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LOCAL BUSINESS NEWS

Fleming Island Wawa brings $7.5 million investment to Clay County

FLEMING ISLAND — After months of anticipation, the new Wawa at 1510 Merchant Boulevard opened with great fanfare on Thursday, Oct. 15. And while many arrived bright and early to fill up their …

Traditional Filipino cuisine, culture live at Orange Park café

ORANGE PARK – When you walk into Lola’s Filipino Cafe and Mini Store, you’re welcomed with the rich smell of fresh food, and a welcoming atmosphere that feels like home. That’s what Nino …

Business Spotlight: Retro Putt Indoor Mini Golf

The challenge on the Blockbuster hole on the pink course is to use two ropes on pullies to navigate a VHS tape with the golf ball attached to the cup at the top without letting it slip through a landmine of other holes.

Burlesons open two courses where they 'create memories'

GREEN COVE SPRINGS – There are no windmills, snapping alligator mouths, spinning barriers or volcanoes at Retro Putt Indoor Mini Golf. But you will find a zip line, pool table, drum set, basketball …

Business Spotlight: Comcast

County-wide construction is ongoing for the new fiber-powered network and expected to be completed by the end of the year.

Xfinity brings high-speed, reliable internet to more than 2,300 rural homes in Clay

CLAY COUNTY — Although it's hard to imagine a world without being online, an estimated 24 million Americans still lack access to the internet, according to the Network Installers . But …

Old is new again along Swimming Pen Creek

Whitey's, Encore refresh their looks, menus

FLEMING ISLAND – What was old is now new again along Swimming Pen Creek. Whitey’s Fish Camp and Encore Fleming Island both recently refreshed their restaurants, menus and their futures with …

Michelle Smith creates wellness through aesthetics, skin care and weight loss.

Michelle Smith dedicated to a holistic treatment of mind, body

FLEMING ISLAND – After a successful career as a surgical assistant, Michelle Smith decided to branch out on a more holistic and natural approach to wellness. Glow Wellness and Rejuvenation was …

Sweet treats, delicacies live boldly at pop-up dessert cart

FLEMING ISLAND – It's small, blue, colorful and filled with special treats. Can you guess what it may be? Salty Air Treats i s open every weekend …

Yoga is more than exercise at the Yoga Den

MIDDLEBURG — Yoga Den franchisee Belinda Lynn-Bryant plans to open a studio in Middleburg this fall, bringing a range of yoga classes to a community she said is growing. Lynn-Bryant and her …

Local bakery reimagines generational family recipes into fresh favorites

KEYSTONE HEIGHTS— Everything at the Bakery II is made with customers in mind. That means it's baked with love, cooked to perfection and served to the …

Stylist invests in trims, coloring, styling at new salon on Wells Road

ORANGE PARK – Chad Eagan was concerned when he broke away from the safety and financial security of working for an owner of one of the most successful salons. But deep down, he decided to invest in the only thing guaranteed to payoff – himself. He opened Chad’s Beauty Bar at 1801 Wells Road, and he quickly learned success travels well. “Anytime you make a change, it’s always scary,” he said in between a steady flow of regulars who also made the move with him. "But I knew it was the right move, and I knew it would work out. I just had faith and put one foot in front of the other, and it took off running.”
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Baby safety revered every day at local children's store

FLEMING ISLAND — Prioritizing baby safety is never a question at MoonBabies Children's Resale. That means double- and triple-checking for safety recalls, and educating new and expecting …

Shopping tells a charming story at local thrift store

FLEMING ISLAND — On U.S. Highway 17 lies Hive and Seek Boutique, where every corner tells a story. From vintage items imported straight from Ireland to art sourced from just across …

Capturing the beauty in everyday moments

MIDDLEBURG - Photographer Tabitha Silver said one of her dreams is to pose a tiger in Sri Lanka. It's not ironic that the fierce cat is her spirit animal - representing strength and courage. …

