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Bernadette Berdychowski - Local Business Reporter
Bernadette Berdychowski

Local Business Reporter

Dzień dobry! I’m a Clearwater native, born and raised by Polish immigrants. Yes, I’m that girl eating pierogi on the beach. You caught me. I left the Tampa Bay area for a few years to study at a college in the heart of New York’s Financial District. Now I’m back home reporting on the businesses, entrepreneurs and all of us who are consumers of goods and services. I also write our newsletter “Business by the Bay” which breaks down the area’s fast-changing economy and its trends. Reach out if you have any tips, ideas or even if you need someone to rant about Eurovision or art.

  1. In new Tampa Seminole Heights shop, old items get a new life
    Yesterday• Business
    Lot Twenty9 is a new small business located in Seminole Heights, Tampa that focuses on reusing, recycling and refurbishing different items like furniture, kitchen utensils and decorations.
  2. Could this Tampa Publix be a blueprint for future stores?
    June 7• Business
    Outside the Publix at 3617 W Gandy Blvd. in Tampa, the first of Publix's prototype stores the brand is focusing on as it steers away from GreenWise Markets.
  3. Downtown St. Petersburg soon to get summer camp themed bar
    June 2• Bars & Breweries
    Summer Camp St. Pete announced Friday, June 2, 2023 that it will open in the Grand Central District this year.
  5. St. Pete Yacht Club to be torn down, rebuilt in 5 years. Here’s why.
    June 2• News
    The St. Petersburg Yacht Club is seen in this Google Earth image.
  6. St. Petersburg speakeasy lounge to open in former Chief’s Creole Café
    May 26• Business
    Chief's Creole Cafe on 901 22nd Street South in St. Petersburg on June 9, 2020 in the 22nd Street business corridor known as the Deuces. The former restaurant will transform into a speakeasy and lounge called The Catalyst.
  7. Westfield sells Brandon mall for $220M as it exits US
    May 25• Business
    Aerial view of the Westfield Brandon mall in 2020 in Brandon. Westfield sold the Hillsborough County mall for $220 million, the European-based shopping mall developer announced Thursday.
  8. Why Orlando-area Foxtail Coffee wants to expand fast in Tampa Bay
    May 25• Business
    The new Foxtail Coffee in Carrollwood opening May 27, 2023. The company founded in Winter Park aims to open 30 locations across Tampa Bay in the next five years.
  9. In Clearwater, engineers build cockpit for Artemis moon mission
    May 23• Clearwater
    A group surrounds one of the display units developed by Honeywell Aerospace in Clearwater that will be used on the Orion spacecraft for the Artemis moon missions.
  10. Publix will drop GreenWise Market name on all stores. Here’s why
    May 19• Business
    The much-anticipated Publix GreenWise Market in Water Street Tampa opened in 2021. The 26,000-square-foot store will transition into a traditional Publix store along with seven other Greenwise Market locations, the grocer confirmed on May 19, 2023.
  11. One Tampa condos are selling fast — here’s a peek inside the tower
    May 17• Business
    A rendering of One Tampa at night in downtown's skyline.
  12. Water Street Tampa economic impact totals $520M, report says
    May 15• Tampa
    The lobby area at The Tampa Edition hotel on Friday, Oct. 21, 2022, in Tampa.
  13. Trader Joe’s will open in Lakewood Ranch this year
    May 9• Business
    Trader Joe's announced it's opening a 10th location in the Sunshine State at Lakewood Ranch later this year.
  14. Seminole Heights Mermaid Tavern permanently closes
    May 5• Tampa
    The Mermaid Tavern in Tampa's Seminole Heights opened in 2011. After 12 years, it shut down.
  15. Can Elev8 boost Citrus Park mall? A preview of new go-kart, arcade center
    May 4• Life & Culture
    A glow in the dark mini golf course seen at Elev8 Fun, an entertainment center inside Citrus Park Town Center, in Tampa on Wednesday, April 19, 2023.
  16. Tampa water startup acquired its first company. Here’s why.
    May 2• Business
    People check out the WaterCube, which converts moisture from the air into pure water, during an event at the Port of Tampa on Sept. 14, 2021. Developer Genesis Systems LLC is an advanced technology company that aims to solve global water scarcity.
  17. Taylor Swift Tampa shows may have made $5M for Raymond James Stadium
    May 1• Tampa
    Taylor Swift performs “The Man” during the first of her three sold-out Tampa shows on the Eras tour at Raymond James Stadium on April 13.
  18. After 2 Tampa Bay delivery attacks, gig workers worry about dangers
    May 1• Crime
    Luis Cosme, a Lakeland resident who works in Tampa, helps direct a caravan rally of about 200 vehicles outside Tampa International Airport on Friday to launch a Florida guild of Uber and Lyft drivers. One of the things they're advocating for is better protections for drivers.
  19. St. Petersburg now has Lime electric bikes
    April 26• Business
    Lime debuted its electric bike program in St. Petersburg on April 26, 2023.
  20. St. Pete Beach Sirata resort looking to add two hotel buildings
    April 20• Pinellas
    One of Tampa Bay's last family-owned beach hotels has been sold to a Texas-based company. Crescent Real Estate LLC said it has acquired the 382-room Sirata Beach Resort and Conference Center in an off-market deal with the Nicklaus family. The price was not disclosed, and the deed had not been recorded as of this morning.
  21. Tampa to get an indoor rock climbing gym soon
    April 17• Tampa
    Central Rock Gym, a new rock climbing business plus fitness and yoga studio, in Tampa on Monday, April 10, 2023.
  22. Wesley Chapel’s Grove will build a Target store — and it’ll be big
    April 14• Pasco
    Shoppers come and go from a Target store in Pinellas Park in 2018. A new Target is set to be built on the Grove at Wesley Chapel strip mall.
  23. Will Tampa’s historic Floridan Palace Hotel get a new name?
    April 13• Tampa
    The Floridan Palace Hotel is seen in downtown Tampa. The historic landmark is set for $25 million renovations, which may include a name change, city records show.
  24. Citrus Park mall go-kart, arcade center opening in May
    April 12• Business
    A rendering of Elev8, which is taking the place of Sears at Citrus Park Town Center. It's set to open in early May.