Dunedin’s downtown core is the heartbeat of the city, but the true nerve center of downtown has definitely shifted to the City’s west-end district. This 500 foot by 300-foot section of downtown Dunedin called Stirling Commons is the most walkable segment of the core, and within its 150,000 square feet of open air, you’ll find village-style architecture and more than a dozen diverse attractions.
The first thing you’ll notice is the commemorative “Defending Freedom” archway which highlights and honors the service of different local veterans. This is also where you’ll find “The Hub”, Dunedin’s new entrepreneurial incubator, flanked by a diverse array of dining, coffee shops, two ice cream shops, an English-styled tavern, a modern video arcade with games ranging from nostalgic to virtual reality, two modern hair salons, a pizza parlor, two full liquor bars, two locations that specialize in wine, and two locations to enjoy exceptional local craft beers. Don’t miss the walk-up snack service available at Taco Baby.
Most weekends you’ll find live entertainment either in the Stirling Courtyard outside of Rosie’s Tavern, on the awning-covered patio at Cork & Beans, or at Caracara. There’s even a small concentration of shopping with that village vibe at Key West Express, Decorator’s Difference home goods, Sandy Bottom boutique, and Lafayette & Rushford Home Goods. Having fun at Reboot Arcade Bar gives you lots of surprising options including enjoyment of a covered patio, and open-air garden, or the Dungeons & Dragons-esk game room.
Due to its tight containment, vehicular traffic in the area is significantly reduced and the age spread of patrons is wider and more diverse creating a safe environment conducive to relaxing and enjoying yourself. Joe Kokolakis, the developer of many of this district’s buildings, has recently invested in lighting the surrounding trees with modern LED lights and maintains ambient string lighting across the Stirling Commons courtyard all adding to the safety and the plaza-like evening ambiance.
The famous Pinellas bike trail is less than 300 feet from this west-end district where people enjoy less congested and safer access to the area by way of Scotland Street. Ample free vehicle parking is also found just 500 feet away at Scotland and Douglas. This avoids the typical Main St. traffic jam at the Alternate 19 traffic light that often backs up well past the Dunedin History Museum.
This happening little section of town is a prime location for people-watching and grasping that village-like atmosphere that is becoming more difficult to find these days.
The list of all privately-owned businesses in the 150,000 square foot area is impressive:
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- Chelsey’s Creamery
- Cork & Beans Coffee & Wine Bar
- Decorators Difference
- McGill’s Salon
- Butterfly Footprint Gift Shop
- Reboot Arcade & Bar
- Shades of Color Hair Salon
- Jack Pallino’s Pizza & Bar
- Caracara Restaurant
- Vincenti’s Art Studio
- Florida Pastels
- Dunedin Coffee Shop & Bakery
- Lafayette & Rushford Home Goods
- Sandy Bottom Boutique & Gifts
- Rosie’s Tavern
- Lead Lines Stained Glass Studio
- Sea Sea Riders Seafood Restaurant
- Enchanted Spirits Metaphysical Gift Shop
Newer, more recent locals and tourists often comment that blocked streets and parks filled with peddlers sometimes detract from their downtown enjoyment. Savvy locals and seasoned tourists eschew the drudgery of the growing congestion on Main St. and instead take the back way directly to free public parking, then walk the 500 feet to Broadway. From there you can enjoy everything the west-end district has to offer, or you can venture out onto the more urban Main Street to enjoy a faster-pace.
Any way you cut it, Dunedin’s downtown scene is growing, and the west-end entertainment district is blazing the trail as the centerpiece of entertainment with a village vibe.