Vela, a new concept from Cru Hospitality Group, to open in Westshore Marina

Cru Hospitality Group, based in Tampa, is opening a new concept, Vela, in the former Cru Cellars Westshore Marina location, on October 2. Vela, which means “Sail” in Italian, will provide menu items inspired from the Mediterranean, with an emphasis on Italian cuisine such as pastas and pizzas, small plates and entrees. Vela is located … Read more

Tampa Bay Economic Development Council named Top International Economic Development Organization

The Tampa Bay Economic Development Council was honored with the International Economic Development Council’s Gold Economic Development Organization of the Year Excellence Award for 2023, in the large market category (population greater than 500,000). The award was announced at the IEDC’s Annual Conference, in Dallas, which recognizes economic development organizations that have demonstrated evidence of … Read more

USF President Rhea Law reflects on the college’s momentum: ‘I’m a big fan of forward motion — and I like to move fast.’

The University of South Florida has kicked off the new school year with more wins than losses. The Bulls are off to a 2-2 start for the football season but the college has a few other wins to celebrate, which evens out the win-loss ratio on the field. For the fifth year, in a row, … Read more

Scenes from TBBW’s 2023 Apogee Awards VIP reception (PHOTOS)

Tampa Bay Business and Wealth held its 2023 Apogee Awards VIP reception for sponsors and finalists. The Apogee Awards is a unique awards program, created by TBBW magazine, to recognize distinguished c-suite leaders whose dedication to their industries and communities deserves particular recognition. Presenting sponsors of the 2023 Apogee Awards include Older Lundy, Southstate and … Read more

Shopping center at Tyrone Square Mall sells for $37.8 million

Daniel Diaz Leyva, an attorney with Day Pitney, has facilitated the closing of a $16.5 million acquisition loan, in connection with a $37.8 million purchase of a retail strip, at Tyrone Square Mall, in St. Petersburg. Leyva represented the lender, Miami-based City National Bank of Florida. The buyer was Boston Capital and the seller was … Read more

Official James Beard Foundation event returning to Tampa

Beard by the Bay, an event created to celebrate the culinary greatness of the Tampa Bay region’s finest chefs, sommeliers and mixologists, is returning to Tampa, in October, for the first time since 2019. The official James Beard Foundation Event, organized by RSBP Events+PR, will be a multi-course tasting event on Sunday, October 29, at … Read more

TBBW tries things: New menu items at BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse and a love song for a Pizookie (PHOTOS)

BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse, a chain based out of Huntington Beach, California, isn’t a dining spot you will find in the monthly installment of our Posher Palate fine dining preview. But it is a fan favorite of the Tampa Bay Business and Wealth staff. You may find us enjoying deep dish pizzas, crispy fries or … Read more

Dugout Mugs prepares for a new wave of growth, its corporate gifting vertical and outside capital  

Dugout Mugs has thrived in the sports collectibles industry with a lineup of unique products. The Winter Haven-based company makes, and sells, baseball bat-themed drinkware made from baseball bats, with their flagship product being a 12 oz baseball bat barrel mug. This year marked the third consecutive year that Dugout Mugs was honored on the … Read more

USF researchers secure $1.5 million federal grant to improve water quality and reduce runoff into Tampa Bay and the Gulf of Mexico

Through a three-year, $1.5 million grant from the United States Environmental Protection Agency, a research team from the University of South Florida will install a bio-infiltration system at Aaran’s Pond, in Tampa’s University Area Community, where more than one in three residents live below the federal poverty level. According to principal investigator Professor Sarina Ergas, … Read more