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More News

    By
  • Business Observer Staff
  • December 19, 2008
+ Florida per-capita income

+ Florida per-capita income

  • News
    By
  • Business Observer Staff
  • December 11, 2008
Commercial Real Estate Briefs

Hoffman Group buys half of Miramar

  • Charlotte–Lee–Collier
    By
  • Business Observer Staff
  • December 11, 2008
Coffee Talk

+ Irish companyopens centerGraham Peakin, chief executive officer of 1800Hotels.com, a hotel reservations company, started the company six years ago with no money, faxing Irish businesses a list of hotels from his tiny apartment in Dublin, Ireland each morning, waiting for replies.+ Luxury realty firmmakes its mark quicklyWhen Judy Green took over the Sotheby's luxury realty franchise for the Greater Sarasota market Nov. 1, she said it wouldn't take long for her to make some significant changes.+ Trust servicesare hot again for banksIt wasn't long ago that a bank's trust department was considered the twilight zone at many financial institutions. + Corporate tax debacleaverted by Florida CabinetThousands of businesses across the state will be spared harsh tax penalties next year, courtesy of a special rule passed by the Florida Cabinet Dec 9.+ Online buyingcreates more buzzWhile Christmas sales have been modest so far this year, online shopping is generating a little more interest in 2008, if the experience of a Tampa chief executive is any barometer.+ Newspaper zoning change makes for more office spaceSarasota city commissioners have approved a controversial zoning change for the owners of the Sarasota Herald-Tribune building in downtown Sarasota, in a request Coffee Talk reported on in October.+ Commissioner Judah:More than just the Red SoxRay Judah, chairman of the Lee County Commission, defen

  • News
    By
  • Business Observer Staff
  • December 4, 2008
Commercial Real Estate Briefs

Corus Bank takes back Allegro Palm ApartmentsNorth Central Florida Syscobuys land for expansionNautical products JSIbuys Third Avenue buildingAttorney, sons buy South Bridge CrossingPestWest Electronics Limitedexpanding to second warehouseSchenkelShultz-designed school built in Fort PierceFifth Third Bank plansPrice Crossing branchTIB Financial Corp. buys Milan CenterWalgreens buys new store from Paradise Development GroupFort Lauderdale firmbuys Brantley CommonsFirst phase of retail shopsopens at The Mercato

  • Tampa Bay-Lakeland
    By
  • Business Observer Staff
  • December 4, 2008
Coffee Talk

+ The Grinch thatnearly stole FGCUPolitical correctness is still alive and well in academia. + Gulf Coast buildertakes on fedsIn the past 40 years, Charlotte County homebuilder Earl Snyder has survived three housing busts that brought down many of his construction brethren. + Gulf Coast buildertakes on fedsIn the past 40 years, Charlotte County homebuilder Earl Snyder has survived three housing busts that brought down many of his construction brethren.+ An international vacationand a cheap surgery?Rob Pariseau, chief executive of Tampa-based Benefits Solutions Group, told Coffee Talk about an emerging health care business trend: Medical tourism.+ Foreclosure feverabates in LeeMaybe lenders in Lee County running out of houses to foreclose on.+ Foreclosure feverabates in LeeMaybe lenders in Lee County running out of houses to foreclose on.+ Builders lobbying grouphires new leaderThe Gulf Coast Builders Exchange, an advocacy and lobbying group for developers, builders and construction firms, sees 2009 as a growth year - despite the fact that many members, both current and potential new ones, are desperately seeking ways to cut back on expenses. New banking twist:Roll out the proTampa-based HomeBanc will unveil two new branches in Tampa Monday, Dec. 8.+ Lee County'sland shopping spreeWho says there are no real estate buyers?+ Top-notch talentwary of move to Tampa

  • News
    By
  • Business Observer Staff
  • November 28, 2008
Coffee Talk

+ Homer's wine fest:Dough for D'oh!This awful year in business can pretty much be summed up with one word: D'oh!+ Obama electioncould help Largo firmGeoPhama, a Largo pharmaceuticals maker, is hopeful that the new Obama presidency will be good for the company, which is seeking government approval for breakthrough drugs, including an ovarian cancer detection device - the president-elect's mother died of ovarian cancer.+ Melting Potneeds a wheelbarrowPlenty of business awards are given out each year on the Gulf Coast.+ Naples to hostventure forumContrary to what you might have read, venture capital hasn't disappeared. It's probably sitting in T-bills waiting for the right opportunity.+ Tampa scorecardimproves slightlyThe latest economic scorecard for the Tampa Bay area, compiled by the Tampa Bay Partnership, showed a slight improvement, although the Bay area ranked in last place overall among six southern markets.+ Super Bowlleads to Super contestForget the Super Bowl, the 'Big Game' being played in Tampa Feb. 1. + Junior Achievementdinner draws big crowdWith the Gulf Coast's economy weakening, it was a pleasant surprise to see more than 650 people recently attend Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida's induction of Todd Gates and Paul Marinelli to its business hall of fame.Gulf Coast foreclosurescontinue to riseHome foreclosures rose at the steepest pace in the Naples-Marco Island area

