by joe courter
Rad Press Coffee, despite a number of people doing a lot of work, has folded. They just could not muster the level of business needed to make it work out.
The Civic Media Center owes them great thanks for the infrastructure they added to the space, with sinks and counter-top that will remain for whatever other activities occur there. The CMC can use it for serving at their events, and it WILL be in use for The Fest at the end of October for sure. Summer was a poor time to launch their re-opening, but optimism is a hard thing to keep in check. However, for all the planning and the training of new workers it was not working in that configuration.
While that loss puts the CMC in a pinch for volunteers, too, as Rad Press people could serve that function, persevere the CMC will. It has shortened the hours for summer to save on time the A/C has to run. The new hours are 2pm to 6pm, Monday through Saturday.
South Main is still cooking, though. A new space called The Primitive Studio is opening in the space being revitalized by the Freewheel Project at 618 S. Main St. This will include a performance space for plays and comedy. While the immense work of the City is prepping Depot Park, around it are a lot of small enterprises using sweat and dreams to build assets to a future hub of activities for all of Gainesville to come down to and enjoy.