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Thursday's Afternoon Update
What you need to know about Florida today
Florida inches closer to recreational marijuana with 2024 ballot initiative
In the November 2023 elections, Ohio — which, like Florida, is a former swing state turned red — became the latest state to approve recreational cannabis use and thus welcome a new multibillion industry, not to mention the prodigious amount of tax revenue that it brings. Is that a sign of things to come in the Sunshine State? More from the Business Observer.
Florida lawmakers zone in on "predatory" towing practices
Predatory towers in Florida have created challenges for drivers and insurers, with organizations like the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) looking to collaborate with state lawmakers to enact necessary changes, evident in the recent sponsoring of HB 179. This House Bill, which has gained support from State Representative Melony Bell, is looking to address “loopholes being exploited by predatory towers” that have allowed bad faith actors to continue taking advantage of civilians and insurers alike. More from the Insurance Business Magazine.
Port Canaveral named best U.S. cruise port for third straight year
Port Canaveral has been named the best U.S. cruise home port of 2023 by readers of the cruise industry website Cruise Hive. Additionally, the Port Canaveral-based Royal Caribbean Wonder of the Seas was voted the best cruise ship of 2023, Cruise Hive said. This is the fourth year that Port Canaveral received the best home port honors in the five years the award has been given, following wins in 2019, 2021 and 2022. More from Florida Todday.
International insurance company may lay off dozens of employees in Miami
An international insurance firm has issued a notice that it may lay off dozens of employees in Miami as its parent company struggles to raise money needed to operate and heads into the British Isles version of bankruptcy. Princeton, New Jersey-based Global Benefits Group filed a WARN notice on Dec. 31 to state and local officials that a mass layoff of employees might occur at its office in the Waterford Business District area near Miami International Airport. More from the South Florida Business Journal.
Developers buy land near Tropicana Field for $115 million luxury tower
A 23-story, $115 million building with luxury apartments and retail is set to break ground in downtown St. Petersburg later this year. Two Miami-based real estate firms — Black Salmon and LD&D — partnered to purchase a 0.77-acre parcel at 155 17th St. S. for $9.05 million last month. The companies announced plans Wednesday to develop a mixed-use project called Gallery Haus. More from the Tampa Bay Times and the Business Observer.
Event
Celebrity chefs and wasabi ice cream: Here’s what isn’t sold out at Visit Lauderdale Food & Wine Festival 2024
Broward County’s biggest food and wine festival has celebrity chefs, apocalyptic barbecue, wasabi ice cream – and, unsurprisingly, few tickets left to sell. The chef-studded Grand Tasting at Las Olas Oceanside Park? Gone. The Poolside BBQ at Hyatt Centric Las Olas? Snapped up a month ago. As of Wednesday, less than a week before Visit Lauderdale Food & Wine Festival returns Jan. 8-14, a few remaining passes remain for intimate dinners and the festival’s newest signature event: Wok ‘n’ Roll, a showcase of Asian street food paired with live rock music.
» More from the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.
Business Profile
First tattoo-coffee shop opens in Central Florida
In 2015, Barythaya Lunsford’s friend decided to get a tattoo – but little did she know that tagging along for moral support would be life-changing. Lunsford sat down and was handed a computer tablet to pass the time, so she started doodling. This drawing led to a tattoo artist offering her an apprenticeship. Almost 10 years later, Lunsford has opened a first-of-its-kind business in Central Florida: a tattoo-coffee shop dubbed “XO Coffee / Tattoo Shop.”
» Read more from Click Orlando.
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