Subscribe | Get featured

Hi Gainesville, hope you’re having a great weekend!

In today’s in-case-you-missed-it edition: Publix store rebuild, guitar festival with Kaki King, and Women in Wine benefit tasting + the top stories from this week & a sneak peek at next week.

Today’s sponsor, American Hartford Gold, is helping folks around Gainesville protect their savings as gold and silver continue to gain momentum. Their free guide explains what’s driving the surge… and what to know before adding precious metals to your portfolio. Grab your free copy here.

📰 Most-clicked stories this week

Supermarket overhaul proposed: Publix plans to demolish and rebuild its Tower Square store in southwest Gainesville. Plans were submitted, but Alachua County has not approved the project and no construction timeline is set — get all the details.

Choose protein, get curated bowls: Himalayan Bowl & Juice Bar, a fast-casual Nepalese and Indian fusion spot, will open in Gainesville in early March, blending momo and tikka masala flavors, led by owner Suraj Maharjan — get details on concept, opening.

More inclusive outdoor adventures: Alachua Conservation Trust announced a new EcoRover, funded by Cox Communications, opening preserves in Alachua County to residents with mobility impairments and growing a volunteer partnership that began in 2023 — see how access is expanding.

Nothing prepares you for a pet emergency: I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. As soon as we got home, I signed up for Spot. It’s super affordable – and reimburses up to 90% of the bill.

Compare rates for free: The national average for car insurance is around $175/month. Paying more than that? Same, so I did some shopping around and ended up cutting my premium in half. If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too — here’s the comparison tool I used.

All the crowd favorites:

• Shop plants, art, and local vendors
• Dine at Leonardo’s to support Littlewood
• Explore science through nature games
• Save on self-care during the CVS Epic Beauty Sale

🏆 Gold and silver are heating up

Together with our sponsor American Hartford Gold

Gold just posted its strongest run in decades… and the momentum is carrying into 2026. Silver has become one of the most talked-about assets as investors look for ways to stay ahead of market volatility.

While many are still sitting on the sidelines, others are quietly repositioning.

If you’re wondering whether you’re missing something, AHG has a free guide explaining what’s driving the renewed interest… and how investors are approaching precious metals right now.

It’s free and worth reading before the next move.

🫶 This week’s top finds

Small-town treasure hunt: If your home craves character, The Mustard Seed Collection delivers a charming local mix of curated antique furniture, vintage decor, rescue-ready paint, and the oddball you didn’t know you needed. Ideal for a quick browse that somehow becomes a mini makeover.

Make movie night count: Skip the megaplex, and let Hippodrome Cinema keep Gainesville film nights interesting with indie gems, cult favorites, and the classics you meant to see on the big screen. Low-key and comfy, it’s a perfect midweek escape when you want someone else to pick the movie.

Not-quite-tapas, still shareable: Craving tapas vibes without the Spain tag? At Alpin Bistro, graze on French-ish small plates, cheeses, and charcuterie, with a tidy lineup of old-world wines. Ideal for an easy weeknight “let’s split everything” that still feels a little special.

Thinning hair? It only gets worse: A few months ago, I noticed my ponytail getting thinner. I tried the usual stuff (biotin, shampoo, etc.) but mostly just hoped it would fix itself… until I learned that active follicles can permanently go dormant if you don’t do something about it. The good news? You can get treatment that actually works with no office visits or trips to the pharmacy. Learn more about my favorite online options here.

📆 Sneak peek at next week

Have an event to share? BaseLocal Verified Businesses can submit them for free! Learn more about how to submit an event here →

All events are subject to change without notice. Always check official event pages for the most up to date information.

🐦 Alachua Audubon Bird Walk @ Sweetwater Wetlands Park | Wednesday (3/11) at 8:30 AM – Think you can tell a limpkin from a heron before coffee? Tag along with Alachua Audubon at Sweetwater Wetlands for a stroll through our premier hotspot, free with $5 park admission, binoculars on loan, all levels welcome, no judgment for pointing, squinting, and bird puns.

