Jessica Clark received her first camera when she was twelve years old. This sparked a life long dream of being a photographer and owning her own studio. “Being a photographer is all I ever wanted to be.”

Carlene Hunt Perryman loves to collect antiques, so much so, that her husband told her if she purchased one more thing for the house she would have to take something out. That sparked the idea of owning her own antique shop.

John Abbott is the owner of Abbott Metal Craft located in Forreston, Texas. He began his business in Erie, Michigan in 1978. Abbott’s business consists of making metal products in his welding and machine shop. In 1980 due to the bad economy he closed his business and reopened it in 2006 in Virginia Beach, Virginia. In January of 2009 Abbott moved his business to Forreston.

What do you do when your place of employment of twenty years closes down? You no longer have a job, what do you do?

Alvin and Mayme Onstad, long time residents of Italy, Texas hope to start a new business. This couple has come up with a way to cut their electric bill in half.

There was a full house on hand at Hobbs Feed & Grain on Saturday due to the grand opening. The newest owners were happy to meet the citizens of Italy during the festivities. Many from the community came to participate in the event. So many, there was hardly any parking available.

The talent for cooking must run in the Mitchell Family. Doris Mitchell owns Uptown Cafe downtown Italy, her granddaughter Amber Hudson has her own catering business, Lady Ella Catering and now Ricky Whitney’s (Doris’s grandson) sister in law Stacey Tolliver makes her own creation, “Cake Bites.”

James & Joyce Hobbs, owners of Hobbs Feed & Supply in Italy, are excited about their upcoming grand opening. On March 13 & 14, 2009 they have many activities planned for the residents of Italy and the surrounding communities.

Express Electronics and Movie Rental opened in July of 2008 and now is sadly closing it’s doors. We now have another vacant space on Main Street in downtown Italy.

Doris Mitchell, owner of the Uptown Cafe in downtown Italy, loves her customers. Visitors that dine at the Uptown can see that the relationship between Mitchell and her customers is special. For that reason, she opened the cafe on Christmas Day to share food and fellowship with anyone that wanted to come.

Who would have ever thought that I would open a restaurant? This was Juana Martinez’s (owner of Mamma’s Place) thoughts when her Pastor suggested she open a Mexican restaurant. “I had never even worked in a restaurant before,” stated Juana.

Matilda Jerry Williams and Shermalita Alexander Watson are the proud owners of “Just Fish” a new restaurant that opened in March of 2008 in Avalon, Texas.

Monolithic would like to thank area businesses and home owners for their support allowing Monolithic to collect organic food waste to be used in an odor reducing compost cover project. However, many are wondering, did the cover actually perform?

Zeke Agreda and Kim Serrata were raised in Milford, Texas. They attended school in Milford and are now raising their family there. They have two children, Ethen and Kasen Agreda. They have decided to open their own business, K&E Tires and Wheels in Hillsboro.

How much fun would it be to run a dry cleaners and antique store in Italy, Texas? Well, the Spradling family thought this was a wonderful idea.

A business of my own, what a scary idea! What if no one would really want to have items embroidered? We have a lot of bills, what if we can’t pay them? Then what?

The Italy Gladiator’s Homecoming game is Friday, October 24. We all know what that means — football, queens, kings, a dance, a parade, mums and garters!

Josh Trees graduated from Italy High school at 17, went to Hill College and received his associates degree. At the ripe old age of 19 he purchased his grandfather’s business, Best Disposal, when his grandfather decided he did not want it anymore.

Back in the day when Uptown Cafe was open on Friday nights, this was the hot spot for the Italy teenagers to go and “hang out.” If you visit the Uptown, you will see the walls covered with pictures of teenagers in their youth playing football, cheering at the games, kids showing their FFA animals and winning awards. A small town cafe loaded with memories.

“The mission of Integra Home Health Care is to be partners in health and put patient’s needs first,” explained Chrissy Guerero.