News

Monica Roman Gagnier
June 8, 2026

Landmark Sarasota museum leader announces retirement

Steven High has led the museum founded by circus magnate John Ringling and now administered by Florida State University since 2011.

Manatee-Sarasota

Anastasia Dawson
June 8, 2026

Do you work in an innovative office space? Tell the Business Observer about it.

The Business Observer is looking for companies that have reimagined their workspace for a post-pandemic world.

Florida

Elizabeth King
June 8, 2026

182-unit workforce housing complex opens in Bradenton

Rent at The Nest at Robin’s Apartments starts at $1,170 a month.

Manatee-Sarasota

Louis Llovio
June 8, 2026

Former Oakes Farms exec’s sentencing delayed again

Steven A. Veneziano Jr., who is facing decades in federal prison, is also involved in a lawsuit where he claims to have committed crimes on behalf of Naples’ businessman and right-wing gadfly Alfie Oakes.

Commercial Real Estate

Anastasia Dawson
June 8, 2026

Popular NY lifestyle brand to open third Florida store, in Tampa hot spot

The ultra-feminine lifestyle brand LoveShackFancy will move into a storefront in Hyde Park Village.

Tampa Bay-Lakeland

Louis Llovio
June 7, 2026

Fort Myers land sells to Wisconsin Culver's hamburger franchisee

In the week's top commercial real estate news, a former bakery is up for sale in Sarasota, a North Carolina developer buys land for apartments in Pasco, and a Clearwater CRE firm lands a Tampa client.

Florida

Louis Llovio
June 5, 2026

The rise and fall of Patrick Britton-Harr: From high-flying entrepreneur to convicted felon

The Justice Department calls the story of Patrick Britton-Harr, who charmed investors and local business watchers while systematically defrauding investors and facing federal investigations, a cautionary tale.