🍷 Women in Wine Benefit Tasting @ Public & General | Thursday (3/12) at 6:00 PM – If honoring Women’s History Month involves a glass or three, this one’s for you. $25 gets a flight of six wines by women winemakers, a signature dish from a famed female chef, and a special cocktail, with proceeds supporting National Women’s Liberation in Gainesville.

🎸 Gainesville Guitar Festival 2026 @ Heartwood Soundstage | Friday (3/13) at 1:00 PM – Think your guitar habit is fine? The third annual guitar fest packs gear swap, workshops, jams, and demos, plus sets from Kaki King, Millet Padrón, Mike Baggetta, and friends. Go All Access for Kaki indoors Friday, or snag GA for Saturday and the outdoor screen.

🛍 Spring Pop Up Shops @ Grow Hub | Saturday (3/14) at 9:00 AM – This spring, second Saturdays are for strolling GROW HUB, grazing on good food, and pretending you only came for one plant. Shop local vendors, art, and an outrageous amount of greenery, with live music and fresh air. Free, outdoors, and actually kid friendly.

🏃 5K for School Safety @ Tech City (Alachua) | Saturday (3/14) at 4:00 PM – Trade your errands for a 5K that doubles as cardio and community service, funding trauma kits, training, and support for responders to keep schools safer. Run, walk, or amble, then celebrate at Daft Cow Brewery with live music, a silent auction, food truck, and pints.

🎉 Gainesville Latino Festival Spring 2026 @ Bo Diddley Plaza | Saturday (3/14) at 5:00 PM – Downtown’s turning into a dance floor as the Gainesville Latino Festival takes over Bo Diddley Plaza, with Cuban Son Band, DJs, and enough sabor to make two left feet cooperate. Fuel up on street eats, browse local makers, bring the kids, and plan bedtime negotiations.

🖼 Beginners Mosaic Workshop @ Curia On The Drag | Sunday (3/15) at 11:00 AM – Whether you last used glue in a school diorama or you’ve secretly wanted to mosaic your kitchen backsplash, this beginner workshop at The Auk Market lets you craft a 6-inch tray with Leah from Satchel’s. Hands-on, make-and-take, coffee nearby, courtyard drinks at Curia and Dad’s.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

🔥 Worth a peek

We’re always on the hunt for useful resources, deals, services, and products we think you’ll love. Here’s what caught our eye this week.

• Industry-leading home warranty protection ($150 off right now)
• This free tool helps connect you with the right financial advisor
• 62+? See how much tax-free cash your home could unlock → free calculator
• Got debt? You may be able to pay less than you owe
• Protect your pet from disaster with this pet insurance plan
• You can own physical gold and silver in your retirement account

📻 Gainesville report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 86°F – Low: 62°F – Precip: 30%

Areas of fog before 9am, then a chance of rain showers between 2pm and 5pm, then a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny. High near 86, with temperatures falling to around 84 in the afternoon. South wind 2 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. Later: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8pm, then patchy fog. Partly cloudy. Low around 62, with temperatures rising to around 63 overnight. West wind 0 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

—

Tomorrow – High: 88°F – Low: 61°F – Precip: 9%

Patchy fog before 9am. Mostly sunny. High near 88, with temperatures falling to around 87 in the afternoon. West wind 0 to 6 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 61.

Someone Googled you this week 👀

It may feel like an invasion of privacy, but unfortunately It’s the new normal. Whether you’re joining a committee, selling something locally, dating again, or just meeting new neighbors… people are going to look you up online.

Like it or not, the internet has a way of surfacing past mistakes and outdated information that no longer reflects who you are.

Thankfully, there’s a really easy way for you – or someone you care about – to clean up outdated results that no longer tell the real story. Learn more here.

Most popular house this week

In Gainesville’s coveted Hermitage, this distinctive 1.1-acre retreat features walls of glass, travertine floors, and a great room anchored by a dramatic fireplace and custom backlit quartzite bar. A 2025 resort pool features water elements, summer kitchen, and putting green. The 4,272 sq ft plan includes a chef’s kitchen, detached studio cottage, and full smart-home automation, minutes from UF.

Take a peek inside →