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Results for:

  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff |
  • August 3, 2007
Coffee Talk

West Tampa feels the urban awakening: First there was Hyde Park in south Tampa. Then Seminole Heights. Then northern Ybor City. Then Tampa Heights north of downtown. Then Channelside.Bulldozers coming to Westshore: For those who don't know: Westshore is the largest business district on the Gulf Coast with more than 11 million square feet of offices. Some put it past Miami.Homebuilders strive to melt the housing slump: Homebuilders have resorted to all kinds of gimmicks - that is, incentives - when it comes to pushing product in the current slumping real estate market. Boat company sails through good times and bad: Clearwater-based boat retailer MarineMax's hot 2006 has so far only led to a cold 2007.What's in a name?: If you're wondering whether Raymond James & Associates Inc. made a wise investment in sponsoring Raymond James Stadium, the answer is yes, says one family member.Loan-seeking entrepreneurs experience express success: Budding small business owners and entrepreneurs know the drill when it comes to getting loans for a new business venture: Swallow hard, close your eyes and brace for the dreaded "no."And now, Governor blah, blah, blah

  • News
  • By Elizabeth King |
  • March 13, 2026
$5 million Sarasota-Manatee pet retail business starts franchising

The franchise market for retail dog food and toys is lucrative. Entrepreneurs — and passionate dog parents — Rob and Linda Emery enter it with a litter full of in-the-field experience.

  • Manatee-Sarasota
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff |
  • February 29, 2008
Coffee Talk

Of fairy tales and housing sales: When Michael Saunders recently addressed the 400 or so real estate agents that make up the bulk of the sales force at the Sarasota-based firm that bears her name, she wanted to combine a pep talk with humor.New Dillard's store may mean transition: Dillard's has started construction on a new store at the sprawling Wiregrass Ranch mixed-use development in Wesley ChapelPopulation slowdown threatens Gators: Construction isn't the only thing that's going to suffer from a decline in population growth in Florida.Non-profit CEO, for-profit style: Mary Labyak, 59, is president and CEO of the Hospice of the Florida Suncoast in Clearwater.Retired entrepreneur gives big for Wellness: An ambitious fundraising campaign for a new building for the Wellness Community, a Sarasota-based support group for cancer patients and their families, is off to a rousing start.Luxury hotel secret officially official: One of the worst kept secrets in the Sarasota development community is no longer a secretCalling GULF COAST entrepreneurs: The Review is seeking the best and brightest Gulf Coast entrepreneurs for its 2008 Entrepreneur Award.

  • News
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff |
  • November 17, 2006
Sweet Equity

A literal hands-on entrepreneur learns how to grow by letting go. After starting the business on $6,000 in combined family savings, he's grown it to $10 million in annual revenues.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff |
  • January 30, 2004
Real Estate Briefs (Sara/Mana edition)

This week's items: Sembler Co. develops S.R. 64 Eckerd storeWalters family buys Bradenton's Globe TrailersThree Najmy brothers buy Sand Pebble ApartmentsSunset Automotive Group buys Mitsubishi land, franchise

  • Tampa Bay-Lakeland
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff |
  • March 25, 2011
Corporate Report: Mar. 25

The latest news from Sanibel Captiva, SinoFresh Healthcare, and other Gulf Coast companies.

  • News
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Louis Llovio |
  • February 20, 2024
One year later, Florida legislators are updating the $711 million Live Local Act

Two pieces of legislation are making their way through the Florida Legislature aimed at tweaking and updating the affordable housing legislation passed with wide bipartisan support last year.

  • Florida
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Andrew Warfield |
  • December 23, 2025
New SRQ airport CEO reflects on first month on the job

New Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport President and CEO Paul Hoback equates SRQ and the region to living and working in paradise.

