Investments Blog
Meet the entrepreneurs behind Sparkman Wharf’s new waterfront biergarten
WHO THEY ARE: Joel Bigham and Dan Charley are the business partners behind Fermented Reality, the biergarten coming to Sparkman Wharf.
Their Business backgrounds: Bigham’s career experience includes IT, consulting and internet marketing. He got into craft beer in 2009, just before the scene exploded in Florida, and entered the industry almost by accident.
In 2013, he was planning a trip to Sarasota to meet up with his brother. He wanted to take his “swanky glassware” — especially a…
Growing Georgia’s wine country (SLIDESHOW)
The Dahlonega Plateau aims to cultivate itself as the “Napa Valley of South”
Patti Payne: Hotel Sorrento gears up for big competition; and Costco says no signature required under $10,000
Hotel owners are preparing to compete with the new Hyatt in Seattle, which will add more than 1,200 rooms in the city. Sorrento Hotel owner Mike Malone and General Manager Shannon Sheron have a plan.
Fast-Food Roundup: Chipotle-related illnesses… McDonald’s unveils ‘currency’… Starbucks targets mid-America for growth
Diners like the convenience and affordability of fast-food and fast-casual restaurants, a trend that shows no sign of slowing. Many of these chains have a presence across the country as they continue to expand. Here is a quick look at stories about the leading brands in the industry as recently reported by The Business Journals and other media.
Public health officials in Ohio are beginning testing to determine what caused hundreds of customers of a Chipotle Mexican Grill to become sick over the…
The Health Trust’s CEO makes connections over coffee breaks
After serving as CEO of Asian Americans for Community Involvement for 11 years and a shorter stint as local government and community-relations director at Stanford Health Care, Michele Lew capitalized on an opportunity to meld her interests in community service and public wellness by becoming CEO of nonprofit The Health Trust in January.
The direct-service provider and funder of local community organizations employs about 130 people.
Our conversation has been edited for length and clarity.
Why…
Nate Paul’s WCC goes on buying spree of Austin nightlife hot spots, worrying some venue owners
Austin real estate magnate Nate Paul has bought or is on his way to buying the land under a handful of downtown nightclubs and music venues, and at least a couple are in danger of disappearing in the fallout. Under scrutiny are Karma Lounge, Kingdom, Ethics and Empire Control Room & Garage.
Carlos O’Kelly’s parent company adds to real estate holdings
The Wichita-based restaurant management company recently purched the land at 3025 N. Rock Road from Northrock Properties Management LLC.
Pi Pizza, Star Fish restaurants locked out of Heights-area building, preparing to reopen
Houston-based Cherry Pie Hospitality’s Pi Pizza and Star Fish have been locked out of their locations at 181 and 191 Heights Blvd., according to multiple reports and confirmed by a spokesperson. Both stores are inside a strip mall located just south of Interstate 10 and the Heights.
A sign dated Aug. 2 was posted on Pi Pizza’s storefront by the landlord and states that the operators have been locked out because of overdue rent, per the reports. The spokesperson for Cherry Pie said that the…
Medifast shares surpass $200 as profit, sales again beat expectations
Medifast raised its full-year guidance for the second time this year and shares continued to surge after the company's profit grew 86 percent in the second quarter and sales beat expectations.
The Baltimore-based dieting and wellness company reported net income of $14.1 million, or $1.16 per share, in the second quarter compared to net income of $7.6 million, or 63 cents per share in the year-ago quarter.
Medifast's sales growth continued to accelerate, rising 55 percent from $75.7 million in…
Local author: Houston’s ‘Lost Restaurants’ tell story of city’s growth
“If you want to open a restaurant, there's a likelihood of success in Houston that you may not find in other cities.”