Chuck Merlis

Industry veteran buys Riverview Village Inn Riverview Village Inn restaurant exterior alongside owner-operator Dean LaFollette.

Industry veteran buys Riverview Village Inn

Chuck Merlis September 29, 2025

After decades running Village Inn restaurants across Florida, Dean LaFollette now owns the Riverview location he first...

Hilton Garden Inn sale marks Ybor’s rising profile Exterior of the Hilton Garden Inn Ybor City in Tampa, Florida, photographed at night.

Hilton Garden Inn sale marks Ybor’s rising profile

Chuck Merlis December 11, 2025

The sale of the Hilton Garden Inn in Ybor underscores the district’s revitalization and rising investor interest...

THEA approves $362M South Selmon expansion Aerial view of downtown Tampa with the Selmon Expressway and surrounding highway interchanges on a clear day.

Aerial view of downtown Tampa with the Selmon Expressway and surrounding highway interchanges on a clear day.

THEA approves $362M South Selmon expansion

Chuck Merlis December 11, 2025

THEA has approved a $362 million South Selmon Capacity Project to add lanes, modernize bridges and deliver...

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.