Metro | Business - The Independent Florida Alligator

METRO | BUSINESS

“The air feels a little bit more optimistic:” Local businesses reflect on year of the COVID-19 pandemic

By Michelle Holder and Emil Munksgaard Grosen | Mar. 24, 2021

In 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.

The late-night cookie store, which held its grand opening on March 13, is located directly across from UF campus at 1702 West University Avenue.

METRO | BUSINESS

Insomnia Cookies arrives in Gainesville

By Gabrielle Gangler | Mar. 15, 2021

The store offers delivery to the College Park neighborhood, university campus and surrounding areas until 1 a.m. or 3 a.m. depending on the day.

A purple vending machine owned by the Gurl U Cute Hair Boutique sits near the entrance of Oaks Mall in Gainesville on Thursday, Feb. 18, 2021. The vending machine has wig bundles and false lashes for purchase.

METRO | BUSINESS

Wigs, false eyelashes and hair bundles available in new Oaks Mall vending machine

By Lucille Lannigan | Mar. 1, 2021

The machine’s opening comes as Thomas celebrates the anniversary of her business, Gurl U Cute Inc. Hair Boutique, in Jacksonville, which she opened after struggling to purchase wigs in the past.

Lisa Blum and Jenice Bushnell stand in front of Gator Mania with their 12-foot fiberglass alligator. [Photo courtesy of Lisa Blum]

METRO | BUSINESS

Family-owned UF apparel store Gator Mania goes out of business

By Jiselle Lee | Feb. 25, 2021

Gator Mania was one of the last local family-owned UF merchandise stores in Gainesville. In the last year, the city has seen the closing of many other staple businesses near the university, such as The Swamp restaurant and Daybreak Pleasant Street.

The Social at Midtown. The property, which houses the bar and restaurant as well as Dunkin' Donuts and Italian Gator, is up for sale.

METRO | BUSINESS

The property for The Social at Midtown is for sale

By Lucille Lannigan | Jan. 16, 2021

The building that houses The Social at Midtown is on the market. The popular restaurant and bar is on University Avenue across the street from UF's campus.

Southwestern Advantage sells textbooks targeted to kindergarteners to high schoolers by going door-to-door.

METRO | BUSINESS

Direct-sales company Southwestern Advantage continues to recruit UF students despite complaints

By Nora O'Neill | Dec. 18, 2020

Southwestern Advantage, which sells textbooks, has been the subject of scrutiny by students. The company recruits at UF career fairs and at the Reitz Union, working closely with the UF Career Connections Center. Students say the program is misleading, predatory and unethical.

METRO | BUSINESS

Alachua County sees reduction in food inspection violations

By Samantha Chery | Dec. 14, 2020

This year’s county inspection violation rate has decreased about 23%, according to data from the Department of Business & Professional Regulation’s (DBPR) Division of Hotels and Restaurants, which oversees public food service establishments.

METRO | BUSINESS

Mold issues at West 20 apartments affect residents’ health

By Steven Walker | Dec. 10, 2020

Multiple reports of mold came from residents living in different buildings on the West 20 property. It is unknown how widespread the issue is.

An employee of Crave food truck is seen taking orders during the Christmas Party and Food Truck Rally at Destiny Community Church on Friday, Dec.4, 2020. This event was hosted by DCC and each vendor committed to donate 10% of their sales to to changing the lives of children locally and globally. (Lauren Witte/Alligator Staff)

METRO | BUSINESS

Newberry church celebrates with food trucks after Christmas tree fundraiser

By Nora O'Neill | Dec. 5, 2020

Half of the money from the Christmas tree sales will go to help children in countries such as Guatemala and Cambodia.

METRO | BUSINESS

Gainesville residents face a Halloween unlike any before

By Diane Hernandez | Oct. 31, 2020

With limited trick-or-treat options, Gainesville residents found other activities to celebrate Halloween

Picture of the Florida Vintage Market, a market for vintage vendors to sell their items to community members. The event returned to Gainesville Oct. 4 after an eight-month hiatus with only slight changes from its usual schedule.

METRO | BUSINESS

Gainesville vintage market is back to stay — as long as the COVID-19 pandemic allows it to

By Rebecca Leiman | Oct. 11, 2020

The markets are expected to be open on a month-by-month basis

Diners choose to eat outside on the covered street patio outside Flaco’s Cuban Bakery on Sept. 18, 2020. Flaco’s is one of multiple downtown Gainesville restaurants that have participated in the Streatery GNV initiative, which inspires restaurants to block off access roads to create outside dining options for guests.

METRO | BUSINESS

Gainesville restaurants take to the streets

By Nora O'Neill | Sep. 22, 2020

StreateryGNV allows restaurants to expand their dining outside

METRO | BUSINESS

Students are left with few options in escaping lease contracts

By Kalia Richardson | Sep. 10, 2020

Residents who cannot get out of their lease agreements have had to compromise or make costly decisions

METRO | BUSINESS

Students met with poor conditions upon move in at Hub Third Ave

By Nora O'Neill | Sep. 8, 2020

Issues include no wifi, power outages, no cellular service and unresponsive management

METRO | BUSINESS

Students struggle to break free from Fall off-campus housing contracts

By Ariana Aspuru | Aug. 23, 2020

Many students have been forced to keep their leases for the Fall despite a majority of classes being held online.

Celebrate International Sushi Day with these Gainesville sushi spots.

METRO | BUSINESS

International Sushi Day: Best Sushi Rolls in Gainesville

By Michelle Holder | June 17, 2020

Where to celebrate International Sushi Day in Gainesville

Buying items that are second-hand helps reduce the amount of clothing that ends up in landfills. Vanessa Villarreal, a 21-year-old UF sociology alumna, combines her passion for art and thrifting in her business, Lion’s Den Creative.

METRO | BUSINESS

Gainesville businesses that promote sustainability

By Valentina Botero | May 26, 2020

Two women entrepreneurs turned their hobbies into eco-friendly businesses

METRO | BUSINESS

Baring All

By Peyton Whittington | May 4, 2020

The first time I pulled up to Café Risqué, I was nervous. Not about seeing the dancers or the clients or the club itself, but about the prospect of getting to know this place and telling its story.

METRO | BUSINESS

Roommates don’t deserve the bad rap

By Chasity Maynard | Apr. 4, 2019

We’ve all heard the horror stories of the drug dealers, the womanizers, the slobs, the weird pet owners and the thieves. Roommates are like snowflakes; they come in all shapes and sizes. Unlike snowflakes, however, roommates get a bad rap and aren’t always viewed as special and valuable. This column is going to dispute the negative outlook most people have toward their roommate or roommates, in general. Even if you end up hating your roommate, there is no denying roommates teach you valuable lessons. They’re essential to the college experience, and everyone should have at least one roommate during their undergraduate years.

METRO | BUSINESS

GPD investigating death at Social 28

By Amanda Rosa | Dec. 4, 2018

Gainesville Police confirmed a person died Tuesday night at Social 28.