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Results for:

  • For Subscribers Only
  • 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
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff |
  • December 31, 2007
How Hank Fishkind Would Change Florida

Florida's pre-eminent economist offers his prescriptions for Florida tax policy. Given the economy, state and local politicians may want to listen and take heed.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Adam Hughes |
  • March 10, 2006
Corporate Report

Look at briefs from Gulf Coast businesses for free.

  • Industries
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Janelle Makowski |
  • January 30, 2004
In Defense of One's Honor and Life (Tampa edition)

Attorney Greg Schultz argues passionately about the case as though he, not a client, faces life in prison. He does.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff |
  • July 18, 2008
Commercial Real Estate Briefs

Commercial Real Estate Briefs

  • Charlotte–Lee–Collier
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Amanda Postma |
  • August 27, 2021
EDC looks to change gears by restoring relationship with county

Behind a new CEO, a public-private agency tasked with helping business get bigger and better tackles a practical, yet existential, challenge: to prove it can generate a sustainable return on investment.

  • Leadership
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff |
  • November 9, 2007
'Good Golly, Miss Molly'

Larry Thompson, known for overcoming big obstacles in big jobs, has a doozy on his hands: Infusing business principles into an arts-focused college.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff |
  • May 21, 2007
Coffee Talk

Shareholders question Source Interlink acquisition: Shareholders didn't share the enthusiasm of Source Interlink's management when the Bonita Springs-based magazine distributor announced it was jumping into the publishing business.New construction company comes to town: Competition for Gulf Coast construction projects will be getting a little stiffer with the announcement that West Palm Beach-based Suffolk Construction will be opening an office in Lakewood Ranch.Florida nets four thrifts: Research firm SNL Financial recently released its annual list of the top 100 thrifts in the nation and only four Florida institutions made the 2006 rankings.Start off new employees well - or else: Coffee Talk readers are all too aware about the perils of making a bad call when hiring employees. But a new survey says that even good calls can turn bad - rather quickly - if there isn't a healthy amount of training and orientation given to the employee from the first day.Hodges boosts Naples university: International College, an independent four-year institution for working adults, received a $12 million gift from Naples funeral-business owner Earl Hodges and his wife Thelma Hodges.A new kind of letter to the editor: Time was, when you didn't like something you read in the newspaper or a magazine, you simply wrote a letter to the editor.Look for the blue, ValPak blue, that is: Largo-based ValPak Direct Marketing Systems, a pioneer in direct mail, w

  • News
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff |
  • February 2, 2008
Coffee Talk

Christmas Break is for the birds: This falls in the no-good-deed-goes-unpunished category.U.S. recession: It's all in our heads: The only way the U.S. economy slips into a recession is if we collectively talk ourselves into it. The underlying fundamentals are just too strong otherwise.Major hotel deal possible for Sarasota: The Sarasota-Bradenton business community could be on the verge of receiving some good news: Coffee Talk hears that the Waldorf-Astoria hotel is in the final stages of officially signing on to the Proscenium project.Mel's Diner slows, closes some restaurants: The economic downturn has hit the customers of affordable restaurants, forcing Chris Karakosta to close three of his Mel's Diner restaurants on the Gulf Coast recently.Score one for impact fee opponents: Despite the turbulent economy, impact fees imposed on developers and builders statewide have remained the tax du jour for county and local governments seeking ways to reel in more money.Wanted: Angel investors in Lee: The Lee County Economic Development office is exploring ways of creating an angel fund to invest in local companies.Clearwater firm builds CNN bus: When it came time for CNN to plan its coverage of the 2008 election campaign, the decision was made: Have Parliament Coach and Frontline Communications of Clearwater build a news bus.

  • News
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Adam Hughes |
  • December 27, 2005
EO-Lee/Collier: Creative Hiring

High housing costs and low unemployment may temper growth in Lee and Collier counties in 2006.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Adam Hughes |
  • October 20, 2005
'A Class Act'

Tampa trial lawyer Bennie Lazzara has amassed $150 million in jury verdicts since he switched to civil law in the mid-'90s. Expect more: he's not done.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Adam Hughes |
  • May 20, 2005
Masterful Planner

To developer and 2005 Entrepreneur of the Year Patrick Neal, revenue figures, development and politics are the equivalent of baseball to a Red Sox fan.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
  • 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
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Matt Walsh |
  • March 13, 2009
Let's not give judges more power; kill HB 1121

In whom would you trust the handling of money more — the state judiciary or county clerks (who also serve as county comptrollers and county auditors)?

  • Opinion
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff |
  • August 20, 2004
Economic Blessing?

Hurricane Charley may have destroyed or forced the closure of only 1% to 5% of businesses in its path. That's much less than the damage Andrew caused in 1992.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff |
  • January 9, 2004
Corporate Counsel (Tampa edition)

Attorney David Vetter left private practice 10 years ago to join Tech Data Corp., the largest public company in the Tampa Bay area by revenue.

  • Law
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Janelle Makowski |
  • January 7, 2005
Fire & Ice

Trial lawyers Fred Zinober and Lyann Goudie are as different as night and day. That is apparently a plus. They took advantage of their differences to win a $16 million jury verdict.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Jay Brady |
  • October 9, 2009
Schoolhouse ROCKED

When the Legislature shifted school construction dollars to cover operating expenses it rocked a school construction industry already on its heels, and may now add to districts' borrowing costs if they can sell bonds at all.

  • Florida
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Jay Brady |
  • February 25, 2010
Getting down to business

Florida legislators focus on generating jobs by helping business.

  • Florida
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Jay Brady |
  • January 14, 2010
Mr. Wizard's Fantastic Voyage

A University of South Florida professor has adapted his communications technology to medicine. Changing the way surgeons do surgery could merely be the beginning.

  • Strategies
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