Friday's Afternoon Update
After tax law, Florida sees movers but not from New York
In the first few months after the new federal tax law went into effect, Florida saw jumps in new residents moving from Connecticut and Massachusetts. There were smaller year-over-year increases in new Florida residents from New Jersey and Pennsylvania, but no jump from New York — traditionally the biggest source of new Floridians. More from the Bradenton Herald and the AP.
Florida is becoming a leader in nation’s marijuana movement
We’re hardly California or Colorado, but Florida is emerging as one of the nation’s top pot states. The latest evidence comes in a new study that forecasts legal marijuana sales in Florida will grow by 6 percent over the next five years — by $1.3 billion. Florida’s high population could make it one of the top three states for the sale of cannabis products. More from the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.
A national real estate firm acquires Fort Lauderdale agency with 1,000 brokers
As competition intensifies, real estate brokerages continue to consolidate. This week, Dallas-based United Real Estate acquired Fort Lauderdale-based Charles Rutenberg Realty, scooping up 1,000 agents through the deal. The purchase is part of United Real Estate’s strategy to expand from its current total of 8,000 agents worldwide to 20,000 by late 2020. More from the Miami Herald.
How a shiny silver trailer transformed into a friendly micro coffee shop
Love coffee and quirky places? A Florida shiny silver trailer was transformed into a friendly, micro coffee shop that’s serving up steaming cups of Joe to guests. Seven days a week, Johnathon “JP” Pezzino and Sydney Jacobson grind and pour away, like chemists in a laboratory, doing a sort of dance while never getting in each other’s way. More from the Florida Times-Union.
Tampa Bay sees the biggest job growth in Florida
Job growth is booming in Tampa Bay, according to a new report from the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis reported Florida’s unemployment rate dropped to 3.2 percent as labor force participation increased. Approximately 215,000 private-sector jobs were added over the last year. More from WFLA.
Florida Dining
Florida restaurant won’t let you dine-in
It seems that every day there is a new restaurant concept. From the first dine-in Taco Bell Cantina to chef-driven catering kitchens, staying innovative seems to be the name of the game. Now, Orlando based KitchenAF is introducing a new take on what it means to be a restaurant with their pick-up or delivery-only “ghost kitchen” concept.
» More from the Lakeland Ledger.
Out of the Box
These over-the-top pools jut out mid-air, offering breathtaking views
Two swimming pools soon will jut out mid-air from a 54-foot tower in Sunny Isles Beach, giving swimmers some of the most amazing views of South Florida. They’ll join a rare group of over-the-top pools around the world that draw attention for the creative way they take swimmers over the edge. Some are at condos and apartments in Honolulu and Manhattan. Others are abroad in hotels in Italy and Dubai.
» Read more from the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.