⊲ Renovations have begun at the 12-story City Center office building, at 100 2nd Avenue South, in downtown St. Pete. (Rendering above)
⊲ Newstar Development and the Pinellas County Housing Authority started work on an 80-unit affordable housing project for senior citizens, at 12455 130th Ave. N., in Largo.
⊲ Cue Golfology, a new golf simulation facility and lounge plans to open, at 2400 5th Ave. S., in St. Petersburg.
⊲ NJR Investment and Development Company is moving forward with plans for Aerie, a five-story condominium building, at 357 3rd Street South, after a unanimous approval by St. Petersburg’s City Council.
⊲ The owners of Noble Crust plan to open a new dining concept called Noble Tavern, under the Tru Hilton Hotel, at 1650 Central Ave., in St. Petersburg.
⊲ Progressive Dental Marketing, a digital marketing firm for dentists, based in Clearwater, has received $100 million in recapitalization funding, from McCarthy Capital, to help fuel their next phase of growth.
⊲ Joey Niedziejko joined B2 Communications as a senior account executive.
⊲ Dick’s Last Resort, the restaurant chain known for “purposely providing bad service” and poking fun at customers, plans to open, at 111 Boardwalk Place West, at John’s Pass Village, on Madeira Beach.
⊲ Oakberry Acai plans to open, at 205 1st Street North, in St. Petersburg, in a space formerly leased by HaleLife Bakery.
⊲ Velera, a St. Petersburg-based payments credit union service organization and an integrated financial technology services provider, announced a partnership with Utilities Employees Credit Union to provide debit and credit card processing services and support.
⊲ Wawa opened its first standalone, drive-through location in Florida, at 2530 East Bay Drive, in Largo.
⊲ The Tampa Bay Beaches Chamber of Commerce has partnered with the Bluff Business Association to bolster support for all businesses along Pinellas County’s coastline.
⊲ Pinellas Education Foundation received a donation of $166,500 from the Kiwanis Club of St. Petersburg to support its mentoring program, Take Stock in Children.
⊲ Shan Bakrac, owner of the pan Asian steakhouse Fortu, is planning a new concept called Eve, for downtown St. Petersburg.
⊲The Fenway Hotel, in Dunedin, appointed Peter Chea as the new Chef de Cuisine at its signature restaurant, HEW Parlor & Chophouse.
⊲ Dawn Hunt, director of human resources at MarineMax, in Clearwater, was named to Boating Industry’s 2024 Women Making Waves.
⊲ Barks and Brews Taphouse, a 7,000-square-foot dog bar, will open at 14219 Walsingham Road, in Largo’s Walsingham Village retail center.
⊲ Freedom Boat Club of Tampa Bay opened its second location in St. Petersburg, at 100 14th Ave. S.
⊲ Assisted Living Locators, a senior placement and referral services provider, launched its St. Petersburg location, owned by Elizabeth Plevin.