USPS Publication Number 16300
THE
SUMMATIONWeeklyy
This Community Newspaper is a publication of the Escambia-Santa Rosa Bar Association
S E RV I N G T H E F I RS T J U D I C I A L C I RC U I T Vol. 26, No. 32
August 12, 2026
SummationWeekly.com
1 Section, 8 Pages
Section A, Page 1
SAVOY MARKETPLACE A MODERN HUB ROOTED IN LOCAL HISTORY
Photo courtesy of Great Harvest Bread Co
By Morgan Cole
F
rom bustling storefronts and neighborhood gathering spots to community celebrations and cultural landmarks, Belmont-DeVilliers has played a vital role in Pensacola's story for generations. Once the thriving heart of Pensacola's Black business district during segregation, Belmont-DeVilliers — known as "The Blocks" — was home to a vibrant mix of locally owned shops, restaurants, entertainment venues and community gathering spaces. When Savoy Place first opened in 2020, its name paid tribute to one of the neighborhood's most iconic landmarks, the Savoy Ballroom. The two-story nightclub was a popular gathering place during the 1930s through 1950s, offering a welcoming space where Black residents and traveling musicians could connect, celebrate and enjoy live entertainment during an era of segregation. Like many businesses in the neighborhood, the Savoy Ballroom was affected by integration, shifting demographics and economic decline beginning in the 1960s. The once-thriving venue eventually sat vacant for years before being demolished in the 1990s. Today, the Savoy name lives on as a lasting reminder of the neighborhood's rich cultural heritage and enduring spirit. Although Belmont-DeVilliers experienced years of economic challenges and slower growth, recent years have brought renewed investment, new businesses and a fresh sense of energy to the historic district. Over the past several years, Belmont-DeVilliers has experienced substantial growth, fueled by new housing developments, historic
preservation efforts, streetscape improvements and a growing number of locally owned businesses. Community leaders, developers and neighborhood advocates have worked to balance that growth while preserving the area's rich cultural heritage. The neighborhood's historic core remains home to beloved landmarks and gathering places that celebrate its unique history and contributions to Pensacola's cultural identity. One of the newest additions to the neighborhood's ongoing revitalization efforts is Savoy Marketplace, a mixed-use retail destination located on the lower level of the Savoy Place apartment building at the corner of Wright and DeVilliers streets. Developed by Studer Properties, the marketplace is designed to bring together food, wellness, shopping and community experiences under one roof, creating a walkable destination for both residents and visitors. While downtown Pensacola has seen a wave of new restaurants, housing developments and entertainment venues in recent years, Savoy Marketplace aims to offer something different: a neighborhood-centered gathering space where people can grab breakfast, shop local, meet friends, attend a yoga class or simply spend time connecting with the community. Creating retail space on the lower level of the building was always part of Studer Properties' vision for the development. But like many projects launched during the pandemic, rising construction costs and economic uncertainty made it challenging to attract tenants. Great Harvest Bread Company That changed in May when local businesswoman and philanthropist Rishy Studer announced the opening of Great Harvest Bread Company,
Photo courtesy of Sage in Bloom
Savoy Marketplace's first retailer. Located at 301 N. DeVilliers St. in DeVilliers Square, the bakery-café marks the first Pensacola location for the popular franchise and offers freshly baked breads, breakfast and lunch options, coffee and an assortment of house-made treats. Unlike many commercial bakeries, Great Harvest mills its wheat in-house daily, creating breads made from freshly milled whole grains. The menu includes breakfast sandwiches, hot and cold sandwiches, soups, salads and a variety of sweet treats ranging from cookies and muffins to scones, brownies and tea cakes. Customers can also purchase whole loaves to take home, including the company's signature honey whole wheat bread and popular cinnamon chip bread. Great Harvest is more than just a place to grab coffee and a quick bite. With indoor seating, an outdoor patio and easy access to the rest of the marketplace, the bakerycafé is designed to be a welcoming spot where neighbors can meet up, relax and connect. Great Harvest officially opened on May 22 and is open Monday through Saturday from 7 am to 5 pm for both dine-in and carry-out. To view the menu and learn more about Great Harvest, visit greatharvest.com and follow @ GreatHarvestPensacola on Facebook. During marketplace hours, visitors can grab a coffee or a fresh-baked loaf from Great Harvest, then stroll next door to explore the other shops and vendors. The goal is to create an experience that feels less like a traditional shopping center and more like a neighborhood gathering place. And the Great Harvest Bread Company is only the beginning. As additional businesses open their doors, Savoy Marketplace will offer
a mix of local food, retail and wellness vendors designed to complement one another and encourage visitors to stay awhile. Sage in Bloom Among the latest additions to the Savoy Marketplace lineup is Sage In Bloom, a farm-to-table restaurant from husband-and-wife team Ian and Stacy Whitcomb, owners of Pensacola Catering. Born from their popular supper club concept, Sage In Bloom focuses on seasonal, locally-sourced ingredients from Northwest Florida farmers, ranchers and producers. The restaurant will offer lunch and dinner service, along with curated multi-course tasting experiences at the bar inspired by Texas, Oaxacan and Argentine flavors. Menus will change regularly based on what's fresh and in season, creating a dining experience that highlights the region's locally grown ingredients. Sage In Bloom is expected to open its brick-andmortar location in the coming month and will be open Monday through Saturday from 11 am to 8 pm. Additional Retailers Additional tenants include Lamonte Gelato, an artisan gelato shop created by Alex and Ashley Lamonte, and Sweet Blessing Café, which will bring specialty desserts and sweet creations from local chefs Agustin "Gus" Rodriguez and Nicole Burford. Visitors will also find Flowers by Cindy, offering floral arrangements and gifts, while Aliff Farms plans to provide fresh produce, meats, eggs and other farm products sourced from Northwest Florida. Bliss Yoga & Mindfulness Studio will round out the new mix of tenants offering yoga classes, wellness programs and community-focused events.
The combination of food, retail and wellness businesses reflects a growing trend seen in cities across the country: creating mixed-use spaces where people can spend an afternoon rather than simply running errands. Instead of visiting multiple locations across town, guests can grab coffee, pick up fresh produce, enjoy dessert, browse flowers and attend a yoga class all within the same space. With Great Harvest Bread Company already serving freshbaked loaves and several new businesses preparing to open their doors in the coming months, Savoy Marketplace is quickly becoming one of Pensacola's newest places to gather, shop and connect with the rich history and vibrant future of Belmont-DeVilliers. Inspired by the neighborhood's long tradition of local entrepreneurship and connection, Savoy Marketplace is designed to be more than a retail destination. It's envisioned as a modern community hub where neighbors can gather, families can spend time together and visitors can experience the character of Belmont-DeVilliers firsthand. As new residents continue moving into downtown Pensacola and interest in walkable neighborhoods grows, mixed-use developments like Savoy Marketplace are playing an increasingly important role in shaping how people connect with their communities. As Belmont-DeVilliers continues to evolve, Savoy Marketplace marks a new chapter in the neighborhood's ongoing revitalization. Savoy Marketplace is located on the lower level of the Savoy Place apartment complex at 502 W. Wright Street. For more information and updates on new retailers, visit livesavoypensacola.com. ■
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