The Business Journal (Serving Greater Tampa Bay) articles from October 1990

The Business Journal (Serving Greater Tampa Bay) archives from October 1990

Work starts on Tampa retail center. (Carollwood Commons shopping center)
October 28, 1990... Work Starts On Tampa Retail Center A California-based company has broken ground on a 315,000-square-foot retail center at the northwest corner of North Dale Mabry Highway and Ehrlich Road. The shopping center, to be called Carrollwood...

CPA liability costs: 'pay the bill or go bare.' (liability insurance for accountants)
October 28, 1990... CPA Liability Costs: |Pay The Bill Or Go Bare' More than 65% of 1,358 accountants surveyed are not covered by liability insurance, according to an about-to-be released study by the Florida Institute of Certified Public Accountants. The...

St. Pete exercise equipment maker plans public offering for 1991. (Rubicon Sports Inc. of St. Petersburg, Florida)
October 28, 1990... St. Pete Exercise Equipment Maker Plans Public Offering For 1991 Exercise equipment manufacturer Rubicon Sports Inc. will attempt to raise $5 million from a public stock offering in early 1991, according to company owner Bill Gvoich. ...

New tabloid endorsed by area realtors. (Pinellas County Real Estate News)
October 28, 1990... New Tabloid Endorsed By Area Realtors Pinellas County's two realtor associations have given their blessing to a local real estate newspaper that a Milwaukee company will debut next month. And comments by the publisher of the weekly...

Buy here, pay here, is program's aim. (economic development program of Tampa Bay Partnership patterned after Austin, Texas' 'Buy Greater Austin')(Bridging the Bay)
October 28, 1990... Buy Here, Pay Here, Is Program's Aim Bay Area business leaders studying the economic development program "Buy Greater Austin" are considering implementing a similar program for the Tampa Bay Partnership, says Bill Meurer, partnership...

City turning conciliatory? (economic policy Tampa, Florida)(Bridging the Bay)
October 28, 1990... City Turning Conciliatory? Although City of Tampa officials seem a little befuddled, developer Joe Taggart, one principal in a proposal to build a headquarters hotel across from the Tampa Convention Center, says city negotiators have...

For a million dollars and a banana. (radio host Mike Elliott's $1 million contract to host WRBQ-FM's morning program)(Bridging the Bay)
October 28, 1990... For A Million Dollars and A Banana As mentioned in last week's edition of Tampa Bay Business Journal, Mike Elliott, former morning drive host of WMOX-FM (105.1) in Orlando has been hired to host the Q-Morning Zoo on Tampa station WRBQ-FM...

Firings at Times go national. (controversy on the firing of 2 St. Petersburg Times' new staffers)(Bridging the Bay)
October 28, 1990... Firings At Times Go National It seems newspapers all over the country have found the firing of two St. Petersburg Times news department staffers newsworthy. On Saturday, Oct. 13, The Washington Post ran a story on the front page of the...

Healthy news. (Florida Health Access)(Bridging the Bay)
October 28, 1990... Healthy News Florida Health Access, the private-public partnership to provide health care coverage to the state's small businesses, is coming to Pinellas County. Officials will be announcing the program at a news conference Monday (Oct....

Groups team to market Center nationally. (Tampa Convention Center)
October 28, 1990... Groups Team To Market Center Nationally Now that the Tampa Convention Center has officially opened, marketing officials are combining their efforts and budgets to book national and regional groups. With a combined budget of $250,000,...

Sports editor plans weekly news tabloid. (Clearwater News to be published by Mike Moore)
October 28, 1990... Sports Editor Plans Weekly News Tabloid A former sports editor for the defunct Clearwater Sun is planning to publish a weekly news tabloid targeted to residents of central Pinellas County. The Clearwater News should debut Nov. 9, says...

Tampa's West & Co. wins $2m First Alabama account. (West & Co. wins advertising account for First Alabama Bancshares)
October 28, 1990... Tampa's West & Co. Wins $2M First Alabama Account West & Co. has been awarded the $2-million advertising account for Montgomery-based First Alabama Bancshares. West, whose bilings should be at $40 million with the new account, will be...

