neilson certainly thinks so. “Experiencing life in both Alaska and Chile has shaped how I think about mobility and the importance of providing options,” she explains. “Those perspectives continue to guide my work today. As our region grows, it is important that we take a balanced approach that prioritizes safety, expands mobility choices, and supports quality of life for people of all ages and abilities.” A Palm Beach County resident since 2011, Neilson, her husband, and their dog Daisy enjoy all that Downtown West Palm Beach has to offer, including “walking along the waterfront, especially on weekends, and visiting the GreenMarket when it’s in season. It is also nice to stroll along Clematis Street and then over to CityPlace to explore.”

What brought you to Downtown West Palm Beach?

I have been with the Palm Beach MPO since 2015. We relocated our offices to Downtown West Palm Beach in 2019 to reflect the values we promote as an organization: accessibility, connectivity, and multimodal transportation. We transformed an underutilized building into our office, and it has since become a hub for regional collaboration because it is within walking distance of Tri-Rail and Brightline. Our Downtown location has also helped us attract and retain talent. And beyond the operational benefits, being in a walkable, vibrant environment has created a more engaging and enjoyable workplace for our team and visitors.

What do your like most about Downtown West Palm Beach?

Downtown West Palm Beach is one of my favorite places to spend time with family and friends. I enjoy walking along the waterfront, especially on weekends, and visiting the GreenMarket when it’s in season. It is also nice to stroll along Clematis and over to CityPlace to explore. There are so many great restaurants to choose from for lunch and dinner, as well as unique specialty shops for dessert or a cup of coffee. For a staycation or when hosting visitors, The Ben and the Hilton West Palm Beach are great options, and the rooftop views at The Ben or Canopy are always a highlight. What I enjoy most is that there is always something new to discover.

How has Downtown West Palm Beach evolved since you’ve been here? 

It has experienced significant growth, particularly with the arrival of Brightline and continued investment following the pandemic. New housing, office space, hotels, and local businesses have created a more vibrant and active urban environment. I envision the Downtown West Palm Beach continuing to grow as a true urban center while also maintaining a focus on providing multimodal transportation and thoughtful planning, so that the growth remains accessible and sustainable.

PHOTO BY CAPEHART

Alexander Esposito describes himself as an “energetic and naturally curious person with a ‘what’s next?’ mentality.” He believes these traits have served him well, both professionally and personally. With the former, his interest in the ever-evolving worlds of technology and transportation led him to co-found Circuit, an on-demand microtransit service, back when he was still living in Hampton, New York in the early 2010s. As the business grew, he and his business partner recognized that South Florida — and specifically Downtown West Palm Beach — would be the perfect area to supercharge its expansion. The Downtown Development Authority worked with Circuit on its first pilot program, helping ensure the company would have the best possible chance to succeed. Esposito moved here fulltime in 2014 and recalls “I immediately fell in love with the area.” And a few years after becoming a South Floridian, Esposito also fell in love with his now-wife Kenzie Snyder, whom he was introduced to by mutual friends while she was still living in New York. “Convincing Kenzie she’d love living in our tropical paradise was a pretty easy sell,” he says.

What do you like the most about seeing in Downtown West Palm Beach? 

I grew up in a small, seasonal beach town and then lived in the middle of New York City — and I always tell people Downtown West Palm Beach offers the best of both worlds. It has that fast-paced energy and worldclass accessibility of a big city, but with a tight-knit community and outdoor soul of a beach town. And you can’t beat the weather! Or the convenience. I can walk out my front door and be at the Brightline station in five minutes. Getting to practice car-free behavior is a real treat and something you can do in Downtown West Palm Beach.

What do you do for fun in Downtown West Palm Beach? 

