Shopping in Fruit Cove

Spokes have populated the space around 1630 West University Avenue for 65 years, turning stoically as numerous bike shops have come and gone. The spot’s newest cycling incarnation, Chain Reaction Bike Shop, owes its staying power to owner Raleigh Faust and his staff of experts who cater to collegiate commuters, recreational cyclists, and serious athletes alike. Inside the unvarnished wooden storefront, rows of rides from Scott, Jamis Bicycles, and Surly await ownership. Every bike purchased at the shop comes with a lifetime of free service adjustments, making owning a bike as hassle-free as combing a hairless cat. Technicians see to these new rides, taking more than a dozen measurements for individualized fittingsand performing maintenance services that range from spot repairs to comprehensive tune-ups.

Armed with more than 20 years of framing experience and a lifelong passion for preserving artistic works, Héctor Puig personally helps customers select the perfect display methods for their pieces. Together, they sift through the gallery's selection, which includes wooden and metal frames with matte black, cherry, and antique gold finishes, to name a few. In addition to aesthetically completing a picture or a diploma's presentation, these frames, along with other materials, come in archival varieties for customers who value conservation above all else.

For inspiration, visitors can peruse the gallery's eclectic displays of paintings and sculptures by regional, national, and intergalactic artists. Héctor explained his motivation for continually seeking out these works to the Gainesville Sun in 2005, saying, "I want people to feel like they can come in and see what real art is about, as opposed to feeling like it's something they can't understand." Among these works are pieces from Héctor's personal collection of hand-carved santos de palo figures, which come from his native Puerto Rico and occasionally appear in domestic and international museums, according to Gainesville Magazine in 2006.

Bicycle Clinic’s owner has been selling bikes by Vilano, 3G, Green Line, and Benotto, and servicing two-wheelers of all makes and models, for more than two decades. Complete tune-ups include inspection of all components, lubrication, brake and gear adjustment, cable and housing inspection, and wheel truing, which teaches wheels to center themselves until they experience the peace necessary to destroy enemy wheels. Riders who are within 20 miles of the shop can have a mobile mechanic pick up their pre-tuned cycles free of charge and take them back to the full-service repair station. Bicycle Clinic's cycle gurus also cosmetically spiff up vintage and new bikes with custom restoration and frame-painting services that restore rusty cruisers to their former banana-seat glory or emblazon flames upon stems and top tubes. Steed-less riders can still enjoy a leisurely ride down Jacksonville's quiet streets and drag-racing strips with rentals of new 3G beach cruisers, regularly rotated to keep stock fresh.

For more than 30 years, the staff at the family-owned Leonard's Furniture has helped homeowners make their dwellings more livable by stocking a 14,000 sq. ft. showroom full of décor and furnishings from more than 150 vendors. The team makes the shopping process easier by delivering and assembling any in-stock items free of charge. Those items include furnishings for dining rooms, living rooms, and bedrooms from brands such as Ashley, Lane, FlexSteel, and Tempur-Pedic. The store's comprehensive stock includes home office staples including desks, chairs, and mirrors that come in varying sizes and opinions on Snow White. Shoppers can also find equipment to furnish home-entertainment rooms, such as theater seats that eject anyone who takes out their cell phone during a movie.

For more than 146 years, news has flowed to the journalists at The Florida Times-Union, who combined it first into a daily paper and ultimately into a website full of articles. The paper reports international news, as it has since it followed the trial of a handful of Irish revolutionaries in 1883. It also covers sports, entertainment, and money, with portions of the digital content devoted to videos and classifieds.

Though it may be just you and your board gliding through a riptide or across hot pavement, a trip to FreeRide Surf & Skate Shop involves actual human interaction. Here, surfers and skaters take a break from board-based exploits to outfit themselves in shorts and bikinis accessorized by Ray-Ban or Oakley sunglasses and sandals from Reef and Vans. Surfboards, longboards, and skateboards—ready to conquer bustling streets, open shorelines, or particularly deep bathtubs—fill the store. If customers can’t find exactly what they are looking for, staffers will special order most items, working hard to match the price and cover shipping on most items.