Business | Clay Today

The Art Room and the Station Wine Bar will be moving to 727 Kingsley Ave. later this year.

Step out of your comfort zone, be vulnerable, try new things

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 … more

By Kyla Woodard
kyla@claytodayonline.com | 7/23/26

Another young player gets ready to take a pitch in one of the cages with a pitching machine.

Uncage your baseball skills at 16-cage indoor practice facility

GREEN COVE SPRINGS – There was a steady stream of boys with equipment bags entering and leaving Thursday afternoon through a door in the back corner of Cove Plaza. It’s easy to overlook D-BAT … more

By Don Coble don@claytodayonline.com | 7/16/26

All-Starz Dance Studio is currently home to 155 talented young dancers.

Everything is 'on pointe' at All-Starz Dance Studio

MIDDLEBURG — When a dancer steps on stage, there's always a sense of passion that rakes through their body. The lights are bright. The floor is polished. The room is full. Yet, their confidence is … more

By Kyla Woodard
kyla@claytodayonline.com | 7/8/26

Orange Park bagel shop spreads cream cheese, connection

ORANGE PARK -Start spreading the news: Park Avenue NY Bagels, located at 1177 Park Ave., is open and ready to bring authentic flavor from New York to their new local business in Orange Park. The … more

By Sophia Cheshire, For Clay Today | 6/30/26

Sen. Bradley, Rep. Garrison talk legislative updates during annual luncheon

ORANGE PARK - Florida Sen. Jennifer Bradley and Speaker of the House Designate Sam Garrison stopped by the Thrasher-Horne Center on Tuesday to give an update on issues affecting Northeast Florida and … more

Clay Today staff | 6/25/26

Asiago, Pizza Tuscan and Jalapeño are some of the many bagel flavors available at Park Avenue NY Bagels.

All you need is a little spread, community

ORANGE PARK - It's true that there's a Park Avenue in Orange Park and New York City. One is known for its hustle and bustle. The other is surrounded by a soft-pace lifestyle. But among the sharp … more

By Kyla Woodard
kyla@claytodayonline.com | 6/25/26

Strolling Cannolis and Spanakopita: 30 years of food, community

ORANGE PARK — There is no typical experience for the vivacious team at Anthony's Gourmet Catering. Their mornings could begin as early as 3 a.m., prepping for dinners boasting hundreds and … more

By Kyla Woodard
kyla@claytodayonline.com | 6/18/26

Chiappini's will reopen following remodeling at 326 State Road 26 in Melrose.

Old is about to be new again at crossroads in Melrose

MELROSE – Old coolers that held bottles of beer and battered shelves for wiggle worms and hooks are stacked in the gas bays like piles of junk. The front step at … more

By Don Coble don@claytodayonline.com | 6/11/26

Roosters General Store is located at 3293 N. U.S. Highway 17.

Customers find a new way to eat, shop at Roosters General Store

GREEN COVE SPRINGS — Premier Gas and Grills was a place where finding the perfect grill, pellets and barbecue rubs were made easy. But there was so much more owner Todd Knowles said many … more

By Kyla Woodard
kyla@claytodayonline.com | 6/4/26

In addition to being at The Corner Pocket every day, Cheri Starnes is the Vice Mayor of Green Cove Springs and an active member of the Rotary Club of Green Cove Springs and the Village Improvement Association.

No shortcuts for the successful menu at popular pool hall

GREEN COVE SPRINGS – The vegetables are selected from a farmer’s market in Starke. Lettuce is grown at a local aquaponics farm called Reparation Earth, not delivered in plastic bags by a … more

By Don Coble don@claytodayonline.com | 5/28/26

Debra Brundage owns Debi's Cheesecakes located at 799 Blanding Blvd.

Gourmet cheesecake flurry cups? Nothing new for Debra Brundage

ORANGE PARK — At Debi's Cheesecakes, you can rest assured that every palatable treat is all taste and no fluff. It's where desserts are crafted from scratch and infused with fresh ingredients and … more

By Kyla Woodard
kyla@claytodayonline.com | 5/22/26

Fresh sliced pastrami or corned beef sandwiches come with a half-pound of meat and deli mustard on your choice of bread, although it really wouldn't be a New York deli sandwich if it wasn't on Jewish rye.

New York deli-style food served with Southern hospitality

FLEMING ISLAND – If you crave a New York-style pastrami sandwich, you could spend about $1,500 for an airline ticket, airport parking, transportation from the airport to Katz's Delicatessen and two … more

By Don Coble don@claytodayonline.com | 5/14/26

Take 5 Oil Change now open in Green Cove Springs

GREEN COVE SPRINGS— Take 5 Oil Change , a leading provider of fast, friendly and simple car maintenance, officially opened its first Green Cove Springs shop at 1726 Verdad St. on April 30, … more

For Clay Today | 5/7/26

Code Ninjas is located at 3535 U.S. Highway 17.

National Small Business Week celebrates growing entrepreneurship

CLAY COUNTY — It's true that small business makes up the backbone of America. Job creation, economic growth and community development stems from the growing entrepreneurial spirit of more than 33 … more

By Kyla Woodard
kyla@claytodayonline.com | 5/7/26

Black Creek Marina and Bait Shop owner Jon Hamilton said it started with two chickens wandering around the shop. "Now there's 22," he said.

Small business at perfect location to do big things for fishermen, boaters

GREEN COVE SPRINGS – British property tycoon and founder of Land Securities Lord Harold Samuel once famously said the three secrets to business value are “location, location, location.” He must … more

By Don Coble don@claytodayonline.com | 4/30/26

Some of the new dishes include Low Country Pasta, crab cakes with authentic red beans and rice, ahi tuna and Andouille-crusted chicken.

Refreshed iconic restaurant re-opens with new menu, ownership

FLEMING ISLAND – The frenzied work to overhaul Whitey’s Fish Camp started the moment the last customer left on Sunday, March 29. All items were taken down from the walls. Fixtures were … more

By Don Coble don@claytodayonline.com | 4/16/26

Lori Creel is the owner of ELMNT Wellness, located at 1638 Corsair Lane.

Modern studio focuses on whole body wellness

MIDDLEBURG — Personal health isn't just a concept at ELMNT Wellness. It's a luxurious reality. Imagine each experience designed and catered to your needs, detailed with the perfect, holistic … more

By Kyla Woodard
kyla@claytodayonline.com | 3/30/26

Janette Gallman, left, asks questions about her handgun with BASICS Range and Gun employee Gigi McNair.

Wheeler: There’s a lot more to shooting firearm than pulling the trigger

ORANGE PARK – Doug Wheeler carries his work on his hip as a reminder that there’s a lot more to having a firearm than pulling the trigger. As one of the … more

By Don Coble don@claytodayonline.com | 3/19/26

The Hampton Inn and Suites team is dedicated to providing quality service to everyone who walks through the door.

Hospitality isn't a job. It's a calling for the Hampton Inn team

MIDDLEBURG — Hotels are often the pinnacle of economic stability. Most of the time, they're the first buildings you see when entering into a new area. They're the jobs that have a bigger impact … more

By Kyla Woodard
kyla@claytodayonline.com | 3/12/26

The Tiki Bar can be seen from Swimming Pen Creek and from County Road 220.

New owners to preserve legacy; add subtle tweaks to menu, ambiance

FLEMING ISLAND – Since they were boys playing in Doctors Lake, twins Jeff and Jesse Jabot were always intrigued by Whitey’s Fish Camp. Founded in 1963 by Whitey and Ann Ham, the iconic … more

By Don Coble don@claytodayonline.com | 3/12/26

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