Local Buzz

Ellianos Coffee, a drive-thru specialty coffee brand based in the Southeast, plans to expand to the Tampa Bay area with an agreement to develop four stores. The company has already expanded into Orlando, and other areas of Central Florida. Ellianos currently operates 54 stores, including eight stores in Jacksonville. The brand’s menu has Signature Creations

Cadmus Dental Lab, a creator of dental prosthetics, plans to increase its space with a new lease and increase its staff over the next three years. The Tampa-based company has leased 21,400 square feet, at 5701 East Hillsborough Avenue, in the NetPark business park, and plans to grow from 50 employees to 100. Cadmus will

Visit St. Pete-Clearwater, the destination marketing organization of Pinellas County on the Gulf Coast, has announced an 18-month partnership with the Betfred Rugby Super League. As an advertising sponsor, branded LED banners will be featured across more than 100 matches, which will also be televised on BBC and Sky Sports, promoting the beaches of St.

Larry Aldrich has been named the new owner, president and chief executive officer of Aqua Marketing & Communications, with offices in St. Petersburg, Fort Lauderdale and Charleston, South Carolina. Aldrich says he plans to expand Aqua’s clientele from local and regional to a national destination, travel, tourism and hospitality sectors. Aldrich also brings a team

Insurance Elevated, an insurance services firm based in Ybor City, announced that its sister company Elevated Leads appointed Eric Perez as chief executive officer, the transition of Eric Bosworth from CEO to chief marketing officer and chief operating officer and the addition of Sean Moulton as chief technology officer. “I am honored to join Insurance

The Florida Aquarium has announced a five-year agreement with PepsiCo, to be the Aquarium’s exclusive non-alcoholic beverage provider, starting August 15. The Florida Aquarium and PepsiCo will also partner on several projects including increased support for saving Florida’s coral reefs and bettering the Tampa Bay region, as part of a three-way partnership between the Aquarium,

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has signed off on Port Tampa Bay’s General Reevaluation Report that details the port’s plan to deepen shipping channels. The plan calls for the main portions of the waterways that service Port Tampa Bay to deepen from 43 to 47 feet. The Tampa Harbor Navigation Improvement Study began three

Kahwa is kicking the pumpkin spice trend in the chin and bidding farewell to the flavor that has dominated the season for years. “This August, it’s time to celebrate a bold new flavor that captures the true essence of autumn,” said a statement from the company. The St. Petersburg-based coffee brand is releasing a Fall

Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas, West Pasco and Hernando Counties has named Whitney Dinu as executive director as it expands its service area into Hernando County. In April, Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas and West Pasco Counties was selected by Habitat for Humanity International to expand its service area into Hernando County. The affiliate has

AmeriLife Group, a Clearwater-based insurance firm that provides developing, marketing and distribution of life and health insurance, annuities and retirement planning services, has partnered with USA Financial. USA Financial has grown to include five subsidiary companies including USA Financial Exchange, USA Financial Formulas, USA Financial Securities, USA Financial Insurance Services and USA Financial Advisor Advancement.

Franklin Street, a commercial real estate firm, in Tampa, added Jess Johnson to the company’s executive leadership team, as chief revenue officer. From the firm’s Tampa headquarters, Johnson will lead Franklin Street’s client-focused growth initiatives across all business lines. “Jess is a strategic leader with a proven record of success across many aspects of business

Clearwater Marine Aquarium has welcomed its first manatee patients to the new Manatee Rehabilitation Center. Yeti and Zamboni have been receiving critical care, at ZooTampa at Lowry Park through the Manatee Rescue & Rehabilitation Partnership and have been steadily recovering and gaining weight. They will continue to finish their rehabilitation journey at CMA and will