Trying Something New Close to Home

Good morning, Pensacola. Our subtitle for the newsletter is our mission - “Live Local”. In a digital age that pulls our attention outward, we don’t want to lose focus on what is close to home. This is a great and growing area. Each week we help you live local by sharing places and happenings within 30 miles. Thank you for reading and sharing our newsletter.

In today’s line:

— The Bay Line Crew

Beginning at the end of this month Pensacola Beach is getting a massive $35 million facelift to increase protection and help erosion. The two-month project involves pumping nearly 1.8 million cubic yards of fresh, white sand from offshore back onto an eight-mile stretch of the coast and spreading it out with bulldozers. The project will run from County Park East (the large lot with restrooms east of the Portofino towers) to the west end of Fort Pickens.

Our local business section has been missing the last two weeks so we wanted to use the digest section to highlight some of the new restaurants that have opened recently and planned restaurants for the beginning of 2026.

McAlister’s Deli - 9496 W. Highway 98. Opened December 15th. Good chain sandwich, soup, and salad spot. The salads, tea, and potatoes are consistently good.

Johnny Brusco’s New York Style Pizza - 1491 W. Nine Mile Road. Opened December 8th. It is a chain store based on a local pizzeria (Johnny’s Pizza and Subs opened in Syracuse in 1977)

Otaku Japanese Cuisine - 1741 E. Nine Mile Rd. Opened in December. We have not been yet but they already have 147 reviews on Google with 4.5 stars. So that’s a good sign.

Mediterranean Grill - 2852 W 9 Mile Rd. Lots of good reviews speaking of generous portions and great food (we heard they used to be in a food truck but now have this permanent location).

Mathieson Brewing Company - 500 E. Heinberg St. - Took over the former Doc’s Hop Shop.

Coming Early 2026:

Prime & Beyond Wagyu Steakhouse: A high-end Wagyu experience is officially on the way to Pensacola.

Chipotle Mexican Grill: A new location at 8870 Boesch Lane in the Ransley Station development is expected to open in early 2026

Culver's: Located at 8880 Boesch Lane, construction began in November 2025 with an anticipated opening in late April or early May 2026.

First Watch: This new location is also part of the Ransley Station development (8860 Boesch Lane) and is slated to open in the middle of 2026.

Great Harvest Bread Company: Expected to open in the downtown Belmont-DeVilliers neighborhood, offering fresh-milled bread and a strong sense of community.

Insomnia Cookies: Coming to Garden Street in the downtown area, this spot will offer warm cookies late into the night.

Biscuit Belly: This brunch-focused restaurant is officially coming to Pensacola in 2026, but a specific location is yet to be announced.

Nothing in this section is sponsored. They’re just the things you need to know. I’ll always let you know when something’s sponsored.

Stand-up Comedy

January 14 - There is an Open Mic Night at Bagelheads (Argo Village Location) from 7-9:30 pm. It is free and you can sign up using this Link.

January 15 - True Defective Tour featuring Drew Dickens and Collin Sledge at Bagelheads (Pensacola location). Doors open at 7pm and tickets are $20 (use the link).

January 16 - at Zach Van Gestel and Friends at Mathieson Brewing Company. Doors open at 7pm. Tickets are $20 ahead of time.

Gallery Night- January 16 – The first gallery night of 2026 is this Friday, “Lunar New Year with Dô Asian Cocktails”. Check out the map below or their website for adjustments due to the downtown Pensacola construction.

Emerald Coast Inline Challenge - January 15-20 - Weber’s Skateworld in Milton has individual and team indoor and outdoor inline speed skating races. They have an outdoor parabolic track (coated and banked- the only one in the US - we didn’t even know it was there) and the inside rink. Spectators pay $6 for a one day pass or $15 for a three day pass. The normal skating calendar starts back on the 16th.

Kaboom Sports and Social Club have start dates happening soon - KICKBALL @ Lions Park - January 22 & February 4, CORNHOLE @ Wild Greg's Saloon - January 27, 4's VOLLEYBALL @ Coastal County Brewing - January 29 & February 25, 4's VOLLEYBALL @ Oar House - February 5 & February 9.

Cooking Classes - Pensacola Cooks Commissary and Classroom also have two classes in January with Everything Pie Crusts on the 18th and Families Cook: Pizza Making on the 25th. Last week we talked about ways to get active, maybe that’s why I am hungry.

