Tampa Bay Business News and Top Stories

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.

Andrea Gonzmart Williams, fifth-generation owner of Columbia Restaurant, pictured against the backdrop of the historic Ybor City restaurant exterior.

A torch passed: Columbia’s fifth generation steps forward

Chuck Merlis October 1, 2025

Few restaurants become institutions. Fewer still become symbols of a city. Columbia Restaurant, founded in Ybor City...

Indian Rocks wine bar Wyne rises after storms Wyne IRB logo with a leather-bound menu and a white sangria garnished with fruit, photographed on a black table.

Indian Rocks wine bar Wyne rises after storms

Barbara Lynch November 27, 2025

When hurricanes ended Slyce, its owners reinvented themselves with Wyne, a wine bar built on resilience, rhythm...

$187M luxury tower planned for Rocky Point waterfront Renderings of The Residences at Rocky Point, a planned $187 million luxury high-rise in Tampa with 252 apartments and a rooftop restaurant overlooking the bay.

Renderings of The Residences at Rocky Point, a planned $187 million luxury high-rise in Tampa with 252 apartments and a rooftop restaurant overlooking the bay.

$187M luxury tower planned for Rocky Point waterfront

Chuck Merlis October 1, 2025

A $187 million luxury tower with 252 apartments and a rooftop restaurant is set to rise on...

Shumaker adds two new associates in Tampa office Headshots of Marisa A. Infante and Chase M. Robinson, newly added associates at Shumaker’s Tampa office.

Headshots of Marisa A. Infante and Chase M. Robinson, newly added associates at Shumaker’s Tampa office.

Shumaker adds two new associates in Tampa office

Chuck Merlis October 1, 2025

Shumaker is expanding its Tampa office with the addition of two associates, a move that highlights both...

Out-of-state capital backs $3.7M senior housing buy north of Tampa Front exterior view of Crown Court senior housing facility in Inverness, Florida, a historic 120-year-old building set for renovations after its $3.7 million sale.