Stories

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New St. Pete Pier will soon rise on downtown waterfront

The New St. Pete Pier will soon rise from the rubble left behind by the removal of the old inverted pier that had seen better days. Several local firms will be involved in the new construction.

Golfers tee up at newly renovated courses around Tampa Bay

Three golf courses in the Tampa Bay area reopen, or ready to open after renovations aimed to make golfing experience more enjoyable. Rocky Point golf course in Tampa, Copperhead at Innisbrook in Palm Harbor and Twin Brooks golf course make improvements including new greens and drainage systems. 

Einstein Bros. Bagel, Caribou Coffee opening new concept store in Tampa

Einstein Bros. Bagels and Caribou Coffee create new concept store bringing bagels and specialty coffee together under one roof. Grand opening on December 9th will offer first 50 guests a coupon book containing weekly coupons for free coffee, bagels and schmear for a year.

Tampa native launches mobile boating app for marinas

Dockwa, a mobile application and integrated platform that allows boaters to reserve docking slips at marinas, has launched in the Tampa Bay area.

Downtown Tampa lands major grocery store


Feature Story Grand Central District, St Pete.

Look who's emerging now: Visit 3 Florida Main Street projects in St. Petersburg

The Edge District, Deuces Live Main Street and Grand Central District in St. Petersburg are good examples of what can happen when grassroots activists and city governments work together to turn formerly run-down neighborhoods into up and coming Florida Main Streets.

Feature Story African Mahogany mortar & pestles and handcarved bowls.

For Good: African fair-trade marketplace benefits Lutz couple's mission

Fair Trade Marketplace and Festival in north Tampa benefits One City Ministries, a nonprofit organization that's building the Light Village in Uganda as a self-sustaining model community, including a school, church, orphanage and tilapia farm.

Hyde Park Village adds more retailers, new restaurant

Hyde Park Village announces the opening of three new retailers and a steakhouse, which are all set to open next year. Additions include Suit Supply, which sells upscale suits for men, The Shade Store, a home décor company, Vineyard Vines, a clothing store, and Meat Market, a steakhouse. 

Downtown New Port Richey begins anew on Main Street Landing Project

Plans move ahead on Main Street Landing development project in downtown New Port Richey. The development plans include three towers covering a city block, with 93 residential units and commercial space as well. 

St. Pete launches free shuttle route in time for holiday visitors

The city of St. Pete's new Park Once shuttle is free on Friday and Saturday nights through May 2016 as part of a six-month pilot program in public transportation.

Who's hiring in Tampa Bay? Search engine, IT company, CPA, staffing agency, and more

Google is among those hiring for part- and full-time positions in the December 2015 83 Degrees job news roundup.

Urban development to transform downtown Lakeland


For Good: Investment comes at right time to help foster youth transition to independent living

Social Venture Partners Tampa Bay selects Pinellas-based Ready for Life, a program supporting foster children transitioning into adult responsibilities, to receive guidance, special assistance.

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Making sense of early intervention: A guide for Tampa Bay area families

Sometimes an experienced grandma or grandpa is key to noticing a child's delay in development. Sometimes it takes a close friend or neighbor to ask uncomfortable questions. Or maybe, as a young parent, you just sense something's not right with your child's progress. What to do? Early intervention may be the answer.  

Feature Story A small portion of the lionfish bounty is prepared for processing.

Culinary conservation hunts predator lionfish for human consumption

Tampa Bay innovators battle Gulf invaders with help from local fishermen, scientists and chefs determined to fight back before entire underwater ecosystem becomes at risk.

Feature Story The Florida Orchestra opens the 2015 season at The Straz.

Turnaround story: Florida Orchestra changes up concerts, music

Music as a healing mechanism. Music in the park. Music enjoyed by Classical Kids. The Florida Orchestra undergoes a transformation in performances and venues that is expanding the audience and growing its endowment.

Florida homebuilder plans 11 new communities by mid-2016

Sarasota-based Neal Communities builds eight new home communities in 2015, with plans to build three more by mid 2016. Communities are spread out south of Tampa, in Sarasota, Bradenton, Riverview, Lakewood Ranch, Apollo Beach and Estero.

SPC receives funding for Bay Pines STEM Learning Center

SPC receives state funding to complete construction on new Bay Pines STEM Learning Center. The $4.7 million project will serve SPC students, Pinellas County schoolteachers as well as secondary school students and students from other colleges on STEM-related projects.

8 female entrepreneurs to compete in regional SBA InnovateHER Challenge

Eight Pinellas County small business owners will compete in the regional round of the SBA InnovateHER Challenge, presented by LocalShops1 and the Gulfport Chamber of Commerce on December 2.