Industry Insights

Tampa Bay Business & Wealth’s Industry Insights section delivers the latest Tampa Bay business news across every major sector — from technology and real estate to law, finance and hospitality. Each story highlights the companies, leaders and innovations driving regional growth.

Explore in-depth coverage of Tampa’s expanding economy, major development projects, executive leadership changes and market trends influencing business decisions across the region. Stay informed with exclusive insights that connect you to the industries powering Tampa Bay’s future.

How a Tampa company built a bar crawl business at scale Three founders of Tampa-based Downtown Crawlers pose inside a bar, reflecting the company’s growth from a Gasparilla event to operations in 28 cities.

Three founders of Tampa-based Downtown Crawlers pose inside a bar, reflecting the company’s growth from a Gasparilla event to operations in 28 cities.

How a Tampa company built a bar crawl business at scale

Chuck Merlis December 30, 2025

A Tampa company scaled a bar crawl model nationwide, with Gasparilla serving as its largest annual test...

Tiny Tap Tavern sold after more than 70 years Exterior of Tiny Tap Tavern in Tampa with signage visible after the longtime neighborhood bar was sold.

Exterior of Tiny Tap Tavern in Tampa with signage visible after the longtime neighborhood bar was sold.

Tiny Tap Tavern sold after more than 70 years

Chuck Merlis December 29, 2025

After more than 70 years, Tiny Tap Tavern has been sold, with plans to preserve its legacy...

The real estate developments shaping Tampa Bay in 2026 Downtown Tampa skyline with office towers and palm trees under a blue sky, illustrating major real estate projects shaping Tampa Bay.

Downtown Tampa skyline with office towers and palm trees under a blue sky, illustrating major real estate projects shaping Tampa Bay.

The real estate developments shaping Tampa Bay in 2026

Chuck Merlis January 22, 2026

The projects defining where Tampa Bay’s growth, capital and urban density are headed in 2026.

Why Eskuad sees field operations as tech’s next frontier Eskuad field operations platform displayed across desktop and mobile devices, showing offline reporting tools designed for remote industrial environments.

Eskuad field operations platform displayed across desktop and mobile devices, showing offline reporting tools designed for remote industrial environments.

Why Eskuad sees field operations as tech’s next frontier

Chuck Merlis December 29, 2025

Tampa-based Eskuad is building technology for the world where work actually happens, far from Wi-Fi, dashboards and...

Why Tampa remains an early-stage luxury condo market Interior rendering of a luxury condominium at ONE Tampa, showing an open living and dining space with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking downtown Tampa.

Interior rendering of a luxury condominium at ONE Tampa, showing an open living and dining space with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking downtown Tampa.

Why Tampa remains an early-stage luxury condo market

Chuck Merlis December 29, 2025

A look at why Tampa’s luxury condo market may be closer to the beginning than the peak,...

Tampa’s International Plaza refinanced with $551M loan International Plaza shopping mall in Tampa, Florida, where Simon Property Group refinanced the property with a new institutional loan

International Plaza shopping mall in Tampa, Florida, where Simon Property Group refinanced the property with a new institutional loan

Tampa’s International Plaza refinanced with $551M loan

Chuck Merlis December 25, 2025

International Plaza secures a $551M refinancing, reinforcing Tampa Bay’s position as a market for top-performing retail assets.

Tampa industrial property recapitalized in $42.5M DST deal Sweetwater Business Center in Tampa, Florida, where a New Jersey developer completed a $42.5M industrial real estate recapitalization using a Delaware Statutory Trust.

Sweetwater Business Center in Tampa, Florida, where a New Jersey developer completed a $42.5M industrial real estate recapitalization using a Delaware Statutory Trust.

Tampa industrial property recapitalized in $42.5M DST deal

Chuck Merlis December 23, 2025

A New Jersey real estate firm launched its first Delaware Statutory Trust by recapitalizing a $42.5M industrial...

Tampa ranks 2nd among top U.S. retail markets in 2025 Aerial view of downtown Tampa showing the Hillsborough River, Riverwalk, office towers and surrounding commercial development.

Aerial view of downtown Tampa showing the Hillsborough River, Riverwalk, office towers and surrounding commercial development.

Tampa ranks 2nd among top U.S. retail markets in 2025

Chuck Merlis December 23, 2025

Tampa placed second nationwide in CoStar’s 2025 ranking of the top U.S. retail markets, reflecting durable fundamentals...

Tampa Bay’s Top Companies No. 4: Publix Downtown Tampa skyline along the Hillsborough River with an overlay reading “Biggest Companies in Tampa Bay: Publix.”

Downtown Tampa skyline along the Hillsborough River with an overlay reading “Biggest Companies in Tampa Bay: Publix.”

Tampa Bay’s Top Companies No. 4: Publix

Chuck Merlis December 23, 2025

Part of TBBW’s ongoing Tampa Bay Top Companies series, spotlighting major employers across the region without ranking...

Future of Davis Islands’ Mirasol hinges on Jan. 15 vote Historic Mirasol building on Davis Islands shown alongside archival photo as Tampa City Council vote approaches