The attraction to World Golf Village is easy to see. From the vibrant communities and the exceptional school district to the golf courses and nearby shopping, there is something for everyone to enjoy. It seems as if new businesses are popping up every day, but most recently there have been a few notable additions to the St. Augustine community that you NEED to check out.
Pet Paradise:
Calling all dog and cat parents! Pet Paradise opened a new location on 291 Center Place Way, St Augustine, FL 32095. The Jacksonville based company recently opened five new locations in Northeast Florida. Pet Paradise is equipped to handle all your pet boarding, daycare, grooming or veterinary needs. With multiple boarding options, Pet Paradise has the perfect accommodation for every furry friend. Pet Paradise clients love having access to the live webcam. That’s right! Pet owners can check on their pet any time with their live pet cam. Pet Paradise offers a wide variety of pampering amenities for your pet to enjoy including a dog bone shaped swimming pool, misting stations, and full-service dog grooming spa. Next time your pet needs a vacation, take them to Pet Paradise!
Carnival Sweets:
Travel back in time at Carnival Sweets. This establishment has something to satisfy every kind of sweet tooth. Enjoy classic carnival favorites – without the carnival! You and your family will love exploring Carnival Sweets with their shelves of candy and delicious funnel cakes, gourmet popcorn, and shaved ice. This nostalgic candy shop takes these classics and gives them a modern twist. When you visit consider trying fan favorites: Cotton Candy Burrito, Banana Pudding Popcorn, or the Ice cream stuffed snow cone. A visit to Carnival Sweets is well worth the sugar rush!
And last, but certainly not least…
Buc-ee’s:
You won’t want to miss this first of its kind in Florida. With more than 52,000 square feet and more than 104 fueling stations, Buc-ee’s has opened its doors in St. Augustine on 200 World Commerce Parkway. The Texas-based travel stop has already created quite the buzz around town as hundreds waited in line for Buc-ee’s grand opening on February 22, 2021. The store is open twenty-four hours a day and offers an array of food, drink, and merchandise. Buc-ee’s has tasty treats ranging from traditional homemade fudge, kolaches, and jerky to snacks that are a little more unusual like pickled quail eggs. Buc-ee’s promises friendly service and the cleanest bathrooms in America.
Tagged: Buc-ee, Davidson Realty, developments in Northeast Florida, Home in Northeast Florida, New Business, New Businesses World Golf Village, North Florida Real Estate, Northeast Florida, Northeast Florida Community, Northeast Florida new home, Pet Friendly Attractions, Sherry Davidson, St Augustine Residents, St. Augustine, St. Augustine Business, St. Augustine Community, St. Augustine Things to Do, Things to do in St. Augustine, Things to Do in St. Augustine FL, Things to Do St Augustine, Things to do St St Augustine, WGV Businesses
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Posted by: Sherry Davidson in News
Behind anything great, you find a great story. World Golf Village is no exception. In the 1980s, St. Johns County had less than 100,000 residents. It was inevitable that the area would blossom with the right vision and execution. Jim Davidson, President of Davidson Development, was the man for the job.
Jim could see the pieces of the World Golf Village puzzle come together. “Not only could Jim see the Jacksonville market heading south and knew this was the perfect area between Jacksonville and St. Augustine, but he could see the pine trees becoming the development he envisioned,” shared Davidson Realty President and Jim’s wife, Sherry Davidson. “Jim saw beyond the golf courses, lakes, and homes and saw people walking their dogs and pushing their children in strollers on the sidewalks.”
Jim was persistent in bringing World Golf Village to life. He met regularly with land planners, engineers, attorney’s and an environmental team to make sure the pieces came together as he planned. Although many along the way didn’t believe, Jim never doubted he could get the job done right. Once the World Golf Village developer financed a new interchange on Interstate 95, the development became extremely attractive to commuters, as World Golf Village was one of only a few options for buyers in St. Johns County who worked in Jacksonville.
The pieces continued to come together after Jim brought the PGA TOUR and other golf organizations on board to build the World Golf Hall of Fame. From there, Jim assembled various partners for the golf courses, the hotel, and the retail stores to further bring attraction to the area. World Golf Village turned out to be exactly what people were looking for, including the Davidsons. Jim and Sherry Davidson were one of the first homeowners in World Golf Village and still live in World Golf Village to this day.
While building World Golf Village, the Davidsons worked hard to protect the environment to ensure the community maintained its natural beauty. More than 2,775 acres, nearly half of the project site, was set aside for preservation. These efforts were recognized by the Florida Association of Realtors ® when the Davidsons received the ENVY award in 2002. The ENVY award honor is given to developments that preserve Florida’s natural quality of life.
