Nathan Holler, co-owner of The Dog House, a landmark Palafox restaurant and gathering place for nearly five decades, is the newest member of the Downtown Improvement Board.
 

The 37-year-old Holler, son of Dog House founder Jim Holler, was appointed by Mayor Grover Robinson to a three-year term. Following confirmation of his appointment, Holler was named treasurer of the DIB board.
 

“I’m really very interested in getting more involved with downtown Pensacola,” says Holler. “I grew up in downtown and the positive changes that we have seen over the last decade are just extraordinary.”
 

Holler says his top priority as a new board member is to listen to business owners and the public and arrive at a consensus on what the DIB can do in the future to help the 44-block district grow, prosper and serve the community.

“Right now, it seems our number one issue is making sure that we have plenty of public restrooms that are safe and well maintained,” says Holler. “And it’s our job to make sure that we can deliver on that goal.”
 

Walker Wilson, DIB executive director, says Holler “has been an asset to the DIB as a business owner and is always looking for ways to make everyone’s experience downtown safe and enjoyable.
 

“Both of us are eager to work with the city to expand the Palafox Market and bring more amenities to downtown Pensacola, like public restrooms, lighting, information kiosks and general park upgrades,” adds Wilson.

Holler says it has been a goal of his to serve on the DIB which he described as a “group of respected business men and women who love our city and over the course of the DIB’s 50-year history, have helped create and nurture events, such as Gallery Night and the Palafox Market, that make downtown Pensacola a very vibrant city.”