⊲ The Hessel Family Foundation hosted a celebration at the Hero’s Hangout Hospitality Tent during the Shriners Children’s Women’s Softball Clearwater Invitational, where Keys to Kindness awarded its third-ever “Key to Kindness” to Autism Inspired Academy staff and co-founders Cher Harris and Liz Russell for their work supporting children with autism.
⊲ USF’s Florida Institute of Oceanography and international engineering organization DEEP have partnered to expand deep-sea exploration and research opportunities by developing subsea workforce and technology programs for Florida universities and institutions.
⊲ The Evara Health Institute opened its first medical training campus, in Clearwater, aiming to address the growing need for skilled health care professionals and improve access to affordable training programs.
⊲ Flagship Bank, a subsidiary of West Florida Bank Corp. based in Clearwater, launched a specialized Community Association Banking division, offering customized lending, deposit and cash management services to support community associations across the Tampa Bay area.
⊲ Christophe Guillot and Philippe Challeau, owners of Bacchus Wine Bistro, have opened Cognac, a Parisian-style bistro offering traditional French dishes and craft cocktails, at 201 2nd Ave. N., in downtown St. Petersburg.
⊲ St. Petersburg Distillery has launched guided Spirit of St. Pete tours and introduced a new interactive Beta Wall taste-testing program, inviting guests to sample experimental products and provide feedback, following the distillery’s recent renovation.
⊲ Smalls Sliders, a Louisiana-based cheeseburger slider concept backed by former NFL star Drew Brees, plans to open, at 8624 4th St. N., in north St. Petersburg, featuring its signature bright orange, shipping-container-style drive-thru serving sliders, waffle fries and shakes.
⊲ The Achieva Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Achieva Credit Union, plans to award $65,000 in scholarships, this year, to graduating high school seniors and students pursuing higher education or technical training, across Southwest Florida.
⊲ Parc Center for Disabilities launched the public phase of its $10 million Raise the Roof capital campaign, to build a new Children’s Services Center, expanding inclusive care and support for children with developmental disabilities.
⊲ Pinellas County’s Care About Me program has partnered with Pinellas County Schools to expand mental health, substance use and addiction services, providing coordinated access to critical behavioral health care for local students.
⊲ The Dalí Museum, in St. Petersburg, was named one of the top 10 Best Art Museums in the U.S. in the 2025 USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards.
⊲ The YMCA of Greater St. Petersburg has begun a $1.5 million expansion of the Speer YMCA Preschool Academy, adding four new classrooms to serve 32 additional infants and toddlers, along with outdoor upgrades and facility enhancements, addressing the critical need for early childhood care, in south St. Petersburg.
⊲ Sales have launched for Clemmons Court, an urban enclave of four luxury single-family homes, at 2550 1st Ave. N., in St. Petersburg’s Grand Central District, developed by Will Conroy, of Backstreets Capital, Tim Clemmons, of Place Architecture, Fox Building Group and Compass agent Tess Mullinax, inspired by Charleston’s Catfiddle Street.
⊲ AmeriLife Group, based in Clearwater, closed on its acquisition of Crump Life Insurance Services and Hanleigh Management (collectively “Crump,”) from TIH Insurance Holdings.
⊲ The City of St. Petersburg launched Sunrise St. Pete, an initiative funded by $159.8 million in Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
⊲ Chipotle Mexican Grill opened at 3901 34th St. S., in the Skyway Marina District, debuting St. Petersburg’s first “Chipotlane,” a drive-thru lane dedicated to picking up digital orders.