The infrastructure added by World Golf Village paved the way for the development of other communities in the area like The Hutson Companies’ SilverLeaf, which will have 10,700 homesites, 2,650,000 square feet of mixed-use commercial space, and more than 3,500 acres of conservation land. It is clear that World Golf Village blazed the trail.
The master planned community has prospered over the last 23 years and is regarded as one of the most desired communities on the First Coast. With more than 6,000 homes and more than 15,000 residents, World Golf Village provides a place to live that is picture perfect. Whether you are a golf lover eager to take advantage of the award winning golf courses or a family wanting to give their children the opportunity to attend fantastic public schools or interested in enjoying an active adult community, you have a home in World Golf Village.
World Golf Village has a vibrant history to be proud of and a legacy to look forward to, as it continues to be a highly sought-after area. No one knows World Golf Village better than Davidson Realty. If you are interested in calling World Golf Village home, contact Davidson Realty at (904) 940-5000.
Tagged: Davidson Realty, Davidson Realty Agent, Davidson Realty Agents, Davidson Realty Jax Beach, Developer Jim Davidson, golf course homes, golf courses in world golf village, golf homes, golf homes in st. augustine, golf homes in world golf village, Golf Homesite for Sale, Growth in St. Johns County, History, History of WGV, History of World Golf Village, Jacksonville FL Golf Homes, Jacksonville Golf Communities, jacksonville golf community, Jacksonville Golf Course Commuity, Jacksonville Golf Course Communities, Jacksonville Golf Course Community, Jacksonville Golf Course Condos, Jacksonville Golf Course Home, Jacksonville Golf Course Homes, Jacksonville Golf Course Homesite, Jacksonville Golf Couse Community, Jacksonville Golf Homes, Jacksonville Golf Homes For Sale, Jacksonville Golf Real Estate, Jim Davidson, Sherry Davidson, st augustine golf community, St Augustine Real Estate, St Augustine Real Estate Agents, St Augustine Realtor, St. Augustine golf homes, St. Augustine Realtors, St. Johns County Homeowners, St. Johns County Real Estate, st. johns county school district, st. johns county schools, World Golf Hall of Fame, World Golf Hall of Fame & Museum, World Golf Village, World Golf Village Golf Courses, World Golf Village History, World Golf Village homes
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Someone needs to remind Mother Nature that it is October and it’s time to send in the cooler temperatures. But despite the heat, the rain, and the humidity we are currently experiencing in Northeast Florida – it is FALL! That means all things pumpkins, pumpkin spice, pumpkin flavors, and pumpkin patches! Most of us wouldn’t actually give up our year-round temperate weather we experience on the First Coast for the bitter cold months our neighbors north of us endure. And while it would be pleasant to enjoy fall-like weather and leaves changing colors there are a few places we highly recommend to enjoy the fall season (even if you do have to wear tanks, shorts, and flip-flops.)
Travel over to Green Cove Springs and enjoy a full day of fun at Amazing Grace Family Farms www.agcropmaze.com which is open Fridays and Saturdays through October 31st. The list of activities available at Amazing Grace Family Farms will keep children of all ages busy enjoying the adventures and will likely have them sleeping on the way home. From their pumpkin patch worthy of family photos to the enormous jump pad that will completely exhaust any kid or even kid-at-heart, there’s plenty to see and do. The crop maze will challenge the adventurers with its many twists and turns. The BarnYard Ball Zone will have the crowd going wild. The Tug-O-War brings just the right amount of competition for the family (or maybe family vs. family). And a highlight every year is the farm animal petting zoo where children are able to experience real life on the farm with these precious animals. Parents, be sure to have your phones ready because this beautiful farm provides plenty of picture perfect moments to capture the wholesome fun you’ll enjoy outdoors making memories.
Next on our list, is CONNER’S A-MAIZE-ING ACRES. This small family farm packs in a HUGE and exciting day. Located in Hilliard, CONNER’S A-MAIZE-ING ACRES is a local favorite for many reasons. With 125 acres of a working family farm, during October and select days in November, Conner’s A-MAIZE-ING ACRES is open to the public for people to enjoy their sweet farm animals, wagon rides, playground, ride horses, pumpkin patch, and most importantly the incredible corn maze that changes from year to year. With last year’s maze shaped with The Wizard of OZ theme, this year’s maze will have you lost in a web…Charlotte’s Web, that is! Be sure to bring your appetite, too. Conner’s A-MAIZE-ING ACRES offers plenty of eating options perfect for your day on the farm. For more information visit www.connerscornmaze.com
Rounding out our TOP 3 is SYKE’S FAMILY FARMS. The Sykes Family has more than 50 years of farming experience and provides their guests with a tradition people can enjoy year after year. The 9-acre corn maze is filled with twists and turns and will have families laughing and navigating as they enjoy the outdoors together making memories. Syke’s Family Farms also provides a play area, farm animals, cow milking, hayrides, pumpkin patches, cow train, teeter-totters, duck races, and plenty of wholesome entertainment to keep the family busy for hours. For more information about hours of operation and tickets visit www.sycofarms.com
All three locations are operating under state recommendations and providing COVID-19 precautions. Please contact the locations prior to your visit for a better understanding of how each farm is operating.
