Stay informed about Jacksonville’s business community with updates on local employers, development projects, and economic trends. We cover downtown growth, regional development, and the challenges and opportunities shaping Northeast Florida’s workforce.
Featured image for “Federal appeals court allows Florida to enforce drag show law”
Hamburger Mary's Orlando hosts drag shows and filed a lawsuit challenging the Florida law.
August 7, 2026

Federal appeals court allows Florida to enforce drag show law

The law restricts minors from attending certain “adult live performances,” including some drag shows.…

Featured image for “Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville leads new U.S. News hospital rankings”
The Mayo Clinic campus in Jacksonville was the No. 1 hospital in Florida in the U.S. News' 2026-27 rankings. Mayo also was named to the Honor Roll, comprising the 20 best hospitals in the nation. | Mayo Clinic
August 6, 2026

Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville leads new U.S. News hospital rankings

Mayo Clinic Florida joined its campuses in Minnesota and Arizona in the Honor Roll of 20 best hospitals.…

Featured image for “Historic Laura Street Trio auctioned to Indiana developer for $125K”
The back side of the Laura Street Trio, as seen July 10, 2024. | Jessica Palombo, Jacksonville Today
August 6, 2026

Historic Laura Street Trio auctioned to Indiana developer for $125K

Becovic Management Group obtained the long-vacant Laura Street Trio in a foreclosure auction.…

Featured image for “Why Jacksonville may revise incentives for Downtown Publix project”
The future site of a proposed Publix grocery store at 119 W. Beaver St. Downtown. | Mike Mendenhall, Jacksonville Today
August 5, 2026

Why Jacksonville may revise incentives for Downtown Publix project

Developer Gateway Jax and city officials are renegotiating a nearly $50 million incentives deal for the Downtown Publix project.…

Featured image for “THE JAXSON | Sophia Nickerson Starks, the woman who built Jacksonville’s beauty empire”
August 5, 2026

THE JAXSON | Sophia Nickerson Starks, the woman who built Jacksonville’s beauty empire

Long before entrepreneurship became a buzzword, Sophia Nickerson Starks built one of Jacksonville’s most influential Black-owned institutions.…

Featured image for “Bellwether restaurant will reopen Downtown with new owners”
Bellwether, at 117 W. Forsyth St., closed in March after founder Jonathan Insetta said the restaurant had struggled with rising costs in a challenging Downtown market. | Ric Anderson, Jacksonville Daily Record
August 3, 2026

Bellwether restaurant will reopen Downtown with new owners

Pearl Hospitality Group plans to add sushi and Asian dining to a refreshed Bellwether menu.…

Featured image for “Jacksonville Aviation Authority drops lawsuit threat against city”
The air traffic control tower at Cecil Airport on Jacksonville's Westside | Jacksonville Daily Record
August 3, 2026

Jacksonville Aviation Authority drops lawsuit threat against city

Airport and city officials signed a memorandum of understanding to work together and end lawsuit tensions.…

Featured image for “Developer withdraws proposal for Daily’s gas station in Fruit Cove”
Speakers oppose a proposed Daily's gas station, convenience store and car wash in Fruit Cove. | Noah Hertz, Jacksonville Today
July 31, 2026

Developer withdraws proposal for Daily’s gas station in Fruit Cove

Daily’s parent company has put forth the plan three times, and residents have opposed it from the start.…

Featured image for “Florida Fresh Access Bucks program pauses amid funding shortage”
The Corner at Deb's Store on Florida Ave. in Jacksonville's Eastside is one of five outlets in Duval County that accepts Fresh Access Bucks. The Fresh Access Bucks program allows people who utilize food assistance programs to expand their benefits to purchase produce. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today
July 31, 2026

Florida Fresh Access Bucks program pauses amid funding shortage

Fresh Access Bucks allowed SNAP users to extend their benefits at Florida-based farmers markets and retailers.…

Featured image for “Judge upholds development restrictions at World Golf Village”
World Golf Foundation Inc. owned 36.7 acres surrounding the former World Golf Hall of Fame structure. | Jacksonville Daily Record
July 31, 2026

Judge upholds development restrictions at World Golf Village

The World Golf Foundation had argued that land-use restrictions dating to 1996 were no longer valid.…

Featured image for “JEA CEO Vickie Cavey takes extended leave, effective immediately”
Vickie Cavey, CEO and managing director of JEA, speaks at a briefing Sept. 26, 2025, at the Duval County Emergency Operations Center. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today
July 29, 2026

JEA CEO Vickie Cavey takes extended leave, effective immediately

JEA gave no explanation why Cavey was taking leave. She will be gone between two weeks and 60 days, JEA…

Featured image for “JEA may have under-collected water capacity fees by $55M, auditors say”
JEA headquarters is at 225 N. Pearl St. | Jacksonville Daily Record
July 27, 2026

