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Oakland Park CRA highlights 21 local businesses, new openings and events as part of economic push
Summary
CRA and economic development staff reported 21 Oakland Park businesses recognized in Fort Lauderdale Magazine, new retail and service openings, expanded incentive outreach to the Westside Qualified Census Tract and upcoming public events including Latin Fest and Oktoberfest.
Nessa Herrera, CRA and Economic Development Director, told the Oakland Park Community Redevelopment Agency board that 21 local businesses were recognized in Fort Lauderdale Magazine's Best of 2025 and reviewed recent openings, events and outreach programs intended to support downtown commerce.
Herrera said the winners “spanned food, shopping, health” and named local businesses singled out in the recognition. She also listed new businesses locating in the CRA district and highlighted recent grand openings, noting the downtown Art Walk drew about 1,800 people in August.
The report included a list of recently opened or incoming businesses including Downtown Pools, Apex Stairs and Railings, Lasky Architects, Caribbean Marine Construction, Surfskate Science and Mark’s Cuisine (formerly Bertie’s). Herrera also noted the grand openings of Metabolic, a strength-training gym at the Sky Building, and Carrot Express, a health-focused restaurant with vegan and gluten-free options. Herrera urged continued public support for local merchants.
Herrera said staff sent letters to commercial property owners in the CRA and the Westside Qualified Census Tract to publicize incentive programs and that staff has since met with several interested parties. Board members praised the outreach; one board member specifically welcomed the extension of the business incentive program to Westside businesses. Herrera also described recent business engagement events, including a July business partners meeting at the Sky Building and a Building Downtown lunch held at Funky Bura.
Staff described upcoming events open to the public: Latin Fest on Sept. 19 at Jaco Pastorius Park and an Oktoberfest event in October at the same park. Herrera also announced a business partners meeting scheduled for the following day at Jacopasurios Park featuring Sabina Shumenoff speaking on AI tools for business optimization.
Multiple commissioners and board members thanked Herrera and CRA staff for outreach and support of entrepreneurs, and several described ongoing recruitment efforts for industrial/warehousing businesses in the CRA’s industrial areas, including potential links with Port Everglades freight activity.
The CRA executive director closed by inviting board members to a planned pub crawl to support downtown businesses during the slower season.
