Tampa Bay Business News and Top Stories

Bern’s Dessert Room turns 40 with Tampa Heights brewery collaboration Interior view of the Harry Waugh Dessert Room at Bern’s Steak House, showing private redwood booths and soft red lighting.

Interior view of the Harry Waugh Dessert Room at Bern’s Steak House, showing private redwood booths and soft red lighting.

Bern’s Dessert Room turns 40 with Tampa Heights brewery collaboration

Chuck Merlis October 8, 2025

Bern’s Harry Waugh Dessert Room celebrates 40 years with a collaboration from a Tampa Heights brewery inspired...

Johns Hopkins All Children’s Named Florida’s No. 1 children’s hospital for third year Exterior view of Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg, Florida, featuring the hospital’s colorful facade and the U.S. News & World Report “Best Children’s Hospitals 2025–2026” badge.

Exterior view of Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg, Florida, featuring the hospital’s colorful facade and the U.S. News & World Report “Best Children’s Hospitals 2025–2026” badge.

Johns Hopkins All Children’s Named Florida’s No. 1 children’s hospital for third year

Chuck Merlis October 7, 2025

Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital ranks No. 1 in Florida for the third year, leading pediatric care...

Carrollwood pizzeria adds liquor license, plans two new locations Sogna Napoli logo displayed over a pepperoni pizza with fresh basil, representing the Carrollwood Italian restaurant expanding to Wesley Chapel and Odessa.

Carrollwood pizzeria adds liquor license, plans two new locations

Chuck Merlis October 7, 2025

Sogna Napoli expands in Tampa Bay with new Wesley Chapel and Odessa locations after securing a liquor...

Cooper’s Hawk brings Roman-style pizzeria Piccolo Buco to Tampa Piccolo Buco logo with images of pepperoni pizza, mezzi rigatoni alla vodka, and spaghetti dishes, highlighting the restaurant’s authentic Italian cuisine at its new Tampa location.

Cooper’s Hawk brings Roman-style pizzeria Piccolo Buco to Tampa

Chuck Merlis October 7, 2025

Piccolo Buco opens first Florida location in Carrollwood, adding a new restaurant to Tampa’s dining scene.

OpenAI’s ChatGPT adds instant checkout for online shopping A smartphone screen displays OpenAI’s ChatGPT interface with an article titled “Improved Shopping Results from ChatGPT Search.”

A smartphone screen displays OpenAI’s ChatGPT interface with an article titled “Improved Shopping Results from ChatGPT Search.”

OpenAI’s ChatGPT adds instant checkout for online shopping

Chuck Merlis October 6, 2025

OpenAI’s ChatGPT is blurring the line between conversation and online shopping — and Tampa Bay business leaders...

YMCA of Greater St. Petersburg names new CEO Nicci Bucher, newly appointed CEO of the YMCA of Greater St. Petersburg, stands outside a YMCA facility, smiling confidently. The YMCA logo is displayed beside her.

YMCA of Greater St. Petersburg names new CEO

Chuck Merlis October 6, 2025

Nicci Bucher has been appointed CEO of the YMCA of Greater St. Petersburg, bringing more than 20...

Former Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn’s PAC tops $1 million as he prepares comeback A view of downtown Tampa, Florida, with the Hillsborough River in the foreground and high-rise office buildings along the waterfront. Inset is a portrait of former Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn wearing a navy suit and blue striped tie, smiling outdoors.

A view of downtown Tampa, Florida, with the Hillsborough River in the foreground and high-rise office buildings along the waterfront. Inset is a portrait of former Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn wearing a navy suit and blue striped tie, smiling outdoors.

Former Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn’s PAC tops $1 million as he prepares comeback

Chuck Merlis October 6, 2025

Former Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn’s PAC tops $1 million as a 2027 Tampa mayoral bid looms.

St. Petersburg approves $976M budget prioritizing resilience and equity Downtown St. Petersburg skyline at sunset reflecting over the waterfront, showcasing high-rise buildings, palm trees, and construction cranes against a pink and purple sky.

Downtown St. Petersburg skyline at sunset reflecting over the waterfront, showcasing high-rise buildings, palm trees, and construction cranes against a pink and purple sky.

St. Petersburg approves $976M budget prioritizing resilience and equity

Chuck Merlis October 6, 2025

St. Petersburg’s new $976 million budget sets a bold course for resilience, equity and sustainable growth across...

St. Petersburg’s Gas Plant District to be reimagined in $6.8 billion project A bird’s-eye rendering highlights the full scale of the Gas Plant District proposal, spanning nearly 100 acres with housing, office, retail and open green space.

A bird’s-eye rendering highlights the full scale of the Gas Plant District proposal, spanning nearly 100 acres with housing, office, retail and open green space.

St. Petersburg’s Gas Plant District to be reimagined in $6.8 billion project

Chuck Merlis October 3, 2025

A $6.8 billion plan aims to reimagine St. Petersburg’s Gas Plant District with housing, culture and innovation...

A torch passed: Columbia’s fifth generation steps forward Andrea Gonzmart Williams, fifth-generation owner of Columbia Restaurant, pictured against the backdrop of the historic Ybor City restaurant exterior.