  • News
    By
  • Business Observer Staff
  • November 28, 2008
Commercial Real Estate Briefs

MCC to build medical tech centerInterShow suggests Palm dealfor parking, center, hotelStarwood buys 2,500home sites in three statesWendemen Constructionhired to build condo lobbyQuincy Investments suggestsnew Payne Park Village for siteB of A buys Countrywide Tampa officeB.E.T.-ER Mix ownerbuys Gibsonton landWade Trim, Renker Eich Parksdesign school renovationFulton, Tenn., couple buysCarrolwood Window warehouseFulton, Tenn., couple buysCarrolwood Window warehouseWalgreens buys landin Port CharlotteMillenium Partners 2 buysMurdock Family Medical Center

  • Manatee-Sarasota
    By
  • Business Observer Staff
  • November 20, 2008
Commercial Real Estate Briefs

Naples Bay Resort becomes The ShoppesRiverside Investors LLCbuys Colonial commercial landLennar Homes LLCbuys more Bella Terra landDeAngelis Diamond finishes Collection at VanderbiltStrackbein Constructioncompletes yacht Club, marinaAndros Boatworks moves to larger buildingBradenton businessmandeveloping Parrish daycareW.S. Badcock Corp. buysSarasota furniture storeBovie Medical Corp. buys building, movingFlorida State Fair Foundationbuys warehouse, modelsFirst Intermediary Corp. buysJ.W. Conner & Sons propertyNAI Tampa Bay Commercialadds valuation servicesKona Grill restaurantsigns to lease at Met West

  • Charlotte–Lee–Collier
    By
  • Business Observer Staff
  • November 20, 2008
Coffee Talk

+ Dust off the robes,and start foreclosingThe rise in foreclosures in Lee County has been so large that retired judges are getting called up for duty, says Lee County Clerk of Courts Charlie Green. + Entrepreneurial superstarssearch continuesTwo successful entrepreneurs in Sarasota - one being one of the most successful businessmen on the Gulf Coast - are trying to spread the build-a-business love. Local bank surprise:Free moneyMost bankers aren't fond of handing out cash on the street to total strangers.+ Golfing for charity,building a businessIf you hear a little music, a little laughter, a blue tent and beer when you pull your golf cart up to the next hole, you may have discovered a new Gulf Coast business started by Clearwater entrepreneurs Pam Delaney and Justina Hopkins.+ Tampa Bay becomesa championship hostSomewhere, maybe everywhere, there are hoteliers cheering.+ Christmas shoppingfor a cancer cureWith the holidays approaching, Tampa's Moffitt Cancer Center and Mall Networks, a provider of merchant-funded loyalty shopping concepts, have come up with a way to marry shopping and fundraising for cancer research.AUGUST AUTO SALESWhat the data shows: August taxable sales of autos and accessories include the sale of new and used cars, repair shops, auto-supply stores and taxable sales at gasoline stations.Waiting in the wingsThe softer economy has touched just about every Gulf Coa

  • News
    By
  • Business Observer Staff
  • November 14, 2008
Commercial Real Estate Briefs

Local investors buy Sanibel Islander's CenterChick-Fil-A companybuys land for restaurantSunshine Structures finishes work on Pine Jog ElementaryLandmark buys Lakeside North at CarrollwoodBelleair Development Groupbuys Port Richey Lone StarThree companies buy share inMidtown Professional Center1st Manatee Bank buys Cortez branchConnecticut investorbuys Venice warehouseAPAC-Southeastreceives resurfacing contractSarasota's Players Theatreuses grant for improvementsHolland Landscaping Service improving Honore Trail ParkContractor to start secondbuilding in commerce park

  • Charlotte–Lee–Collier
    By
  • Business Observer Staff
  • November 14, 2008
Coffee Talk

