Economic News & Business Highlights

Established in 2020 by Abbie Paul, Tidewater Tots is a local business that designs and creates unique mix-and-match swimwear for toddlers and youth handmade in St. Johns County. The idea for the company originated when Abbie was having difficulty finding swimwear for her toddlers that was different from what you’d typically find in a department store and also made in the U.S.A. Now, Tidewater Tots employs 20 people, and the swimwear can be found in 25 stores throughout the United States.

Abbie shares her thoughts on having a business here in St. Johns County.

Q: What inspired you to select St. Johns County as the home of your business?

A: When I moved to St. Augustine in 2000, I instantly fell in love with the city and the county in general. I understand that St. Johns County is very business friendly and supportive of small business owners, so when we outgrew our old location located outside of St. Johns County and were ready to take the leap to a new home base for our growing business, I knew it had to be St. Johns County. 

Q: What is the best part about a having a business in St. Johns County?

A: As a business owner, it is also very important that my company is in a business-friendly county. My experiences with the staff in the county offices are always very positive. This makes a world of a difference when running a small business! Beyond that, the local community has been so supportive of our growing business venture!

Q: What is your biggest business success to date?

A: We just celebrated four years in business and that is huge to me! It feels more and more real with each year, and I pinch myself every time I see another boutique or resort order our products for their shop. Beyond that, purchasing our own building in St. Augustine in order to keep up with our growth, and the process of making it our own was a huge undertaking, but a very big milestone for us.  

Q: What is your vision for the future of your business?

A: Our brand is growing very quickly. I see us hiring and employing more people in the county. Our current building has space to grow, and I look forward to taking on that growth, while improving technologies and processes along the way. And most importantly, keeping our products very proudly made in St. Johns County, FL, USA!

Q: Outside of work, what activities do you enjoy here in St. Johns County?

A: I enjoy spending time with my husband, two children and our dog, Pumpkin. Some of our favorite activities are spending time on the water and traveling. Some of our best-selling swimwear prints are even inspired by our travels. For more information about Tidewater Tots and to shop online, visit www.tidewatertots.com.

American Roll-On Roll-Off Carrier Group, Inc. (ARC) provides global logistics and shipping services to the U.S. Government. ARC and its affiliates own and manage the largest U.S.-flag roll-on roll-off (Ro-Ro) fleet of vessels. This includes providing American-owned, managed and crewed Ro-Ro shipping and intermodal services committed to the requirements of the Department of Defense, other U.S. Government departments and agencies, and commercial customers. The company carries wheeled cargo, such as cars, trucks, trailers and aircraft, as well as other types of cargo, including household goods and breakbulk project cargo.

ARC relocated its corporate headquarters from New Jersey to St. Johns County in 2021 under the direction of Chris Heibel, senior vice president commercial. ARC’s corporate office is now located in Ponte Vedra Beach.

Chris shares his thoughts on working here in St. Johns County.

Q: What inspired you to select St. Johns County as the home of your business?

A: Selecting St. Johns County as the home for our business was a strategic decision driven by several compelling factors.

First and foremost, the proximity to the ports in the region played a pivotal role in our decision-making process. St. Johns County’s location provides easy access to crucial ports, both in Florida and Georgia, facilitating our operations.

The tax structure of Florida further solidified our choice. Florida’s business-friendly tax environment, with no state income tax, creates a conducive atmosphere for growth and financial stability.

Our familiarity with the Jacksonville area was a significant factor in the decision-making process. Having this previous knowledge was key in establishing strong partnerships and seamlessly integrating into the regional economy.

St. Johns County’s status as a logistics hub was another compelling factor. With prominent industry partners like Tote, Landstar and Sudduth in the vicinity, we recognized the potential for collaboration and mutually beneficial partnerships. This concentration of local logistics expertise enhances the overall business ecosystem, providing a robust foundation for our business growth.

The county’s excellent infrastructure further influenced our decision. From well-maintained roads and transportation networks to state-of-the-art facilities, St. Johns County offers the essential infrastructure necessary for the smooth functioning of our operations.

