FLEMING ISLAND – The business landscape of a community confined within Doctors Lake, the St. Johns River, Swimming Pen Creek and the Black Creek remains a work in progress.

Blink and you’ll miss a lot.

At the beginning of 2025, Winn-Dixie was the anchor of the Town Center at Eagle Harbor. It was closed and rebuilt six months later into Aldi.

During Aldi’s grand opening on June 26, more than 300 shoppers were in line long before the store opened at 9 a.m. – one arriving at 3:15 a.m.

The 51,733-square-foot building housed shelves filled with products and freezers stocked with goods, all awaiting the moment when customers began their shopping experience.

Other grand openings include Einstein Bros. Bagels at 1581 County Road 220, Clara’s Tidbits at 2349 Village Square Parkway and Habana Mariel Cuban Bakery at 1810 Town Center Boulevard.

Another noticeable flip was the O’Charley’s being converted into the Island Co. Wing and Bar at the Fleming Plaza. The decor is bright and comfortable, and the menu is diverse with crispy wings, burgers, tacos and more. Just don’t expect anything to be fried because everything is done on the grill.

There are televisions in every corner and along the walls, ensuring a lively atmosphere and an opportunity to watch your favorite team.

Island residents are eagerly awaiting the construction and opening of Parker’s Kitchen, a gas station and convenience store that’s planned for the southwest corner of Creighton Road and U.S. Highway 17.

According to a permit issued in June, the project calls for a 5,204-square-foot store with an unspecified number of gas pumps and 51 parking spaces.

Another Parker’s Kitchen will be built on Blanding and Tanglewood boulevards in Orange Park.

According to the company’s website, the convenience store offers “Southern-inspired” food, including fresh-baked biscuits, catfish, grits, sausage and gravy, chicken tenders, pork chops, pulled pork sandwiches, lemonade, fried okra and breakfast burritos.

The first Parker’s Kitchen opened in Midway, Georgia, in 1976. The announcement of stores in Northeast Florida marks a company’s venture into the state.

Of course, when new businesses open, some close.

Sweet Frog permanently closed its doors in March. Not only did Winn-Dixie go away, but so did Barley and Pie Brewing Company in April.

After offering haircuts for children for a dozen years, Klips and Giggles was shuttered in April so the owner could focus on health issues.

Also, Lux Upscale Resale Boutique was forced to close in May after it failed to meet its business goals.