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Results for:

  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Brian Hartz |
  • July 1, 2020
Boat, RV dealers ride sales surge

Travel trepidation, coupled with shutdown of schools, camps and sports, has area boat and RV dealers riding high. Supply issues could crush the wave.

  • Strategies
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Mark Gordon |
  • September 27, 2019
Restaurant firm cooks up rapid growth phase

A local corporate staple — behind a right time, right place leader — aims to maintain its internal entrepreneurial culture.

  • Travel-Tourism
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Mark Gordon |
  • March 1, 2019
Trump's man in Florida gets pumped for 2020

Joe Gruters relishes his disruptor role in local and state politics, where he’s mostly been behind the scenes. His influence on a vast array of topics is likely to grow — quickly.

  • Florida
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Adam Hughes |
  • June 9, 2006
Real Estate Briefs

Chartwell Senior Housing buys Venice Bella Vita centerHeartland purchases Venice Hampton InnThe Plumbing Place plans retail buildingMichigan firm proposes mixed-use projectLakewood Ranch to create 'urban hub'Investment group buys Burnt Store landDivosta Homes buys Verona Walk propertyBonita Springs Lodge buys AmericInnBethany Group buys Cooper's Pond apartmentsWoolbright Developmentbuys Murdock CarouselPulte Homes acquires land for Lakeside communityHearthstone buysTampa's Citrus Falls

  • Manatee-Sarasota
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Janelle Makowski |
  • January 2, 2004
'We're Having Fun'

Sarasota's SunCoast Bank learned the disadvantages of being nationally chartered. In 2004, it expects to make up lost ground.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff |
  • February 1, 2019
Real estate industry: confidence is high

A deeper look at three markets in the region — Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater; Sarasota-Bradenton; and Fort Myers-Naples — reveals several core themes. One is the market, after a lengthy run-up is, in some cases, flattening out. And to some, that’s OK.

  • Construction-Development
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Louis Llovio |
  • September 16, 2022
Industry insiders: A not-so-sunny outlook for Florida's property insurance market

A foursome of insurance insiders agree the industry is chaos. Consensus on other issues, from who to blame — lawyers or insurance companies or both — to how to solve it, aren’t as apparent.

  • Insurance
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff |
  • October 27, 2006
Coffee Talk

Are you looking to own an historic Sarasota conglomerate made up of high-end restaurants, grocery stores and gift shops? Here's your chance: Epicurean Life, the parent company of Morton's Gourmet Market. rivate-equity groups have targeted HMA in an effort to take the Naples-based hospital company private.Frank D'Alessandro warns that overleveraged real estate speculators could flood the Southwest Florida residential market, further depressing real estate values.Eric Livingston says he takes a proactive approach to running his company that provides IT help for small- and mid-sized businesses. He bluntly puts it this way: "We go out and be proactive and monitor systems so that they don't crap out in the first place." Ross strategy is to follow the BeallThe 2004-2005 hurricane season has claimed another victim: Albritton Fruit Co.Nearly 90% of high-net commercial real estate investors are confident their investment choice is still the best way of making money.How do nonprofits get by in a competitive business climate?

  • News
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff |
  • March 23, 2007
Corporate Report

Jim Walter joins gas-reductions groupWorld Energy Solutions, Rajax trading lawsuitsSource Interlink reaches deal with Thomas NelsonRadiation Therapy Services buys second Arizona facilityMangrove Software buys BenefitOne of America

  • Industries
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff |
  • April 27, 2007
Hands-off Buchanan becomes hands-on

Freshman Congressman Vern Buchanan has earned kudos for reaching out to constituents and is winning respect in Washington.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Adam Hughes |
  • September 13, 2005
Uncertainty

Florida's economy weathered last year's hurricanes just fine. Nonetheles rising fuel prices, disruptions in shipping and material and labor shortages are causing CEOs to become more cautious about their strategies. It's good news for the hotel industry.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Adam Hughes |
  • August 5, 2005
Who is Al Pina?

Florida newspapers portray the Tampa Bay area activist as a selfless defender of the poor. His ex-wife saw another side of him.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff |
  • September 3, 2004
Public Defender No. 1

Forget the hangini rope. Open the book of reason. Meet Elliott Metcalfe Jr.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff |
  • May 28, 2004
Trailblazer

Lansing C. Scriven will be the Hillsborough County Bar Association's first black president.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Brian Hartz |
  • May 23, 2019
Top Entrepreneurs: Family business patriarch's big risks have paid off

Richard Gonzmart has shepherded his Ybor City, Tampa, Florida, family business, the Columbia Restaurant Group, for decades while taking significant risks.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Brian Hartz |
  • March 29, 2023
Cannabis industry gears up for potential gold rush

If a ballot initiative succeeds next year, Floridians won’t need a medical card to buy cannabis, and legalization of the weed would be a business bonanza. But risks abound.

  • Strategies
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff |
  • January 23, 2009
Commercial Real Estate Briefs

Partnership buys San Carlos building

  • Charlotte–Lee–Collier
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Louis Llovio and Mark Gordon |
  • March 3, 2022
Businesses adapt to supply-chain slowdowns, the new reality

The supply chain crisis has businesses down but not out. Some entrepreneurs and executives have dug into creative, nimble solutions.

  • News
  • By Mark Gordon |
  • January 13, 2026
Observer Media Group chairman dies at 95

David Beliles lived a life of grit and guts, and grace and generosity.

  • Manatee-Sarasota
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff |
  • August 22, 2003
Chamber Change-Up

Say goodbye to chambers of commerce that serve the Good Ol' Boy network more than the majority of their members. Sarasota entrepreneur Ray Villares and his supporters push for change.

  • Entrepreneurs
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