You only get one chance every ten years to start a new decade.

As we put the wraps on the decade of the 2010’s here in Osceola County, we’re asking local officials and “movers ‘n shakers” to reflect on the last year of this one and the first one of the new decade, the “Roaring ’20s”, and how we’re going to best usher it in.

Jeremy Lanier is co-owner of Lanier’s Historic Downtown Marketplace. You won’t find many others as invested in downtown Kissimmee as Jeremy.

He grew up here, graduated from Osceola High School, has been part of the family business for some 25 years, and is a fixture of the Broadway merchant community and the Downtown Business Association of Kissimmee, Inc. for just as long. And just a couple years ago he moved into a second-story apartment looking right down on downtown’s main drag. Live, work and play – he checks all the boxes for downtown Kissimmee.

Here are his thoughts on the past year, the one upcoming and what the downtown area might look like when we do this again in 2029.

What were some of the biggest wins in 2019 for downtown Kissimmee and for the organizations you are a part of?

“We’ve developed a resurged strong sense of community. This year we created the Kissimmee Coffee Club, where we get together at a local business Friday morning, and just really talk with neighbors. We developed an even stronger nightlife vibe with restaurants. And the arrival of SunRail has been exciting for all of us.”

Jeremy Lanier

Co-owner/Operator, Lanier's Historic Downtown Marketplace, President at Downtown Business Association of Kissimmee, Inc.

What are you looking forward to in 2020?
“Construction is set to start on the Mosaic Development (living and commercial space wrapping around the Toho Square parking garage). That will provide a whole new depth of residential opportunities. And, just to our east, NeoCity is growing and shaping up to do exactly what it set out to do, bring high-wage jobs to our area. It’s going to be an exciting year.”

When you look at the end of the next decade, how do you think downtown will look and feel in 10 years?
“It’s already totally different from what it was in the 1990’s, and I think it will continue to tremendously change. We’re going to see street redevelopment that’s all for the positive. It’s truly going to be a place to live, work and play with an old-world charm … and a lake!”

Positively Osceola Osceola would like to thank Jeremy for taking the time to speak to us, and for his selfless involvement in the community. He is a servant leader that’s focused on helping others, growing his community, and in making a Positive Difference in Osceola County!