Thrift's loss down. (Florida Federal Savings Bank)(In Case You Missed It)
October 28, 1990... Thrift's Loss Down Florida Federal Savings Bank reported a $6.7-million loss (72 cents a share) for the quarter ended Sept. 30, the smallest quarterly earnings loss in three years.

Developer files suit. (Paragon Group)(In Case You Missed It)
October 28, 1990... Developer Files Suit Paragon Group, developer of Barnett Plaza in downtown Tampa, has sued the Tampa Parkway Association, claiming the non-profit group broke a lease for 520 square feet when it left the office tower for donated space in...

Buyout in doubt. (First National Bank of Clearwater)(In Case You Missed It)
October 28, 1990... Buyout in Doubt First National Bank of Clearwater, which added $9.2 million to its loan loss reserve this year, has expressed doubts about whether its planned sale to Bank South Corp. of Atlanta will be completed.

Bank plans facility at Hidden River. (First Florida Bank's computer facility at Hidden River Corporate Park)(In Case You Missed It)
October 28, 1990... Bank Plans Facility at Hidden River One of the largest real estate deals in months is nearing completion in Northeast Tampa. First Florida Bank plans to build a 300,000-square-foot computer facility at Hidden River Corporate Park, being...

Pep Boys come to town. (Pep Boys Manny, Moe and Jack)(In Case You Missed It)
October 28, 1990... Pep Boys Come To Town Pep Boys Manny, Moe and Jack, an aggressive Philadelphia- based car parts and automotive repair chain, will open five shops in Hillsborough County next year. Four Orlando stores are also slated for next year.

Brokerage posts gains. (Raymond James Financial Inc.)(In Case You Missed It)
October 28, 1990... Brokerage Posts Gains Despite a slumping stock market Raymond James Financial Inc. of St. Petersburg had a 27% increase in profits last quarter, posting net income of $5.1 million or 82 cents per share.

Fortune and American swap branches. (Fortune Savings Bank and American Savings and Loan Association)(In Case You Missed It)
October 28, 1990... Fortune And American Swap Branches Clearwater-based Fortune Savings Bank has agreed to exchange its six Southeast Florida offices with American Savings and Loan Association for 15 Pinellas and Pasco offices. Analysts say the move makes good...

Fido to get a clear picture. (Suncoast IOL Corp.'s new corrective lenses for human eyes and dogs)(In Case You Missed It)
October 28, 1990... Fido To Get A Clear Picture Largo-based Suncoast IOL Corp. is producing corrective lenses, used for human eyes after cataract surgery, for dogs. IOL has an order for 100 of the special lenses, called Bowfocals, from a California firm that...

HSN earnings rebound. (Home Shopping Network Inc.)(In Case You Missed It)
October 28, 1990... HSN Earnings Rebound Home Shopping Network Inc., the St. Petersburg video retailer, has seen its 1990 fiscal year earnings rebound to $38.8 million despite concerns that fourth quarter profits were softer than expected. Meanwhile, HSN and...

NCNB earnings fall. (NCNB Corp.)(In Case You Missed It)
October 28, 1990... NCNB Earnings Fall Charlotte-based NCNB Corp. has reported a 60% drop in its third quarter earnings to $57 million or 51 cents a share as compared with earnings of $143.6 million or $1.45 per share during the same period last year.

First Florida's bid accepted. (Mid-State Federal Savings Bank's sale to First Florida Bank Inc.)(In Case You Missed It)
October 28, 1990... First Florida's Bid Accepted Mid-State Federal Savings Bank shareholders have approved Tampa-based First Florida Banks Inc.'s bid of $22.43 per share offer for the Ocala thrift. The purchase, which will make First Florida a market force in...

Diner closes. (Ayres Diner)(In Case You Missed It)
October 28, 1990... Diner Closes The popular Ayres Diner, a 24-hour family restaurant on Tampa's Dale Mabry Highway, has closed after 30 years in business. Owner Mel Ayres decided to close after the Florida Department of Transportation eliminated a northbound...

Suncoast AutoBuilders Inc. (Contracts)
October 28, 1990... Suncoast AutoBuilders Inc., St. Petersburg, has been awarded the contract to build Fairway Nissan and Pasco Chrysler/Plymouth in Pasco County, Vans by Doran in Fort Myers and Saturn of Dadeland in Miami.

