Sam Deputy, a long-time resident of Palatka, has navigated the ups and downs of entrepreneurship over six decades. Initially launching as a print shop, his business has evolved into a store specializing in antiques and vintage goods located in the heart of Putnam County. Despite visible signs of economic strain in neighboring storefronts, Deputy remains confident in the city’s current stability and reports consistent growth in his operations.
“This marks our third year in this format, and each month has outperformed the last,” Deputy noted. “We anticipated a modest pace, perhaps serving around 10 customers daily, but we’ve far exceeded those expectations.”
Across the U.S., small enterprises faced mounting pressures from inflation and increased tariffs in 2025. According to data from the Center for American Progress, approximately 236,000 small business importers paid an average of $151,000 more in taxes between April and September 2025 compared to the same period the previous year. The analysis also revealed an additional $25,000 in monthly tariff expenses during that timeframe.
Nonetheless, several local entrepreneurs in Palatka are optimistic about 2026. Deputy emphasized the city’s strong foundation, stating, “The core elements are intact, and our best days lie ahead.”
Another enduring establishment, Angels Dining Car—recognized as Florida’s oldest diner—has been operating for 93 years under the stewardship of owner John Browning. He attests to steady patronage, with recent months showing particular strength. Given its longevity and sustained success, Browning believes Palatka is well-equipped to withstand broader economic fluctuations.
The city is actively pursuing infrastructure upgrades, particularly in the downtown area, aimed at supporting local commerce. Deputy, whose shop sits directly within the project zone, highlighted key improvements such as widened sidewalks, repaved roads, new tree plantings for shade, and upgraded street lighting. These enhancements are projected to cost $1 million, a figure he acknowledges as substantial.
Mayor Robbi Correa, who also runs Lemon Street Market and Mercantile—a home goods store located a block from Deputy’s—has firsthand experience with the challenges facing small retailers. Originally from Rhode Island, she has called Palatka home for two decades and is serving her fourth year as mayor, making history as the city’s first woman elected to the role. She is committed to maintaining forward momentum, with a special focus on revitalizing the downtown core.
“While my responsibilities span the entire city, downtown renewal is a personal priority,” Correa said. “I view it as the engine not only for Palatka but for Putnam County at large.” She pointed out that such redevelopment would generate significant tax revenue and has already initiated plans for street and sidewalk improvements set to begin in the coming weeks.
Annual festivals play a crucial role in drawing visitors and boosting foot traffic. Key events include the azalea, Thanksgiving, and blue crab festivals. “Thousands travel here for the blue crab celebration,” Correa remarked. “We host major gatherings, complemented by smaller activities like wine and art strolls throughout the year.”
Local business owners, including Deputy, actively participate in organizing these events, especially the Thanksgiving festival, one of the region’s largest. Palatka’s vibrant arts scene, anchored by the Florida School of the Arts, contributes to its cultural appeal. Murals now adorn buildings that once had blank walls, reflecting the community’s creative spirit.
These cultural offerings increase visitor numbers and provide a significant lift to commercial activity.
Palatka exemplifies how local leadership and entrepreneurial determination can sustain economic vitality even amid national uncertainty. Stakeholders remain united in supporting initiatives that promote continued growth despite adverse trends.
— news from WUFT
— News Original —
Palatka businesses thrive despite economic setbacks in 2025
Palatka resident Sam Deputy has experienced the highs and lows of owning a business. n nHe’s been in business at his store, which started out as a print shop, for 60 years. For the past three years, he has sold antiques and vintage items from his store in the heart of Putnam County. n nDespite the realty signs visible in nearby store windows, he said he knows for certain that Palatka is in solid form right now. Deputy said his business has been doing well since its inception. n n“This is our third year of this, and every month it’s been better,” Deputy said. “We thought this would be nice and slow and we’d see maybe 10 (people) a day, but no, we’re way ahead of schedule.” n nSmall businesses all over the country were affected by inflation and tariffs this past year. According to a press release from the Center for American Progress, about 236,000 small business importers paid $151,000 more in taxes on average, from April to September 2025, compared with the previous year. n nThe center’s analysis also found that small business importers paid $25,000 more a month in tariffs during that same time period n nBut several Palatka shop owners said they anticipate a stronger year in 2026. n n“The bones are all here,” Deputy affirmed. “Our best is on its way.” n nAnother Palatka business that has been open even longer than Deputy’s is Florida’s oldest diner, Angels Dining Car. n nJohn Browning, one of the owners of the establishment, said the restaurant has been open for 93 years. Business for the diner has always been good, he said, especially more recently. Given how long the diner has been open and its long-term success, he’s confident Palatka will be steadfast in the face of economic change for a long time. n nThe city of Palatka is working to implement some improvements, mainly to the downtown district, that will benefit the shops there. n nDeputy is especially invested in these changes as they’ll be happening right on his doorstep. n nHe said the main improvements to the downtown district include revamping and widening the sidewalk, and repaving the roads. He also said the city will be replacing the trees outside his store to provide more shade, and the outside lighting will also be revamped. n nDeputy said the project is expected to cost a total of $1 million. “It’s a lot of money,” Deputy said. n nPalatka mayor Robbi Correa owns a small business, Lemon Street Market and Mercantile, just a block away from Deputy’s store. She sells various home goods in her store and has also seen the economic toll on small businesses in recent years. n nOriginally from Rhode Island, Correa has lived in Palatka for 20 years, and this is her fourth year as mayor. She is the first female mayor elected in Palatka. She said she plans on making sure the city stays on the right track. n n“Obviously I’m focused on the whole city, but one of my real interests is downtown’s revitalization,” Correa stated. n n“I see downtown as the catalyst not just for Palatka but for the county as a whole,” Correa explained, stating that the revitalization would bring in the most tax revenue for the city as a whole, and she’s already worked to get some of it started, beginning with the project to improve downtown streets and sidewalks a few weeks from now. n nThe city also has a rotation of different festivals and events happening every year that help bring more people into town, and this year is no different. n nThe most important upcoming events are the azalea, Thanksgiving, and blue crab festivals. “Thousands come up for blue crab,” Correa stated. “We have some pretty major festivals, and in between we have smaller things like wine strolls, art strolls.” n nLocal merchants like Deputy help to host these festivals, particularly one of the area’s biggest event, the Thanksgiving festival. n nPalatka has a large arts community and is home to the Florida School of the Arts. Murals can be found on the once blank walls of various buildings downtown. The city’s roots in the arts is the reason it hosts festivals and events of that nature over the course of each year. n nThe events Palatka hosts create more foot traffic, and give a big boost to the businesses there. n nPalatka is an example of a city that doesn’t take economic uncertainty to heart. n nLeaders and local business owners said htey support the city so it can continue to grow when faced with adverse economic trends.