Businesses honored in contest named for beloved physician

Eight local businesses are winners of 1 Putnam’s Dr. Ifti Ahmad Spirit Awards.

Cora’s Place, a restaurant in Palatka, will be awarded $2,000 in the new business category. This and That Cafe of downtown Palatka will get $2,000 in the existing business category, according to Robert Mills, co-chairman of 1 Putnam’s Business Challenge Committee.

Cora’s and This and That tallied the highest number of points from the committee’s independent panel of judges. 1 Putnam is a private organization with a mission of improving life in Palatka and all of Putnam County.

Atmosphere Boutique Day Spa of downtown Palatka, Burlap & Lace Beautique of Satsuma and Needful Things bookstore of downtown Palatka will each receive $1,000 in the new business category.

FYZICAL Therapy & Balance Centers of Interlachen and East Palatka, Lady Bug’s Gift Shoppe of downtown Palatka and Urban Farmhouse of downtown Palatka will be awarded $1,000 each in the existing business category.

Nonprofit group 1 Putnam originally planned to hold a bigger contest among people interested in starting a new business as a way to help jumpstart revitalization efforts, but the COVID-19 pandemic stymied that effort. The group noticed that several people were displaying fortitude by opening new businesses despite the challenges of a pandemic.

“We wanted to recognize these bold people,” Mills said. “We added an existing business category to reward those who expanded the services of their businesses because of COVID or in spite of COVID. The innovation and resilience of our community was on display among the entries in our contest.”

To qualify, a new business had to open after Jan. 1, 2020. Existing businesses had to be open prior to Jan. 1, 2020.

“It is an honor to receive the Spirit Award,” said Cora Fells, owner of Cora’s Place. “I always wanted to open up a restaurant as a little girl. When I had the opportunity to pursue my dreams, I did in spite of COVID-19.

“I took a leap of faith and I appreciate the overwhelming love and support from the community. I look forward to serving Putnam County and striving to be half as great as Dr. Ahmad was.”

Cora’s offers a wide-ranging menu for breakfast and lunch and operates on Madison Street at 11th Street.

Atmosphere opened on St. Johns Avenue soon after COVID lockdowns ended, offering therapeutic massages, facials and other spa services. Owner Kelly Starr said the spa will soon move to a bigger location on St. Johns.

Needful Things, which sells used books, games and assorted items, impressed judges because its owner, Ethan Sharp, is still in high school. The shop is on St. Johns Avenue. 

When the pandemic started, the owner of Burlap and Lace decided to turn a hobby of artful creations into a full-time business. Out of concern for her family’s health, Cadee Petty gave up her job that had lots of public contact and started making wreaths, tutus and home decor items and selling them via an internet gallery. She hopes to renovate a space in Satsuma as a place to create and have a physical location.

“We are pleased to say that we survived 2020 and will use our Spirit Award to help keep our doors open for our wonderful customers,” said Lou Singleton, owner of This and That Cafe. “We enjoy being part of the downtown excitement and love calling Putnam County home.”

This and That has operated on St. John Avenue for about five years with limited seating inside. During the pandemic, it increased takeout service and outside dining. Its owner said baking cinnamon rolls gave the business enough income to survive tough times.

FYZICAL previously had offered outpatient physical therapy at its clinic in Interlachen but opened a new location in East Palatka in 2021. Owner Melisa Crosby said she is dedicated to the underserved rural portions of Putnam County.

Lady Bug’s opened for business in 2012, but owners Kathy and David Griffin said 2020 presented big challenges as much of their business moved to online orders. They also have been working to open a downtown Christmas shop.

Urban Farmhouse sells new and repurposed home goods from its St. Johns Avenue location. Owners Sherri and Eddie Granger opened warehouse space for special events sales to help the business overcome negative impacts from COVID.

“There are lots of interesting stories of business upstarts, business successes and business survival that came during pandemic times in Putnam County,” Mills said. “We named these awards after the late Dr. Ahmad because of the boldness he showed to start his medical practice here in 1973 and the determination he showed in trying to make his adopted home a better place.

“He provided great service to patients and compassionate outreach to build the community. He became a hometown hero as our winners have done.”

Other new businesses receiving points from the judges included: Lake Area Physical Therapy of Crescent City, Sign Gypsies of Putnam County, Golden Pineapple Salon of downtown Palatka, HHH Lawn and Tree Service of Hollister, Harper Fence of Palatka and Essential Construction of Palatka.

Other existing businesses receiving judges’ points included: The Optical Shop of Palatka, MarJean Salon Everything of Palatka and Transatlantic Motors of East Palatka.

“It has been a pleasure to be a part of honoring these deserving local businesses,” said Ben Bates, a founder of 1 Putnam. “We are pleased that new businesses are opening and that existing businesses are being nimble enough to survive such challenging times.

“Everyone should be especially excited about downtown activities. Several more businesses are in various stages of opening while others are remodeling or otherwise expanding.”

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