Florida Trend Exclusive
Chasing immortality
Hundreds of clinics have cropped up in the Sunshine State over the past few decades, dedicated to some iteration of “anti-aging,” “healthy aging” or “longevity” treatments that try to turn back time. It’s an ambitious mission to unravel the complexities of aging and extend the human lifespan, and one that a horde of researchers are pursuing within Florida’s university system and elsewhere. But in the marketplace, some offerings creep into science fiction and may make consumers vulnerable to fraud and health risks. [Source: Florida Trend]
Business Beat - Week of July 18th
Get top news-to-know with Florida Trend's headline-focused video newsbrief, hosted by digital content specialist Aimée Alexander.
Florida’s home insurance crisis hits hardest in some of the state’s poorest counties
Insurance experts have warned repeatedly that rising economic losses from extreme weather events driven by climate change threaten the industry with collapse—and with it, housing markets and families’ finances. Together with Louisiana and wildfire-wracked California, Florida, threatened by tropical cyclones barreling into its coasts, is where the crisis is hitting hardest. [Source: Miami Herald]
Supreme Court upholds redistricting plan
Three years after Gov. Ron DeSantis pushed a congressional redistricting plan through the Legislature, the Florida Supreme Court on Thursday rejected a challenge by voting-rights groups that argued part of the plan violated the state Constitution. Justices, in a 5-1 decision, said an alternative requested by voting-rights groups for a North Florida district would violate the U.S. Constitution’s Equal Protection Clause because it would involve racial gerrymandering. [Source: News Service of Florida]
Can a business in Florida refuse to take cash? What the law says
Many customers never pay cash for their coffee and croissant. With all of the electronic options these days — insert or swipe or press — they don’t need to fork over bills and coins for breakfast, or for any other purchase. But what if a consumer pulled out a wad of bills to pay for that latte — and the cafe refused to accept cash? Can a business do that in Florida? [Source: Miami Herald]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› What’s next for Downtown Doral? Here’s a sneak peek at what’s rising
Joseph Grullon has seen Doral change through the years — from industrial to trendy. “When we first moved here, it was a lot more warehouses,” he said, referring to his arrival in 2004. While Doral still has its share of industrial flavor, the focus over the past decade has been on Downtown Doral, a mix of apartment buildings, restaurants and stores. The transformation has kept workers around at night for dinner and drinks, and has drawn visitors from other parts of the county.
› Investors snapped up Tampa Bay homes damaged by hurricanes Helene and Milton
To understand how Hurricanes Helene and Milton reshaped the local real estate market, the Tampa Bay Times analyzed thousands of residential sales records in Hillsborough and Pinellas counties from October 2024 through March. The analysis found LLCs bought more than a quarter of the 3,300 properties that sold in areas inundated by significant storm surge. The share of homes in those areas that sold to a company instead of to an individual more than doubled over the six months after Hurricane Helene.
› Celebrating 20 years: Visit Orlando announces dates for Magical Dining
Visit Orlando’s Magical Dining, presented by Orlando Health, is celebrating 20 years in 2025, returning to tempt the city’s gourmands with a record-breaking 160 restaurants in a program that will run from Aug. 15 through Sept. 30. The extensive list includes 24 newcomers, 15 Michelin Guide-recognized options, each offering three-course prix fixe menus priced at $40 and $60, plus tax and gratuity. It will also continue its mission of giving back to the community.
› Fintech firm MyBambu expands in West Palm Beach, eyes 200 new jobs
A financial technology company is moving from an office above a nightclub to a new 35,000-square-foot office space on Dixie Highway, which leaders at the Business Development Board of Palm Beach County said is one of the largest leases in the city of West Palm Beach. MyBambu, a financial services company that provides a range of services, from money transfers to Latin American countries and food delivery services to Cuba, relocated its headquarters from Tennessee to West Palm Beach.
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› Pair of South Florida communities among America’s top 50 wealthiest suburbs
Two South Florida communities have kept their spots among the top 50 wealthiest suburbs in the United States for the second year running. Palm Beach ranked this year as the 13th wealthiest suburb in the country, while Pinecrest nabbed 21st place on the annual list by GOBankingRates. The rankings represent slight downgrades for both communities, which took the No. 11 and No. 20 spots, respectively, in last year’s inaugural list.
› Sarasota, Tampa tech security firm signs deal with UAE company
Trace Eye‑D, a developer and manufacturer of drug and explosive detection products with a corporate headquarters in Tampa and a lab and production facility in Sarasota, has signed a distribution partnership with a company based in the United Arab Emirates. The UAE firm, Scientific Analytical Tools, will now carry all Trace Eye‑D products, according to a statement.
› Florida’s largest climbing gym opens in Orlando’s Packing District
Rock climbers living in the flatlands of Florida now have a new massive venue to hone their skills as High Point Climbing and Fitness opens its doors. The 45,000-square-foot indoor climbing gym features 52-foot walls, a bouldering area, a full-service gym, a yoga studio, party rooms and a dedicated children’s climbing area in Orlando’s Packing District. The new facility is the largest climbing gym in Florida and the sixth largest in the United States.
› CSX stock up on report of Union Pacific interest
CSX Corp.’s stock rose to its highest level of the year July 17 after a report that Union Pacific Corp. is seeking to buy one of the two major eastern railroads, CSX or Norfolk Southern Corp. Omaha, Nebraska-based Union Pacific operates in 23 western states and a merger with an Eastern railroad would give it a coast-to-coast rail network.