Tagged: Davidson Realty, Davidson Realty Jax Beach, Fall Festival, Family Fun Zone, Kids' Activities, Northeast Florida, Northeast Florida Community, St. Augustine Things to Do, Things to Do in St. Augustine FL, Things to Do St Augustine, World Golf Village
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Are you noticing things around St. Augustine seem to be slowly getting back to normal? While the pandemic and precautions are still part of our everyday lives, an overwhelming majority of St. Johns County students are back in school and for most of us that looks like a slight return to normalcy, bus routes in the morning and afternoon, and fewer crowds in our favorite spots. Let’s get out in our great city and safely enjoy the best that St. Augustine has to offer. Grab your bags Moms, Dads, Grandparents, and empty nesters! It’s time to act like a tourist and hit Davidson Realty’s Top 3 Places to Visit in St. Augustine! While it was very difficult for us to narrow it down to just three, our Davidson Realty team focused on a few that aren’t often found on everyone’s list like Leisure Group Travel Magazine and U.S. News & Travel.
St. Augustine Distillery
As Americans seemed to experience the great hunt for toilet paper and hand sanitizer, one local St. Augustine company stepped up in a big way to help with the shortage of hand sanitizer across the First Coast. The St. Augustine Distillery is located in the historic district of St. Augustine in an old ice plant. Known for their vodka, rum, gin, and whiskey, you can find their labels on the shelves of local liquor stores. But you can also take a free tour of the distillery while also enjoying a sampling of their spirits. The St. Augustine Distillery is operating under CDC guidelines and accommodating tours every 30 minutes with no reservations but on a first-come-first-serve basis. Open Monday through Friday from 10 am until 6 pm, St. Augustine Distillery is a place we highly recommend touring and enjoying a cocktail.
Trolley Tours
With a couple to choose from (and we don’t want to single either one out) we highly encourage you to hop aboard one of the trolley tours in this historic St. Augustine area. Even in the hottest of temperatures, the movement along the bank and through the streets of downtown provides a breeze and a little bit of relaxation as you get a St. Augustine History 101 tour and learn about Ponce de Leon and the early settlers. The Trolley Tours are also a great way to navigate some ideal and popular dining spots. Hop on and hop off as you view the beautiful buildings, experience the historic charm, and enjoy the ride.
Vilano Beach
With so many beautiful choices of sandy beaches in St. Johns County, our Davidson Realty team selected Vilano Beach as one of our favorite places to visit. It’s important to know the history of Vilano Beach to fully appreciate why it’s one of our favorites. The prestige of this beautiful stretch of shoreline dates back to the late 1800s when Henry Flagler would host his millionaire friends at Vilano Beach. A quaint little beach village, Vilano offers some of the area’s most charming restaurants, shopping, and plenty of rentals to enjoy a “staycation” in your own backyard. Vilano Beach offers a casual, laid back atmosphere, beautiful natural surroundings, and some of the best sunset views. Pack up the car because Vilano Beach also allows four-wheel drive vehicles on the beach making it so convenient to spend a day on the sand.
With so many options to choose from that include the Castillo de San Marcos, the Lightner Museum, the St. Augustine Lighthouse and so much more, sometimes it’s fun to tour the road less traveled. We encourage you to tour our Top 3 Places to Visit in St. Augustine, maybe for the first time but likely for a repeat visit, and let us know what you think!
Tagged: Davidson Realty, Davidson Realty Jax Beach, Florida, Historic St. Augustine District, St. Augustine, St. Augustine Distillery, St. Augustine Historic District, St. Augustine Things to Do, Things to Do in St. Augustine FL, Things to Do St Augustine, Vilano Beach, World Golf Village
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Amid our ever-expanding world of online networks and social media groups, it can seem more and more difficult to connect with the actual people in our community. Nextdoor has created a great way to use social media to shrinkour network to only include our neighbors!
The website and app, which launched back in 2011, are available for free and only require your email to sign up. They also need your street address so you can be placed in the correct neighborhood group.
Once you join, you’ll find real messages from your neighbors—unlike other platforms that offer ads and reposts by people you barely know about their co-worker’s cousins’ 50thbirthday party.
Plus, there is no need to send requests to connect! You will immediately be connected with all of your neighbors who are members. Since it’s an established platform, you’ll be surprised how many people you know are already members!
