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Businessman Wants To Jump-Start Sponge Docks Tourism

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By Mark  Schantz | The Suncoast News

Published: October 4, 2008

TARPON SPRINGS - George Billiris, sponge merchant, gift shop owner and operator of the tour boat St. Nicholas, has seen a lot in all his decades living and working at the Sponge Docks.

In 60 years working at the docks, however, he has never seen tourism and business so bad.

Seeking to foster a turnaround, Billiris is putting together a marketplace event at the Sponge Docks.

For the first time since 1924 the boat he operates, which takes tourists on a simulated sponge diving trip, is staying tied up during the week. The boat now only sails on weekends, if there are enough tourists, and for special trips.

For the last several months only a handful of visitors have been walking along Dodecanese Boulevard, the main street of the riverfront tourist district. Summer traditionally is the slowest time of the year for the local tourist economy, but it has never been this bad in recent memory, Billiris said.

Once a rare sight, vacant shops now dot the Sponge Docks. The rest of the city is faring even worse, with vacant storefronts and restaurants visible along Pinellas and Tarpon avenues, the city's main commercial strips.

Billiris said he could not bear watching local businesses go down the tubes.

"We just felt we have to do something to help all the local merchants who are suffering all over the city, not just at the Sponge Docks," he said. "We can't just sit back and join in with the apathy and negativity."

Starting in November, Billiris plans to utilize his two dockside parking lots to create a marketplace. Businesses and restaurants in the city will be given an opportunity to showcase their offerings at booths set up in the parking lot for a nominal fee to cover costs, he said.

Event dates and times will be announced. Anyone interested in helping with the event can contact Billiris at 727-938-0787.

The event will feature live music, dance and, in the tradition of Tarpon Springs, the occasional belly dancer.

Dodecanese Boulevard will remain open during the marketplace, he said.

Businesses people and city officials he has spoken with are supporting his plan, Billiris said.

"We have to do something to get the tourists back to our area," he said. "We have to promote ourselves."

The marketplace is still in the planning stages, Billiris said, but he envisions it as a monthly or bi-monthly event. He said he needs volunteers from the community to help bring the idea to fruition.

Mark Schantz can be reached at 727-815-1075 or mschantz@suncoastnews.com.

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