Friday March 29th, 2024 2:07AM

Gainesville City Council approves new use for iconic Enota Drive building

GAINESVILLE – The Gainesville City Council unanimously approved a rezoning request Tuesday evening that will allow for an iconic building on Enota Drive to serve as the new home for Cosmic Fox Trading Company.

The 2500-square foot uniquely-shaped building was constructed in 1970 and served until the late 1990’s as an Orthodontist office.  More recently it has served as a counseling center and a Chiropractors office.  The 0.48-acre property still belongs to the Nix family.

Cosmic Fox Trading Company is a spiritually themed goods and literature business and is relocating from 950 Washington Street. 

Walter says she discovered quickly that relocating a business is more than just changing addresses and fixing up the new location.  “I love the building,” Walter said.  “I’ve actually had the key since July…and I started repairing it and fixing the skylights and then I discovered recently that it wasn’t zoned properly and I had no idea.”

So, Walter said, work on the building stopped and work on rezoning began.  She said it has been a learning experience.

Walter says she started the business, leaving the corporate world behind, shortly after the passing of her father.  “In 2019 I opened Cosmic Fox on Washington Street…and it’s really become a place where people feel welcomed and nurtured and loved,” she told members of the Gainesville Planning and Appeals Board in December during her application process.

She told city council members, “This business…has really brought life to my spirit, to serve the community and to connect with the community…and when I found this beautiful building and connected with the family and learned the story about Dr. Nix, it really felt…like home.”

Walter said she hopes to open for business in just a couple of weeks.

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