Vero Beach Neighborhood’s Journey from Facebook Group to Local Storefront

In November 2017, Danielle Wynkoop set out to make a difference in her community by creating a Facebook group that would serve as a virtual gathering place for the people of Indian River County. What began as a simple idea has since blossomed into a vibrant, thriving community known as Vero Beach Neighborhood (VBN). With thousands of members and a growing influence, VBN has become the go-to space for everything from local recommendations to event updates, vendor support, and community fundraisers. It’s more than just a Facebook page—it’s a place where neighbors help neighbors, and kindness is always the priority.

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A Growing Community

Over the years, the VBN Facebook page has seen an incredible surge in membership. Danielle’s vision of creating a safe, positive space for local residents has paid off, as the group has become the digital “water cooler” for the people of Vero Beach. Whether it’s sharing recommendations for local services or offering support during a fundraiser, VBN members are always ready to lend a hand. This virtual neighborhood has played a pivotal role in making sure that no one ever feels alone, whether they’re new to the area or lifelong residents.

As the page’s influence grew, so did the VBN brand. Under Danielle’s guidance, VBN has extended beyond the Facebook group to become an integral part of the community, continuing to provide opportunities for connection, support, and the celebration of local businesses. The group has now become a trusted source for finding vendors, promoting events, and making sure everyone in the community has access to what they need.

“If You Have Time to Be Ugly, You Have Time to Help Someone”

The VBN motto encapsulates the heart of the group’s mission: spreading kindness. Danielle is passionate about helping others and ensuring that people feel supported. “If you have time to be ugly, you have time to help someone,” she says, emphasizing that every opportunity to be negative is also an opportunity to uplift someone else.

Her belief in the power of kindness drives everything she does. From fundraising for those in need to sharing resources and providing guidance, Danielle and her team work tirelessly to ensure that VBN continues to be a positive force in the community. It’s not just about online interactions—it’s about making a tangible impact in the lives of people right here in Vero Beach.

Danielle credits much of the group’s success to the generosity of her team. “My whole team uses their own money to help fund events, help others with food and necessities. I’ve never seen anything like it!” Their selfless dedication to supporting the local community is something Danielle holds dear.

From Facebook Group to Brick-and-Mortar: The VBN Store

In an exciting new chapter for VBN, Danielle has taken the group’s commitment to community-building offline with the opening of a brick-and-mortar store. This physical location, now home to local vendors, serves as a tangible extension of the VBN brand—a place where the group’s virtual support network can come to life. In addition to the candy, sweatshirts, t-shirts, hats, ornaments, coasters, keychains, Bible’s, mugs, tumblers, towels, beach supplies, and more – they have amazing local businesses featured in the store as well!

The VBN store is a special, unique space that celebrates local businesses and gives Vero Beach residents an opportunity to support one another in person. It’s not just about shopping; it’s about creating connections, fostering collaboration, and continuing the efforts to help those who need it most. The store’s charm lies in its roots within the community, making it a natural extension of the VBN Facebook group that so many have come to rely on.

Address: 2145 Indian River Blvd., Suite C, Vero Beach, FL, United States, Florida

As VBN continues to grow and evolve, Danielle and her team remain focused on their core mission: helping others. With the success of their new store, they are excited about the future possibilities for even more outreach, fundraisers, and events. But no matter how much the group expands, the heart of VBN will always be rooted in kindness, care, and neighborly support.

From a simple Facebook group to a thriving storefront, Vero Beach Neighborhood has become a true testament to the power of community. Danielle Wynkoop’s vision for a kind, supportive, and inclusive space has not only transformed the lives of many in Vero Beach but has also shown us all the importance of working together to make our neighborhoods better places to live.

Whether you’re stopping by the VBN store or simply joining the Facebook group, there’s always room for one more neighbor in the Vero Beach Neighborhood.

Tiffany Bent