So, what will you find on Nextdoor?
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Tagged: Davidson Realty, Neighbors, Next Door, Stay Connected, World Golf Village
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Calling all literature enthusiasts: The 2018 Florida Heritage Book Festival is coming to St. Augustine on Saturday, September 15! The free festival is from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Flagler College’s Ringhaver Student Center. Attendees can sit in on presentations by locally-renowned authors and visit a book marketplace and author signings.
A free shuttle will run from the Visitor Information Center on Castillo Drive to the festival from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Attendees will enjoy author panel discussions as well as scheduled talks and readings by numerous writers like Cathy Salustri, Judy Lindquist, Karen Harvey, Mark Woods, Laura Lee Smith, Ben Montgomery, Larry Loftis, Bruce Horovitz, Jeff Klinkenberg, Sylvia Whitman, Andre Frattino, Richard Wickliffe, Sharon Scholl, Ann Browning Masters, Robert Macomber, Ashley Lear, Daniel Schafer, James O. Born and Julie Hauserman.
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Tagged: 2018 Florida Heritage Book Festival, Andre Frattino, Ann Browning Masters, Ashley Lear, Ben Montgomery, Bruce Horovitz, Cathy Salustri, Daniel Schafer, Davidson Realty, Flagler College’s Ringhaver Student Center, James O. Born, Jeff Klinkenberg, Judy Lindquist, Julie Hauserman, Karen Harvey, Larry Loftis, Laura Lee Smith, Mark Woods, Richard Wickliffe, Robert Macomber, Sharon Scholl, Sylvia Whitman
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Davidson Realty agent Mirtha Barzaga recently held back-to-school drives at the King & Bear Amenity Center and Heritage Landing Amenity Center in World Golf Village. Mirtha collected school supplies to benefit kids in need at several St. Johns County Schools.
The turnout was fantastic at both events, helping lots of students to start the school year off right! Generous donors delivered essential supplies like backpacks, notebooks, folders, markers, crayons, scissors and more.
“Many local students don’t have the basic things they need for school, which makes academic success all the more difficult for them,” said Mirtha. “These supplies help give students the confidence they need to learn, knowing they have the necessary tools.”
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Tagged: Davidson Realty, Heritage Landing, INK, Investing in Kids, king & bear, Mill Creek Academy, Mirtha Barzaga, Piccolata Crossing Elementary School, School Supplies, st. johns county school district, st. johns county schools, Supply Drive, Wards Creek Elementary School, World Golf Village
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Look no further for your 4th of July fireworks plans! Head over to the Old City to take in the impressive bayfront light show known as Fireworks over the Matanzas.
Plan to arrive early to stroll down St. George Street, browse shops, enjoy a cold treat and take in the live music at the Plaza de la Constitución, which will play from 6 to 8 p.m.
Then, make your way over to the waterfront between Castillo de San Marcos and the Bridge of Lions to get a good spot for the show! Fireworks start at 9:30 p.m. The spectacular 20-minute display is choreographed to patriotic and pop music.
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Tagged: 4th of July, Davidson Realty, fireworks display, Fireworks over The Matanzas, Fourth of July, St. Augustine, St. George Street, World Golf Village
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Despite the introduction of new communities all over the First Coast, World Golf Village remains one of the area’s best places to find low-maintenance, high-quality living options. With the addition of The Cottages, those options continue to expand.
Situated just off Royal Pines Parkway within walking distance of World Golf Village’s hub, The Cottages offers an optimal location for buyers seeking a serene atmosphere while remaining close to amenities.
The community’s featured builder DreamFinders plans to build 56 homes, most of which back up to wooded preserves or the community’s pristine lake. Buyers may select between seven floor plans that vary from 1,600 to 2,700 sq. ft.
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Tagged: Davidson Realty, Dream Finders, King & Bear Amentities, New Neighborhood, The Cottages, World Golf Village
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Phyllis & Brian Benson with one of their treasured grandchildren
For Brian Benson, it was the draw of an active 55+ community near the beach. For his wife Phyllis, an avid traveler, it was more about access to planes, trains, ships and highways. What drew the couple to World Golf Village was that it offered both!
The Bensons, who bought a home in The Cascades, have certainly made the most of life in their new community. We recently caught up with Phyllis to learn more about them.
What do you like best about living in The Cascades? No yard work! The Cascades offers beautiful and well maintained facilities, an active community life, and friendly neighbors. The first time we walked into our house it felt like coming home for both of us.
We have attended several functions and met many new friends since joining The Cascades community. We recently learned that we are part of a growing “younger” crowd moving into The Cascades; the more the merrier.
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Tagged: Davidson Realty, Phyllis & Brian Benson, wgv, World Golf Village
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