Chuck Merlis

How a 2nd-gen entrepreneur revived his family’s Tampa liquor stores

by
Trey Lawson stands inside Liquor Depot next to a whiskey barrel.

Trey Lawson returned to Tampa to rebrand his family stores, grow Liquor Depot and build a community movement around bourbon and the $20 buzz.

Publix-anchored Lakeland shopping center sells after 60 years

by
Aerial view of Grove Park Shopping Center in Lakeland featuring a rebuilt Publix, CVS and Dollar Tree with a full parking lot and surrounding greenery under a clear blue sky

Grove Park Shopping Center in Lakeland has been sold after 60 years and remains one of Florida’s strongest grocery-anchored retail assets.

324-unit luxury community planned for Brandon

by
Aerial rendering of Prospect Highland Oaks, a planned 324-unit luxury apartment community in the Brandon submarket, featuring lake views, landscaped walking paths and modern four-story residential buildings.

A new 324-unit luxury community is coming to the Brandon submarket as Carter expands its multifamily footprint across Tampa Bay.

How Dr. Irfan Ali built empathy into Tampa health care

by
Dr. Ali sitting in his personal office surrounded by books and artwork.

A Tampa physician’s journey from trauma to leadership shows how empathy can reshape health care.

UTampa moves ahead with new riverfront science building

by
Street side view of the new UTampa science building with red brick and large windows.

UTampa is moving ahead with a new riverfront science building that will replace older campus facilities and add modern labs and teaching space.

6 story luxury student housing project breaks ground near USF

by
A six story modern student housing building with large windows, balconies and palm trees along the street, shown in a daytime architectural rendering. Cars, pedestrians and landscaping line the front of the property.

A major student housing project is now underway near USF, bringing new units, modern amenities and fresh investment to North Tampa.

USF eyes 2027 launch for new real estate master’s program

by
University of South Florida entrance sign with the USF Bulls logo on a brick and white monument surrounded by landscaping.

The University of South Florida’s Muma College of Business is expanding its real estate offerings with new graduate concentrations and a proposed Master of Science in Real Estate that could start in fall 2027. The degree is moving through the university and state approval process. USF already offers an undergraduate real estate minor that launched … Read more

Whole Foods will anchor Sarasota Square as 96-acre redevelopment accelerates

by
Rendering of the Sarasota Square redevelopment featuring a new Whole Foods Market, surrounding storefronts and outdoor pedestrian areas, with multifamily residential buildings in the background.

Whole Foods leads the first wave of tenants joining Torburn Partners’ major redevelopment of Sarasota Square.

Tampa CEO talks about leadership, growth and purpose

by
Ashley Butler speaks on stage during a CEO Connect interview hosted by Tampa Bay Business & Wealth.

Ashley Butler talks about leadership growth purpose and community impact during TBBW’s November CEO Connect.