May 2025 | Brittney J. Miller
SPOTLIGHT
Tervis is known for its iconic tumblers, the double-walled drinkware often plastered with designs ranging from sports teams to florals to Star Wars characters. But the North Venice-based brand took a hit last year.
The company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in September, citing market disruptions, an ongoing lawsuit filed by an Illinois manufacturer, pandemic-era challenges and decreased retail spending. Its North Venice headquarters was purchased by Meta-backed video game developer Combat Waffle Studios.
In February, though, Tervis announced an exit from bankruptcy. It had settled the 2017 lawsuit and made deals with its creditors to resolve nearly $33 million in debt. The Donelly family, Tervis’ principal owners, put up a $5.5-million loan to fund the reorganization.
The company’s strategy going forward? Returning to its legacy and focusing on at-home products versus on-the-go products. Its sub-brand, TervisHome, is launching new melamine dinnerware to accompany the brand’s drinkware portfolio.
“Our classic drinkware portfolio has been a staple in homes, on patios and by the pool for over 78 years,” says CEO Hosana Fieber. “We are thrilled to have just launched four unique design sets of melamine to accompany our classic drinkware for those moments at home where memories are made.”
A week after an endorsement from President Donald Trump, third-term U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds from the Naples area entered Florida’s 2026 governor race.
HOUSING
- Bradenton’s former DeSoto Square Mall, closed in 2021, is getting a 140-unit affordable housing community, complementing a 242-unit luxury apartment complex already under development on the property. Pinellas County dedicated $8 million to a $54.6-million affordable housing project in Largo, which is being developed by Santa Monica, Calif.-based Lincoln Avenue Communities and will provide 144 affordable units. Colina Ranch Hill — a $62.6-million, 322-unit multifamily residential apartment community in Pasco County — has been completed by Birmingham, Ala.-based developer Dobbins Group. Elsewhere in the county, Columbus, Ohio-based Coastal Ridge broke ground on Stillwell Pasco Station, a 277-unit build-to-rent community.
REAL ESTATE
- St. Petersburg real estate developer Kolter Urban purchased a three-acre Naples development site for $92.5 million, reserving it for a proposed condo project.
- Allegiant attributes its summer plans to sell Sunseeker Resort Charlotte Harbor, its hotel that opened in 2023, to a $216.2-million loss.
SPORTS
- Tampa’s Raymond James Stadium will host the 2029 College Football Playoff championship game. The United Soccer League’s Sarasota Paradise will move from League Two to League One, becoming the city’s only independent pro sports organization.
CONSTRUCTION
- The Palm 625 — a five-story, 12-unit luxury condo project — broke ground in downtown Sarasota with plans to complete construction in 2026. Vertical construction is starting on Waterways Apartments and Marina, a mixed-use project on the St. Petersburg side of the Gandy Bridge featuring 470 apartments, 150 boat slips, an 8,000-sq.-ft. waterfront restaurant and other amenities.
ENVIRONMENT
- The Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife will use a $1.2-million grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation to construct a sea turtle rehabilitation center on Sanibel Island, replacing the original destroyed by Hurricane Ian in 2022.
MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY
- Arthrex, a Naples medical device and surgical instrument company, signed a 40-year lease at Southwest Florida International Airport’s Skyplex for a new 1 million-sq.-ft. facility with warehouse and office spaces. Medability GmbH, a Germany-based medical technology company, is establishing its U.S. headquarters in Tampa and leasing 1,600 square feet downtown.
HEALTH CARE
- Hospital chain HCA plans to spend $70 million building three new freestanding emergency rooms in growing communities north of Pinellas County.
RESTAURANTS
- Following a $180,000 two-year deal with Pinellas County’s tourism marketing arm, Visit St. Pete-Clearwater, the Florida Michelin Guide will now rate restaurants in Pinellas County in addition to its existing reviews in the Tampa, Orlando and Miami areas.
- The Baltimore Orioles plan to construct a $21-million, 42,500-sq.-ft. player development facility at their Sarasota spring training home.