Photos by Addison Fitzgerald
OCL ASKS LOCAL RESIDENTS WHAT BROUGHT THEM HERE, WHAT KEEPS THEM HERE, WHAT THEY LOVE, AND WHAT THEY DON’T.
Greg & Becca Crum
WHY ST. AUGUSTINE? Becca’s first visit to St. Augustine was on her 4th grade school trip. She knew then that this was the place she wanted to be, so when we married in Memphis, Tennessee, we made it a goal to settle down in St. Augustine. It took 3 cross country moves (California to Florida) to make it happen, but it was well worth it. We’ve been here for over 13 years now and have been joined by our parents.
WHAT KEEPS YOU HERE?
The oak trees by the ocean, the laid back island atmosphere, and especially the generous people who live here. Life is just better at the beach!
WHAT MAKES YOU TICK?
The concept of “Home.” It’s what most people are looking for, and as Realtors, we have the great opportunity to help locals and newcomers find the joy, satisfaction, and space that means “Home” to them.
HOW DO YOU HOPE TO IMPACT OUR COMMUNITY?
We’re both active in our community, giving whenever we can. Becca uses her accounting background to assist local groups like the United Way of St. Johns County and the Rotary Club of St. Augustine. I volunteered for five years on the City of St. Augustine Beach Planning and Zoning Board and for four on our HOA Board. We regularly sponsor and participate in events supporting local non-profits..
WHAT IS ONE PROBLEM YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE SOLVED?
Homelessness and the availability of affordable housing in the St. Augustine area.
WHAT DO YOU FEEL NEEDS TO BE SAID IN TODAY’S WORLD?
Patience is sometimes hard to muster, especially in traffic. So, as Becca reminds me, “When the car in front of you is going too slow, just remember it is there to keep you from getting a ticket!”
Becca and Greg Crum are part of the Crum-Gachet Team at Watson Realty Corporation. His background is in Operations Management, and hers is in Accounting and Finance. Greg partnered with Peggy Gachet over eleven years ago as a Realtor, and Becca joined them four years ago. DeLand, Florida is Becca’s childhood home. Greg is from Memphis, Tennessee, where they met and married 22 years ago. The Crums love to travel, hear good music, eat good food, and get lost wandering in new locales.
GUNNAR HEDQWIST
WHY ST. AUGUSTINE? The road from Sweden to St. Augustine was a long and winding road. It took Monica and I many years, and through many countries, states and cities to reach Florida. One day, however, we decided to move from “up north” to Clearwater Beach, and a few years later we found a business that we bought here in St. Augustine. It was a motel business. That was back in 2005.
WHAT KEEPS YOU HERE? A couple of years later, we decided to add “something exciting” to the motel business and that was how we come up with the idea to build the pirate ship Black Raven. We found an architect (former employee of Disney) who designed the ship and we had it built at a ship yard in Tarpon Springs. We took delivery back in 2009. The business was successful and we decided to stay and run the business.
WHAT MAKES YOU TICK? Many things makes an entrepreneur tick. Success, is of course one thing, but a new and exciting opportunity may be the real driving force. The unknown and the potential in a new project is what drives me, and my wife Monica.
HOW DO YOU HOPE TO MAKE AN IMPACT IN OUR COMMUNITY?
We created a business that has become a well-known family attraction here in St. Augustine. It is loved by both the young as well as the older generations. There are so many nice attractions here in St. Augustine, but most of them cater towards the adult audience and Black Raven provided something to do for the whole family.
WHAT IS ONE PROBLEM YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE SOLVED? A true entrepreneur avoids talking about problems, we rather talk about opportunities and solutions. But, the all too well-known problem is the never ending parking problem downtown. We hear it all day long from the visitors coming to town. I am a realist and understand that this problem is not an easy one to solve. But I think, as a downtown businessman that would be the number one problem to be solved on my list.
WHAT DO YOU FEEL NEEDS TO BE SAID IN TODAY’S WORLD? Our journey through life has taught us many things, but one thing I strongly believe in is this: You should look to the past to learn, but never to find someone to blame. If you do, that will hurt you in the future.
Gunnar Hedqwist grew up in Sweden, graduated with a BS degree in mechanical engineering and served in the Swedish Army. He worked in the pulp and paper industry, traveling all over the world before moving to the U.S. The Hedqwists acquired the Ramada Historic Hotel in 2005 and it was there that the idea of the Black Raven Pirate Ship originated. The Black Raven carries up to 128 passengers and has quickly become a popular spot for children and families during the day and adult parties and weddings in the evening.
MARTY LEWIS
WHY ST. AUGUSTINE? Pretty interesting story. I couldn’t have told you which coast St Augustine was on back in the 90’s when we lived in Miami and I was a talent agent, and my wife a film/tv Make-up Artist. She got booked on a Florida Tourism commercial going all over the State. They pulled into St Augustine and she was blown away by the ocean, the downtown architecture, etc. She called me back in Miami and said ‘Marty-you’ve got to see this little town!’. Back then the slogan was “42 Miles of Beaches and the Rest is History!”. Within a year we had a house downtown and then moved here a year later. That was 1994. We still live downtown and still love it.
WHAT KEEPS YOU HERE? We still love it. Having gone to high school in San Antonio, I have always loved the older Spanish architecture and the feel of a smaller town with benefits like the ocean!
WHAT MAKES YOU TICK?
I love visually uplifting sights and we have those galore. I love talented people. That’s why I loved being a Casting Director & a talent agent and putting on concerts etc. That’s one reason I was happy when Tommy Bledsoe asked me if I was interested in being on the St. Johns Cultural Council Board and, once there, I found an advocate in Council Director, Andy Witt. He was totally behind me, my wife, Rick Ambrose and Allan Marcil founding the St. Augustine Film Office to try and attract films to realize the uniqueness of our area and shoot here.
HOW DO YOU HOPE TO MAKE AN IMPACT IN OUR COMMUNITY?
I volunteer quite a bit. I help out with United Way, the Film Office, the Cultural Council. Learn to Read is great as are so many worthy groups and causes here. I’ve been involved for over a decade with the St. Johns County Chamber of Commerce and especially their volunteer arm called the Ambassadors. I’m currently their Communications Chair. I hope to attract film projects here also-maybe even one of my own!
WHAT IS ONE PROBLEM YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE SOLVED?
The establishment of civility in public debate and discourse would be wonderful. Right now it’s brutal and I believe it severely limits people from seeking public office locally & nationally.
WHAT DO YOU FEEL NEEDS TO BE SAID IN TODAY’S WORLD? 1: 2 ears/ one mouth. Listen and hear before you speak. 2: Another fave is the old Arabic phrase- Trust in God & tie up your camel! 3: That giant within you is a part of God. Too many?-oh well..
For ten years Marty Lewis has worked for Money Pages of Florida, Inc and their digital arm called 3D Digital. His job is to find local businesses and help them maximize their sales through marketing and advertising, with the various products the company offers. Marty loves that he loves where he lives, and loves that he’s in Love with my wife, Diane, and that he have a son who’s happy and also in love.
He loves finding ways to help people and to keep St. Augustine great and livable.
