Happy weekend, Space Coast! In today’s edition: Amazon expansion, Space Force launch pad shake-up, Space Coast Renaissance Fair returns, and more.

— Cait Baker

🏆 Most popular this week

Curated by popular demand — here are this week’s most-clicked events, local spots, and stories.

New development signals growth: Amazon has bought 45 acres in Titusville, expanding its Space Coast footprint. The move follows a 90-acre purchase in West Melbourne, with operations plans underway and no opening date announced — get all the details.

Beloved custard brand grows: Abbott’s Frozen Custard, a 100-year Rochester favorite, opens a new stand near Cape Canaveral tomorrow, January 14. Space Coast locals Sophia and Nick Chambers are the franchisees. Abbott’s now has 38 locations, serving rich custard made with milk, cream, eggs, and sugar. Read the full story.

Major shifts in launch real estate: Space Force issued December RFIs seeking interest in Cape Canaveral SLC-46 and Vandenberg pads. Any lease depends on Navy relocation, which could enable super heavy-lift rockets on the Space Coast — get all the details.

Dial in your swing: Skip the wind and stack reps at Golf Garage. Modern simulators, real-time shot data, and a laid-back vibe make after-work nines effortless. Ideal for sharpening your swing or a low-key hang when the forecast turns weird.

History and fantasy collide: The Space Coast Renaissance Fair kicked off Jan. 10-11 in Viera and returns Jan. 17-18 with Circus Rose’s new magical characters, plus Knightwings Birds of Prey at Space Coast Daily Park — check out the full lineup.

Precision brows, zero fuss: When your arches start freestyling, The Brow Lady Studio restores order with meticulous, gentle tweezing and set-and-forget microblading. Ideal for a midweek clean-up that trims your morning routine and leaves your face looking fresh.

Gold & silver are hot: Gold just had its best year since 1979. Silver did even better, climbing nearly 150% in 2025… and analysts expect the momentum to continue. If you’re curious about adding precious metals to your portfolio as a market hedge, American Hartford has a helpful guide that covers everything you need to know. It’s free — and definitely worth a read.

Compare rates for free: The national average for car insurance is around $175 per 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.

An emergency vet visit could cost you $7,000+ (ask me how I know 🙃). From the initial fee just to be seen to x-rays, surgery, medicine, and aftercare, it adds up quicker than a chew toy turns into a crime scene. The good news? You could get up to 90% cash back on your vet bill with this pet insurance plan.

📆 Sneak peek at next week

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✂ Youth Craft Time @ Titusville Library | Tuesday (1/20) at 3:30 PM – Drop the 6-to-11 crowd at the Titusville library on Tuesdays for hands-on, seasonal crafts that won’t wreck your dining table. Think recycled bird feeders, painted planters, and paper penguins, plus a beginners knitting and crochet club, all run by the Youth Services pros.

🐦 Space Coast Birding and Wildlife Festival @ Radisson Resort at the Port | Wednesday (1/21) – If your idea of wildlife is dodging snowbirds on A1A, upgrade it at the 27th Space Coast Birding and Wildlife Festival, headquartered at the Radisson Resort at the Port. Expect guided field trips, smart speakers, and real birds, from scrub-jays to spoonbills, with bragging rights.

🧶 Make your Own Chunky Blanket @ Painting with a Twist | Wednesday (1/21) at 4:00 PM – Skip doomscrolling and make a chunky blanket you’ll actually use, or gift. Step-by-step help for all levels, lots of yarn colors, four skeins included with extras if you want lap-to-twin size, plus time to catch up with a friend, and quietly judge your stitches.

🐶 Fundraising Night for Tier One Service Dog Foundation @ Texas Roadhouse | Wednesday (1/21) at 5:00 PM – You were going to eat anyway, so make it Texas Roadhouse in Viera and send 10% of your food bill to Tier One Service Dog Foundation. Show the flyer, printed or digital. Soft rolls, cold drinks, and service dogs for veterans, which beats leftovers again.

🥕 Brevard County Farmers Market @ Wickham Park | Thursday (1/22) at 3:00 PM – Skip the knickknacks and hit Wickham Park’s Regional Pavilion for a food-first farmers market locals shop. Every Thursday, score fresh produce, bread, and eggs, admission and parking are free, and SNAP gets an uncapped dollar-for-dollar match. Most vendors take cards, but bring cash, hurricane plan optional.

🗑 Landfill Tour @ Brevard County Solid Waste Landfill | Friday (1/23) at 10:00 AM – Think you know where your Tuesday bin ends up? Take the free guided bus tour of Brevard County’s landfill for a fascinating, stinky field trip for grown-ups, with behind-the-scenes scoop, disposal tips, and ways to protect the Indian River Lagoon. Registration required, waiver at check-in.

🍹 Friday Sunset Spritz: Women’s Oceanfront Social @ Longboards Tiki Beach Grille | Friday (1/23) at 5:30 PM – Friday sunset at Longboards means one thing, spritzes on the oceanfront and conversation that doesn’t require shouting over a cover band. Meet welcoming women, claim founding-rate pricing, and grab a limited seat before they vanish. You’ve got a week for refunds, but not for procrastinating.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

📻 Space Coast report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 71°F – Low: 54°F – Precip: 0%

Mostly sunny, with a high near 71. Northeast wind 0 to 5 mph. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 54. South wind around 0 mph.

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Tomorrow – High: 66°F – Low: 36°F – Precip: 36%

A chance of rain showers after 7am. Partly sunny, with a high near 66. West northwest wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. Later: A chance of rain showers before 7pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 36. North northwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Most popular house this week

Set well off the main road on 6.29 acres, this custom concrete block home offers more than 2,700 square feet. A 2018 metal roof with a transferable lifetime warranty joins 2018 AC and a 2025 condenser motor. The kitchen has abundant cabinetry and a walk in pantry, and the oversized primary suite includes a walk in closet. A pool and spa await.

Equestrian perks include a barn with tack room, hay room, and four 14 by 30 stalls with water. Storage includes an attached two car garage, a 30 by 40 RV garage, and a detached two car garage. Private and close to shopping and I-95.

Take a peek inside →

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