Business Observer

Entrepreneurs

May 21, 2026

The Business Observer Top Entrepreneur luncheon — the event in photos

Over 200 people attended the annual event.

May 20, 2026

From Publix to Costco, St. Pete CRE exec is go-to hire for retail giants

Rachel Wein's unique approach to consulting for commercial real estate has led her to some of the world's most known brands. "I sincerely hope I’m with Costco until the end of time," she says.

May 19, 2026

The ‘Queen of pitch’ dishes on the secrets to her $2.5B success

Forbes Riley’s success in pitching billions of dollars of stuff, from ab rockers to Zoobooks, has led to a lifetime of hard-earned lessons.

May 15, 2026

Mark Vengroff: Hyperfocusing on an in-demand niche pays big dividends

"We went through a lot of struggles on a lot of things, … but every big mistake we had, we had some huge reward come out of it in the end." –Mark Vengroff, One Stop Housing

Healthcare

May 22, 2026

Florida nonprofit hospital group surpasses $20B, raises profit margin

AdventHealth has been growing in Charlotte and Pasco counties, among other parts of the region.

May 19, 2026

100K-square-foot Lee Health center breaks ground in Cape Coral

Located on Veterans Parkway, the facility will include everything from surgical and imaging to infusion and outpatient capabilities.

May 8, 2026

Upstart auto injury medical practice targets ambitious growth plans

RejuvenX is a chain of auto injury clinics that is expanding across Florida, treating people who have been involved in vehicular crashes.

Residential Real Estate

May 19, 2026

South Tampa workforce housing project obtains $67 million loan

Central Florida attainable housing developer Hillpointe has begun construction on the 408-unit community.

May 18, 2026

After nearly $39M land deal, Parrish residential project begins selling homes

Explore by Del Webb at North River Ranch will begin sales on May 20, before a May 30 grand opening.

May 17, 2026

Fort Myers land zoned for single-family houses sold

In the week's top commercial real estate news, a Sarasota office property sells, an investor buys a low-income apartment complex in Tampa, and construction starts on a hotel at a Fort Myers mall.

Sarasota Square developer pre-leases 88% of initial commercial space

Torburn Partners has also hired a firm to handle placemaking for the former mall project, which is being redeveloped in phases.

Pasco County retail properties — including Dutch Bros. — sell for $6.5 million

Olde Naples Hotel opens off Third Street South

New hotel will complete three-facility campus at SRQ airport

From Publix to Costco, St. Pete CRE exec is go-to hire for retail giants

The Business Observer Top Entrepreneur luncheon — the event in photos

From Publix to Costco, St. Pete CRE exec is go-to hire for retail giants

The ‘Queen of pitch’ dishes on the secrets to her $2.5B success

Mark Vengroff: Hyperfocusing on an in-demand niche pays big dividends

Longtime Tampa diner to close for brand refresh

Wine, whiskey bar opens in Fort Myers

St. Pete distillery opens 'secret' speakeasy inside working distillery

Natalia Levey: Hospitality-centric leader has a soft spot for 3D printing

$2.3B Florida bank expands in Lee County, names market president

Boca Raton CPA firm acquires Tampa company

South Tampa workforce housing project obtains $67 million loan

$203B wealth management firm expands in state with Naples debut

Florida nonprofit hospital group surpasses $20B, raises profit margin

100K-square-foot Lee Health center breaks ground in Cape Coral

Upstart auto injury medical practice targets ambitious growth plans

South Tampa workforce housing project obtains $67 million loan

After nearly $39M land deal, Parrish residential project begins selling homes

Fort Myers land zoned for single-family houses sold

Longtime Tampa diner to close for brand refresh

Affordable housing developer sues Sarasota County over $1M in rescinded funds

The Business Observer Top Entrepreneur luncheon — the event in photos

Wine, whiskey bar opens in Fort Myers

The best ways to manage uncertainty for yourself — and your team

Leadership transition in family business can create new opportunities

Defeating impostor syndrome requires responding to self-doubt with clarity, confidence

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Sarasota Square developer pre-leases 88% of initial commercial space

Torburn Partners has also hired a firm to handle placemaking for the former mall project, which is being redeveloped in phases.

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