Author: TBO Digital Staff

The long-awaited Barnes and Noble Carrollwood reopened Wednesday to enthusiastic crowds, marking the bookstore’s return to the north Tampa neighborhood after an eight-month absence. Hundreds of people lined up outside the new location in the Palms of Carrollwood Shopping Center before the 10 a.m. ribbon cutting, eager to explore the bookstore that has been redesigned with a more open and modern layout. “We are very pleased to be back in Carrollwood only eight months after closing our previous bookstore,” said James Daunt, CEO of Barnes & Noble. “For 28 years we were a gathering place for this community, and our…

E.J. Roberts Inc. is transforming how commercial property owners navigate complex construction projects by serving as dedicated owner’s representatives who protect clients from unforeseen complications and costs. With over two decades of experience in the construction industry, the firm specializes in advocating for property owners throughout the entire building process. Their approach focuses on eliminating the knowledge gap that typically exists between contractors and property owners. “The main objective is to protect you – the owner – from many unfortunate and oftentimes unforeseen circumstances, in most cases actually saving you money far beyond the fee of an Owner’s Representative,” said…

The arrival of one of the world’s largest aircraft at Tampa International Airport turned the facility’s parking garage into an impromptu observation deck as aviation enthusiasts gathered to witness the massive Antonov An-124 in action. The Ukrainian-designed cargo aircraft, operated by Volga-Dnepr Airlines, is the second-largest cargo plane in operation worldwide, featuring a wingspan of nearly 240 feet — significantly larger than the 156-foot wingspan of a Boeing 767 that regularly services Tampa. “Just the physics. The weight of it and how big it is getting off the ground is just impressive,” said spectator Kyle Bauld who joined dozens of…

April is Distracted Driving awareness month and dangerous and distracted driving continues to be an issue nationally, and in Tampa, in 2025. There were an estimated 44,650 motor-vehicle deaths in the United States in 2024 with around 3,000 of these deaths occurring due to a distracted driver. According to the department for Florida Highway safety and motor vehicles 26,259 car crashes occurred in Hillsborough county alone last year in which 181 people lost their lives. The county averages 2,000 crashes a day. So far in 2025 44 people have needlessly lost their lives in Hillsborough County in crashes, with over…

Two months into his role as Busch Gardens Tampa Bay president, Jeff Davis has unveiled an ambitious $35 million investment initiative aimed at revitalizing the 66-year-old theme park and neighboring Adventure Island water park. “There has been a renewed sense of investment in this park and Wild Oasis is a great example of that,” Davis said during a recent hard-hat tour of the upcoming attraction. “We’re going to spend $35 million in investment between this park and Adventure Island this year alone.” A substantial portion of the funding will be allocated to complete Wild Oasis, a rainforest-themed realm scheduled to…

In December 2022, Tampa-area businessman Brad Galinson made a decision that many of his investment banking friends deemed questionable: purchasing a struggling English soccer team sitting at the bottom of League Two, the fourth tier of English football. “Investment banking friends of mine said there are better ways to get a return on your investment. They said ‘are you crazy – do you know anything about football and by the way, isn’t it called soccer?!'” the 53-year-old Florida-based property tycoon recalled when speaking to local media shortly after the acquisition. Today, Galinson stands as a prime example of the growing…

Tampa has cemented its position as one of America’s premier destinations for entrepreneurs, securing the fifth spot in a comprehensive national survey of cities most supportive of startups, according to a recent MarketBeat report. The survey, which evaluated 150 U.S. cities based on local government support, innovation ecosystems, and entrepreneur-friendly policies, places Tampa in elite company alongside fellow Florida cities Orlando (#4) and Miami (#9). This strong showing establishes Florida as a dominant force in the national startup landscape, with three cities claiming spots in the top 10. The MarketBeat analysis highlighted how Tampa is strategically “building bridges between founders…

Tampa Bay residents experienced unprecedented heat yesterday as temperatures at Tampa International Airport climbed to a record-breaking 97 degrees Fahrenheit, shattering the previous April high mark. The National Weather Service in Ruskin confirmed the new record, which surpassed the former April high of 96 degrees set in 2019. St. Petersburg and Clearwater also reported exceptional heat, with readings of 95 degrees at St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport. “This is truly remarkable for early April,” said Dr. Monica Sanchez, a climate scientist at the University of South Florida. “While Tampa Bay typically experiences warm spring temperatures, yesterday’s reading was nearly 15 degrees…

After years of anticipation, Tampa’s Museum of Science and Industry opened its doors to students and community members this week, revealing a transformation of its iconic blue dome into an immersive educational experience that officials say will revolutionize STEM learning in the region. The former IMAX theater has been reborn as the Digital Dome Theatre and Saunders Planetarium, featuring a massive 10,000-square-foot curved screen that wraps around viewers with imagery powered by ten state-of-the-art Christie digital projectors using 8K technology. “We’re talking about pull-you-in and blow-your-mind educational fun,” said MOSI CEO John Graydon Smith, who watched as first-graders from Forest…

Foot Locker has begun restructuring its executive team as the athletic retailer prepares to move its global headquarters from New York City to St. Petersburg in late 2025, part of a broader cost-cutting strategy that has already seen the company close dozens of stores worldwide. The Fortune 500 company announced its relocation plans last August as part of CEO Mary Dillon’s “Lace Up Plan,” aimed at streamlining operations and improving collaboration among teams. According to recent company statements, Foot Locker will establish its new home at 570 Carillon, a Class A office building in the prestigious Carillon Business Park in…