September/October Capital Soundbytes
CAPITAL/I-10
LOCAL HONORS
» Two Tallahassee restaurants, Black Radish and The Huntsman, have been named Michelin Guide Recommended within the 2026 Florida list. 2026 is the first year this coveted list has covered the entire state of Florida.
» Main Street Marianna has been designated as the Florida Main Street Program of the Month. Secretary of State Cord Byrd made the announcement Tuesday. This recognition reflects the dedication, passion, and hard work of our board members, volunteers, business owners, community partners, and supporters who believe in the future of Downtown Marianna. Main Street Marianna’s goals include improving and preserving the Historic Downtown District of Marianna through community events and promoting economic growth.
LOCAL HAPPENINGS
» Volunteers of America of Florida (VOAF) reaffirmed its commitment to supporting veterans with compassion, dignity, and continuity of care as the organization works with veterans and partners to navigate an upcoming program transition. VOAF announced that its Grant and Per Diem (GPD) Programs in Tallahassee, Lake City, Jacksonville, Gainesville, Ocala, and Tampa are expected to conclude on September 30, 2026, absent a reversal or alternative funding solution, following a lapse in renewal of approximately $5 million in annual U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) GPD funding for these locations.
» Tallahassee-based financial advisors David Cushard, Wesley Mullins, and their Honeycomb Wealth Advisors team are joining Cetera’s Summit Financial Networks community after being previously associated with Commonwealth Financial Network. The firm oversees approximately
$190 million in assets under administration and brings over 65 years of combined experience. Honeycomb Wealth Advisors is a full-service advisory practice whose name reflects the team’s core philosophy: Like bees that store honey to sustain themselves through difficult seasons, the firm helps clients build and protect the resources they need to thrive, no matter what the future holds. When LPL Financial acquired Commonwealth, Cushard, Mullins, and their team evaluated the full landscape of independent broker-dealer options and concluded that Summit, as part of Cetera, stood apart as the one broker-dealer that most closely matched the culture, service model, and advisor-focused support they had valued at Commonwealth.
» Full Press Apparel has announced that M&M Monogramming will begin operating as a division of the company effective June 22, bringing personalized monogram work under the same roof as Full Press Apparel’s screen printing, production embroidery, and promotional products services. M&M Monogramming owner Holley Curry will move into a new role as the business development manager at Full Press Apparel, bringing her clients and expertise with her. Curry says the transition felt like a natural fit. Together, the two companies will offer screen printing, production embroidery, custom monogramming, and promotional products. Shrine says clients can expect a smooth transition and will soon have access to the full range of combined services.
NEW & NOTABLE
» Big Bend Hospice celebrated the grand opening of its second Oak Tree Treasures resale shop on Friday, June 26, welcoming a crowd of supporters, volunteers, donors, and community leaders to mark the milestone. The celebration drew such an enthusiastic response that the parking lot was full well before the ceremony began, with some shoppers arriving as early as 9 a.m. to be among the first through the doors. Located at 3802 North Monroe Street, the new store expands Oak Tree Treasures’ mission of turning everyday shopping and donations into meaningful support for hospice patients and families across the Big Bend. The second location builds on the success of the original Oak Tree Treasures store on Mahan Drive, which opened in January 2025 and quickly became a destination for shopping, donating, and volunteering in support of Big Bend Hospice. For more than 40 years, Big Bend Hospice has provided hospice and palliative care across 13 counties in the Florida Panhandle. As the region’s only nonprofit hospice provider, the organization serves patients and families regardless of their ability to pay, offering compassionate end-of-life care and support throughout their journey. Community members can support Oak Tree Treasures by shopping, volunteering, or donating gently used clothing, furniture, home décor, artwork, and other household items. Both Tallahassee locations are open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Shutts & Bowen LLP is pleased to announce that Andre “Andy” Bardos has joined the firm’s Tallahassee office as a partner in its Appellate Practice Group. With more than 20 years of experience, Bardos handles complex litigation and appeals for both public and private clients. He has extensive experience representing state agencies and government entities in high-profile constitutional, election, redistricting, and administrative law matters. Bardos has defended the Florida Department of State and Supervisors of Elections against challenges to Florida election laws, represented the Florida House of Representatives in redistricting litigation, and defended the Florida Legislature in constitutional challenges involving legislative appropriations. In 2018, he was a member of the legal team representing then-Governor Rick Scott and the National Republican Senatorial Committee during post-election recount litigation in the United States Senate race. In addition to his litigation and appellate work, Bardos previously served as Special Counsel to the president of the Florida Senate, where he participated in the development of legislation and served as policy coordinator to the Judiciary Committee, the Health Regulation Committee, and the Ethics and Elections Subcommittee. Bardos earned his bachelor’s degree, cum laude, from the University of Central Florida and his LL.M. in Taxation and his Juris Doctor, magna cum laude, from the University of Florida.