Skeeter's Ideas Interiors. (Contracts)
October 28, 1990... Skeeter's Ideas Interiors, Largo, has been selected to design the lobby and common area interiors of Ultimar One condominiums in Sand Key, Clearwater.

Royal LePage Commercial Real Estate Services. (Contracts)
October 28, 1990... Royal LePage Commercial Real Estate Services, Tampa, has been named the exclusive leasing agent for Tampa East Industrial Park.

Geonex Corp. (Contracts)
October 28, 1990... Geonex Corp., St. Petersburg, has been selected to provide mapping and surveying services for the Instituto Nacional De Colonizacao E Reforma Agraria, an agency of the Federal Republic of Brazil.

Greenley and Hansen. (Contracts)
October 28, 1990... Greenley and Hansen, Tampa, has been selected to provide design services, permit applications, monitor and coordinate soils and geotechnical investigation and analysis for a North Pinellas County water line.

Herbert/Halback Inc. (Contracts)
October 28, 1990... Herbert/Halback Inc., Orlando and M. Paul Friedberg & Partners, New York, have been commissioned by the City of Tampa to provide landscape architectural services for the Franklin Street Mall, Tampa.

Fisher and Associates Inc. (Contracts)
October 28, 1990... Fisher and Associates Inc., Clearwater, has been awarded the architectural commission for an office building in the Metropointe Commerce Park, St. Petersburg from Damone/Andrew of Florida, Tampa.

GTE Telecommunications Services. (Contracts)
October 28, 1990... GTE Telecommunications Services, Tampa, has been named to market AT&T network services in the mobile-cellular market.

Hawkins Construction Inc. (Contracts)
October 28, 1990... Hawkins Construction Inc., Tarpon Springs, has been awarded the contract to build a Jewel/Osco store in the Terrace Walk Shopping Center in Temple Terrace.

Image Film & Tape. (Contracts)
October 28, 1990... Image Film & Tape, Tampa, has been selected to document the construction of the new Amoco Procyon yacht by Bender, Browning, Dolby & Sanderson Public Relations, Chicago.

Mitlin Properties Inc. (Contracts)
October 28, 1990... Mitlin Properties Inc., St. Petersburg, has been named exclusive managing and leasing agents for the First Union National Bank Buildings in St. Petersburg.

International Systems and Technology Inc. (Contracts )
October 28, 1990... International Systems and Technology Inc., Tampa, has acquired the rights to market new repair technology on nuclear reactors from the New York Power Authority.

Digital Message Systems Corp. (Contracts)
October 28, 1990... Digital Message Systems Corp., Tampa, has been selected to design a digital message on hold program for NCNB National Bank.

Peter Brown Building Corp. (Contracts)
October 28, 1990... Peter Brown Building Corp., Clearwater, has been selected to serve as construction manager for the Okaloosa County Maximum Security Jail by Okaloosa County.

Fisher & Associates Inc. (Contracts)
October 28, 1990... Fisher & Associates Inc., Clearwater, has been selected for an architectural commission of the Northcliffe Retail Centre, Spring Hill, by Rutenberg Corp., Clearwater.

Dellem Associates Inc. (Contracts)
October 28, 1990... Dellem Associates Inc., Tampa, has been selected by Bahamasair Holding Ltd., Nassau, Bahamas, to provide fuel acquisition and management services to Bahamasair.

Ed Taylor Construction Co. (Contracts)
October 28, 1990... Ed Taylor Construction Co., Tampa, has been awarded a contract to build a fitness facility from Wuesthoff Medical Services of Rockledge, Florida.

Aluminum Craftsman. (Contracts)
October 28, 1990... Aluminum Craftsman, Largo, has been awarded a contract by Metric Construction and All Children's Hospital to provide custom designed security railings.

District feels growing pains of city on the rise. (Tampa, Florida)(Economic Development Report Focus: Downtown Tampa)
October 28, 1990... District Feels Growing Pains Of City On The Rise Physically, according to the City of Tampa Planning Department, downtown Tampa is the region bound on the west by the Hillsborough River, on the north by Interstate 275 and on the east by...

