Chuck Merlis

Forbici Modern Italian expands to downtown St. Petersburg

Renderings of Forbici Modern Italian’s upcoming St. Petersburg location at Sundial, showing a central bar with large TVs, a private dining space, an outdoor patio with lush greenery, and open-concept seating with modern lighting.

Forbici Modern Italian expands to downtown St. Petersburg

Chuck Merlis December 26, 2025

Jeff Gigante brings Forbici Modern Italian to downtown St. Petersburg’s Sundial, marking a homecoming and a high-profile...

UTampa’s Sykes College of Business climbs 21 spots in Bloomberg Businessweek rankings Front entrance of the University of Tampa’s John H. Sykes College of Business with students walking across campus, overlaid with the Bloomberg Businessweek logo.

UTampa’s Sykes College of Business climbs 21 spots in Bloomberg Businessweek rankings

Chuck Merlis December 11, 2025

UTampa’s Sykes College of Business jumped 21 spots in Bloomberg Businessweek’s 2025-26 rankings, earning high marks in...

Wake Forest’s Anne-Sterre den Dunnen earns LPGA tour debut at The Annika Anne-Sterre den Dunnen, Wake Forest senior golfer, preparing to chip on the fairway, with The Annika driven by Gainbridge tournament logo displayed on the left.

Wake Forest’s Anne-Sterre den Dunnen earns LPGA tour debut at The Annika

Chuck Merlis September 25, 2025

Wake Forest senior Anne-Sterre den Dunnen will make her LPGA Tour debut at The Annika in Belleair...

Chipotle opening on Water Street Tampa Street view of Water Street Tampa with high-rise buildings at sunset, overlaid with the Chipotle Mexican Grill logo.

Chipotle opening on Water Street Tampa

Chuck Merlis January 6, 2026

Chipotle Mexican Grill opened at Water Street Tampa on Dec. 23 with outdoor seating and standard daily...

Next Level Brands elevates culinary leadership with two key promotions Chef Jacob Rios, newly appointed Director of Culinary at Next Level Brands, stands in his chef’s coat outside Union New American in Tampa.

Chef Jacob Rios, newly appointed Director of Culinary at Next Level Brands, stands in his chef’s coat outside Union New American in Tampa.

Next Level Brands elevates culinary leadership with two key promotions

Chuck Merlis September 24, 2025

Next Level Brands is reshaping its leadership team, doubling down on internal talent to fuel its next...

Why Tampa General’s workplace culture stands out “Exterior view of Tampa General Hospital, recognized by Forbes as one of Florida’s best places to work in 2025.”

“Exterior view of Tampa General Hospital, recognized by Forbes as one of Florida’s best places to work in 2025.”

Why Tampa General’s workplace culture stands out

Chuck Merlis September 24, 2025

Tampa General Hospital has been named one of Florida’s best places to work by Forbes for the fifth...

Florida ends lease tax, Tampa businesses celebrate A close-up of a financial statement showing monthly payment details, symbolizing the end of Florida’s commercial lease tax and the financial relief now available to Tampa businesses.

A close-up of a financial statement showing monthly payment details, symbolizing the end of Florida’s commercial lease tax and the financial relief now available to Tampa businesses.

Florida ends lease tax, Tampa businesses celebrate

Chuck Merlis September 24, 2025

A decades-long burden on Florida’s commercial tenants and landlords ends this month, and the Tampa Bay business...

USF climbs top 50 public universities, cementing its place among Florida’s best colleges Entrance sign for the University of South Florida in Tampa, featuring the green bull logo on a brick and white monument surrounded by landscaping

USF climbs top 50 public universities, cementing its place among Florida’s best colleges

Chuck Merlis September 23, 2025

The University of South Florida is staking a stronger claim as one of the nation’s top universities,...

Tampa ranks third in Florida for job growth, fueled by education, health care and manufacturing Group of leaders, including Tampa Mayor Jane Castor, cutting a red ribbon during the grand opening ceremony at XTEND’s U.S. headquarters, with the XTEND logo and balloon columns in the background.