“The air feels a little bit more optimistic:” Local businesses reflect on year of the COVID-19 pandemic
By Emil Munksgaard Grosen and Michelle Holder | Mar. 24, 2021In the past year, Gainesville residents dined for the last time at staple eateries like Larry’s Giant Subs, Francesca’s Trattoria, Daybreak Pleasant Street, Felipe’s Mexican Taqueria, Leonardo’s By the Slice, Civilization and Taco Del Mar.



![Lisa Blum and Jenice Bushnell stand in front of Gator Mania with their 12-foot fiberglass alligator. [Photo courtesy of Lisa Blum]](https://snworksceo.imgix.net/ufa/030d181d-991e-4c6e-85cd-195ee5129aac.sized-1000x1000.jpg?w=1500&ar=4%3A3&fit=crop&crop=faces&facepad=3&auto=format)