Moreover, we were drawn to the fact that St. Johns County is a very pro-military community. This aligns with our values of supporting and engaging with the military, fostering a sense of unity and shared purpose.

Q: What is the best part about having a business here in St. Johns County?

A: The best part about having a business here in St. Johns County can be summed up in three words: location, location, location. This geographic advantage has offered a multitude of benefits that significantly contribute to our thriving business environment.

One of the standout advantages is the absence of state income tax in Florida. This favorable tax climate not only maximizes our profitability but also provides a competitive edge in hiring.

The presence of a good airport in the vicinity is another key asset. A well-connected and efficient airport makes travel for our team and clients convenient and time-effective. Plus, we get a lot more visitors now that we are in Florida.

Proximity to partners and ports is a game-changer for us. St. Johns County’s strategic location places us near key partners and ports.

Beyond the business landscape, the sense of community in St. Johns County is truly exceptional. The supportive and vibrant community enhances ARC’s workplace culture, making it a better environment for our employees.

Q: What is your biggest business success to date?

A: ARC’s biggest business success to date is rooted in the strong foundation we’ve built through our integration into St Johns County and the meaningful relationships we’ve developed, including via the Chamber of Commerce. From the outset, we recognized the importance of not just being a business operating in the community but becoming a productive part of it.

One significant measure of our success is our employee growth since our arrival. We’ve expanded our workforce by about 15%, contributing to the local economy, and hope to grow it further.

An often-overlooked success lies in the high morale at ARC. Our employees are not just part of a workforce; they are members of a close-knit team. Creating a positive and supportive work environment has been a priority for us, one that has been helped by our new location, and the resulting high morale has a direct impact on our success.

Q: What is your vision for the future of your business?

A: Our vision for the future of ARC is very optimistic, driven by a commitment to sustained growth, acquiring new business opportunities, and deepening our engagement within the community.

We envision a trajectory of continued growth, both in terms of existing markets and future opportunities. This growth encompasses expanding our business via new contracts and exploring untapped markets.

To realize our vision, ARC is dedicated to actively seeking and securing new business opportunities. By staying agile and adaptive, we aim to position ARC business as the preferred choice for partners in the government logistics space.

ARC also recognizes the importance of being a socially responsible corporate entity, and we aspire to deepen our roots within the community. This includes actively participating in local initiatives, supporting charitable causes, and contributing to the overall well-being of the communities in which we operate.

Q: Outside of work, what activities do you enjoy here in St. Johns County?

A: I cannot imagine I am a whole lot different than most residents of St. Johns: golf, fishing, the beach, nature.

Q: Do you have any parting thoughts you’d like to share?

A: As I reflect on our decision to relocate to Florida, I am filled with gratitude and a sense of accomplishment. The move has proven to be a great decision, marked by several positive outcomes that have profoundly shaped ARC’s culture and operational dynamics.

One remarkable aspect of ARC’s relocation is the dedication and commitment demonstrated by our workforce. A staggering 80% of our team made the move from New Jersey to Florida, showcasing their loyalty and belief in our shared vision.

Equally noteworthy is the fact that the vast preponderance of those who made the move are not just content, but genuinely happy with the decision. The vibrant Florida lifestyle, coupled with the thriving local community, has contributed to a more fulfilling and satisfying professional and personal experience. For more information about ARC, visit www.arcshipping.com.

Future Friends, established in 2012, is a branding and design studio based in St. Augustine, led by owners Danielle and Luke Brodersen. St. Johns County recently launched a new brand designed by the team at Future Friends and thought the community would enjoy knowing more about this creative group of local Flagler College graduates and why St. Johns County is such a great fit for their company.

Danielle and Luke, Flagler College grads (both ’09), share their thoughts on being business owners in St. Johns County.

Q: What inspired you to select St. Johns County as the home of your business?

