Tampa Bay Business News and Top Stories

Puff ‘n Stuff Catering has been selected as the exclusive caterer for Clearwater Marine Aquarium, responsible for managing all food and beverage services at the facility, including the Shark Bites Café and private events. The Orlando-based caterer, with more than 40 years in business, will begin by catering the aquarium’s AquaGala event, on April 26.

CR Fitness Holdings, the largest franchisee of Crunch Fitness, acquired nine 24 Hour Fitness gyms located in Miami and Orlando. The acquired facilities will undergo renovations to adopt Crunch Fitness’s “3.0” design, enhancing their amenities and offerings. The gyms, located in Doral, Homestead, Miami Gardens, Plantation, Apopka, Kirkman, Lake Mary, Orlando Park and Winter Park,

Tampa General Hospital has named Jennifer Crabtree as president of the Tampa Medical & Research District, effective Oct. 1. Crabtree, who will also serve as senior vice president of Tampa General, will lead the strategic direction and continued development of the district, a growing hub of health care, research and biotechnology tied to Tampa General

The third annual Tampa Bay Wine & Food Festival wrapped up a five-day run that drew more than 10,000 attendees and raised funds for two charitable causes supporting youth nutrition and veterans. The festival featured more than 60 participating restaurants and multiple culinary competitions. Proceeds benefited the CI Foundation’s EAT SMART initiative and the Robert

The Dalí Museum will debut a new culinary series, in May, that celebrates Spanish culture through food, with a rotating lineup of top Tampa Bay chefs creating one-night-only dining experiences. On May 6, the Flavors of Spain Dinner Series begins with a multi-course menu from Chef Josh Werksman, of Lilac, the Michelin-starred restaurant at The

Bath & Racquet Residences and Club celebrated the groundbreaking of its new luxury residential development, in Sarasota, on April 9, kicking off construction, expected to be completed by December 2026. The redevelopment project features 256 luxury condominiums, housed in four-story buildings, designed with hurricane-proof windows and concrete construction for enhanced safety. With more than 20

A waterfront home under construction in Sarasota’s Harbor Acres neighborhood has sold for $14.8 million, marking the highest-priced residential sale in Sarasota County so far this year, according to Michael Saunders & Company. The 6,500-square-foot bayfront home at 1490 Hillview Drive includes five bedrooms, 5.5 bathrooms, a three-car garage, a whole-house generator and elevator access

In the world of food distribution and retail, collaboration is the key to success. Two notable leaders in the industry, Cammie Chatterton, chief executive officer of Bay Food Brokerage, and David Habib, chief executive officer of Yo Mama’s Foods, recently joined forces in a partnership that has proven to be both strategic and personally rewarding.

Melting Pot has reopened in downtown St. Petersburg, returning to the city after a five-year absence. The restaurant, known for its interactive fondue dining, is now operating at 699 Central Ave. The 4,900-square-foot location includes 191 seats across multiple dining areas, an indoor-outdoor bar and an eight-seat chef’s table that offers views into the kitchen.

For more than a decade, Jim Shimberg was known as one of Tampa Bay’s most influential developers, playing a key role in shaping the city’s skyline through transformative projects like Water Street Tampa. But in the past year, Shimberg has embarked on a new chapter—one that brings together his extensive real estate expertise, legal acumen

Precision Build has acquired Tampa Steel Erecting Company, a longtime Tampa-based steel fabricator known for its work on major infrastructure and architectural projects, including the geodesic dome at Epcot’s Spaceship Earth. Tampa Steel Erecting Company, founded in 1945 and owned by the Clark family since its inception, will now be wholly owned by Precision Build.

Tampa Bay Business and Wealth held its March CEO Connect with Chon Nguyen, a serial entrepreneur based in Tampa, with several active ventures. Npserspective and Republic Bank sponsored the event. JC Newman Cigar Co, in Ybor City, hosted the event. Photos by Tacy Briggs-Troncoso