Chuck Merlis

NYCFC names Visit Tampa Bay as official tourism partner New York City FC players train during preseason practice in Tampa as part of a new tourism partnership with Visit Tampa Bay.

New York City FC players train during preseason practice in Tampa as part of a new tourism partnership with Visit Tampa Bay.

NYCFC names Visit Tampa Bay as official tourism partner

Chuck Merlis January 22, 2026

NYCFC names Visit Tampa Bay a tourism partner as preseason training begins in Florida.

Hotel ORA is approaching a new pricing phase Luxury hotel suite rendering at Hotel ORA with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking downtown Tampa at dusk.

Luxury hotel suite rendering at Hotel ORA with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking downtown Tampa at dusk.

Hotel ORA is approaching a new pricing phase

Chuck Merlis January 22, 2026

Hotel ORA is nearing a pricing inflection point as financing milestones shift leverage from sales velocity to...

Pinellas tourism hits $10B impact, funds $153M projects Aerial view of downtown St. Petersburg showing waterfront, high-rise buildings and marina, highlighting how tourism dollars support local infrastructure and growth.

Aerial view of downtown St. Petersburg showing waterfront, high-rise buildings and marina, highlighting how tourism dollars support local infrastructure and growth.

Pinellas tourism hits $10B impact, funds $153M projects

Chuck Merlis January 21, 2026

Tourism continues to anchor Pinellas County’s economy, generating more than $10 billion in economic impact in 2025...

Beachside Hospitality acquires Palm Pavilion on Clearwater Beach Palm Pavilion Beachside Grill & Bar on Clearwater Beach with its iconic roadside sign and palm trees

Palm Pavilion Beachside Grill & Bar on Clearwater Beach with its iconic roadside sign and palm trees

Beachside Hospitality acquires Palm Pavilion on Clearwater Beach

Chuck Merlis January 21, 2026

Beachside Hospitality acquired Clearwater Beach staple Palm Pavilion, founded in 1926.

Seagate Space takes rocket launches offshore Mobile offshore launch platform carrying a rocket at sea during a conceptual launch scenario

Seagate Space takes rocket launches offshore

Chuck Merlis January 21, 2026

Seagate Space is rethinking how and where rockets launch as offshore platforms move into focus.

Hillsborough College board unanimously backs Rays talks Conceptual rendering of Hillsborough College’s Dale Mabry campus showing a proposed mixed-use development as stadium negotiations begin

Conceptual rendering of Hillsborough College’s Dale Mabry campus showing a proposed mixed-use development as stadium negotiations begin

Hillsborough College board unanimously backs Rays talks

Chuck Merlis January 20, 2026

Hillsborough College trustees voted unanimously to begin formal Rays stadium negotiations.

Buddy Brew Coffee to open 10 cafés inside Sprouts stores Buddy Brew Coffee storefront with black awnings during retail expansion into grocery stores

Buddy Brew Coffee storefront with black awnings during retail expansion into grocery stores

Buddy Brew Coffee to open 10 cafés inside Sprouts stores

Chuck Merlis January 20, 2026

Buddy Brew Coffee plans 10 in-store cafés inside Sprouts locations across Tampa Bay.

Bavaro’s opens central kitchen on North Nebraska Exterior of Bavaro’s new central kitchen on North Nebraska Avenue used for bread, pasta and catering production.

Exterior of Bavaro’s new central kitchen on North Nebraska Avenue used for bread, pasta and catering production.

Bavaro’s opens central kitchen on North Nebraska

Chuck Merlis January 20, 2026

Bavaro’s opened a central kitchen on North Nebraska to shift catering and production out of its restaurants.

Hillsborough County to vote on $358.5M Lightning arena renovation Aerial view of Benchmark International Arena in downtown Tampa ahead of a Hillsborough County vote on expanded public funding for renovations.