Retailers struggle to keep area alive after five. (Tampa, Florida's retail trade)(Special Report: Downtown, Tampa)
October 28, 1990... Retailers Struggle To Keep Area Alive After Five Substitute a mental image of a lone desert tumbleweed for a stray page of the morning newspaper blowing down the deserted street, and a creaking, crooked door to a boarded-up saloon swinging...

Area traffic woes minimal compared with other cities. (Tampa, Florida)(Special Report: Downtown Tampa)
October 28, 1990... Area Traffic Woes Minimal Compared With Other Cities As Tampa grows, getting into and out of, and around in, downtown Tampa becomes more difficult. It will get more difficult still as growth continues to outpace additional...

Aquarium heralded as catalyst for future development. (Florida Aquarium)(Special Report: Downtown Tampa)
October 28, 1990... Aquarium Heralded As Catalyst For Future Development The Florida Aquarium, planned for construction on Tampa Port Authority property, is expected to have apocalyptic consequences on surrounding land values. "If you visualize a map of...

City enacts plans for vibrant, well-designed waterfront. (Tampa, Florida)(Special Reporta: Downtown Tampa)
October 28, 1990... City Enacts Plans For Vibrant, Well-Designed Waterfront Mayor Sandy Freedman's dreams concerning a well-developed downtown waterfront are far from reality. They're at least five to six years down the road, and even that projection is a bit...

Office market prepares for onslaught of 'big three'. (Tampa, Florida)(Special Report: Downtown Tampa)
October 28, 1990... Office Market Prepares For Onslaught Of |Big Three' The opening of three office towers in downtown Tampa has drawn mixed reviews about the viability for absorption of all that extra space. Some say that timing, not location, is the issue...

Ybor sheds cigar city image with urban growth. (Ybor City, Florida)(Special Report: Downtown Tampa)
October 28, 1990... Ybor Sheds Cigar City Image With Urban Growth If Ybor City is a vital part of Tampa when the 21st century begins, it will have a vastly different economic base from what it began the present century with. It will have a different ethnic...

Port sets sail for more international trade routes. (Port of Tampa, Florida)(Special Report: Downtown Tampa)
October 28, 1990... Port Sets Sail For More International Trade Routes Executives of an Atlanta steel company recently discovered they could save money by shipping South American steel into the Port of Tampa, then trucking it to a factory some eight hours...

Scam victim: 'IRS is just about in cahoots with crooks'. (Internal Revenue Service)
October 21, 1990... Scam Victim: |IRS Is Just About In Cahoots With Crooks' Michael Greenberg, the Pinellas auto parts dealer facing a $36-million bankruptcy and fraud investigation by federal, state and local authorities, wasn't first with the car-selling...

Ernst & Young bags $1M from tax-exempt hospitals. (accounting and auditing firms' earnings from hospital accounts)
October 21, 1990... Ernst & Young Bags $1M From Tax-Exempt Hospitals Accounting firm Ernst & Young dominates audit and consulting in tax-exempt hospitals in the Bay Area, according to hospitals' tax filings with the Internal Revenue Service. Hospitals'...

AmShip vendor plans local shop. (American Ship Building Co. Tampa Shipyards Division)
October 21, 1990... AmShip Vendor Plans Local Shop A Virginia-based marine construction company has opened a Tampa branch after receiving a multi-million dollar contract with American Ship Building Co.'s Tampa Shipyards division. Waynesboro, VA-based...

Home marketing firms merge. (Buy Owner; Home Owners Marketplace)(Bridging the Bay)
October 21, 1990... Home Marketing Firms Merge Two Tampa for-sale-by-owner advertising and marketing companies have merged with the acquirer taking the name of the acquiree, Buy Owner. The acquisition, by what formerly was Home Owners Marketplace, began in...

Tabloid planned for Canadian residents. (The Sun Times of Canada)
October 21, 1990... Tabloid Planned For Canadian Residents Two former managing editors of a Canadian daily newspaper are planning to publish a weekly newspaper for Canadians visiting the Bay Area. The first edition of The Sun Times of Canada is expected...

Counties differ on importance on IDBs. (indusrial development bonds)
October 21, 1990... Counties Differ On Importance On IDBs Industrial development leaders in Pinellas County are fretting over the possibility of losing a tool that they use to lure companies into relocation or expansion strategies. In Hillsborough County,...

