FLORIDA – As the new year approaches, let’s take a look at the top trade headlines for 2021.
Tampa Bay businesses discuss ban on passports for vaccines and masks
In April, Governor Ron DeSantis signed an executive order banning vaccine passports – documents indicating whether or not a person has received the COVID-19 vaccine – in Florida.
Find out what’s happening in Sarasota with free real-time Patch updates.
This decree prohibits companies from asking customers to see proof of their immunization status before providing services or allowing entry. Some companies in the Tampa Bay area have shared their thoughts on banning vaccine passports with Patch.
Mayor Too’s redevelopment choice has a commitment to affordable housing
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Midtown Development was chosen by Mayor Rick Kriseman to act as developer of the 86-acre Tropicana Field site in St. Petersburg.
Affordable and labor-intensive units will range between 1,000 and around 1,900 depending on the density of the development.
Political pie? Sarasota residents devour Profane Joe Biden pizza
A Sarasota pizzeria gets political with its toppings. In October, Solorzano’s Pizzerias, which has six locations in Sarasota County and a few upcoming openings in Tennessee, added “FJB” pizza to its menu as an insult to the president.
The pizza features a large “FJB” written in pepperoni. It means “F — Joe Biden,” said Phil Solorzano, founder and owner of the local pizza chain.
Rumble, a conservative YouTube alternative, to open Florida headquarters
Online video-sharing platform Rumble will open a US headquarters in Longboat Key.
The platform, a YouTube alternative, is based in Toronto and popular among conservative influencers and right-wing viewers. As of August, Rumble had more than 40 million average monthly users, the company said.
Tampa becomes a magnet for national and global technology companies
Tuesday’s announcement that high-tech start-up Genesis Systems is moving its headquarters from Kansas City to Tampa underscores Tampa’s growing reputation as a national technology hub and incubator.
Florida firm oversees controversial AZ election audit in 2020
Cyber Ninjas, the Sarasota-based company hired to lead the audit of the 2020 Arizona election, was founded by a “Stop the Steal” advocate.
Tampa Airport Takes Off Following Pandemic; celebrates its 50th anniversary
The road to recovery has been bumpy for a year, but officials at Tampa International Airport have said air travel is making a comeback.
Tarpon Springs Food Truck to appeal Court of Appeal ruling on city law
Florida food truck owners vow to continue their legal battle against Tarpon Springs after a Florida court ruled they couldn’t sue the city over an order requiring independent food trucks to use the name of someone else to operate downtown.
Moffitt Cancer Proposal and Research Accepted by St. Pete
The Moffitt Cancer and Research Institute submitted a plan to the city to construct a 75,000 square foot medical building in St. Petersburg.
Amazon announces plans to hire 8,000 employees across Florida
Amazon announced in September that it was hiring an additional 8,000 people across Florida, including 1,000 in South Florida, 800 in Orlando and over 100 in Tampa, in addition to 40,000 business and tech jobs recently. advertisement.
Florida Tourism Reaches Pre-Pandemic Levels: Visit Florida
Hotels, theme parks and airports are rebounding to pre-pandemic levels as restaurants and small businesses continue to struggle.
179-car drive-in drive-in arrives in Warehouse Arts District
St. Petersburg enjoys socially distant entertainment with a cinema location that will have a 64-foot screen to show movies.
The Ringling Bros. Circus returns in 2023 without animals
Feld Entertainment will bring the biggest show back to Earth in 2023 with a focus on human performers.
First Watch raises $ 195.8 million in initial public offering of shares
Bradenton-based First Watch Restaurant Group raised around $ 195.8 million when it went public in October.
The Iberian rooster said goodbye to St. Pete
The Iberian Rooster went from more than a hundred events per month before the pandemic to almost none, and this took a toll on the site.
Haven’t received the vaccine? “Refrain from visiting”, says the restaurant
With the increase in COVID-19 cases statewide, the owners of the Beach Bistro in Holmes Beach want all diners to get their shots before they come to visit their Anna Maria Island restaurant.
Canadian Budget Airline Swoop adds Clearwater to its destinations
The airline will offer non-stop service to and from Toronto and Hamilton, Ont., Starting in November with tickets starting at $ 116.
Big Storm Brewing to open taproom and restaurant in Ybor City
Big Storm Brewing Co. announced on Monday that it had signed a lease to take over vacant locations at Hamburger Mary’s and Mary’s Pub.
Whole Foods Market to Open First Store in St. Pete
A 23-year-old fitness center in St. Petersburg loses its lease in favor of the future Whole Foods Market, which will be the city’s first.
JDub’s Brewing Lighthouse closure Sarasota location
“COVID kicked our -, right away,” said Jeremy Joerger, owner and founder of JDub’s Brewing Company.
Float Tanks Offer ‘Mature Wait Time’ and Relieve Stress
A flotation center in St. Petersburg wants to offer veterans flotation therapy to minimize physical ailments and emotional problems.
New Ghost Kitchen serves Chuck Norris-inspired chicken
Cluck Norris Ass Kickin ‘Chicken has launched ghost kitchens across the country, including one based in Sarasota’s Rusty Bucket.
Sarasota Memorial spent $ 1 billion on new medical facilities in 2021
Despite a “year of hardships, challenges and growth,” the Sarasota Memorial Health Care System has spent $ 1 billion to bring new medical facilities to the community, the health system said.
Chelsea St. Pete’s British-flavored Café is open
The Chelsea St. Pete, opened in the Warehouse Arts District, brings together the British origins of an owner and the love of a New York hotel.
TGH launches largest expansion plan in hospital history
Tampa General Hospital launches the most ambitious primary facility expansion in hospital history to continue serving the needs of the community for decades to come.
Kforce Tampa Reduces Headquarters Workforce As Remote Workforce Grows
Employees working from home during the pandemic have changed the way traditional offices are viewed. So Kforce Tampa sells its head office.
Guy Fieri opens Flavortown Ghost Kitchen in Sarasota
The Food Network star has opened 100 pop-up Flavortown restaurants across the country, including nine in Florida.
Airport expansion planned, passenger traffic increases dramatically
Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport saw a 180% increase in passenger seats in 2021 compared to 2019.
Tenants keen to lease space in Tampa’s newest pedestrian community
Midtown Tampa will consist of 11 buildings encompassing 1.8 million square feet of retail, residential and office space.
The family business of Cuban cigars is booming with the latest generation
A native of Cuba who started living in Tampa Bay in 2006 will soon have the opening of the Cigar Paradise Royal Lounge on Beach Drive.
Tampa’s historic Floridan Palace Hotel ripe for a revival
The historic Floridian Palace Hotel in downtown Tampa will be part of the renaissance of the emerging dining and entertainment district known as the “NoDo District” of north downtown Tampa with the help of new owners who unveiled ambitious plans for the 1926 hotel.
Judge quashes Sarasota Shop ‘passport to vaccines’ trial
A Leon County judge has overturned a Sarasota pearl store’s lawsuit against the Florida surgeon general over the state’s “vaccine passport” ban.
Ybor City Selfie Studio A Labor of Love for the Mother-Daughter Team
A mother and daughter made their dream of opening a business together come true despite obstacles during the coronavirus pandemic.