Business

Although it is just a picture now, St Johns Housing Partnership Executive Director Bill Lazar informed local Historic City News business editor Don Louis that he is “very excited” with the start of the partnership’s first new rental project located at 87 Evergreen Avenue.

Most Historic City News readers love Southern comfort food. So, when two Jacksonville entrepreneurs, Gus Evans, who at the time was laid off from Elkins Constructors, and partner Scott Moore, who at the time was laid off from Winn-Dixie Stores, came up with the concept for an eatery that would be known for its biscuits and chicken breasts, we knew that they were clearly on the path to a bright future for their business — Maple Street Biscuit Company.  Today it was announced that Maple Street Biscuit Co has been purchased by Cracker Barrel in a reported $36 million deal.

Christina Parrish-Stone, who was the director of programming for the Friends of Hemming Park for the past two years, will take over as executive director of the St. Johns Cultural Council.  The council’s board unanimously voted to bring her on board Wednesday night.

Historic City News received word this week that after nine years and in excess of 500 related meetings, the Saint Augustine Tea Party has been un-ceremoniously un-invited to hold its future meetings at Village Inn on North Ponce de Leon Boulevard.

The Florida Bar, the state’s guardian for the integrity of the legal profession, announced to Historic City News reporters that the Florida Supreme Court disciplined 15 attorneys in recent court orders.  They disbarred four, revoking the licenses of seven, suspending three and reprimanding one. One attorney was also ordered to pay restitution. Disciplinary revocation is tantamount to disbarment.

According to Peggy Soules, the widow of Jim Soules who died unexpectedly on Friday, her plans are to “bring the carousel home” to where she lives in Port Charlotte.  She is reported to have told televised news sources that the Davenport Park Carousel in St Augustine will take its final turn this Sunday before being dismantled and removed.

As Hurricane Dorian heads north, Florida Power & Light Company is working to restore power for customers impacted by the storm’s outer bands.  Historic City News was informed earlier today that the company had restored more than 150,000 outages since the storm started moving up Florida’s east coast.

Historic City News readers can participate in the upcoming back-to-school sales tax “holiday” on clothes, classroom supplies, and this year, computer equipment. The state is offering the tax break for five days starting Friday, August 2nd at 12:01 a.m. and lasting through 11:59 p.m. Tuesday, August 6th.