MARCH 13, 2026 - MARCH 19, 2026 | THREE DOLLARS
FLOR IDA’S NE WSPAPER FOR T HE C - SUI T E
Strategies | St. Pete AI startup founder values steady performance in a frantic market. PG.12 PASCO • H ILL SBOROUG H • PIN ELL AS • P OLK • M A N ATEE • SA R ASOTA • C H A R LOT TE • LEE • COLLIER
DOG DAYS
Rob and Linda Emery bring a dogged yet deliberate approach to turning their small but mighty company into a franchise in the nearly $200 billion pet retail market. PAGE 14 MARK WEMPLE
COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE
AGRICULTURE
Lost Anchor
Freeze Frame
The Saks Fifth Avenue Sarasota store (right), part of a companywide downsizing, will close at the end of May. PAGE 6
REAL ESTATE
A couple of east Manatee Count y farms, one with bees, one with berries, beat back the February freeze. PAGE 10
Tampa office tower nears full office vacancy. 17
ENTREPRENEURS
COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE
Support System
Screen Time
Polk hotel-to-apartment conversion project obtains $30M loan. 17
Tampa mental health entrepreneur Johnny Crowder celebrates a big contract with a major health care provider. PAGE 8
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3 Four ways to build ‘unshakable’ inner confidence.
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DON’T MISS:
The Tampa Theatre, approaching a milestone anniversary, is investing $30 million in upgrades and enhancements. PAGE 16
SWFL firm buys Naples property for $8M. 17
UNDERSTANDING YOUR TRIM NOTICE: DEADLINES, VALUES AND YOUR RIGHTS SEE PAGE 3