⊲ The owner behind Intermezzo Coffee and Cocktails plans to open Bar Mezzo, at 1049 Central Avenue, formerly the home to Independent Bar and just steps away from Intermezzo. (Pictured above)
⊲ BayFirst National Bank, headquartered in St. Petersburg, named Phil Russo as senior vice president and the director of health care lending.
⊲ Tag Agency Professionals, a St. Petersburg firm that handles tag and title work for vehicle dealers, has added 15 states to its customer list with the acquisition of Moneta, a Virginia-based tag and title company.
⊲ St. Petersburg-based Velera, formerly PSCU/Co-op Solutions, named Ryan Myers as senior vice president of consulting.
⊲ Home Love Construction, in Clearwater, acquired Evans Design, also in Clearwater, adding a 3,000-square-foot training facility.
⊲ The Drake, a 477-unit apartment complex at 1699 68th St. N., St. Petersburg, has been sold to Bethesda, Maryland-based Excelsa Properties, which intends to invest $8 million in capital improvements to the property.
⊲ St. Petersburg College is offering Mental Health First Aid Training to public service professionals in five counties in response to the nation’s mental health crisis.
⊲ St. Pete dive bar and restaurant Dead Bob’s unveiled plans for a new expanded location, at 6475 Central Avenue, the former home of Kay’s Family Restaurant.
⊲ The American Public Transportation Association awarded the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority the nationwide Excellence in Inclusive Collaboration Award for the SunRunner, a bus rapid transit service.
⊲ Former City Councilmember Robert Blackmon has joined Tampa Bay Times Chief Executive Officer Conan Gallaty, Tampa Bay Rays President Brian Auld and ARK Invest Chief Investment Officer Cathie Wood on the Cityverse board of advisors.
⊲ Bankers Financial Group has signed a 10-year lease to occupy 54,000 square feet of Class A office space in Duke Energy’s building, at 299 First Avenue North, in downtown St. Petersburg.
⊲ Dr. Karalynne Brubaker, founder of Positive Impact Ministries, a St. Petersburg-based nonprofit that addresses food insecurity, inequality and the root causes of hunger, was presented with a Global Humanities Award from The Sravasti Foundation.
⊲ Louisiana-based fried chicken chain Raising Cane’s plans to open its first St. Petersburg restaurant, at 6901 22nd Avenue North, at Tyrone Square Mall.
⊲ Torose Equities, a Miami-based real estate investment firm, bought 14,000 square feet of retail space at Modera, a downtown St. Petersburg mixed-use development, at 201 17th St. South, for $2.44 million.
⊲ Atlanta-based Havertys has announced a location at 2060 66th St. N. in the Crosswinds Shopping Center, in St. Petersburg.
⊲ The Speer Dream Foundation has awarded a $500,000 grant to Keswick Christian School, in St. Petersburg, as part of a $2.3 million grant disbursement initiative.
⊲ Fluff Animal Rescue, a foster-based community rescue organization, opened a new 2.5-acre facility in Pinellas Park, at 7400 62nd Terrace.
⊲ Well Groomed Pets, a dog grooming and wellness center, plans to open its first St. Pete storefront, at 2821 Central Avenue.