+ The first change:A run on gunsBusiness has soared in the past month and a half at Shoot Straight, a chain of Florida gun shops in Tampa, Casselberry and Apopka.+ The list no onewants to be onCoStar Group, the firm that tracks commercial real estate on the Gulf Coast, recently highlighted a list of the largest problem loans in the country.+ Global construction firmlikes local marketA Portuguese-based international construction giant is entering the Gulf Coast market - and thanks to the industry slump it's doing so at a heavy discount, by buying a $100 million Manatee County company for $33.7 million. + New retailers stillstream to the Gulf CoastIt may turn out to be a dreadful holiday shopping season, but that doesn't mean new retailers have given up on the Gulf Coast.+ Entrepreneur findsright market, right timeJohn Barry had no idea how clairvoyant he was three years ago when he set out to launch his own global bonds information business from Sarasota.+ Hurricane Charleynot ancient historyIt's been four years since Hurricane Charley blew through the Gulf Coast, but we are reminded of its lingering impacts on so many businesses even today. + Rebuilt, rebranded, reborn,renamed ChappellRobertsThe transfer of ownership and authority at Tampa's Roberts Communications finished going full circle this month.+ Going green goesthe world of GoogleJust when you thought you'd heard everything

  • News
    By
  • Business Observer Staff
  • November 6, 2008
Coffee Talk

+ Riverside Bank feels regulator's pressureNow we know why a group of Brazilian investors is buying Riverside Bank of the Gulf Coast for $1.+ The sweetscent of victoryWinning baseball dramatically helped the Tampa Bay Rays this year, but so did atmosphere.+ Something old, something new: Homebuilder survivesA combination of old land deals and new pricing strategies has resulted in an odd occurrence for Lakewood Ranch-based Neal Communities, one of the leading homebuilders in Sarasota and Manatee counties: The company has increased year-to-date sales over 2007. Even more surprising, it plans on making a profit this year. + Economy-based humorlingers, even as bank expandsGrim jokes about the struggling financial-service industry were flying fast and furious recently as Northern Trust broke ground on a new two-story building in Fort Myers. + Franchise company hits YouTube for marketing pushAttention plumbers, electricians and air conditioning repairmen - or fans of anyone in those hard-labor professions: Get ready to tap into your inner Steven Spielberg.+ Another familyfeud at Alico?It was only a few years ago that the heirs of Ben Hill Griffin Jr. settled their feud over the future of LaBelle-based agribusiness giant Alico.+ Capital runs short for a second bank turnaroundFederal and state regulators have shut down another effort to save a troubled Bradenton-based bank.Going green goes the world o

  • News
    By
  • Business Observer Staff
  • November 6, 2008
Commercial Real Estate Briefs

Massachusetts investor buys Charleston SquareRyals Citrus, Cattle Ranchdoubles ranch landInvestor group buys,rezoning Daniels landDairy Queen franchise company buys storeThe Adler Group Inc. buys 15 buildingsin Breckenridge ParkBoynton Beach company buys Jackson Heights ApartmentsKimco Realty Corp.buysDale Mabry Albertsons store

  • Charlotte–Lee–Collier
    By
  • Business Observer Staff
  • October 30, 2008
Commercial Real Estate Briefs

Fort Myers physician buys buildingRegent Properties buys land,betting on residential recoveryPort Charlotte buyers acquire Courtyard Retirement CentreGora/McGahey Associatesdesigns Coronado High SchoolIrish group buys Citrus Falls CommonsCapital Realty Investorsbuy Selmon's Plaza in LargoCapital Realty Investorsbuy Selmon's Plaza in LargoW.S. Badcock Corp.buys Ruskin store, franchiseMobile Home Depot owner buys Antique MallBenderson Developmentfiles revised BofA plansAfter reorganization,Patrick regains Tropic IsleMedical Education Technologiesplans Bee Ridge expansionSam Rodgers Homesstart work on 'Gran' clubhouse

  • Charlotte–Lee–Collier
    By
  • Business Observer Staff
  • October 30, 2008
Coffee Talk

+ How lowcan Chico's go?The stock of Chico's FAS, the Fort Myers-based women's apparel retailer, hasn't sunk this low since December 2000.+ Economic fallout:additional lawsuitsSo much for a decline in lawsuits filed against businesses. + Simple advicefor selling propertyReal estate has taken a big hit in today's economy, but there is still buying, selling and construction on the Gulf Coast.+ Brazilians buyRiverside BankA group of Brazilian investors plans to buy Cape Coral-based Riverside Bank of the Gulf Coast with promises to put $23 million in new capital into the struggling bank, according to an application filed with the Florida Office of Financial Regulation.+ Technology company scores with new advisersA little known Bradenton-based solar energy company has hit the big time with its roster of senior advisers by successfully recruiting a pair of former high-level federal officials from the Bush Administration. + Commercial real estatesales move alongWhile not yet reaching trend status, the news squeaking out of some commercial real estate pockets of the Gulf Coast is surprisingly good.+ Urban Studio Architectsheads to the MidwestMickey Jacob's Tampa firm, Urban Studio Architects, has done work outside of Florida before. + CorrectionIn the Review's Oct. 17-23, 2008 issue a real estate brief listed a wrong acreage. GULF COAST UNEMPLOYMENTWhat the data shows: Local area une

  • News
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