Story Archive

Happy Medium Books

By: Adrianna Weldon

Located in the heart of historic Riverside, the Happy Medium Books Cafe offers a cozy atmosphere for customers the moment they walk in. It is a place where the community can come together and share their mutual interests in reading. With a boundless array of books, a rich aroma of freshly roasted coffee in the air, and friendly staff ready to welcome you, whether you’re a regular or new, the place will make you feel right at home.  

“We have a good amount of regulars that I love,” said Isabella Puskas, an employee, “But also the new people that come in every day that you see and get to talk about, not only books, but other media. I have a good time interacting with people here.” 

The store sells a variety of books for customers to enjoy, with a particular focus on collecting books in pristine condition to books with some wear and tear. This allows the store to cater to a wider customer base with diverse picks as well as giving some books a second life for a person to enjoy. The store also makes sure to present options for customers to choose from, from banned books to staff picks, there is something for everyone.  

“We have new and used books and we also have children’s and adult’s and teens books,” said Puskas. “I also love the used books because we rely heavily on donations so it’s nice to see what everyone is reading, what they’re giving away.” 

The store’s cafe provides a spectrum of cafe goods including baked pastries, savory bites, customizable coffee drinks, chai, and matcha. They offer gluten-free and vegan options so that everyone can enjoy a taste. Their most famous cafe goods is their banana bread, with many customers coming to the cafe to get a bite of the pastry.  

According to the store owner, Dana Shutters, “There are many treats at the cafe I enjoy but what we’re most known for is our banana bread. We have a lot of customers flocking in just for the bread and it can quickly sell out. 

The store doesn’t just offer books to read to sweets to eat, to bring the community closer than ever, it involves as many people as possible. In coordination with the Jacksonville Artists Guild (JAG), the store will hang art pieces from local artists on their walls for customers to appreciate, switching out every 3 months so that everyone has a chance. They also work with local authors to put their books on the shelves, helping them gain recognition and contribute to the Northeast Florida creative scene.  

The store also hosts engaging events every week for customers to participate in. From yarning to painting pottery to book trivia to book clubs, there is never a dull time. No matter the event, there is almost always a full house with no empty seats in sight and an exciting atmosphere in the air.  

“It’s very much a community bookstore,” said Shutters. “In the short time it existed, I saw it was valuable to the community as a beneficial third space with people coming out of their houses. The community has embraced us with events probably 3 times a week.” 

For more information on the Happy Medium Books Cafe, check them out on their Instagram at @happy_medium_books or their website happymediumbookscafe.com. 

The rise of non-alcoholic bars 

By Kaili Cochran 

Non-alcoholic bars have been increasing in popularity. Kava and Company is Jacksonville’s first Kava bar but not its last.  

According to a study by Data Insights Company, NC Solutions, more than 40% of Americans say they are trying to drink less alcohol. Since COVID, there has been a shift from alcohol to the cannabis industry.  

Kava and Company is providing locals with a safer alternative to drinking alcohol. Its benefits not only help your mind and body but also allow you to mellow out without the consequences of becoming drunk or high.  

Maxim is a regular at Kava and Company and although he hasn’t had addictions to alcohol before drinking Kava, he’s noticed the impact it has had on his friends who have.  

“I have noticed that a lot of my friends admit that they either can’t smoke because they know it has a negative effect on them, or they can’t drink because they get hooked on it all the time. I know a few of them have tried to drink, and they have preferred this as an alternative 

and I mean, I’ve had a few of them return,” Maxim said.  

Mike turned to Kava when one of his friends recommended it to him while he was going through some hard times in his life.  

“I was an alcoholic and I used to smoke a lot, I still kind of do but for some fun, special events, stuff like that. But [Kava] keeps me coming back. Like, they still give me that feeling of what I used to drink great smoke for when I used to like drugs when I was younger and stuff like that. But it doesn’t give me that high that a lot of things will give you like kind of like that you wompy feeling like drinking will give you sounds like a cool little balance,” Mike said.  

Ryan L has been a Kavatender for the last few years and has seen the direct benefit it has had on not only sobering people but also bringing people together over shared experiences.  

“I think there’s going to be a new norm of how we go about celebrating or spending time with each other there’s more than just going out and having a drink and just all centering around alcoholic beverages,” Ryan said.  

Instead of regular bar hopping, locals are taking to hopping between Kava and other non-alcoholic bars. They’re going street to street all while still being able to drive and function.  

The Duval Open Water Swim Club

By: Reid Murphy

Rain or shine, hot or cold, the Duval Open Water Swim Club takes to the waters of Jacksonville Beach every morning. For nearly 30 years, this diverse group of swimmers- of all ages and backgrounds- has gathered to swim over 1-mile a day in the open ocean.  

The winter of 2025 presented an especially challenging season. During a record-breaking cold snap of 27 degrees, many Beaches residents hunkered down for what was dubbed a “Florida Snow Day.” But not these swimmers. Committed to their consistent practice, The Duval Open Water Swim Club braved the elements.   

Some call it Masochism; these swimmers call it discipline Driven by their shared pursuit of physical and mental resilience, this club embodies the power of consistency and shared challenge.