Florida Power plans new Largo office. (Florida Power Corp.)
October 21, 1990... Florida Power Plans New Largo Office Florida Power Corp. will break ground in 1992 on a new 9,000-square-foot district office in Largo. The St. Petersburg-based utility needs the new office to better serve customers and to house its 31...

Lawyer also matchmaker for Soviet, Western businesses. (Drucilla Bell of Swacker & Associates)
October 21, 1990... Lawyer Also Matchmaker For Soviet, Western Businesses Drucilla Bell's clients know the business arrangements she is trying to help them with will pay off well down the line, if at all, but they are willing to take the time and the risk. ...

James M. Stackpoole. (On the Move: Other)
October 21, 1990... James M. Stackpoole Profundo Inc., Tampa, has named James M. Stackpoole as president.

John J. Casey. (On the Move: Other)
October 21, 1990... John J. Casey Sun Express, Clearwater, has named John J. Casey president and CEO.

Ernest Trigilio. (On the Move: Other)
October 21, 1990... Ernest Trigilio Homestyle Buffet Inc., Oldsmar, has named Ernest Trigilio vice president and chief financial officer.

Charles H. Rumpel III. (On the Move: Accounting)
October 21, 1990... Charles H. Rumpel III Grant Thornton, Tampa, has promoted Charles H. Rumpell III to partner in charge of tax services and Stanley I. Levy to managing partner.

Sky's no limit for Clearwater Air Ambulance firm. (Focus: Health Care) (company profile)
October 21, 1990... Sky's No Limit For Clearwater Air Ambulance Firm Barbara Banks fretted and stewed in Detroit. Her 77-year-old mother, Mercedes Schmidt, was ill in a Brooksville hospital, and the prognosis didn't look good. Schmidt's bowel had closed....

Florida Power selects Blue Cross as its health care provider.
October 21, 1990... Florida Power Selects Blue Cross As Its Health Care Provider St. Petersburg-based Florida Power Corp. has contracted Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida as its health care provider. The direct-contracting agreement allows Florida...

Tech Data Corp. (For the Record: Dividends/Earnings)
October 21, 1990... Tech Data Corp. Tech Data Corp., St. Petersburg: net income for quarter ended July 31 of $1.3 million ($0.20 per share), compared with $1.9 million ($0.30 per share) for the same quarter last year.

Pharmacy Management Services Inc. (For the Record: Dividends/Earnings)
October 21, 1990... Pharmacy Management Services Inc. Pharmacy Management Services Inc., Tampa: net income for quarter ended July 31 of $834,000 ($0.10 per share), compared with $488,000 ($0.08 per share) for the same quarter last year.

Nutmeg Industries Inc. (For the Record: Dividends/Earnings)
October 21, 1990... Nutmeg Industries Inc. Nutmeg Industries Inc., Tampa: net income of $783,000 ($0.12 per share), compared with income of $1.6 million ($0.25 per share) for the same quarter last year.

Action Staffing Inc. (For the Record: Dividends/Earnings)
October 21, 1990... Action Staffing Inc. Action Staffing Inc., Tampa: dividend of $0.693 on the company's 9.25% series A convertible preferred shares, payable Oct. 15 to holders of record Oct. 1. The company also extended the expiration date of its common...

Former Jim Walter Corp. company goes to the mat. (Celotex Corp.)(In Case You Missed It)
October 21, 1990... Former Jim Walter Corp. Company Goes To The Mat Faced with more than 140,000 asbestos-related lawsuits asking billions of dollars in damages, Tampa-based Celotex Corp. and a subsidiary have filed for protection from creditors under Chapter...

GTE seeks OK for caller ID. (GTE Florida's identification telephone service)(In Case You Missed It)
October 21, 1990... GTE Seeks OK for Caller ID GTE Florida will seek permission to offer the controversial called identification telephone service to its 1.4 million customers by February.

Chinese company coming to Tampa. (China International Trust and Investment Corp.)(In Case You Missed It)
October 21, 1990... Chinese Company Coming To Tampa China International Trust and Investment Corp., the largest private company in The People's Republic of China, plans to open an office and invest up to $50 million in the area.