A: Danielle was born in Jacksonville and raised in St. Augustine, so St. Johns County has been a home for her for almost as long as she can remember. Luke moved here to go to Flagler College, after tiring of moving around the world growing up. We both were invested in finding a place to start a business and raise a family and St. Augustine checked a lot of those boxes for us. We started Future Friends in 2012 and we have four employees who are also all Flagler College grads (Catherine Provenza ’08, Mackenzie Rockwood ’18, Ben Becker ’21, and Crystal Jones ’08) who round out our team.

Q: What is the best part about being a business owner in St. Johns County?

A: One of the best things is being able to have personal relationships with our clients, such to where we can speak into their projects and be able to give advice about anything that has to do with graphic design or even running a business.

Q: What is your biggest business success to date?

A: Our biggest success as a business is being able to work on projects that we love and can wholeheartedly stand behind. We are proud of all the brands that we work with and we take pride in putting the Future Friends “quality seal” on every job we do.

Q: What is your vision for the future of your business?

A: Besides global domination, we tend to think quite “small.” We really enjoy the tight creative bond that our team has and we want to show how a small agency can do the big things as well as the smaller ones. We also want to keep spreading the word of how good graphic design can make all the difference.

Q: Outside of work, what activities do you enjoy here in St. Johns County?

A: At Future Friends, we all share a love for good music and good food. We are also pretty diverse in our other recreational ventures. Whether reading, antiquing/thrifting, climbing, exploring new places, our team enjoys a good adventure.

Q: Do you have any parting thoughts you’d like to share?

A: Whether you own a business or are starting a new one, remember that the visual “front” that you present is important to how your customers see you and how they first interact with you.

For more information about Future Friends, visit www.futurefriends.co.

Q-PAC, established in 2012, designs and manufactures industry-leading fan systems for commercial air handling units used in hospitals, educational facilities, commercial plazas, office buildings and more. Led by CEO Matt Kent, Q-PAC is comprised of a team of 70 employees. In 2018, Q-PAC moved its headquarters to St. Johns County. Matt shares his thoughts on being a business owner here in St. Johns County.

Q: What inspired you to select St. Johns County as the home of your business?

A: St. Johns County has so much to offer residents and provides an excellent opportunity for us to recruit great people to our team. The natural attractions and charm of St. Augustine really boost our overall company culture. I grew up here in St. Augustine and feel very fortunate for Q-PAC to be headquartered here.

Q: What is the best part about being a business owner in St. Johns County?

A: We can have fun doing what we love to do at work and when we’re not working, we can enjoy Florida paradise with family and friends.

Q: It seems apparent that company culture is extremely important to you. What values do you look for in your team members?

A: Q-PAC is always looking for great people and has been since the very beginning. We look for people who are curious, relentless, agile, and passionate. We work hard and we play hard. We strive to be the best in the world at everything we do but also want every day to be fun and a positive experience.

Q: What is your biggest business success to date?

A: That’s tough to say, but I have to go back to our team at Q-PAC. We’ve been tremendously successful and have accomplished so much but it’s all because of the incredible team of people we have built over the last 10 years. But we do have a system in the White House which is pretty cool. Haha.

Q: Outside of work, what activities do you enjoy here in St. Johns County?

A: I love to go surfing, skateboarding, and fishing. My wife and I live on Anastasia Island and enjoy taking our two boys to play at the beach, going to the local farmers market at the amphitheatre, and walking around downtown St. Augustine.

Q: Do you have any parting thoughts you’d like to share?

A: This is a wonderful place to build a business, raise a family, and call home. We should do everything we can to preserve the sense of community, character, and charm that we have here. I would like to thank the St. Johns County team for everything they do for our local businesses and residents.

For more information about Q-PAC, visit www.q-pac.com.

The Classic Car Museum of St. Augustine (CCM) is a museum, event space and classic car storage facility located at 4730 U.S. Highway 1 S. Established in 2020 by the Hobbs family – Sidney, Brenda and Madison – the museum has a calendar full of events and car shows, with many of those events benefiting community organizations. The Hobbs family shares their thoughts on being business owners here in St. Johns County.

