Together for Marineland: Save Ragga Surf Cafe!
Together for Marineland: Save Ragga Surf Cafe!
The future of Ragga Surf Cafe and its community impact is at risk.
We need your help to keep our doors open.
In our tiny town, every local business plays a critical role in our economy, protecting our coastline, and the future of preserving this remarkable coastal place.
We stand to lose a vital community space during the holiday season.
Save Ragga Surf Cafe
If the decision to end our temporary use agreement is not overturned, it will lead to job losses for our families and team this holiday season.
Ragga Surf Cafe is requesting the renewal of our temporary license to allow us time.
What you can do:
✔
We’re urging leaders to allow time for:
Development of a new management plan to adjust to the changing needs of the River to Sea Preserve managed by Flagler County and the Town of Marineland
A renewal of our temporary use agreement to ensure the continued operation of our business and the positive impact it has on our community.
This extension will allow us to continue serving the community:
Providing 30 local jobs
Promoting environmental stewardship
Driving global humanitarian initiatives
Continuation of ‘Marineland Market’ for a community of 80+ local makers, non-profits, and artisans
Key Dates & Meetings to Attend
Board of County Commissioners Meeting
Monday, December 16th – 5:00PM
Location: Government Services Building - Chambers
1769 E. Moody Blvd., Bldg. 2, Bunnell, Florida 32110
1st Floor Board Chambers
During the last BOCC meeting of the year, we need our community to show up & show their support as we present our story during community outreach and outline a path forward.
We did not receive the letter before the deadline to submit this item for BOCC consideration as a scheduled item.
Town of Marineland: Town Hall Meeting
Thursday, December 19th – 6:00PM
Location: GTM NERR Office
9741 N Oceanshore Blvd., Marineland, FL 32080
How you can help:
We need your support to ensure that Ragga Surf Cafe can continue making a positive impact in Marineland and beyond.
Sign the Petition: Ask the County Commissioners and the Town of Marineland to extend our temporary use agreement to allow time for FCT’s approval and to explore the option of a fair, longer-term lease.
Spread the Word: Share our petition and the importance of this issue with your friends, family, and neighbors. Help us gather support from the community we love.
Background on this issue:
In late August, the Flagler County Commissioners and the Town of Marineland offered support when Ragga was suddenly evicted from our location after over 3 years.
With their quick assistance, we moved to River to Sea and quickly continued serving our beloved community.
We were told that a follow-up to evaluate Ragga's community benefits would be spelled out in a public resolution before exploring a long-term lease option.
However, we were recently informed that Florida Communities Trust (FCT) needs to approve our long-term lease and that many other areas in the Preserve are out of compliance.
Unfortunately, communication has stalled, and the county notified us of the end of our temporary use agreement. They believe their hands are tied.
As community stakeholders, we’d like to meet with our local leaders and help restore the River to Sea Preserve to an educational, accessible resource for all.
Update: After meeting with County & Town officials, while we were hopeful that the County & Town might request another temporary use agreement while the process is worked out, neither the County nor the Town seemed compelled to make this request for different reasons.
Our current agreement ends on December 31st, during our busiest week of the year — the week you bring your out-of-town guests & families to experience the magic of Ragga and the team you have adopted as your own.
We are still asking:
• For county and city officials to COME TOGETHER and ask the Florida Department of Environmental Protection/Florida Communities Trust (FCT) for permission to renew our temporary use agreement
In the meantime, we are seeking other locations. Our leadership team is hard at work to keep our team employed in the new year.
Why it Matters
• 30+ Local Jobs: Our team members are Flagler County residents who help create a welcoming space for the community and visitors stand to lose their jobs
• Supporting Local Economy: We draw locals and visitors to create a thriving environment for local vendors and small businesses
• Local Youth Scholarships: We are proud sponsors of local youth soccer programs, providing scholarships and engaging in volunteer efforts, which benefit 700 kids in Palm Coast
• Global Outreach: A portion of our profits are donated to fund programs for extremely vulnerable children in Kenya through the Ohana Education Centre
• Environmental Stewardship: As a business based at the edge of the River to Sea Preserve, we operate with minimal impact, supporting conservation efforts and public access to nature
Protect your community hub!
Ragga Surf Cafe connects people to nature while supporting sustainability, conservation, and humanitarian efforts.
The loss of Ragga Surf Cafe would diminish the sense of community that makes Marineland unique.
We can stand together to protect our town's future and ensure that small businesses like ours can continue to thrive, creating opportunities for residents and visitors alike.
