David Miller has been finding quick fixes for more than just his customer’s computers.
From style to personal wellness, some Black-owned businesses in Gainesville try to go a step further in caring for and improving locals’ wellbeing. As National Black Business Month comes to a close at August’s end, here’s some local spots to visit.
Over the past three months, five Gainesville restaurants have shut down after food inspections revealed high-priority violations, according to data from the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation. They have all since reopened.
Program cuts for Florida food assistance programs leave patrons with fewer options for fresh produce, impacting several farmers markets in Alachua County.
The growing robotaxi industry is a cause for concern among ride-share drivers.
Every year, Gainesville businesses brace for a mass exodus as UF students leave for break, creating substantial barriers for those that can't adapt.
Jon DeCarmine, CEO of GRACE Marketplace, has resigned. He will be replaced by John Thomas beginning next year.
Presidential candidates Kamala Harris and Donald Trump don’t often agree, yet both have proposed eliminating the federal income tax on tips. Some tipped employees in Gainesville are supportive of the idea, while others remain unsure of the benefits.
Gov. Ron DeSantis vetoed all state arts and culture grants without warning July 12. Over $1 million was requested from Alachua County organizations alone, and though some applications were initially approved, all funds were later denied. The Hippodrome is one of 600 Florida organizations reeling from the cuts to funding they historically relied on.
Under a canopy on a warm day, about 30 attendees gathered to practice mindfulness, grounding and positive affirmations at a drag yoga session June 23.
In a Gainesville barbershop, colorful capes adorn each chair. Clippers buzz in the background of group conversations under a bright LED ceiling.
Costco Wholesale, beloved big-box warehouse chain and world’s largest organic food retailer, has 31 Florida locations. But Gainesville residents must drive two hours north to Jacksonville or two hours south to Orlando if they want to stock up on industrial-sized bags of coffee beans, browse free samples or feast on $1.50 hot dogs from the food court.
Another lawsuit was filed against a High Springs restaurant owner, who’s being sued for defaulting on mortgages of the Pink Flamingo Diner and Great Outdoors restaurants, Nov. 7.
After 12 years of business, The Rowdy Reptile and Fat Daddy’s — located at Midtown on the corner of University Avenue and Northwest 17th Street — announced Aug. 25 they will be closing their doors and reopening under new ownership.
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.
Plastic cups of nitro cold brew circulated at a new Opus Coffee cafe Friday, carried by caterers offering free samples to eager coffee drinkers.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Solutions by The State News
