DEBARY, Fla. — Major efforts to bring a downtown district to DeBary are underway.

City officials hope to build the district around the SunRail station that’s located in town, and local businesses feel they can benefit from the plans as well.

“I believe that all the new things coming to town will actually help the businesses,” said Yulandia Kalafut, the owner of Chef Yo’s.

Kalafut has been serving up homemade food in DeBary for two decades and she’s called the city her home for 35 years.

It’s one reason she felt comfortable expanding on her catering business and opening her restaurant in 2020 during the pandemic.

“It’s my job to make sure people eat healthy,” she said while preparing a customer's sandwich.

The chef has known for years that creating meals with fresh ingredients was a passion of hers.

Now, she says being able to share that love with her community means everything, and soon she hopes more people will be able to experience her cuisine for themselves.

“We love DeBary, we love the people in DeBary,” Kalafut said.

With plans in place to create a downtown environment in DeBary, Kalafut is excited for what the future holds. 

The city has discussed the idea for years, but it is only now coming to fruition. That’s because a Main Street project near the SunRail station has been approved by city officials.

The plan is to create a gathering space in DeBary that didn’t previously exist. 

That means bringing even more local shops and restaurants — and with the project expected to begin at the end of the year, local businesses like Chef Yo’s could benefit as well.

“I think that the more people, the more you can share your gifts with others,” said Kalafut. “I think it’s going to be great when DeBary grows all the way."

Growth in DeBary is something the chef feels that her town is ready for.

When that moment comes, Kalafut said she’ll be ready to greet any new face with a smile and home-cooked meal.

“DeBary has been very supportive of us, too,” she said.