Metro: Business - The Independent Florida Alligator

Joshua Joseph, the chef and owner of Tropical Eatz food truck, grills at 1225 NW 10th Ave., on Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023.

Metro

On-campus exposure brings off-campus success to local restaurant owners

By Zoey Thomas | Aug. 27, 2023

Chef JJ is one of several local restaurants that Chartwells Higher Education, UF’s dining partner since May 2022, brought to campus since launching the Florida Fresh Dining brand in July 2022. The brand was founded with a pledge from Chartwell to invest in local businesses — including launching the Taste of Gainesville section of the Reitz Union, which opened Summer 2022 and features two local eateries per day in a pop-up setting.

Anamika Naidu and Leah Kozakevich sip Opus coffee at The Row location's grand opening event Aug. 25, 2023 in Gainesville.

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Opus Coffee celebrates grand opening at Row location

By Zoey Thomas | Aug. 25, 2023

Plastic cups of nitro cold brew circulated at a new Opus Coffee cafe Friday, carried by caterers offering free samples to eager coffee drinkers.

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Proposed East Gainesville cultural arts center strives to uplift community

By Amanda Friedman | June 12, 2023

City Commission plans to bring a cultural arts center to East Gainesville as an effort to support at-risk youth and Black residents. The proposed center aims to provide arts and cultural programming, workforce development, skill cultivation and after-school activities resources, according to a January 2022 General Policy Committee meeting presentation.

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Local businesses show support for Pride Month amidst recent backlash experienced by big companies

June 5, 2023

At the beginning of May, Target released its 2023 Pride collection in anticipation of Pride Month. Due to backlash, threats and protests of the different products included in the collection, Target decided to remove some of the collection items from displays and relocate displays to less trafficked areas of the store in select locations.

Kate Yeung and Bradon Ramirez, owners of Coterie Market, prepare their new iced superfood latte at Working Food Community Kitchen on Saturday, May 20th, 2023.

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Asian American-owned Coterie Market turns pop-up into brick-and-mortar store

May 22, 2023

While attending local farmers markets, Kate Yeung noticed the lack of representation of Asian American business owners among the vendors. The 23-year-old Gainesville resident left her 9-to-5 banker job to start her own business, Coterie Market, empowered by her family’s experience owning businesses in Hong Kong and Singapore.

Vivian Filer, executive director of the Cotton Club Museum and Cultural Center, speaks at a reception to begin Gainesville's 43rd-annual 5th Avenue Arts Festival Friday, April 28, 2023.

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Historic Black neighborhood honored in 43rd annual 5th Avenue Arts Festival

By Aidan Bush | Apr. 30, 2023

The Cultural Arts Coalition hosted the second day of its 43rd-annual 5th Avenue Arts Festival Saturday. From 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., attendees browsed vendors selling cultural items, singing performances and a variety of local-made art. The festival is held each year to celebrate Fifth Avenue, the city’s oldest Black neighborhood, according to Gainesville Neighborhoods United.

Hungry students visited Bolay's new location on University Avenue to get the grand opening free meal on Thursday, March 2, 2023.

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Franchises, business ventures seek off-campus retail spaces

By Sarah Marks | Mar. 2, 2023

Underneath off-campus student apartment complexes, businesses hope to claim one of the recently built retail spaces, promising further development to the growing college town.

A resident draws chalk with a child in front of vendor tables and tents at the Revolution Before Evolution Festival Sunday, Nov. 27, 2022.

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Swarthy empowers local Black-owned businesses in its second festival

By Mickenzie Hannon | Nov. 28, 2022

Local businesses and organizations set up tents and tables along the street outside Citizens Field in the second Revolution Before Evolution Festival.

Fans of both Florida and USF wait in line for pizza at Italian Gator following the Gator’s 31-28 win over the Bulls Saturday, Sept 17, 2022.

Metro

Selling in the Swamp: Gators football fuels Gainesville gameday micro-economy

By Rylan DiGiacomo-Rapp | Sep. 19, 2022

Students, alumni and loyal fans flock to Midtown just to see the Gators play at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, sometimes traveling hours from out of town. Beneath all the noise is a thriving gameday micro-economy, ranging from some of the most popular restaurants in Gainesville down to every booth stationed along West University Avenue.

Tup Tim Thai restaurant as seen after the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation health inspection.

