Industries

By Jean Gruss
September 9, 2011

Careful Lending

Bankers say they've got money to lend, but finding creditworthy customers has been difficult. The challenge: The most desirable customers already have bankers.

Finance

By Mark Gordon
September 9, 2011

Merger Momentum

The union between Whitney Bank and Hancock Bank creates a star Southeast institution. The trick for the bank's Gulf Coast executives is to nurture long-term success with a new approach.

Finance

By Business Observer Staff
September 3, 2011

Fort Myers Beach entrepreneur buys, developing Zoomers

An undisclosed Fort Myers Beach businessman purchased the 18.05-acre Zoomers Family Amusement Park at a Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. auction for $1.36 million.

Charlotte–Lee–Collier

By Business Observer Staff
September 3, 2011

Canadian investor firm buys Oakwood Trace Apartments

A Canadian investment firm operating as Rifai Properties LLC purchased the 32-unit Oakwood Trace Apartments for $1.04 million.

Tampa Bay-Lakeland

By Business Observer Staff
September 3, 2011

United Mechanical relocating to Mainline Parkway building

Fort Myers business owner Mike Clark purchased a 22,637-square-foot industrial building on Mainline Parkway for $950,000.

Charlotte–Lee–Collier

By Business Observer Staff
September 3, 2011

Liberty Group buys Bradenton Holiday Inn

The Tampa-based Liberty Group of Cos. expects to take title to the 60-room Holiday Inn Express in Bradenton in the next 30 days.

Manatee-Sarasota

By Business Observer Staff
September 3, 2011

Sarasota entrepreneur, hotelier buys Veranda Inn, Cafe

Sarasota businessman George Perreault purchased the 38-unit Veranda Inn & Cafe in Venice for $721,000.

Manatee-Sarasota

By Business Observer Staff
September 3, 2011

Florida Studio Theatre plans Gompertz renovations

The Florida Studio Theatre (FST) has filed a site plan to redevelop and expand its Gompertz Theatre on its Sarasota property.

Manatee-Sarasota

By Business Observer Staff
September 3, 2011

DeBartolo Development LLC buys two Nashville Publix centers

Tampa-based DeBartolo Development LLC has acquired two Publix-anchored shopping centers in the greater Nashville, Tenn., area.

Commercial Real Estate

By Business Observer Staff
September 3, 2011

Trammell Crow Co. plans downtown office project

Trammell Crow Co. is getting another chance to develop a parcel in downtown Tampa near the University of South Florida.

Tampa Bay-Lakeland

By Business Observer Staff
September 3, 2011

Nashville's Cooke & Grace buys Trinity Plaza

Nashville, Tenn.-based investment group Cooke & Grace Properties purchased the 12,480-square-foot Trinity Plaza retail center for $1.88 million.

Charlotte–Lee–Collier

By Jay Brady
September 2, 2011

Manatee High graduate Scott Makar rose to become Florida's Solicitor General and heads the state's legal team taking on ObamaCare. Now, the humble Hurricane with five degrees prepares for a likely seventh date with the U.S. Supreme Court.

Florida

By Business Observer Staff
August 26, 2011

Madison Marquette buys into Mercato, other centers

Washington, D.C.-based Madison Marquette has taken a majority ownership interest in four Naples retail properties, including Mercato, Crossroads Market, Neapolitan Way and Midway Plaza.