JEA may have under-collected water capacity fees by $55M, auditors say

JEA officials and Jacksonville City Council auditors are working to determine if any of the unbilled fees can be recouped.…

Featured image for “Streeter Acclaimed Kitchen seeks new home after devastating fire”
Johnathan Streeter, owner of Streeter Acclaimed Kitchen, in front of his restaurant before it burned in a fire Saturday, July 25, 2026. | Streeter Acclaimed Kitchen, Facebook
July 27, 2026

Streeter Acclaimed Kitchen seeks new home after devastating fire

The owner of Streeter Acclaimed Kitchen pledges to move forward even though his building can’t be saved.…

Featured image for “Gate plans car wash at Adventure Landing site in St. Augustine”
July 27, 2026

Gate plans car wash at Adventure Landing site in St. Augustine

Jacksonville-based Gate Petroleum is joining the redevelopment of the former Adventure Landing site in St. Augustine, purchasing a portion of…

Featured image for “Fat Tuesday plans return to Jacksonville, nearly 30 years after closing”
July 24, 2026

Fat Tuesday plans return to Jacksonville, nearly 30 years after closing

Fat Tuesday, a frozen cocktail bar, was an original tenant of Jacksonville Landing and closed in 1997.…

Featured image for “Hamburger Mary’s closes in Murray Hill”
A handwritten sign posted on the door of Hamburger Mary's on Tuesday, July 21, 2026, says the restaurant has permanently closed. A For Lease sign hangs above it. | Heather Henderson, Jacksonville Today
July 22, 2026

Hamburger Mary’s closes in Murray Hill

Hamburger Mary’s closed its only Jacksonville location last week, just over a year after it opened.…

Featured image for “Kava & Co. brings booze-free bar scene to Jacksonville Beach”
Cianna Bommarito co-owns Kava & Co. with her father, Giovanni, and says the business caters heavily to remote workers and young adults seeking a nightlife alternative to alcohol. | Dan Macdonald, Jacksonville Today
July 22, 2026

Kava & Co. brings booze-free bar scene to Jacksonville Beach

Kava & Co. offers alcohol-free drinks with optional infusions of CBD, kava and other boosters.…

Featured image for “Cracker Barrel sells Maple Street Biscuit Co. to Biscuit Belly chain”
Cracker Barrel Old Country Store Inc. acquired Maple Street Biscuit Co. in 2019 for $36 million. | Jacksonville Daily Record
July 21, 2026

Cracker Barrel sells Maple Street Biscuit Co. to Biscuit Belly chain

Sixteen Maple Street locations will close, and Biscuit Belly will convert the others to its own brand.…

Featured image for “Homeowner, 28, draws national attention in legal battle with 55+ community”
The Arbor Mill 55+ community in Oakleaf. | News4Jax
July 17, 2026

Homeowner, 28, draws national attention in legal battle with 55+ community

The woman inherited her father’s home after he died, but the 55+ community says she can’t live there.…

Featured image for “$20M home in Ponte Vedra Beach sold to benefit brain cancer research”
This 8,558-square-foot oceanfront home at 1185 and 1187 Ponte Vedra Blvd. sold for $20 million July 13, 2026, with proceeds benefiting The Sontag Foundation. | Jacksonville Daily Record
July 17, 2026

$20M home in Ponte Vedra Beach sold to benefit brain cancer research

Aerospace executive Rick Sontag donated the home to the foundation he and his late wife formed.…

Featured image for “Culinary Institute of America picks Jacksonville for Southeast hub”
A rendering shows the hotel, convention center and culinary institute proposed by Corner Lot and investment partner Aspect Holdings LLC on the Northbank of Downtown Jacksonville. | Jacksonville Daily Record
July 15, 2026

Culinary Institute of America picks Jacksonville for Southeast hub

City officials believe the culinary institute will transform Downtown into a destination for tourists and businesses.…

Featured image for “Sulzbacher begins construction on next phase of Enterprise Village”
The apartment complex for men is nearing completion at the Sulzbacher's new Enterprise Village, as seen in May. | Sulzbacher
July 10, 2026

Sulzbacher begins construction on next phase of Enterprise Village

Sulzbacher is expanding its services in housing, healthcare and job training for people without homes.…

Featured image for “Daily’s gas station in Fruit Cove rejected again as residents protest”
A woman wears a shirt opposing a Daily's convenience store during a meeting Thursday, July 9, 2026, in St. Johns County. | News4Jax
July 10, 2026

Daily’s gas station in Fruit Cove rejected again as residents protest

The St. Johns County Planning and Zoning Board voted unanimously to deny the Daily’s proposal.…

Featured image for “EverBank renews lease to keep headquarters in Downtown Jacksonville”
EverBank Center at 301 W. Bay St. in Downtown Jacksonville. | Jacksonville Daily Record
July 9, 2026

EverBank renews lease to keep headquarters in Downtown Jacksonville

EverBank had requested incentives to remain Downtown, saying it was more expensive than a suburban location.…