Is the bill to save Florida parks from golf courses and hotels stalled?
The Florida bill that would prohibit golf courses, hotels and other amenities from being built on state parks has hit some speedbumps but still has a shot at passage, according to its sponsor, Sen. Gayle Harrell, R-Stuart. The “State Park Preservation Act,” or Senate Bill 80, has been stalled for at least a month in both the state House and Senate, after initially passing its first committees with bipartisan support. More from the Tampa Bay Times and the Gainesville Sun.
Naples firm reaches deal to buy one of the largest poinsettia growers in the U.S.
HF Companies., a Naples-based conglomerate in industries from wine to commercial real estate to newspapers and more, has reached a deal to acquire N.G. Heimos Greenhouses, billed as one of the nation’s largest poinsettia growers and preeminent greenhouses. Financial terms of the deal, expected to close in June, weren’t disclosed. All of Heimos’ employees and family members will remain with the company, according to a statement, and Bernie Heimos will remain CEO. More from the Business Observer.
Pretium to close Jacksonville manufacturing facility, layoff all employees
A manufacturing facility for Pretium Packaging LLC in West Jacksonville is shutting down and letting go all of its 48 employees. Pretium has 26 facilities across the globe and more than 330 production lines. The company produces beverage bottles, caps and closures, handleware, lightweight options, preforms, custom moldings and other plastic packaging containers. More from the Jacksonville Business Journal.
Could a return to its Clearwater roots save Hooters?
Seattle has the original Starbucks. Miami boasts the site of the first Burger King, now a for-auction car lot. As for Tampa Bay? For more than 40 years, it’s laid claim to the original Hooters, a chain making headlines for a bankruptcy affecting 151 restaurants — almost two-thirds of domestic locations. If a proposed bankruptcy settlement goes through, Tampa Bay and its Clearwater-based co-founder, Neil Kiefer, will be more intertwined with the brand than they’ve been in decades. More from the Tampa Bay Times.
Brightline launches new rewards program to replace popular commuter passes
Brightline, the higher speed rail line serving South and Central Florida, made good on its promise Friday to create a new rider loyalty program after pulling the plug on a once popular menu of discount commuter passes last year. “Our guests have always been at the center of everything we do, and Brightline Rewards is the next step in recognizing their loyalty,” said Patrick Goddard, chief executive officer of Brightline Florida. More from the Orlando Sentinel.
Business Beat - Week of April 4th
Get top news-to-know with Florida Trend's headline-focused video newsbrief, hosted by digital content specialist Aimée Alexander.
Florida Dining
Nationally-recognized Naples chef announces new restaurant
Naples chef Kayla Pfeiffer is on fire. She opened the Bicyclette Cookshop with Louis Mele in November 2023, offering dishes inspired by creativity rather than conventions. The restaurant was nationally recognized on USA Today's Restaurants of the Year 2025 list. This year, she was named a semi-finalist in the prestigious culinary James Beard Awards. Pfeiffer was nominated in the Emerging Chef category of the awards.
» Read more from the Naples Daily News.