► The Crane, a casual steak and seafood restaurant/cocktail bar, is planned for the former Wig Villa space, at 575 Central Ave., in downtown St. Petersburg. (Pictured above) ► Pinellas-based TJM Properties acquired Thrive Coworking, at 136 Fourth St. N., in downtown St. Petersburg, adding to its portfolio of commercial, multifamily, hospitality and senior living … Read more
► Michelin and Visit Florida announced the expansion of The Michelin Guide, with editions for Miami, Orlando and Tampa. (Pictured above: Andrea Gonzmart, of the Columbia Restaurant Group, which is included in the guide.) ► Construction management firm Barton Malow Builders named Scott Kulczar project executive for the Tampa office. ► Judith Lisi, president and … Read more
Hooters Management Corp., founder and creator of the Hooters brand, has changed its name to HMC Hospitality Group. The name change reflects the company’s growth as it plans to add additional concepts including opening more Hoots locations, a quick-service concept, as well as a new joint venture with St. Petersburg’s 3 Daughters Brewing, according to … Read more
Social Roost is a fun, and eclectic, restaurant in downtown St. Petersburg, serving inventive cocktails and delicious food. It’s the brainchild of St. Petersburg natives Rob Bowen and Jason Teabout, who wanted to create a restaurant inspired by their love for travel. The team with Susan Burdian, a chef from New York, to create a … Read more
► Tampa Bay Lightning and Fast launched Fast Checkout, a new, in-arena, fan experience that uses QR codes to allow consumers to find, and buy, Lightning merchandise with one click without the hassle of navigating through multiple sites and online payment fields. (Pictured above) ►Tampa International Airport debuted Blue Express Curbsides, dedicated exclusively for passengers … Read more
► Bolay Fresh Bold Kitchen is opening a location, at 1330 Fourth St. N., St. Petersburg. ► Megan Wessel, of St. Petersburg, was awarded the American Cancer Society Partner of the Year Award by the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network in recognition of her efforts to help make cancer a national priority. ► Sab … Read more
Next Level Brands has announced its newest restaurant concept, Boulon Brasserie, is slated to open at Water Street, in Tampa, in the summer of 2022. Next Level Brands is a partnership between Jeff Gigante, former co-founder of Ciccio Restaurant Group, and Andrew Wright, a Tampa real estate entrepreneur. This is the third establishment developed under … Read more
► The Realm Restaurant Group announced the reopening of Sage Restaurant, at 1216 First St., Sarasota, after being closed for over a year for COVID-19. (Pictured above) ► Firmo Construction, a commercial construction management firm headquartered in Sarasota, is expanding its operations in southwest Florida with the opening of a new office in downtown Fort … Read more
► Achieva Credit Union, based in Dunedin, named Rocio Smith as Hillsborough market vice president, with an initial focus on establishing Achieva’s first Hillsborough branch in Carrollwood. (Pictured above) ► Bay Food Brokerage, in Tampa, launched a Center Store division and hired Gary Royal to oversee it as vice president of sales. ► Visit Tampa … Read more
► Mangosteen, a tropical Asian-inspired restaurant, opened at 656 Central Ave., in St. Petersburg. (rendering above) ► Stoneweg U.S., based in St. Petersburg, announced the sale of Tuscan Reserve Apartments, the company’s first development project located in Palm Coast, with a sales price of $32.75 million. ► Robin and Jack King, owners of Three Birds … Read more
