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The Business Observer is the leading provider and most authoritative source of business and economic information affecting the Florida Gulf Coast from Tampa Bay to Naples.
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News
Failed hotel, conman, chamber, bank all in Longboat building's 50-year history
5+ day, 3+ hour ago (723+ words) Residents of the north end of Longboat Key in Manatee County are most likely familiar with the glass building that neighbors Whitney’s restaurant near Broadway Street. If the building is demolished, that will be its last step in a storied…...
Philadelphia investor pays $29M for Pasco County shopping center
5+ day, 20+ hour ago (204+ words) CenterSquare Investment Management, a suburban Philadelphia real estate firm, has bought the Pasco County shopping center the Hub at Bexley. The firm, according to a statement, bought the 50,300-square-foot Land O’ Lakes shopping center in part because it “fits our…...
Sarasota County advances 5,700-home project near Palmer Ranch
5+ day, 19+ hour ago (539+ words) The developers of Sarasota’s master-planned community Palmer Ranch – Palmer Ranch Holdings, headed up by philanthropist and businessman Hugh Culverhouse — received unanimous approval from Sarasota County commissioners for its latest project: Palmer East. Proposed to be built over 20 years, the master-planned…...
Fast-growing car wash chain chooses fast-growing Polk city for expansion
1+ week, 2+ day ago (398+ words) AquaShine Express has opened its first newly-built car wash in Winter Haven, expanding the company’s footprint across the Southeast. The location on Eloise Loop Road celebrated its grand opening earlier this month and is AquaShine’s 11th car wash across Florida, Georgia…...
Allegiant adds Fort Myers, Sarasota, St. Petersburg flights to Michigan
1+ week, 5+ day ago (222+ words) Business Observer Allegiant adds Fort Myers, Sarasota, St. Petersburg flights to Michigan The discount airline is expanding the number of flights to the Midwest city starting early next year. Allegiant Air is adding a round-trip route to Flint, Michigan, out…...
Bonita Springs center lands restaurant, coffee shop chain
1+ week, 6+ day ago (178+ words) A local Mediterranean restaurant and global coffee chain are joining the tenant roster of Midtown at Bonita, the 68-acre mixed-use development under construction in Lee County. The restaurant is the family owned Alea which will serve Mediterranean dishes “with Greek…...
Sarasota-based truck driver training program celebrates 10K graduates
2+ week, 2+ day ago (412+ words) A truck driver training program headquartered in Sarasota with a presence in Florida, Texas and North Carolina celebrated a milestone on Friday: FleetForce Truck Driver Training graduated its 10,000th CDL driver. The program began in 2020, launched by entrepreneur Tra Williams, who…...
New concept planned for longtime waterfront Fort Myers restaurant property
2+ week, 3+ day ago (186+ words) A Southwest Florida restaurateur is cooking up a new waterfront eatery near downtown Fort Myers. Leonard Lemmer plans to open Nellie’s Boatyard at 2024 W. First St., overlooking the Caloosahatchee River, in late 2026. Previously, the First Street location was home to…...
324-unit downtown Sarasota apartment complex proposal wins key approval
2+ week, 4+ day ago (588+ words) A proposal to develop an entire block along Fruitville Road in downtown Sarasota where a current bungalow village of small businesses now stands took another step forward with two adjustments unanimously approved by the Sarasota Planning Board. At its Aug....
UTC restaurant closing but 'not leaving' after 10 years, owner says
2+ week, 4+ day ago (223+ words) A sushi restaurant with a location at University Town Center for 10 years will close its restaurant there in September and is scouting for its next spot in the popular shopping and dining district. Jpan Sushi & Grill is shuttering at 229 N. Cattlemen…...