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Results for:

  • By Chuck Merlis |
  • July 17, 2025
Former Pinellas homeless couple now run $1.5M car detail firm

Starting, and now growing, a niche auto industry business has been a lifesaving enterprise for the Eberhardts.

  • Tampa Bay-Lakeland
  • By Business Observer Staff |
  • February 16, 2007
Coffee Talk

A recent statewide survey from the National Federation of Independent Business reads as if it's coming out of Taxachusetts, not the Sunshine State. Almost nine out of every 10 business owners that responded to the survey said their commercial property taxes have increased over the last year. Bradenton is losing a company headquarters, as breakfast and lunch franchise operation Peach's is moving to a Columbus, Ohio suburb. As promised, Shutts & Bowen continues to add top-ranked litigators to its first Gulf Coast office, which opened in Tampa last March. The Review is seeking the best and brightest Gulf Coast entrepreneurs for the newspaper's 10th annual Entrepreneur Award. Charlie Kleman's surprise resignation as chief financial officer of Fort Myers-based women's retailer Chico's FAS has some investors scratching their heads as to who could possibly replace him.Florida is projected to become the third most populous state between 2015 and 2020, as the state hits the 21.8-million mark and passes New York to come in behind California and Texas, even though the state's annual growth rate has slowed to about 2%, according to economists.Bonita Springs-based homebuilder WCI Communities has hired Goldman Sachs to evaluate the possible sale of the company.

  • News
  • By Business Observer Staff |
  • October 26, 2007
Coffee Talk

Big payout looms for Radiation Therapy: Who says private equity deals are dead?Switching up,not giving up: To a developer with major moxie, bad news is just a niggling detail - even bad news like, say, a seriously slumping housing market, where in particular, downtown Sarasota condo sales are as rare as towels in a nudist colony.Another knock against Hometown Democracy: Add Tampa land broker Bruce Erhardt to the list of business people questioning the wisdom of Florida Hometown Democracy, a statewide ballot movement that, if passed, would require citizens to make all major land-use decisions via referendums.Expansion knows no bounds: Brown & Brown, a Tampa- and Daytona Beach-based insurance company, continued its national expansion march this month with the acquisition of Professional Risk Managers of New York.A complicated simplification: Gevity, the Lakewood Ranch-based human resources outsourcing firm struggling with a battered stock price and more recently, a resigned chief executive, says the answer to its problems is to regroup and undertake a simplified and solidified approach to its business.Exodus continues from troubled WCI: The exodus from the corporate ranks of WCI Communities continues as the Bonita Springs-based homebuilder struggles with a brutal housing market.Atlanta nightclub owner hits the links in Naples: Atlanta-based strip club owner Jack E. Galardi of Galardi South Enterprises, has turned his attention

  • News
  • By Business Observer Staff |
  • November 9, 2007
Commercial Real Estate Briefs

First American plans Fort Myers branchR&S Development gears up for SandalwoodDeangelis construction buys Alico industrial buildingMichigan investors buy Royal Oaks CenterGolden Aluminum Extrusion buys Plant City plantTampa dealership group buys Precision KiaMattison's group expands to Tamiami TrailNaples hotel group buys land for Hyatt PlaceCenter for Premier Dentistry moving to Clark Road

  • Charlotte–Lee–Collier
  • By Adam Hughes |
  • September 2, 2005
Traveling Man

Lawrence Hutson led the design and launch of Travelocity.com in 1996. Now, the software visionary is taking the online travel industry to the 'next generation' with Nexgen Travel Distribution Inc.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • By Adam Hughes |
  • May 29, 2006
Real Estate Briefs

HMA purchases Naples Cleveland ClinicMarriott Vacation Club to buy Marco Island RadissonBradenton investor ACQUIRES retail SPACERobb & Stucky plans aggressive expansionNeal Communities buys land for River's Song communityPremier to acquire Turnberry's second phaseRanch Realty plans MEDICAL/OFFICE parkSCI buys Northbay Commerce CenterInvestment group buys Missouri CrossingsCCMS 200-1 Corporex buys Lakecrest Office

  • Charlotte–Lee–Collier
  • By Business Observer Staff |
  • October 2, 2008
Riding the Storm Out

Raymond James took a moreconservative path years ago when times were better and that has paid off.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • By Grier Ferguson |
  • February 28, 2020
From wine to cars to man caves, luxury storage is big opportunity for host of players

One industry expert cautions there's a risk of seizing on demand for luxury storage and going too far with it.

  • Commercial Real Estate
  • By Business Observer Staff |
  • December 29, 2006
Commercial RE Briefs

Equity One acquires Midpoint CenterCPA investment group buys in Woodmere Professional CenterBest Western owners buy nearby restaurantDeveloper buys land for Clark Station second phase Tidemark developer buys Gulf Drive retail buildingSarasota investor buys office near Pineapple SquareGlobal Group Investment buys land for professional centerWeingarten Realty Investors buys Hopewell Industrial CenterThe Sembler Co. preps for St. Pete project

  • Charlotte–Lee–Collier
  • By Business Observer Staff |
  • August 22, 2003
Real Estate Briefs

Richard Zipes and Tarragon Realty Investors pay more than $200 a square foot for downtown Sarasota property.

  • Manatee-Sarasota
  • By Amanda Postma |
  • February 16, 2023
Manatee County builder wows buyers with solar-powered community

It's been five years since Pearl Homes started on Hunters Point, a solar-powered, net-positive community. But even now, the company is five years ahead in the industry.

  • Development
  • By Louis Llovio |
  • February 24, 2023
High-tech insurance firm enters Florida with aggressive growth plans

FloodFlash says technology and policy structure vastly improves how fast claims are paid, allowing for quicker returns to business.

  • Commercial Real Estate
  • By Business Observer Staff |
  • May 23, 2003
Selecting a Contractor

It's almost like hiring a key employee - make sure there's the right match between you and thecontractor/construction manager. 'I can't stress communication enough,' says Tom Wessel.

  • Industries
  • By Mark Gordon |
  • May 25, 2012
Tumble Up

Good times continue to pour in at Tervis Tumbler, a success story among recession tales of woe. But now, with a new CEO, the company has some lurking challenges.

  • Strategies
  • By Mark Gordon |
  • June 17, 2011
Recharged Batteries

Lower prices from overseas competition squeezed an electronics manufacturer to the brink of failure. Rather than break, however, it fought back.

  • Strategies
  • By Mark Gordon |
  • October 21, 2021
Famous fisherman reels in key leadership lessons

A man of the sea, Keith Colburn has a lot to offer landlocked leaders about staying calm as crises swirl.

  • Leadership
  • By Louis Llovio |
  • November 26, 2021
From hip to home: Company known for cutting edge office life shifts to remote

St. Petersburg insurance company Squaremouth thrived when the office was fun. Now it'll see what happens when the office is at home.

  • Commercial Real Estate
  • By Mark Gordon |
  • August 29, 2014
'Team Sport'

Innovation can be an obstacle at companies large and small. A fast-growth firm believes it's discovered the way to victory.

  • Strategies
  • By Matt Walsh |
  • August 12, 2016
'No' on Amendment 4

Property-tax breaks for solar-energy devices sounds and reads like an environmental Apple Pie issue. But with every new law, there are always winners and losers.

  • Opinion
  • By Kevin McQuaid |
  • June 3, 2016
'Heartbreaker' of a deal

A veteran real estate agent took on a failed car dealership site in Tampa. The result? A lawsuit, $12 million in debt, guns, drugs and seven contracts.

  • Tampa Bay-Lakeland
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