Skip to main content

weather icon
Partly Cloudy, 79°
Weather sponsored by:
LOCAL BUSINESS NEWS

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 …

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 …

Business Spotlight: Glow Wellness and Rejuvenation
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 …

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 Den franchisees Belinda Lynn-Bryant and Nate Bryant will open a new Middleburg location in November.
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 …
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 …
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.”
READ MORE ON THE SALON
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 …
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 …
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. …
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 …
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 …
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 …
ORANGE PARK - As a creativity connoisseur, Sarah Hamel has taught various art classes in her lifetime. But there has always been one that seemed to stick out. It was as she watched her campers revel …
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.

China-US ocean freight rates hold steady as post-holiday space tightens

Freight Right reports China-U.S. ocean freight rates remain steady amid tighter post-holiday space, while air freight prices have surged due to increased demand and reduced capacity.
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 …
(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

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.

Clym reports California fines for consumer privacy violations hit $17.1 million in 2026, driven by opt-out issues, especially in cases against major companies.

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
The SaaSpocalypse is real, if you're not a system of record
ZoomInfo reports a surge in small companies dropping point solutions, four times last year's rate, as AI reshapes SaaS usage, highlighting a SaaSpocalypse.
WebFX reports compare in-house, centralized agency, and multiple agency marketing models for PE-backed companies, emphasizing control, speed, and expertise across brands. 
BDO reports on shifting from performance management to development, emphasizing continuous feedback, clearer goals, and leveraging technology for enhanced leader support.
How bot traffic is wasting your ad budget and training Google to spend more
WebFX reports highlight how bot traffic wastes ad budgets by causing fake clicks and corrupting data, leading to inefficient targeting and wasted spend.
WebFX offers insights into what makes a post-acquisition rebrand successful. 
Plains State Bank reports that Preferred SBA lenders expedite loan approvals for small businesses, providing critical financial support quickly, especially during economic downturns. 
Why everything has a monthly membership now
Way.com reports that monthly memberships are now ubiquitous, driven by the appeal of recurring revenue for businesses and convenience for consumers.
WebFX reports outline an 8-step process to protect SEO during a merger, emphasizing careful planning, inventory assessment, and post-launch monitoring.
Toggl reports that winning new business can hide costs due to delayed responses, poor project scoping, and unrecorded hours.