Ice Flyers - Home Games Continue - The Ice Flyers are back at the Bay Center January 17, 18, 30, and 31 with additional games. Local hockey is loud, fast, and surprisingly fun even if you’re not a big sports person.

Saenger Theatre - January Shows Ahead - Mid-January brings Black Jacket Symphony performing Pink Floyd’s The Wall on January 15, and ABBA Mania on January 17. These themed shows tend to sell well and are easy date-night or group picks if you like familiar music with a live-concert feel.

Double Bridge Run - The Double Bridge Run hosts both a scenic 15K and a 5K run/walk that take participants over two iconic bridges spanning Pensacola Bay and Santa Rosa Sound before finishing at Pensacola Beach. The 15K begins downtown and winds through Gulf Breeze, while the 5K starts in Gulf Breeze and heads to Pensacola Beach, offering something for runners and walkers of all levels. Registration was still open when we tried.

Upcoming Events

Mardi Gras Parades - January 19 - Martin Luther King Jr. Day Parade. February 13 - Krewe of Lafitte Parade. February 14 - Grand Mardi Gras Parade. Due to the Palafox construction the parade route has been adjusted.

Kids & Kritters Parade – Jan 24 (Pensacola Beach)
The family-friendly parade featuring pets and community groups returns later this month and usually draws a big turnout on the beach.

Milton Mardi Gras Parade – Jan 31
Santa Rosa County’s Mardi Gras season ramps up with the Milton parade and after-party. A good option if you want a parade experience without downtown congestion.

Nothing in this section is sponsored. They’re just the things you need to know. I’ll always let you know when something’s sponsored.

With David and Drew from East Bay Automotive

This week is Part 1 of How to Win When Buying a Car. David and Drew begin discussing helpful considerations when looking for that new - or new to you - vehicle.

“When it comes to financing, we usually recommend starting with a credit union, especially for pre-owned vehicles. Dealer financing isn’t always the best option, though manufacturer financing on new cars can sometimes offer very low rates. The key is walking in informed and comparing your options before you buy.

The car market has finally settled back into more realistic pricing compared to the COVID years, when both new and used vehicles were dramatically overpriced. Brands like Honda, Toyota, Lexus, and Acura still hold their value extremely well, while luxury brands such as Audi and Mercedes depreciate much faster. That depreciation can work in your favor — wait a few years and you can buy a luxury vehicle for far less than its original price.

One of the smartest moves is letting someone else take the initial depreciation. We’ve seen customers save $5,000–$10,000 by buying vehicles with very low mileage — sometimes just 2,000 to 4,000 miles — instead of buying new. Through our Direct2You buying program, we sit down with customers, learn what they want and what they can afford, then shop nationwide from a wholesale perspective. This often results in significantly lower prices than comparable used vehicles on dealer lots.

A lot of people don’t realize that most used vehicles on large dealer lots come from auctions unless they’re trade-ins (can spot a trade in because it will often have an “A” at the end of the stock number). These vehicles may come from factory sales, finance companies, or manufacturer programs. The difference is that many dealers sell what they already have, while we focus on finding the right vehicle for the customer.

No matter how you buy, research matters. Always review a Carfax report, watch for unnecessary admin or doc fees, and expect to pay only taxes, tags, and title beyond the sale price. Be cautious of high-pressure sales tactics, and whenever possible, have a used vehicle inspected by a reputable shop before purchasing. A proper inspection helps avoid surprises and gives you confidence in your decision.

Buying a car doesn’t have to be stressful. With the right financing, research, and buying strategy, you can get exactly what you want — and avoid overpaying. We have more ways to win to talk about next week in Part 2.”

If you have any questions, or need advice, give David or Drew a call at (850)-665-4302. They would be happy to see you or your vehicle. Visit - East Bay Automotive (Google Map) or their website East Bay Automotive Website.

January 29 - Joe Pug @ Docie’s Dock

February 4th and 5th – Gary Clark Jr. @ Vinyl Music Hall

February 26 - Brantley Gilbert @ Pensacola Bay Center

March 21 - Third Day @ Pensacola Bay Center

April 1 - Santana: Oneness Tour 2026 at the Pensacola Bay Center.

April 18 - Brandon Lake @ Pensacola Bay Center

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