Inside historic South Main Station across from Depot Park, Bingo Deli & Pub is chef Will Thomas's neighborhood restaurant and bar, built around fresh local produce and food made in-house.

The kitchen makes its own pasta, bread, sauces, and pickles, while the bar pours natural wines and fresh-ingredient cocktails. Gainesville artists rotate through the walls, and the restaurant has appeared on Food Network's Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.

Read more here.

Between all the families steadily moving in, Gainesville households move all year long, and most of them need a mover. Most of that work still goes to companies nobody recommends twice, which is exactly the gap Pink Zebra Moving was built to fill, with hot-pink zebra-striped trucks and a customer experience people actually rave about.

It comes from Ron Holt, who grew a single cleaning store into a $40 million, 90-location brand before selling it and pointing the same playbook at moving. Owners get comprehensive training, a recession-resistant service, and no moving experience is required because the model runs semi-absentee alongside what you already do.

The numbers show what is possible: franchisee Drue Chrisman’s location generated $2.5 million in revenue and $707,000 in net operating income in its first full calendar year, even after franchise expenses and new-truck purchases.* Across the network, franchise owners average $135,904 in net operating income.*

Gainesville gets only one owner, and whoever raises their hand first gets the territory.

If you have been quietly wanting something of your own with no ceiling on the upside, tap below to explore the model and request more information directly from the Pink Zebra team.

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The Gist: The Alachua City Commission voted 3-2 on June 22 to approve land-use changes for 46 acres of the Farmlands development along U.S. 441. Two outside attorneys say the city's comprehensive plan requires a second public hearing before officials can proceed with rezoning for the broader 200-plus-acre project, which includes 203 homes and planned commercial space.

Why It Matters: The dispute could affect a major development, a reported Walmart site and whether the city's approval survives a legal challenge.

What's Next: The rezoning continuation is scheduled first on the agenda at the commission's noon meeting July 27.

Read more here.

The Gist: The Alachua County Sheriff's Office expects residents to lose nearly $9 million to scams in 2026, up from more than $6.8 million stolen last year. Officials said fraud losses now exceed local losses from theft, burglary, criminal mischief and vehicle break-ins combined, with AI making scams harder to spot.

Why It Matters: Older residents are being targeted heavily, and the sheriff says current budget allocations do not match the size of the problem.

What's Next: Residents who suspect a scam can call law enforcement before sending money, and Elder Options can connect older victims with advocates.

Read more here.

The Gist: All students at 23 Alachua County schools will receive free breakfast and lunch in 2026-27 through the federal Community Eligibility Provision. Families at the district's other 27 schools must apply for free or reduced-price meals, which cost 30 cents for breakfast and 40 cents for lunch when approved.

Why It Matters: The school list determines which families receive meals automatically and which need to complete paperwork before the new year.

What's Next: Applications are available online through Your Choice Fresh, with paper copies available at affected schools.

Read more here.

🧱 TinkerSpace | Millhopper Branch Library | Gainesville | Friday, July 17, 2 to 4 p.m. | More
Kids can build with Strawbees and Goobi Magnetics during a drop-in STEAM afternoon.

🏊 Free Pool Day for Kids | Gainesville City Pools | Gainesville | Saturday, July 18, during regular pool hours | More
Kids 17 and younger swim free at Mickle, Hunter, and Cherry pools.

🎵 Music & Movement | Millhopper Branch Library | Gainesville | Saturday, July 18, 10:30 to 11 a.m. | More
Toddlers and caregivers sing, dance, and play instruments in an interactive library program.

🛠️ Homeschool Makerspace | Headquarters Library | Gainesville | Wednesday, July 22, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. | More
Elementary and teen learners explore a hands-on STEAM activity open to all families.

🔬 Summer at the Library: Science Surprises | Millhopper Branch Library | Gainesville | Thursday, July 23, 3 to 4 p.m. | More
Florida Museum educators lead ages 6 to 11 through natural phenomena.

🖼️ Gainesville Police Department Public Art Poster Exhibition Opening | A. Quinn Jones Museum and Cultural Center | Gainesville | Friday, July 17, 6 p.m. | More
View three finalist fence designs, share feedback, and enjoy refreshments.

🎸 The Wire Birds with Maggie Clifford | Heartwood Soundstage | Gainesville | Friday, July 17, 7 p.m. | More
The Wire Birds headline a $19 local concert with special guest Maggie Clifford.

🎶 Free Fridays: A.Sunroom, Lowly Worm & The Fantastic Beverages, and Varsity Tuba Quartet | Bo Diddley Plaza | Gainesville | Friday, July 17, 7 to 9 p.m. | More
Three Gainesville-area acts share the stage for a free downtown concert.

🤾 Otterball Charity Dodgeball Tournament | Heartwood Soundstage | Gainesville | Saturday, July 18, 8 p.m. | More
Teams and solo players ages 11 and up compete to benefit Food4Kids.

🎷 Free Jazz Sessions with Natalie Rella and Nick DeCarlis | Heartwood Soundstage | Gainesville | Thursday, July 23, 6 p.m. | More
Natalie Rella and Nick DeCarlis lead a free session with musician sit-ins.