Developer gives back property. (Trammell Crow Co.)(In Case You Missed It)
October 21, 1990... Developer Gives Back Property Dallas-based Trammell Crow Co. has returned three buildings at Northport Commerce Center in northwest Tampa to an Ohio pension fund that was the developer's lender and partner in the property to satisfy an...

First Union trims jobs. (First Union Corp.)(In Case You Missed It)
October 21, 1990... First Union Trims Jobs Charlotte, NC-based First Union Corp. will eliminate 430 jobs from its Florida bank operations. The bank also reported improved third quarter earnings of $75 million or 70 cents per share.

First Florida earnings drop. (First Florida Banks Inc.)(In Case You Missed It)
October 21, 1990... First Florida Earnings Drop Tampa-based First Florida Banks Inc.'s third quarter earnings fell to $3.357 million or 21 cents per share, down from $13.21 million or 83 cents per share in third quarter, 1989. The drop reflects a...

Barnett, Southeast post losses. (Barnett Banks Inc.; Southeast Banking Corp.)(In Case You Missed It)
October 21, 1990... Barnett, Southeast Post Losses Florida's largest banking company, Barnett Banks Inc. of Jacksonville, saw third quarter earnings drop 60% from a year ago. Earnings were $25.8 million or 41 cents per share as compared with $64.9 million or...

Merged bank sees profits drop. (C&S/Sovran Corp.)(In Case You Missed It)
October 21, 1990... Merged Bank Sees Profit Drop The first combined earnings report of C&S/Sovran Corp. saw third quarter net income of $30.2 million or 32 cents per share, compared with earnings of $126 million or 94 cents per share for the same quarter in...

TECO reports flat quarter. (TECO Energy Inc.)(In Case You Missed It)
October 21, 1990... TECO Reports Flat Quarter TECO Energy Inc., citing declining results from its Tampa Electric Co. subsidiary offset by improved performance for non-utility units, reported net income for third quarter of $45.3 million as compared with $45.7...

Supermarket refinances debt. (Kash n' Karry)(In Case You Missed It)
October 21, 1990... Supermarket Refinances Debt Tampa's Kash n' Karry Food Stores Inc. has implemented two financial programs involving reduced interest payments to free up cash for eventual new store openings. This will allow recovery from a 1988 debt...

Authority may end lawsuit. (Pakhoed Dry Bulk Terminals; Tampa Port Authority)(In Case You Missed It)
October 21, 1990... Authority May End Lawsuit Tampa Port Authority Chairman Roy Wilcox is pressing for resolution of a 3-year-old lawsuit filed by a shipping terminal stating it has become an unnecessary expense to the authority and to Pakhoed Dry Bulk...

Port clears deck for deal. (Tampa Shipyards; Tampa Port Authority)(In Case You Missed It)
October 21, 1990... Port Clears Deck For Deal The Tampa Port Authority will rent a waterfront site to Tampa Shipyards despite an estimate that the deal will cost the authority $670,000 a year.

Center may be built in St. Petersburg. (World Trade Center; Taylor Woodrow Property Co.; Arnold J. Lipman)(In Case You Missed It)
October 21, 1990... Center May Be Built In St. Petersburg Although Taylor Woodrow Property Co. says a World Trade Center planned for Tampa for more than seven years is dead, it may be built in St. Petersburg. A group, including businessman Arnold J. Lipman,...

Top private firms bag $16 billion in sales. (Tampa Bay Business 100)(includes related articles) (directory)
October 21, 1990... Top Private Firms Bag $16 Billion In Sales Despite a flat national economy and predictions of recessionary times ahead, the Tampa Bay Business 100, a compilation of the largest private companies in the Bay Area, managed to post an aggregate...

Columbia serves up big profits with a Spanish flavor. (Columbia Restaurants)(Private Companies) (company profile)
October 21, 1990... Columbia Serves Up Big Profits With A Spanish Flavor The family coat of arms contains a pear, a heart, a key and a shell. "The pear stands for food. The heart stands for love. The key stands for wealth, and the shell stands for...

Southeast gains local deposits. (Southeast Bank Corp.)
October 14, 1990... Southeast Gains Local Deposits Despite continuing and growing losses and plunging stock prices, Miami-based Southeast Bank Corp. continues to attract Bay Area deposits. The bank, which has lost $123.2 million in the past four quarters...