Kathy Stewart’s children, now teenagers, were always on the go. They needed a website that would be able to keep up with their active lifestyles. In response, Stewart founded Fun4GatorKids, a website that lists events for Gainesville families. The 12-year-old website was the first of its kind to provide an up-to-date calendar directory on events for Gainesville families.
Sistah’s Synergy decided to get together small Black businesses that wanted to flourish, but it didn't know where to start, Chaquala said. The owners started small events like the pop-up to promote their businesses.
Free parking is coming back to downtown Gainesville until June 1. The Gainesville City Commission voted 5-1 on Thursday to suspend the paid parking structure in the center of downtown Gainesville. Mayor Lauren Poe was the only dissenting vote.
The Feeline Good Cat Cafe in downtown Gainesville reached its 200th adoption Jan. 23, seven months after its grand opening. Francesca Hall, the cafe’s 23-year-old founder and owner, said the cat cafe works as a foster home for adoptable cats, and she recently increased the number of cats the cafe takes in at a time from 10 to 12.
As the COVID-19 omicron variant surges, so do Gainesville residents’ concerns about UF students returning for the Spring semester.
Hosted by The Alachua County Farm Bureau Young Farmers & Ranchers, 21 vendors sold products ranging from varieties of cheese to succulents. Food trucks supplied global cuisine spanning Cuba to Venezuela and back home with American hot dogs, barbecue and ice cream.
Swarthy East GNV, a new organization aiming to bring a grocery and retail store supporting local Black-owned farms and businesses to the east side of the city, hosted the first Revolution Before Evolution Festival.
Hundreds of people attended the event, where guitar players, cello players and Egyptian-style belly dancers performed, accompanying artists who exhibited paintings, pottery, sculptures, jewelry, clothing, caricatures, water fountains and wind chimes.
Eric Ramos started RamosStrong Motivational Group Inc. to help K-12 students gain a strong education despite difficult circumstances in their lives.
The Alachua County Animal Services shelter returned to a pre-pandemic normal with adoption rates as it resumed one of its in-person special events Saturday.
Amber and Derrick Robinson, the owners of the new Nothing Bundt Cakes franchise, will open a store in Butler Esplanade, located at 3228 SW 35th Blvd., in February 2022.
The nonprofit foundation is home to more than 100 animals, including about 30 endangered species. Established in 2008, the Gainesville-based foundation rescues and houses exotic animals, aiming to support wildlife conservation and educate the public with weekly tours.
The organization began hosting its select Friday Street Legal Madness races Sept. 17, welcoming licensed individuals to participate regardless of experience or vehicle. The drivers compete in a quarter-mile race between two cars.
In July, the sanctuary faced potential shutdown after an inspection revealed seven violations of animal safety requirements.
Amelia's, the Italian eatery located on 235 S Main St., was closed for nearly two months after the loss of its owner, Andy Fass, a man just as well-regarded for his character as he was for his food. The 45-year-old died on Aug. 26.
The spa provides girls, from toddlers to high schoolers, with a unique experience that owner and founder Edwennia Moore said will leave them feeling like a princess.
After closing in 2020, much of the CMC has been upkept by organizers who let volunteers run the mutual aid programs. Some of the CMC’s programs include the Free Grocery Store, Food Not Bombs and Gainesville Books to Prisoners, who use the courtyard for meetings and outdoor events.
Still soldiering through pandemic-related challenges like staff shortages and less in-person patronage, the businesses left standing are hoping for change with the Fall semester.
Gainesville offers a plethora of places to grab a bite to eat, enjoy nature, listen to live music and even spend time with some cats.
Tabreshia Bloodworth, owner of Healthy Hair Tresses, will host a $250 class on Aug. 1 at Hairport Salon and Barber Suites. She also developed her own silk press system, which uses six products to maintain healthy and shiny hair after receiving a silk press, a process that straightens hair with a flat iron.
Solutions by The State News
