Development

Fields, a fifth generation resident of Putnam County, said that reopening City Cafe is his way of “preserving a little bit of history.” Although the space on St. Johns Avenue in Palatka has seen a number of businesses – and owners – the “little items like that are still here.”

Lucky's Market is part of a growing trend of businesses opening along NW 13th Street, showing a push toward commercial restoration of the area. Other companies, retailers and small businesses may follow as a result of a more stable local economy.

Local entrepreneur Bill Bryson discusses his latest business venture, Crane Ramen, a craft noodle shop that opened in downtown Gainesville in December. Bryson and Crane Ramen co-owner, Fred Brown, saw a market for a ramen restaurant in Gainesville, and they get most of their food from local vendors.

The Pledge 5 Foundation is in debt with local businesses in Gainesville. The organization owes more than $100,000, but it created a program, so that they can pay back the money they owe.

In exchange for a reduced sentence, some Marion County inmates participate in a prison work program. The program has produced much of the jail's infrastructure, saving taxpayers more than $9 million in 2013.

The economic recession in 2007 led to the unemployment of millions of Americans. However, one University of Florida graduate turned the downturn into opportunity.

Publix is moving to the small city of Alachua and will compete with the only other grocery store there called Hitchcock’s Markets. Residents are excited to see more diversity in their grocery shopping.

Because of years of deterioration, the Thomas Center has applied for a $75,000-grant from the Division of Historical Resources Bureau of Historic Preservation to restore a fountain some say dates back to 1928. The Thomas Center had to match 25 percent of the requested funds in its own budget to be considered eligible by the Florida Department of State.

After learning about the Bo Diddley Community Plaza redevelopment efforts come early 2015, local Gainesville market vendors are raising concern about the possibility of being relocated to a different area.

What started out as a cleaning job to pay for a pair of jeans turned into a booming Gainesville business. Since then, business owner Kristen Hadeed’s cleaning company, Student Maid, has been successful and is growing daily.