Summer Jarro

Divya Gulati, from left, and Ardis Matthews show a Rolex watch to Mike Losito, of Summerfield, at Jewelry Design in La Plaza Grande. The business’ La Plaza Grande location is celebrating 25 years of business in The Villages this year. George Horsford, Daily Sun

Middleton is leading a new wave of commercial growth in the area.

Sgt. Courtney Corman, of the Fruitland Park Police Department, helps her son, 2-year-old Stewart Corman, play laser tag during the Battle of the Badges event on Saturday at the Cales Memorial Soccer Field in Fruitland Park. Sophia Lucente, Daily Sun

As new businesses move into the community, owners of established businesses in The Villages continue to invest in upgrades and improvements to accommodate an evolving client base and business trends.

Businesses in The Villages are known for their charitable efforts. Suleiman Family Companies just wrapped up a fundraiser, Patchington has a few events coming up, Island Fin Poke is sponsoring

Pauline Cacace, of the Village El Cortez, models clothes from Anthony’s Ladies Apparel at Wednesday’s fundraiser. Rachel Govola, Daily Sun

Crave staff members help a customer with an order Saturday at the new restaurant. There was a soft opening Friday and a grand opening Saturday to celebrate the opening. Summer Jarro, Daily Sun staff writer

Americans jumped into the holiday season eagerly this year, with shopping for the spookiest time of the year starting earlier than ever.

Andrea Cortez-Reyes comes from a family of entrepreneurs.

Co-owner Windy Hall, left, of Fruitland Park, helps Roddy Smith, of the Village of Hawkins, lift a tire to buy on Monday at Villages Cycles in Brownwood. Villages Cycles began its Black Friday deals at the end of October. Joseph Cooke, Daily Sun