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Tup Tim Thai Restaurant and Sushi Bar reopens after health department shutdown

By Melanie Pena | Sep. 19, 2022

Tup Tim Thai Restaurant and Sushi Bar, located at 1228 W. University Ave. near the Publix Super Market at University Village Market, was shut down by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation Sept. 13 for health violations. The infractions included multiple rodent droppings, one dead rodent and dead roaches, according to the inspection report. Following two inspections, the restaurant, which was a go-to spot for some Gainesville residents, was cleared to open.

The first Bento location at 3832 W. Newberry Rd Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2022. Bento will celebrate its 20th Anniversary on Sept. 20.

Metro

Gator-grad franchise takes Florida: Bento celebrates 20 years

By Ashleigh Lucas | Sep. 16, 2022

Johnny Tung, 42-year-old co-founder of Bento, said he never imagined the amount of success Bento would have when their first location, 3832 W. Newberry Road, opened almost 20 years ago on Sept. 20, 2002.

Items damaged in the Peach Valley Cafe fire Monday, Sept. 5, 2022.

Metro

No one hurt as early Monday morning fire breaks out at Peach Valley Cafe

By Allie Sinkovich | Sep. 6, 2022

No one was harmed at Peach Valley Cafe, located at 3275 SW 34th St. near Tropical Smoothie Cafe, Gainesville Fire Rescue Assistant Chief Stephen Hesson said.

Paul and Vanessa Salvator enjoy ice cream at the new Sweet Dreams location Wednesday, July 6, 2022.

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Sweet Dreams of Gainesville relocates to the corner of 13th Street and 16th Avenue

By Jackson Reyes | July 4, 2022

Wendy Wilber takes her daughter to get ice cream when she gets an A on her report card. Sweet Dreams’ 42 chocolate flavors and “Chocolate Night” events, now hosted at the shop’s new location, drew the star-student in.

More than 200 supporters have donated to combat Zeezenia International Market's climbing repair costs.

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Fire devastates Mediterranean Market, Gainesville community provides support

By Carissa Allen | June 15, 2022

Many frequenters of Zeezenia International Market organized and donated to a fundraising campaign to support the store's renovations following a fire.

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Mimi the mortician: Gen-Z in death care

By Jiselle Lee | Apr. 13, 2022

Miranda “Mimi” Mythen wants to revive the dying deathcare industry. Under her TikTok account @mimithemortician, Mythen has more than 1.3 million likes and 59.8 thousand followers. She has been interviewed by Allure and Refinery29 and she has been featured in the DailyMail and the New York Post about her viral videos on funeral service.

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Community members gather to discuss new community farm for Porters Quarters residents

By Erina Anwar | Mar. 23, 2022

About 15 people gathered at the Porters Community Center Sunday to discuss creating a community farm on the lot on Fifth Avenue. Williams, a 67-year-old community activist, explained why affordable healthy food options are necessary.

Model Asteria Kennedy shows off her hair to the judges at the Ultimate Braiding Battle at the Hilton hotel on Southwest 34th Street on Saturday, March 19. Kennedy's stylist Rashawnda Thomas won the $1,000 prize.

Metro

Braiders battle for $1,000 cash prize in inaugural styling competition

By Thandie Brown | Mar. 21, 2022

Gainesville hair stylists hosted the first Ultimate Braiders Battle Saturday with a $1,000 cash prize. About 50 people watched the competitors braid and perused the tables of hair care products lining the walls.

The Target location closest to UF located at 250 NW 13th Street is seen on March 15, 2022. The company announced recently that the underperforming location will close.

Metro

Target store beneath The Standard at Gainesville to close in June

By Carissa Allen | Mar. 16, 2022

The Target, beneath The Standard at Gainesville, at 250 NW 13th St. is closing its doors June 11 due to years of underperforming sales.

Metro

A. Quinn Jones Museum hosts Driveway Theater Project’s “Blackademics” play

By Erina Anwar | Mar. 2, 2022

Blackademics is a one-act satire play written by playwright Idris Goodwin in 2012. The play centers around two Black women in academia and serves as a commentary toward colorism, racial stereotypes and socioeconomic backgrounds. It portrays these messages through its bold dialogue and whimsical humor.

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Alachua County Animal Resources & Care introduces new adoption program

By Thandie Brown | Feb. 16, 2022

Adopters can pay $14 during February and answer some basic questions about themselves and their lifestyle to be matched with their perfect companion, the county announced online.