The North Central Florida Business Report

Chains are adding local stores as part of a national expansion based upon bargain-hunter appeal—and improving their look and merchandise in the process. History is repeating itself, with a mixture of the general store and the “five-and-dime stores” of the past resurging—albeit with some new twists. Dollar stores, carrying a wide variety of discounted items [...]

Chains are adding local stores as part of a national expansion based upon bargain-hunter appeal—and improving their look and merchandise in the process. History is repeating itself, with a mixture of the general store and the “five-and-dime stores” of the past resurging—albeit with some new twists. Dollar stores, carrying a wide variety of discounted items [...]

By Kyle Edwards Progress is catching up to us, and in the coming years, Florida is expected to be in desperate need of scientists and engineers. In response, the Santa Fe College Perry Center for Emerging Technologies launched its inaugural STEM Fest to excite the public about the STEM disciplines—science, technology, engineering and math. The [...]

Parrish and Front Street challenge Bosshardt for leadership For the past decade or so, Mike Ryals of Bosshardt Realty Services has been Gainesville’s undisputed leader in commercial real estate. Competitors want to change that, broadening the area’s commercial real estate business. “Mike’s been the ‘go-to’ guy, and the rest of us have been living in his [...]

Restaurant owners across the area are dealing with skyrocketing prices for basic staples. And there is no end in sight yet; analysts predict commodity costs will rise another 3 percent over the next six months.

Business owners are facing a double whammy tax increase to cover payments to unemployed workers. First, starting this month, businesses can expect $9.52 per employee surcharge to help repay interest on the remaining $1.5 billion of the $2 billion that Florida had to borrow from the federal government when the state’s unemployment fund ran out [...]

When Aharon Dagan turned 50, he was ready to give up the AAMCO Transmission dealership he owned. “I realized it wasn’t my calling,” he says. “I reflected on everything I had done, and one of the things I enjoyed most was teaching when I was younger.” Dagan had taught for a couple years in his native [...]

While new jobs may be scarce overall, in healthcare the demand is so great that local schools are adding courses and coping with an influx of students.

The Alachua County real estate market may be in flux, but it’s also presenting opportunities for savvy professionals, say several long-time real estate brokers.

Whether it’s with sparking champagne at a wine dinner or punchy pinot noir at a tasting, Gainesville’s restaurants, shops and grocery stores are taking advantage of wine’s powerful draw to keep current customers coming and to bring new ones in.