  • Manatee-Sarasota
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff |
  • September 19, 2003
Coffee Talk

This week's items: Quote from Michael Kovac Executive Director of High Technology Engineering Development Old Station in Fort Myers soldCell phone linking to UPC bar codes in Fort MyersJudicial Qualifications Commission case

  • News
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff |
  • March 21, 2008
Corporate Report

Barron Colliers, Lutgerts buy into TIBTaylor Morrison using AT&T networkMiva pay-click divisiontargets mobile viewers

  • Industries
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Adam Hughes |
  • June 24, 2005
Rapid Escalation

Condo developer demand for industrial-warehouse land in Tampa's Channel District is pushing prices beyond $100 a square foot.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Jay Brady |
  • October 29, 2010
Constitutional Queries

Voters get their chance at six more proposed constitutional amendments Nov. 2. Together and individually the results could have huge effects on politics, taxes and the economy for years to come.

  • Florida
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Kevin McQuaid |
  • June 11, 2021
At the Apex

Land Advisors Organization Tampa Managing Broker Nancy Surak has developed into one of the top land-focused real estate brokers in the region — and nationally.

  • Commercial Real Estate
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Liz Ramos |
  • January 31, 2023
SCF Manatee-Sarasota grows nursing program

State College of Florida will be able to accept 350 students into its programs as a result of $1.1 million raised through community partnerships and matched by the state legislature.

  • Education
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Brian Hartz |
  • August 29, 2022
Medical device industry entrepreneur attacks a new industry niche

After growing and exiting one $100 million business, startup medical device entrepreneur Alex Lucio has latched onto another big opportunity.

  • Health Care
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Adam Hughes |
  • October 7, 2005
Finalists Named for 2005 Technology Innovation Awards

Twenty-four companies and not-for-profit organizations in Sarasota and Manatee counties have been nominated for the 2005 Technology Innovation Awards, sponsored by the Gulf Coast Business Review and 82 Degrees. Read about them for free.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Adam Hughes |
  • December 5, 2005
Coffee Talk (Tampa)

No capital shortage here Why does a startup bank need $100 million?: Coffee Talk wanted to know, after the Nov. 29 announcement that a new super-community bank was coming to Tampa.Meanwhile, in Oldsmar...: At the other end of the de novo spectrum is the proposed Flagship Community Bank.Gift tips for business: Families and friends aren't the only ones exchanging holiday presents this time of year. Many business owners like to show their appreciation for their customers, too.What now at Findwhat? Remember Findwhat.com?: Well, the Fort Myers paid-search Internet company is called Miva Inc. now.

  • News
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Adam Hughes |
  • December 9, 2005
Coffee Talk (Sara/Mana)

Nokomis hotel scramble: While the residential real estate market has slowed, proposed hotel projects are certainly bucking that trend and particularly at one Nokomis intersection.Rocky mountains, why?: The Florida Bankers Association is out with a detailed schedule for the group's 2006 convention.Charity raffle, Neapolitan style: The Naples Winter Wine Festival, the super-exclusive Bacchanalian hobnob held every January, is selling raffle tickets for $5,000 a piece.Chery no more: Sarasota no longer has a choice connection in the battle to bring Chinese-made cars to the United States.Basic school math: Proponents of developing a military academy similar to the Sarasota Military Academy in Manatee County have some fairly convincing business figures on their side.

  • News
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Adam Hughes |
  • April 8, 2005
Coffee Talk (Tampa)

Trump going up?: Rumors are circulating that Turner Construction Co. is no longer the general contractor for the much-touted Trump Tower Tampa.We're No. 1: Does the Tampa Bay area have more white-collar crooks than anywhere else in Florida?Payday, payday: New research by a University of Florida professor claims that stateside payday lenders are targeting America's men and women in uniform.Barr none: Former Georgia congressman Bob Barr couldn't make it. New guy at Fifth Third: Fifth Third Bank (Florida) has a new leader in Hillsborough County.

  • News
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff |
  • September 18, 2008
ARM Pains

Washington Mutual is hobbled by increasing defaultson the one-time popular payment option ARMs.

  • Entrepreneurs
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