Tampa Bay Business News and Top Stories

Brian and Renee Murphy have made a personal donation of $1.5 million to Jesuit High School, in Tampa, following a major fundraising success at the school’s annual Gaudiosa Gala. In February, the Murphys were Grand Gaudiosa Underwriters, helping Jesuit’s annual Gaudiosa gala raise $1.25 million for the school’s financial aid program. The Murphy’s son, Parker,

MarineMax, based in Clearwater, will expand its footprint to Islamorada, Florida, with the addition of Native Marine. Native Marine was founded by Florida Keys natives Tommy, Sarah and Brett Brashares. As an authorized Boston Whaler and Mercury Marine dealer, they have served the boating community from Tavernier to Key West. The expanded MarineMax presence in

Port Tampa Bay’s Board of Commissioners have approved two lease agreements with Agunsa, for facilities at the port’s Eastport and Hookers Point locations. AGS provides ocean transportation and logistics services including port terminal services, ship operations, vessel agency, warehousing, trucking and airport services.  Under the 20-year lease agreements, AGS will operate on 18 acres at

The University of South Florida received a $2.7 million gift, which will go toward student scholarships. The funds, from late Palm Harbor resident and former NASA engineer Tom Tiedemann, will be used to support students in the College of Engineering, the College of Nursing and the School of Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Sciences, which is

Valspar kicked off its week of Valspar Championship events by unveiling a new mural in Tampa Bay. Valspar unveiled the new “Be Bright by Valspar” mural, at ZooTampa at Lowry Park, which was created to embody the connection between people and animals. The mural encompasses more than 2,000 square feet, covering a pedestrian tunnel used

Tampa Bay Wine & Food Festival has announced the chef duel matchups for its “Chef Showdown,” presented by Irvine Spirits, and the first-ever “Breaking Bread with Heroes” breakfast, both hosted by celebrity chef, Robert Irvine. This year’s participating restaurants, and competition lineup, will include the reigning champions from last year (listed first) versus new competitors:

The city of Tampa is set to host the Urban Land Institute – Florida Summit, on April 4 and April 5, at the JW Marriott Water Street Tampa. The annual event serves as a gathering for professionals in real estate, construction and land use, across the state, to discuss industry-related issues in Florida. ULI said

Trader Joe’s is planning to open another Tampa Bay location, this time in Palm Harbor. The store is planned for 33591 U.S. Highway 19 North. The grocery chain also has locations in Tampa, St. Petersburg, Sarasota and Bradenton. No official open date has been announced. Trader Joe’s announcement page, on its website, said this statement,

Signage has gone up on North Westshore Boulevard and Spruce Street announcing the new location, under construction, which will be the new home of Charley’s Steakhouse, in Tampa. The current location is 4444 W. Cypress Street. According to the signage, the new location is expected to be open in 2025. Charley’s also has locations in

The journey of Rooster & the Till began modestly, with its origins as a 37-seat restaurant nestled in the burgeoning neighborhood of Seminole Heights, a stone’s throw from downtown Tampa.  A decade has, since, passed and the landscape in that neighborhood has transformed remarkably. Today, Proper House Group, the visionary entity behind Rooster & the

Ryan Companies US has completed Feeding Tampa Bay’s new headquarters, a 210,000-square-foot industrial, distribution and office facility dedicated to supplying meals for millions of families facing food insecurity in West Central Florida. The headquarters is expected to open in May and will allow Feeding Tampa Bay to provide more meals and additional services that will

Bal Harbour Shops, a luxury retail destination, is preparing for the launch of its Bal Harbour Shops Access Pop-up Tour, in Sarasota. Or the “retail carnival,” as Matthew Whitman Lazenby describes it. Lazenby is the president and chief executive officer of Whitman Family Development, the owner and operator of Bal Harbour Shops, a 60-year-old shopping