We are big fans of eating out. We hit the staples like Bradley’s, FOG and Grease, but we love that there are constantly new places opening up — spots like Adrienne’s, Waxin’s, Eatlay, and others. There’s just so much to do here. I’m a regular at the GreenMarket, of course. It really feels like one continuous experience walking down Clematis Street, with cool vendors everywhere, from food to things like vintage magazines and antique golf clubs at the West Palm Beach Antique & Flea Market. Between walking our dog Chacha along Flagler Drive and events like Clematis by Night or the Palm Tree Music Festival, there is always stuff going on and we can usually walk to all of it.

How was Downtown West Palm Beach evolved over the years? 

When I first arrived in 2014, Downtown felt like two separate pockets: the waterfront and CityPlace. Today, those gaps have been filled in and the Downtown District is not only interconnected, but it’s also continuously expanding. And our instincts about Downtown West Palm Beach being the ideal place to grow Circuit turned out to be right because the area has become a premier test bed for mobility innovation. Last summer, we even ran an autonomous vehicle pilot with Related Ross, Guident Corp, and Auve Tech. Downtown West Palm Beach isn’t just growing and evolving, but it’s a business-friendly environment that encourages innovation and progress.

Meet Sophie DeWaal, owner of Arya Tea Bar, a new tea-based café opening this month. Before moving to South Florida, DeWaal spent a decade on Wall Street as an investment banker with Bank of America, including five years specializing in the restaurant sector. Her work helped support major transactions, including Roark Capital’s $11 billion acquisition of Dunkin’ Brands, and earned her a spot on Forbes “30 Under 30” list for finance in 2022. Nevertheless, in 2024 DeWaal made a bold pivot, leaving Bank of America to pursue her dream of opening a new tea-based café. Arya Tea Bar now joins Downtown West Palm Beach’s growing collection of unique and welcoming neighborhood establishments.

How and why did you end up in Downtown West Palm Beach?

I was familiar with Downtown West Palm Beach from having spent time here during several winters when I was competing in equestrian show jumping. And then after COVID, I just fell in love with the entire area and the way it intersects city life with beach life and with country life. I’m not surprised that, when it comes to investment, Downtown West Palm Beach is now being called the Wall Street of the South.

What do you do for fun in Downtown West Palm Beach?

I’m a runner so I love going for runs around Downtown West Palm Beach — including with Celis Run Cub. I love all the health and wellness pop-ups that the city supports — like the DDA’s Sunset Sweat. And my absolute favorite spot to spend time on the weekends is at the West Palm Beach GreenMarket. I get my groceries there every weekend during season and love bumping into friends who are doing the same thing.

What do you like most about being in Downtown West Palm Beach?

I love the strength of the community in Downtown West Palm Beach. I mean, it’s such a perfectly sized city. And not only is the entrepreneurial spirit here alive and well, but we also have so many resources to support businesses of all sizes and in all sectors.

How has Downtown West Palm Beach evolved since you’ve been here? 

I’ve seen Downtown West Palm Beach continue to attract some of the most motivated and fitness-oriented young people in the country. I think this is an incredible moment — one that will propel the Downtown District for decades to come. That’s why I couldn’t imagine starting Arya Tea Bar anywhere else. It had to be in Downtown West Palm Beach. If you’re thinking of moving here, I say do it immediately because you’ll love it!

Meet Kristl Story, the owner of West Palm Beach Food Tours — where she says “eating, drinking, and storytelling are all part of the job description!” Story was born in Texas but because of her dad’s job in the government, she grew up all over the country. She attended the University of Georgia, met her husband there and is a diehard fan of the school’s football team (“Go Dawgs!”). She and her husband moved to South Florida in 2010.

How and why did you end up in Downtown West Palm Beach? 

My husband’s career in the sugar business brought us to sweet, sunny West Palm Beach 15 years ago. Once we became empty-nesters in 2019, we were ready to downsize and simplify, so we said goodbye to our nearly 100-year-old house and hello to a Downtown West Palm Beach condo.

What do you like most about being in Downtown West Palm Beach? 

