Cover Update: Message in a bottle

Cover Update: Message in a bottle

Gas prices rose and home sales fell in 2007. People were watching their dollars more. But that didn't discourage Michael Probst from continuing to expand Cork & Olive or change the business model for the Tampa-based, service-oriented retail wine chain.

Recently the chain opened a new store in Sarasota on University Parkway. It sold more franchise locations, including some new sites in Orlando. And this month, it plans one of the biggest events in its history: a reverse merger.