Thinking of opening downtown?
What downtown Dade City already has, what brings people to 7th Street, and who to talk to before you sign a lease.
What’s already here
Counted live from the directory. Tap a kind of business to see who they are.
Why downtown Dade City
The county seat
Dade City has been the seat of Pasco County since 1889, and the 1909 courthouse still sits at the center of downtown.
A walkable main street
Shops, restaurants, antiques and services sit a few blocks apart around the courthouse square, the kind of downtown people park once and walk.
Days that fill the street
The Kumquat Festival, the Christmas Stroll, the monthly cruise-in and Street Bash bring crowds downtown on a calendar you can plan around.
Neighbors who talk
Listed businesses share a private forum and chat on this site to coordinate hours, events and ideas, and Main Street is being re-formed now, with room at the table.
The days that bring people downtown
- Kumquat FestivalLast Saturday of JanuaryThe busiest day of the year on 7th Street. Vendor spaces and sponsorships go through the Chamber, so start there, and plan staffing and stock around a full day of foot traffic.
- Dade City Cruise-InFirst Saturday of the month, September through MayA steady monthly Saturday crowd right on the courthouse square. The cruise-in is run by its own organizers; reach them through their page.
- Dade City Christmas ParadeFirst Friday of DecemberThe parade route runs past most of downtown. Entries are handled by the organizer; check their page for how to enter a float.
- Country Christmas StrollSecond Saturday of DecemberShoppers come downtown after dark ready to buy gifts. Stay open late, light your windows, and talk to the Merchants Association about taking part.
- Dade City Street BashFriday evenings through the season, dates announced by the hostAn evening crowd on the street in front of your door. Vendor spots and sponsorships go through the Brew House.
Grants for downtown buildings
The Dade City Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) offers grants to property owners inside its district, which covers the traditional downtown. They include:
Building Exterior Grant
For exterior work on a commercial building in the district.
Residential Exterior Paint Grant
For repainting the outside of a home in the district.
Paving and Repaving Grant
For paving or repaving a parking lot in the district.
Terms, amounts and the district map are on the City’s CRA page. Renting rather than buying? These grants go to the property owner, so raise them with your landlord.
Who to talk to first
Three calls worth making before you sign anything.
- 1
The City of Dade City
Zoning, permits, signs and any historic design rules for the building you have in mind. Ask the Community and Economic Development department.
- 2
The Greater East Pasco Chamber of Commerce
Networking, a ribbon cutting, and vendor spots at the Kumquat Festival.
- 3
Dade City Main Street
What is available, who your neighbors would be, and how to plug into downtown events from day one.
Talk to Main Street
Tell us what you are thinking of opening. We will reply with what we know about available spaces and introduce you to the people who can help.
Already open downtown? List your business to join the directory, the map and the business community.