Walkability, hands down! Within a few months of moving Downtown, we realized we didn’t need two cars — so we sold one, and the other mostly sits in its parking space. My husband and I both work Downtown, so we walk everywhere: to work, the grocery store, restaurants, and church. We walk our dog every day and always end up chatting with neighbors (and their dogs!) along the way. It’s amazing how quickly Downtown starts to feel like a friendly small town wrapped in big-city energy.

What do you do for fun in Downtown West Palm Beach?

There’s always something fun happening within walking distance — and so we wind up rarely leaving our neighborhood. The West Palm Beach GreenMarket is our weekend happy place. I can walk to my yoga workouts and nearby entertainment venues. We love grabbing dinner at favorites like Hullabaloo, Pistache or Avocado Grill, and usually finish with ice cream at Sloan’s.

How has Downtown West Palm Beach evolved since you’ve been here? 

I’ve been running West Palm Beach Food Tours for 10 years and when I started the business, you could feel the momentum building. Back then, there was no Brightline, and many of the sleek new condos, office towers, and hotels you see today were still empty lots. Through my tours, I get to share my neighborhood with guests — it’s like showing friends around and taking them to my favorite places. We meet chefs and restaurant owners, taste local foods, and blend it all with stories about the city’s history and culture. It’s a delicious mix of food, fun, and community, and I love watching guests fall in love with Downtown the way I have. Since moving here six years ago, we’ve seen the area come alive with new energy and a real sense of connection. It’s exciting to watch — and be part of — Downtown’s evolution into a true live-work-play destination.

Meet Courtney Simoncelli, originally from a small town in Connecticut and built her career in South Florida’s hospitality and events industry.  She calls Downtown West Palm Beach home, where she lives with her husband, Michael, and their mini schnauzer, Milton. 

How did you end up in Downtown West Palm Beach? 

Ten years ago, I moved to Florida to attend Florida State University. After graduation, I began my career here and have called West Palm Beach home ever since.  I’ve built my career in hospitality, sales, and events, specializing in creating unforgettable weddings and social celebrations. I’m currently the Senior Catering Sales Manager at The Ben, Autograph Collection, where I have the privilege of working with incredible clients and talented vendors to bring meaningful celebrations and milestone moments to life. Family and community have always been important to me, and I love that my work connects me to both every day.  

What do you like most about being in Downtown West Palm Beach?
From the moment I moved to West Palm Beach, I knew I wanted to live Downtown as I was drawn to the lively energy, walkability, and sense of community. Living Downtown puts me right in the middle of everything — just steps away from the waterfront, local events, and incredible shops and restaurants. This area feels like a true community where you are always greeted by friendly and familiar faces, but there’s also always something new and exciting happening.  

What do you do for fun in Downtown West Palm Beach? 

My absolute favorite thing to do is stroll the West Palm Beach GreenMarket — the best Saturday tradition! I also love trying new restaurants in CityPlace and on Clematis Street, as well as attending festivals and community events. I often meet friends at some of our favorite spots like Elisabetta’s or Galley at the Hilton, and my husband and I love a date night at Felice or anywhere in CityPlace (our very first date was at Barrio!). When family visits, I show off the city with a boat tour through Visit Palm Beach or introduce them to the incredible culinary scene with West Palm Beach Food Tours. Of course, I always encourage newcomers to stop by The Ben — because it’s truly one of Downtown West Palm Beach’s gems. With stunning waterfront rooftop views and a vibrant, inviting atmosphere, it embodies the spirit of our city. 

How has Downtown West Palm Beach evolved since you’ve been here? 

Downtown has grown so much in terms of dining, culture, and entertainment, and feels more dynamic every year. Professionally, it’s exciting to be a part of the hospitality industry in a place that continues to generate tourism and draw more visitors, events, and businesses. Personally, I love seeing all of the new local businesses come to life and flourish as the city expands. I think Downtown will continue to evolve as a premier South Florida destination while maintaining the local charm and character that make it so special.