Two months ago, several local restaurant owners decided to do something to level the playing field with the onslaught of larger, chain restaurants who promote themselves in St. Augustine.

According to records filed with the Florida Division of Corporations, Ted McLemore of Zhanra’s and South Beach Grill joined Lorna McDonald owner of the Raintree Restaurant, Pat Morrissey owner of Gypsy Cab Co, Chris Way owner of Barnacle Bills as well as Michael McMillan owner of Opus 39 and the Tasting Room, to form The St. Augustine Independent Restaurant Association, Inc.

According to an announcement from Senior Vice President Suzanne Brown received by Historic City Media this morning, Florida Capital Bank will be closing its location at 1700 US 1 South on Friday, July 18th.

This announcement surprised some customers since the bank location was only established in 2005 on the site of the former Long John Silvers restaurant.

Begin Business Date: 04/14/2008 End Business Date: 04/20/2008

From the records of
DENNIS W. HOLLINGSWORTH

When it was announced that Bozard Ford was moving to SR 16 and I-95 and that their landmark location had been purchased for nearly $2.8 Million dollars by local hotelier Kanti Patel, rumors were flying about what was in store.

Begin Business Date: 04/07/2008 End Business Date: 04/13/2008

From the records of
DENNIS W. HOLLINGSWORTH
ST. JOHNS COUNTY TAX COLLECTOR

Begin Business Date: 03/31/2008 End Business Date: 04/06/2008

From the records of
DENNIS W. HOLLINGSWORTH
ST. JOHNS COUNTY TAX COLLECTOR

According to information obtained from Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum’s website and records published by the Duval County Clerk of Court, Circuit Court Judge L. Haldane Taylor has ordered a Jacksonville resident and his debt collection agency to pay $1.3 million in restitution and civil penalties for violating Florida and Federal collections laws.

For some time now there has been suspicion and rumor about the long vacant Mariotti Auto Laundry which seemed to have opened and closed just as quickly.

The building located at 2801 N Ponce de Leon Blvd. and the vacant shopping center located behind the building (that at one time housed a Lil’ Champ convenience store) are both owned by Deerfield, IL pharmacy behemoth Walgreens.