Dan Raulerson has had plans to grow his accounting firm, and he took the next step Nov. 30 by adding two partners. Irene Castillo and Rob Westlake were promoted to full partnership with Raulerson & Company, now called Raulerson Castillo Westlake & Company, P.A. “Things have gone very well, and we thought it was time […]
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Tani’s For Dessert sweetens P.C. dining scene
Tucked away in the sky-blue Village shopping center is arguably the sweetest two-for-one deal in Plant City: Buttercream Bake Shoppe and Tani’s For Dessert. It’s tough to run two businesses at the same time, but the owners are making it work — and living the dream. Both are owned and operated by restauranteurs Tani and […]
Continue ReadingPark Road Holiday Inn Express wins national award
Anyone who has stayed at the Holiday Inn Express on Park Road lately has noticed the hotel’s new look. Completely redesigned, the entire building is now in line with what owner Charles Harris wanted it to be. And now he’s got a nice, big trophy to show for it. On Oct. 27, Harris’ hotel won […]
Continue ReadingPaddy Wagon Irish Pub comes to Plant City
At 2:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 17, Becky and Lee Bland were informed that their paperwork had processed, and they could open their first bar. Two and one half hours later, Paddy Wagon Irish Pub was open for business. “It was nail-biting,” Becky Bland said. “We wanted to open up the week before, but it didn’t […]
Continue ReadingCourtyard Bazaar offers eclectic arts and gifts
For Plant City’s enthusiasts of art, gifts and collectibles, a new shop has come to town to offer something for nearly any taste. Courtyard Bazaar opened this month on Reynolds Street in Historic Downtown in the former Brown’s Floral space. Unlike many of its neighbors that sell antiques, Courtyard Bazaar offers mostly contemporary items, though […]
Continue ReadingPoppell Insurance Inc. celebrates 50 years
Poppell Insurance Inc., a Plant City family-owned business, celebrated its 50th anniversary Oct. 4. Tom Poppell entered the insurance world in 1964 when he started up a business with Red Harrell. “My husband was a people-person,” Eleanor Poppell, Tom’s wife, said. “He really enjoyed people. It’s kind of just like working with your friends and […]
Continue ReadingBurger Branch
The couple wanted to find an opportunity that mirrored the military structure to which they had become accustomed. They landed on quick-service restaurants, where they manage teams similar in size to an Army platoon. For two-and-a-half years, Emily and Jack Kemp searched for franchise opportunities, looking for the right brand with the right deal. Evaluating […]
Continue ReadingKaren G’s Creatives sparkles at new location
If any Plant City jewelry enthusiasts have wondered what happened to Karen G’s Creatives, they will be glad to know the store did not disappear. It simply moved to a new, bigger location. Karen Gillespie opened Karen G’s Creatives in January on West Reynolds Street, but she moved down the block Aug. 9. The store’s […]
Continue ReadingSunshine Bancorp Inc. completes conversion
Sunshine Bancorp Inc., the holding company for Sunshine State Bank, announced last week it has completed its initial $42.3 million mutual-to-stock conversion. The conversion was completed July 14, and the shares of the common stock were expected to begin trading July 15, on the Nasdaq Capital Market, under the symbol “SBCP.” The company sold 4,232,000 […]
Continue ReadingCity Pizza tosses dough into Plant City pie market
If you’ve been downtown lately, then you’ve seen that sign hanging above the last empty storefront on East Reynolds Street. “Coming Soon, City Pizza and MJ Cakes.” Then, you might have done a quick count in your head — this will be Plant City’s 13th pizzeria. What’s going to make this one stick out from […]
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