New businesses pop up in Ocala, but few bring high-wage jobs.

Publication: Ocala Star-Banner (Ocala, Florida) (via Knight-Ridder/Tribune Business News)

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COPYRIGHT 2005 Ocala Star-Banner

Byline: Steven Ray Haberlin

Aug. 28--OCALA, Fla. -- Bob Russett saw a need within the tennis community in Marion County.

If a racket broke, there was no place local to fix the strings.

Tennis enthusiasts, according to Russett, also lacked a place to buy the latest fashions or equipment.

So Russett, a former Xerox executive, tapped into his retirement savings, developed a business plan, did a lot of legwork and opened Ocala Tennis in May. He is the sole employee of the business, with the exception of this wife, who helps out on weekends. But he doesn't mind.

"It's a very lucky man who can get up in the morning and do what he loves, and that's what I achieved here," he said.

Ocala Tennis, on East Silver Springs Boulevard, is one of the many new businesses to recently open within the city and part of...

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