Q: What inspired you to select St. Johns County as the home of your business?  

A: We are St. Johns County locals. We have been here over 20 years and plan to stay for generations to come. The community here feels like a family, full of business owners striving to contribute to the success of the community as a whole.

Q: What is the best part about being a business owner in St. Johns County?

A: As we all know, our county is continuing to grow. We have the amazing benefit of being a tourist destination as well as a tight-knit local community. This allows our outreach to stretch beyond the St. Johns County lines as well as cater to those within the community.

Q: How has your business focus of giving back to the community impacted both the community and your business?

A: As a 501c3 organization, we have hosted numerous charity events here at the Classic Car Museum of St. Augustine, in partnership with Classic Eventage. Since opening in 2020, we have given back around $250,000 to the community through these philanthropy-focused events. It is the heart and soul of what we do here at CCM.

Q: What is your biggest business success to date? 

A: We opened in June of 2020, which we all know as the “Covid year.” As a business, we were not completely sure what operations would look like choosing to move forward with our opening date under the circumstances of the world. However, we discovered it is just what the community needed. With our vast amount of outdoor space, we were able to host events that still remained under Covid protocol that our community was able to enjoy. We created a sense of community in the most trying of times. Through this time, we were able to build connections with those looking for a place to store their vehicles. We gained 30 storage vehicles here at CCM, which is the biggest business success to date as we are FULL and have over 100 cars for our customer’s viewing pleasure. The growth of our event company, Classic Eventage, is also continuing to grow as we gain more bookings each day.

Q: What are your future business growth plans?

A: We have some exciting new plans for growth! We are potentially getting a tenant for our restaurant site next door, looking into new building expansions, and discovering more opportunities for community involvement. Classic Eventage is also continuing to grow and expand community outreach in Madison’s efforts to plan, host and execute fantastic events that our guests love to attend!

Q: Outside of work, what activities do you enjoy here in St. Johns County?

A: We love supporting the local restaurants and shops here in St. Johns County! Most weekends are spent in beautiful downtown St. Augustine, at our stunning beaches, boating on the intracoastal, or enjoying our favorite artists at The Amp! We truly appreciate where we live and try our best to get out and support other local businesses here in the community.

Q: Do you have any parting thoughts you’d like to share?

A: We as a family have dreamed of opening this business for as long as we can remember, and seeing this dream come to fruition is such a blessing. The heart of our business is that “you can’t out give God, but we try to every day” and we truly live by that statement. Whether you’re a car enthusiast, need a rainy-day activity, looking for a space to host your next event, or have a charity/cause that breaks your heart and need help finding a way to spread the cause, we are here to help!

For more information about the Classic Car Museum of St. Augustine, visit www.ccmstaug.com. Video footage of Commissioner Alaimo’s visit with Madison Hobbs can be seen on YouTube.

Rulon International, established in 1976, is the leading manufacturer of wood ceiling and acoustical wood wall panels that can be found in universities, hotels, government buildings, corporate headquarters and more. Led by President and CEO Wayne Robison, Rulon International is comprised of a team of more than 200 employees. In 2006, Rulon International moved its headquarters from Georgia to 2000 Ring Way in St. Johns County and has expanded its building and operations multiple times since then. The team members of Rulon International share their thoughts on having a business here in St. Johns County.

Q: What inspired you to select St. Johns County as the home of your business?  

A: It was a fantastic choice – excellent school systems, beautiful beaches as well as historical sites. 

Q: What is the best part about having a business in St. Johns County?

A: The business-friendly environment is a huge draw. Relocating to St. Johns County also helped with recruiting professionals to join our company from other parts of the country.

Q: What is the company’s biggest business success to date? 

A: The growth of the company since relocating to St. Johns County has been our biggest success.

Q: What are the company’s future business growth plans?