Indoor simulators swing into action on Fleming Island

FLEMING ISLAND – There was a distinct smell of wet paint inside Back Nine Golf as a worker put the finishing touches on some final projects. And while there is some final tweaking remaining on …

JPC Events works hard so you can party hard

FLEMING ISLAND — Keith and Lisa Wheeler started their first small business in 2006. You might remember seeing them in their bright pink cupcake truck, Le Petite Cheri Cupcakery, or setting up …

Callahan sisters trade retirement for opportunity to open pub

ORANGE PARK – After owning restaurants in the past, sisters Kell e y and Terry Callahan decided that even with their children growing old enough to work and move out, they had too …

Previous Business News

Winning at business

Report: 82% of new small businesses have insurance, but many SMBs remain at risk

ERGO NEXT reports that 82% of new small businesses have insurance, yet 73% remain underinsured, often due to cost, confusion, and compliance issues.

How does surface preparation impact coating adhesion?

10X Engineered Materials reports that effective surface preparation is crucial for coating adhesion, impacting durability and performance.

5 Insurance Company Tactics That Could Shrink Your Injury Claim

(NewsUSA) - After a car crash, dealing with injuries, medical appointments and vehicle repairs can be overwhelming enough. Then comes another challenge: dealing with insurance companies.While …

Turning confidence into a plan: Five ways small business owners can help strengthen their financial future

(NewsUSA) - If you own a small business, you're likely focused on growing revenue, serving customers, supporting employees, and staying competitive. But when you think about the business you've …

Entrepreneurship

Small businesses are set to capture a record $118 billion this holiday season

Intuit QuickBooks reports small businesses are set to capture $118 billion this holiday season, with consumers planning to spend $278 billion, highlighting a rise in support for small businesses amid varying shopper concerns.

A step-by-step guide to automating expense reporting

BILL reports that automating expense reporting streamlines financial processes, captures spending at purchase, and enforces policies in real-time, boosting efficiency.

Companies spend six figures on AI. A third of employees don't know what it costs

Zapier reports that companies are significantly investing in AI, with 52% spending over $100K monthly, yet a third of employees are unaware of these costs.

Get Ahead in Business

How much does payroll cost? A $50,000 hire can run up to $70,000

Xero reports that hiring a $50,000 employee can actually cost up to $70,000 when factoring in taxes, benefits, and payroll software—owners should budget accordingly.

How visual consistency fits into modern brand management

SVGMaker reports on the importance of centralized vector systems for brand consistency, highlighting how AI tools can streamline design processes and reduce fragmentation.

Website accessibility lawsuits are rising, and smaller businesses are frequent targets

Clym reports that website accessibility lawsuits are on the rise, with 5,006 federal cases filed in early 2026, often targeting small businesses.

With AI driving up energy costs, commercial and industrial companies have a narrow window to act

Emergent Solar Energy reports that Midwest and Rust Belt manufacturers face rising electricity costs due to AI-driven data center loads, prompting urgent energy strategy shifts.

6 mistakes startups make when choosing a domain name

Wix reports six common mistakes startups make when choosing a domain name, emphasizing the importance of long-term strategy, domain history, and appropriate extensions.

Americans think it takes $28,000 to start a business. Owners say it's less than half that.

Intuit QuickBooks reports Americans think starting a business costs $28,000, while actual owners spend about $12,000, highlighting perception barriers to entrepreneurship.

As Americans start businesses at record rates, Shopify data helps quantify the growing economic impact of the retail sector

Shopify reports that Americans are starting businesses at record rates, generating $688 billion in economic activity and supporting 2.3 million jobs.

Google Ads conversion adjustments: How to bid toward better leads

WebFX reports highlight how Google Ads conversion adjustments allow advertisers to correct recorded conversions, improving Smart Bidding's accuracy.

68% of small business owners are open to AI in payroll, but only 11% trust it to take over

OnTheClock reports that 68% of small business owners are open to AI in payroll, but only 11% trust it fully, concerned about errors and responsibility.