- December 25, 2024
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On a month-by-month basis, Business Observer readers are apparently seeking some R&R.
Not rest and relaxation. But retail and restaurants.
News on those two categories showed up in more than half of the Business Observer’s most read stories in 2024. That includes new restaurants and ones that didn’t make it; acquisitions of the real estate occupied by big-box stores and closures of other stores; and, at various places, layoffs. Another big source of readership was development news, especially in residential projects.
Hot Dog Shoppe, a popular Ohio-based eatery founded in 1946, opened a new location in Venice — its first franchise store and first spot outside the Buckeye State. The store had a short run. It closed in August, according to a Facebook post. “This decision came as a result of medical concerns affecting the restaurant’s owner, who must now prioritize his health and focus on his family,” the Aug. 10 post stated. “It has been a privilege to serve this community. We want to express our heartfelt thanks to our patrons for their support. While it’s difficult to say goodbye, we are grateful for the connections we’ve made.
Other top January headlines: Report: Collier ranked worst county in Florida to raise a family; Polk County city seeks to ban food trucks
Retail giant Macy’s announced in February it planned to close the stores in the next two years. As of early December, the company remains mum about which of the 41 Florida — 11 Gulf Coast — stores will close. But employees at the Macy's at Westshore Plaza in Tampa say plans are for that store to close as early this year.
Other top February headlines: No. 1 luxury mall in the world coming to Sarasota — as a pop-up; Walgreens closing in-store medical clinics across Florida
Former GE executive Dan Henson and his son, Dan Henson Jr., with experience in insurance, opened Arts & Central on Feb. 19 at 611 Central Ave., in the Rosemary District of Sarasota. Arts & Central has become a go-to spot in the neighborhood, near multiple condo and residential projects in various stages of development.
Other top March headlines: Target to build large format store near Lakewood Ranch; Florida’s 573 Dollar stores in crosshairs as chain closes 1,000 stores
A feature in the Business Observer’s annual issue that focuses on family businesses, the story detailed the history and future challenges for Chill Bros. Scoop Shop in Tampa, a five-year old business run by Max Chillura. The proprietor came to ice cream with a rich Tampa-centric history: Max's dad is Joseph Chillura, a Florida executive at New Jersey-based Valley Bank and co-founder of Clearwater-based USAmeriBank. Max's grandfather Joe Chillura Jr., who died Feb. 3, 2024, was a former Hillsborough County commissioner who pushed through a local sales tax that helped build the Raymond James Stadium.
Other top April headlines: Demolition of Sarasota restaurant makes way for new development; FedEx closing four Southwest Florida facilities, laying off over 200
Detwiler’s Farm Market, a family-owned and -operated grocery chain with multiple locations in the Sarasota-Manatee region, broke ground in May on a warehouse and distribution center at Florida International Tradeport in northeast Manatee County. In a mid-December e-mail, a spokesperson for Benderson Development, which is developing the tradeport, says the project is "making great progress." The topping out was in October, the spokesperson says, and the loading dock doors and electric service are currently being worked on. It's expected to be open by early summer.
Other top May headlines: Second Sarasota County Costco grand opening announced; Anna Maria Oyster Bar founder to slow down, names next CEO
Affiliates of a New York state firm named Repag Accounting Group acquired the site, at 175 Kings Highway just off Interstate 75. LSI Cos. brokered the deal. Repag, which describes itself as a “boutique back office firm for multifamily real estate,” bought the Charlotte Commons Apartments in Port Charlotte through four LLCs for $66.5 million earlier in 2024.
Other top June headlines: Atlanta firm buys $176 million Fort Myers roofing company; Notorious Clearwater motel site to become affordable housing development
The vendor, HMSHost, posted a note about the layoffs in Florida's Worker Adjustment Retraining and Notification database. A spokesperson later told the Business Observer that “the concessions contract is transitioning to a new operator.” The airport will be getting a host of new dining and beverage options in January, where a new terminal is expected to open. Options, say airport officials, include local brands such as Anna Maria Oyster Bar, Mattison's, Patrick's 1481 and Motorworks Brewery, working under the “master concessionaire.”
Other top July headlines: Sarasota manufacturer puts CEO on leave for alleged ethics violations; 50-year-old Pinellas County health care group closing, cutting 245 jobs
Sash & Sill, a window company based in Sarasota, filed Chapter 7 bankruptcy after the business ran out of money. Dozens of customers had already paid for work to be done, prompting complaints and subsequent investigations by the Office of the Attorney General and the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office into the owner.
Other top August headlines: Fort Myers Publix being demolished to make way for redevelopment; Two prime Fort Myers Beach properties listed for $17.5 million
The prominent Sarasota-Manatee area brand, known for its insulated drinkware, said the bankruptcy stemmed from a variety of factors, including a post-COVID spike and then a just-as-sharp decline in e-commerce sales; a long-lasting drop in consumer discretionary spending and operating expenses that inflated in the post-Covid era. Bankruptcy documents at the filing states the company had total assets and liabilities from $10 million to $50 million.
Other top September headlines: New Jersey family pays $14.6 million for Fort Myers shopping center; Publix pays $223 million for seven Florida shopping centers
Capogna’s Dugout, a Clearwater family owned restaurant in operation since 1973, cited hurricanes Milton and Helene as well as the economy in a closing note. “We have taken a hit we cannot recover from,” the restaurant said in an Oct. 12 Facebook post.
Other top October headlines: Home Depot in Clearwater sells for $23 million; Flight cancellations, airport updates from Hurricane Milton
Tampa developer Dunphy Development, which paid $6.62 million for the property in 2021 according to county property records, sold the store, which is in Odessa. The buyer is a California trust that paid cash.
Other top November headlines: Construction begins at 4-acre lagoon at 3,000-home north Manatee community; 71% income drop leads to Tampa plant closing; 250 layoffs
The former Albritton fruit orchards east of Interstate 75 near Clark Road are now owned by Sarasota County, which purchased the land this fall for $19 million. The seller was Albritton Groves, which previously operated fields there for blueberry picking from mid-March through the end of May. Sarasota County will use the land for soil needed to cover waste at the Central County Solid Waste Disposal Complex, which is also on property the county bought from the Albritton family.
Other top December headlines: Buyer found for 6,000-acre Collier farm listed at $59 million; Battle underway over potential development near beloved birding site (December headlines are through Dec. 13, 2024.)