A: We plan to continue to improve and expand our manufacturing processes and product lines, which will continue to elevate the company in our industry as well as continuing to support charitable organizations that the company and our employees are passionate about.

Q: Outside of work, what activities here in St. Johns County are enjoyed by your team?

A: Rulon employees enjoy a variety of activities in St. Johns County from hitting the beaches for a relaxing weekend, golfing, fishing, boating, as well as many other things St. Augustine and St. Johns County offers.

Q: Do you have any parting thoughts you’d like to share?

A: St. Johns County welcomed our business and employees when we relocated. It has become our home, and we are thankful to work, live and play here in St. Johns County.

For more information about Rulon International, visit www.rulonco.com.

Crème de la Cocoa, established in 2016, is a high-end bakeshop that specializes in wedding cakes, hand-painted chocolates and custom desserts with a twist on traditional flavors. Led by owners Nils and Bailey Rowland, Crème de la Cocoa has 16 employees and is located at 299 San Marco Ave. in St. Augustine. Nils was recently a finalist on the Food Network’s Halloween Wars where he and his team created spooky Halloween displays that wowed the judges. The tasting treats he crafted on the show are now available in the shop to enjoy.

Nils and Bailey share their thoughts on being business owners here in St. Johns County.

Q: What inspired you to select St. Johns County as the home of your business?  

A: We are both originally from Gainesville but spent many summers and weekends in St. Augustine. We always considered St. Augustine our home away from home. After graduating from college at UCF in Orlando, we both thought St. Augustine would be the perfect place for two Hospitality Management Majors.

Q: What is the best part about being a business owner in St. Johns County?

A: The local love and support for our small business and many others has always been prevalent. We love the community here and the appreciation for our craft that we have received since opening.

Q: What is your biggest business success to date? 

A: That is a difficult question to answer. However, we would say that the biggest success is seeing the same customers consistently and most all of them being locals. We love being a part of the most special occasions of their lives.

Q: What is your vision for the future of your business?

A: We are currently working on a second location in our hometown Gainesville, FL. Bailey’s dad had a business in the same building for 40 years and it feels really special to keep the building in the family and utilize the space for our own business.

Q: Outside of work, what activities do you enjoy here in St. Johns County?

A: We have two boys, 5 and 6 years old, that we enjoy spending time with at the beach, fishing and visiting the Alligator Farm.

Q: Do you have any parting thoughts you’d like to share?

A: We would just like to take a moment to thank everyone for their continued support. It means the world to our family and our team.

For more information about Crème de la Cocoa, visit www.cremedelacocoa.com.

Crave, established in 2013 by owners Andrés and Renée Guardiola, is a restaurant in downtown St. Augustine that serves local and healthy salads, wraps, bowls and smoothies. Crave’s motto is fast, fresh, friendly, which has been integral to their success. Crave began as a food truck off Riberia Street and in 2020 transitioned to their current brick-and-mortar location at 135 King Street with 10 employees.

Andrés and Renée, both Flagler College graduates, share their thoughts on being business owners here in St. Johns County.

Q: What inspired you to select St. Johns County as the home of your business?

A: We have lived here for awhile and absolutely love the community. We really wanted to spread our roots in this wonderful town.

Q: What is the best part about being a business owner in St. Johns County?

A: The best part about being a business owner here in St. Johns County is the wonderful support from everyone in the community.

Q: What is your biggest business success to date?

A: Our biggest business success to date is reaching our 11-year mark of being open.

Q: What is your vision for the future of your business?

A: We hope to franchise in the future. We also opened our second location this May here in St. Johns County in the Seabridge Square Plaza located at 1835 U.S. Highway 1 South.

Q: Outside of work, what activities do you enjoy here in St. Johns County?

A: We enjoy our beaches, amazing parks, and anything that immerses us in the outdoors.

Q: Do you have any parting thoughts you’d like to share?

A: We are very grateful and thankful for the support this community has shown us and we look forward to seeing you for many years to come.

For more information about Crave, visit www.cravestaug.com.