Saving Downtown Blountstown, Inc.

01/07/2026

On Friday evening, March 6, 2026, Saving Downtown Blountstown will host a special event, "Evening at The Commerce.” The evening will be a celebration of the progress that has been made in the restoration of this historic building.

The evening's festivities will include wine, hors d'oeuvres, music, and the opportunity to socialize with friends.

Tickets are priced at $50 per person and can be purchased online at thecommercebuilding.org or by emailing [email protected]. Attendees are encouraged to dress nicely and join in celebrating downtown Blountstown.

Please visit our new website, thecommercebuilding.org, for more information.

12/17/2025

WONDERFUL NEWS!!!

The Commerce Building received its Certificate of Occupancy today!

At times, the project to save this historic building seemed to face insurmountable challenges. Many people feared that the project was just too big to complete in the economic environment that we live in today.

Bill Gaskin, Saving Downtown Blountstown board member, stepped up and assured the rest of the board that he could do what needed to be done. Using his personal resources and crew, he has worked tirelessly to meet the December 31 deadline. Jimmy Grant, the building inspector, made his final visit this afternoon and issued the Certificate of Occupancy.

Our community owes Bill a sincere thank you. Working with his crew and a few volunteers, he has completed what seems like a miracle.

Chris Atkins, a Saving Downtown Blountstown board member, has been a much appreciated part of this project. Currently, he is working on landscaping plans for the exterior of the buildng.

We know that the next question we will hear is, “What happens now?”

A portion of the downstairs has been rented, and serious interest has been expressed in a second section. The board will work to find suitable tenants for the rest of the downstairs. Input from the community is always welcome.

Plans for the upstairs will be worked on in the future. Everyone involved is ready right now for a well-earned rest.

The board would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has encouraged us and helped along the way to save The Commerce Building!

Bill will be posting interior photos tomorrow afternoon.

MERRY CHRISTMAS and HAPPY 2026 from Saving Downtown Blountstown!

09/10/2025

It’s almost time!!!
Open bar and free refreshments!

Saturday, September 27, 7:30 to 11 pm. Cliff Ellis of The Villagers will be in Blountstown with a band of amazing musicians to celebrate, great music, OLD FRIENDS, and spend some special time together.

A few tickets are still available at $100 per seat. Click on the QR code below or stop by Blountstown Drugs, or Benjamin Walden at Calhoun Coffee, or email [email protected].

Time is passing by faster than we can believe and we need to take every opportunity to get together. Don’t let this night pass you by.

There will be an open bar and refreshments from the Ramsey’s family!

09/03/2025

COMMUNITY REUNION!!! Raising finds to continue the restoration of the Commerce Building.

Cliff Ellis and Andy Murray of The Villagers, accompanied by some amazing musicians, will be in Blountstown on Saturday night, September 27, 2025, at the W. T. Neal Civic Center. Gonna be a great night of the music we love and spending time with your friends!

Click on the link below for tickets!

09/03/2025

https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/btown-rocks--2025

Cliff Ellis and Andy Murray of The Villagers, accompanied by some amazing musicians, return to Blountstown on Saturday night, September 27, 2025, at the W. T. Neal Civic Center from 7:30 to 10:00 pm, central time.Please join Saving Downtown Blountstown, Inc. in our fundraising efforts. Restoration o...

08/09/2025

Help Saving Downtown Blountstown finish The Commerce Building. Every $1 helps!

🌟 Join us in Creating Change! 🌟At Saving Downtown Blountstown, we know that change starts with people like you. Every dollar brings us closer to achieving our mission. How you can help power our mission:Donate: Every dollar counts. Contribute now to help us reach our goal.Share: Share our camp...

08/09/2025

Saving Downtown Blountstown is a not-for-profit organization that purchased The Commerce Building after Hurricane Michael.

Belonging to a 501(c)3, the building cannot be sold except to another not-for-profit group. No one involved in the organization can profit in any way. Rental fees will be used for maintenance and upkeep. If a profit is ever made from rentals, it must be used for charitable projects.

SDB has raised money to purchase the property and pay off the mortgage, make some repairs, and help pay for the new windows, doors and storefronts. The county grant was approximately $35,000 short, so the not-for-profit paid the balance with the remaining money they had saved from fundraising.

Saving Downtown Blountstown is working on acquiring another grant, but for now, they are using local volunteers and local donations.

We have set up an on-line fundraiser and are asking for everyone to help. Donations of any amount are welcome.

If you would like to help us finish this historic two-story brick building that stands across from Magnolia Square in downtown Blountstown, it will be greatly appreciated.

Click on the link below to help!

🌟 Join us in Creating Change! 🌟At Saving Downtown Blountstown, we know that change starts with people like you. Every dollar brings us closer to achieving our mission. How you can help power our mission:Donate: Every dollar counts. Contribute now to help us reach our goal.Share: Share our camp...

08/06/2025

Exciting progress is being made at The Commerce Building in downtown Blountstown.

In 2020, the Calhoun County Board of County Commissioners applied for a grant through the Florida Department of Commerce for revitalization projects in downtown Blountstown. After the grant was approved, Saving Downtown Blountstown was notified by the commissioners that it was their intent to include “our” building in the county’s plans for this funding.

The county grants administrator and commission members worked with this grant to put a new roof on “our” building. Now, in the final portion of the grant, the commission is under contract for new windows, doors and storefronts to be installed. All decisions concerning this process have been controlled by the Calhoun County Board of County Commissioners. Saving Downtown Blountstown would like to publicly thank the current board, along with former commissioners, Gene Bailey and Lee Lee Brown.

Now that the county’s grant is being completed, Saving Downtown Blountstown is free to pursue work inside the building. Bill Gaskin, SDB director, is working inside with a crew of workers and volunteers, making tremendous progress. This work is being completed using all local funds. We are sharing some photos of the progress so far.

If anyone has any questions or would like to help in any way, please contact Bill Gaskin at [email protected] or Sharon Leonard-McCrone at [email protected].

06/26/2025

SAVING DOWNTOWN BLOUNTSTOWN
Cliff Ellis and Andy Murray of The Villagers
accompanied by the Sweetwater Junction Band
Saturday, September 27, 2025

Saving Downtown Blountstown is sponsoring a fundraising dance on Saturday, September 27, 2025, at the W. T. Neal Civic Center, featuring Cliff Ellis and Andy Murray of The Villagers, accompanied by the Sweetwater Junction Band of Atlanta.

Tickets are $100 per person or a table for eight for $800. This year, there will be no reserved seats other than the tables. Please gather friends and purchase a table to assure the best seats. Seating will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.

All proceeds from this dance will go to the restoration of The Commerce Building.

Tickets can be purchased at the Calhoun Coffee Company at 20187 Evans Avenue and Blountstown Drugs at 20370 West Central Avenue. Other locations will be available later.

Feel free to send any questions to [email protected].

06/20/2025

Wonderful photograph of the 1941 Blountstown High School Marching Band.

The names were written on the back of the photo and some were not easy to read. If you catch mistakes, please let me know and I will correct them, as possible.

Enjoy!