Downtown at 30 N. Main Street, The Top has been a Gainesville standby since 2000, mixing late-night bar energy with burgers, pasta, draft beer, and plenty of vegan and vegetarian options.

The patio is pet-friendly, and the burger reputation is not just local lore. Gainesville Burger Club gave The Top its first Mark Morchel Lifetime Acheesement award for burgers that keep tradition without getting boring.

Read more here.

The Gist: Alachua County School Board members voted June 16 not to sign a proposed plan to buy Citizens Field from Gainesville. The district would have put down a $100,000 deposit to start an environmental study, while district documents put a full demolition and rebuild at about $22 million to $25 million.

Why It Matters: Citizens Field is shared by Buchholz, Eastside and Gainesville high schools, so the vote keeps the future of the city's main public-school stadium unsettled and leaves the district weighing brownfield risk, cost, and whether to build separate school-based options.

What's Next: After denying two motions, board members voted 4-1 with Tina Certain dissenting to have staff bring back all available options. The Gainesville City Commission is scheduled to take up the plan Thursday, June 18.

Read more here.

The Gist: The Alachua City Commission deferred land-use changes for the Farmlands Commercial development to June 22 after nearly six hours of debate and public comment. The proposal for more than 200 acres along U.S. 441 east of Chick-fil-A would reduce residences from 686 to 203 units and add a commercial core that could include a Walmart.

Why It Matters: The vote could reshape one of Alachua's biggest growth corridors, turning land now used mostly as a tree farm into a larger mix of retail, housing, traffic, and utility demand.

What's Next: Commissioners are scheduled to resume the Farmlands vote Monday, June 22.

Read more here.

The Gist: The UF Board of Trustees unanimously approved Stuart Bell as presidential finalist on June 10, moving the former University of Alabama president to the final stage. Trustees questioned Bell for about two hours on DEI, athletics, fundraising, and research after the 15-person search committee also backed him unanimously.

Why It Matters: UF's president shapes Gainesville's largest economic engine, from hospital and research growth to campus construction, athletics, housing pressure, and the university's relationship with the city.

What's Next: The Florida Board of Governors meets June 24, and Bell's formal ratification hinges on a June 25 vote.

Read more here.

🕊️ Juneteenth National Holiday Celebration | Bo Diddley Plaza | Gainesville | Friday, June 19, 10:00am to 12:00pm | More
Free city ceremony with live performances, a choir, dancers, and a keynote speaker.

🎨 Freedom Fest 2026 | Bo Diddley Plaza | Gainesville | Saturday, June 20, 3:00pm to 9:00pm | More
Free music and arts festival with food trucks, vendors, children's activities, and a bounce house.

🎉 Newberry Juneteenth | Memorial Park | Newberry | Saturday, June 20, 10:00am to 4:00pm | More
Community celebration with local history, food, music, and neighborhood talent.

🎵 Music & Movement | Millhopper Branch Library | Gainesville | Saturday, June 20, 10:30am to 11:00am | More
Saturday library session where kids sing, dance, and play instruments.

🔬 Little Sparks | Cade Museum | Gainesville | Sunday, June 21, 10:15am to 11:00am | More
Hands-on STEAM program for ages 0-5 with music, movement, crafts, and stories.

🎤 Pitch Perfect at the Pointe | Celebration Pointe Promenade | Gainesville | Friday, June 19, 7:00pm to 9:00pm | More
Free karaoke contest on the Promenade with prizes, drinks, dinner, and shopping nearby.

🎸 Bird and Byron | Heartwood Soundstage | Gainesville | Friday, June 19, 6:30pm | More
Nashville indie rock and soul duo plays a seated acoustic show with Alex Willow.

🎹 NCFBS: Eden Brent w/ Beulah Mae | Heartwood Soundstage | Gainesville | Saturday, June 20, 7:00pm | More
North Central Florida Blues Society presents piano-driven blues from Eden Brent with Beulah Mae.

🎶 Free Porch Sessions ft. Samantha Jones & Stephen Marsh of Pechoa | Heartwood Soundstage | Gainesville | Wednesday, June 24, 6:00pm to 9:00pm | More
Free deck show with acoustic porch jams, happy hour specials, and lawn seating.

🎷 Jazz Sessions | Heartwood Soundstage | Gainesville | Thursday, June 25, 6:00pm | More
Free community jazz night with a house rhythm section, spotlight players, and open sit-ins.

Thanks for reading our newsletter! We'll have more updates for you next week!

Click here to follow us: Facebook | Instagram

Business owners: Want to reach our 3,000+ readers? Reply to this email for info.