Chuck Merlis

National firm opens South Tampa innovation center with full test kitchen

A collage of four images showing the opening of a new innovation and experience center in South Tampa. The first image shows a ribbon cutting with executives standing in a row inside the facility. The second image shows product displays with kitchenware and housewares on modern shelving. The third image shows an open workspace with glass meeting rooms and product shelves. The fourth image shows a chef preparing food inside the center’s full test kitchen.

National firm opens South Tampa innovation center with full test kitchen

Chuck Merlis December 5, 2025

A national consumer goods firm has opened a new South Tampa innovation and experience center with a...

Modern exterior of a Fifth Third Bank branch with glass walls, green accents and a bright blue sky.

Fifth Third opens its 200th Florida branch as growth shifts south

Chuck Merlis December 4, 2025

Fifth Third’s 200th Florida branch marks a major step in the bank’s Southeast expansion and its promise...

The state of Tampa’s economy in 2025 Downtown Tampa skyline with office towers and residential buildings along the Hillsborough River under a bright blue sky.

Downtown Tampa skyline with office towers and residential buildings along the Hillsborough River under a bright blue sky.

The state of Tampa’s economy in 2025

Chuck Merlis December 3, 2025

Tampa ended 2025 with record tourism, strong job growth and major investment across key sectors, setting the...

Exterior view of 1 North Dale Mabry, a 13-story Class A office tower in Tampa’s Westshore district

Dallas firm buys Westshore’s 1 North Dale Mabry, plans $4M upgrade

Chuck Merlis December 3, 2025

A Dallas investment firm has bought Tampa’s 1 North Dale Mabry office tower and plans $4M in...

New platform links Tampa Bay donors to nonprofits losing funding

Chuck Merlis December 3, 2025

Nonprofits across Tampa Bay are facing a squeeze. Federal programs are cutting grants. State budgets are tightening....

400 Central clears inspections, begins move-ins in downtown St. Pete A nighttime aerial view of downtown St. Petersburg with the 400 Central tower lit up at the center of the skyline.

A nighttime aerial view of downtown St. Petersburg with the 400 Central tower lit up at the center of the skyline.

400 Central clears inspections, begins move-ins in downtown St. Pete

Chuck Merlis December 3, 2025

400 Central has cleared city inspections and is ready to welcome its first residents to downtown St....

A container ship loaded with stacked refrigerated containers is berthed under green Liebherr ship-to-shore cranes at a modern cargo terminal.

Port Tampa Bay adds 2 new cranes from Ireland as Vision 2030 expands

Chuck Merlis December 3, 2025

Port Tampa Bay is adding two new cranes built in Ireland to support its Vision 2030 terminal...

Three containers of Chicken Salad Chick’s signature chicken salad flavors arranged on a kitchen counter with crackers.

New Chicken Salad Chick opening in Parrish on Dec. 16

Chuck Merlis December 2, 2025

Chicken Salad Chick opens in Parrish on Dec. 16 with giveaways and continued growth across Manatee County.

Darryl Shaw sells 2 Ybor properties for $7.45M near Gasworx Three views of Ybor City development: the Pete’s Bagels building on 4th Avenue, a historic mixed-use building on 6th Avenue, and the nearby Gasworx construction site linking Ybor to downtown Tampa.