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SRQ DAILY Dec 21, 2015

Monday Business Edition

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Monday Business Edition

"There is very specifically a vibrancy and an energy and a progressive nature to it all that is really quite nice."

- Steve Bradley, Risdon on Fifth
 

[Retail]  More Shopping On The Way

The National Retail Federation reports that as of Dec. 15, the average holiday shopper had completed just 53.5 percent of their shopping, and only 10 percent of holiday shoppers said they were finished. In fact, as shoppers increasingly turn toward anticipated bargains, a huge number surveyed by the federation plan to shop after Christmas, either online, in stores or both.  

[Development]  Risdon Rising Amid Hunger for Growth
Jacob Ogles, jacob.ogles@srqme.com

Developers plan to publicly launch the Risdon on Fifth project in January and break ground in March, but interest has already been high. “We have almost 70 percent of the units reserved,” said Steven Bradley, Risdon Group principal. “Today, the market is clearly accepting and embracing new development in the Rosemary District.”

Bradley, who has been living in the Sarasota area since 1987, said he had been impressed at the rising interest in the Rosemary over the last year and a half. Risdon on Fifth is planned to have 20 residential condominiums, four penthouse units and six commercial spaces, according to the development's office website. The company right now is marketing units from about $300,000 for a one bedroom with 750 square feet to nearly $800,000 for still-available three-bedroom lofts with two terraces.

The project comes as the housing industry as a whole recovers from a deep recession, but more than ever, Bradley sees an appetite in the market. “Having been here a long time in Sarasota,” he said, "today there is very specifically a vibrancy and an energy and a progressive nature to it all that is really quite nice. It’s a great time to be in Sarasota.” 

[Expansion]  Landscape Talent Branching Out
Jacob Ogles, jacob.ogles@srqme.com

DWY Landscape Architects now covers a little more ground than before. Founder David W. Young has opened a Naples office, a return to market for this professional who grew up in the Collier County community. “I still feel the draw of Naples,” he said. “I still go to town for birthdays and holidays.” We spoke to Young about what having another office means for the business. 

How important will Naples be compared to Sarasota as far as DWY doing business? Sarasota will continue to be our base office. I really have enjoyed the relationships and connections in Sarasota. We have grown to the point where it is not the fullest extent, but has developed really good name recognition. The next logical business move would be to branch out and try to expand.

Why open a business in Naples? The Naples-Fort Myers area, all south of Sarasota, is a sweet spot for the type of work we do here, which is coastal work that is more modern.

How will you split your time?  The idea is keeping the Sarasota office fully active, and it will just be being out of the office a couple times. For now, it’s just a couple of times a month. Really, it's right now about meeting with architects and builders. I just need to make some good connections. 

[Exec Moves]  Dream Sporting Hires Burns

Dream Sporting Trips announced Rhonda Burns as the company’s marketing content creator. Burns will be responsible for creating original and compelling content for blogs, company newsletters, advertising and various other marketing initiatives. Burns is author of The Womanly Art of Alligator Wrestling, 30 Ways to Successfully Market Your Business, Practical Advice for Daughters from their Dads, numerous online publications and several children’s short stories. She previously served as content editor and curriculum developer for Homeschool Scholastics and as public relations director for the North Florida Spine and Wellness Institute. 

Dream Sporting Trips

[Expansion]  CRMSuite Moving to Main

Richard K. Latman of CRMSuite Corporation signed a three year lease on a 6,000-square-foot office building located on Main St. in Sarasota. The company is vacating its space in the HUB building. The new company location is in a two-story office building, owned by Audobon and ocated just east of North Washington Boulevard. Eric Massey with Michael Saunders and Company represented the tenant and Lily Behrends with Re/Max Alliance Group represented the landlord. 

Massey and Massey

[Recognition]  Neal Named Top Green Builder

Neal Communities was named the No. 1 builder of the top 15 green builders in the state and dubbed “Builder of the Year” from the Florida Green Building Coalition.During an awards ceremony held in Orlando, Neal Communities was honored with the top spot in the first-ever Top 15 Green Builders to commemorate the 15-year anniversary of the FGBC. The Lakewood Ranch-based builder earned the accolade for building the most green-certified homes in the past 15 years. 

Neal Communities

[Exec Moves]  Acting Principals Named in Wilkinson, Venice

Acting principals will lead Wilkinson and Venice elementary schools from Jan. 4 through the end of the 2015-16 school year in June. Sarasota County Schools Superintendent Lori White assigned Wilkinson Principal Ruth Thomas to the Task Force on the Achievement Gap in Elementary Schools. William Muth has been named acting principal of Wilkinson. Muth was principal of Wilkinson from 1986 to 2006.Venice Elementary Principal Theresa Baus just retired from the district. Al Bezilla will be acting principal at Venice Elementary. 

Sarasota County Schools

SRQ Media Group

SRQ DAILY is produced by SRQ | The Magazine. Note: The views and opinions expressed in the Saturday Perspectives Edition and in the Letters department of SRQ DAILY are those of the author(s) and do not imply endorsement by SRQ Media. Senior Editor Jacob Ogles edits the Saturday Perspective Edition, Letters and Guest Contributor columns.In the CocoTele department, SRQ DAILY is providing excerpts from news releases as a public service. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by SRQ DAILY. The views expressed by individuals are their own and their appearance in this section does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. For rates on SRQ DAILY banner advertising and sponsored content opportunities, please contact Ashley Ryan Cannon at 941-365-7702 x211 or via email

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