My family and I just moved to Crestview five months ago. We are here for my husband’s job as a government contractor.
Crestview is a beautiful little town, but coming from Melbourne, where everything was convenient — mall, Sam’s Club, Target — moving to Crestview has been a bit frustrating.
I would love to shop here instead of driving to Destin or Mary Esther, but there is nothing here. I am thankful for Publix, an Applebee’s, Starbucks and a theater, but I am really hoping for good news as far as new stores, and I’m not talking (about) a bigger Wally World.
I contacted someone from the Crestview City Council who did tell me that there were talks going on about possible “anchor stores” and “half a dozen restaurants” coming to Crestview. He also said where as before there were not enough people to fill the retail demand, that is no longer the case.
After talking to other frustrated residents, I came away with the impression the city did not want to change. I was assured from the city council member that was not the case.
Destin is great, but I just hate driving 31 miles for what used to take me 10 minutes to reach.
I am really hoping you can give me hope that change is coming. As I said before, Crestview is a lovely, kind and wonderful town.
It just lacks retail and restaurants.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Crestview needs more retail and restaurants