Hispanic-owned marketing agencies grow in size, scope

Alma is a Hispanic advertising agency in Miami helping Americans see Latin culture in a new light. Consider an English-language TV commercial called Disfruta that Alma produced for McDonald’s to promote the restaurant chain’s fruit smoothie beverages: The 30-second spot shows a crowd of young Latinos and Latinas throwing paint-filled balloons at each other in […]

7-Eleven expands, remodels in South Florida

Notice a lot of new 7-Eleven stores in South Florida lately? Well expect to see even more in the future. 7-Eleven is expanding in Broward, Palm Beach and Miami-Dade counties. The convenience store chain opened 57 new or remodeled stores in the tri-county area since 2010. There are 15 more stores set to open by […]

Savvy cities see consignment shops as a way of boosting business

Consignment shops have become the new favorite of bargain-savvy shoppers and municipal governments looking to boost local redevelopment efforts. Since its opening five years ago, Baby Posh, an Aventura consignment shop that specializes in gently used baby-wear, has been a huge success with moms. “A lot of them have told us that it look like […]

Genting cools interest in buying Miami-Dade School District property

The cash-strapped Miami-Dade School District has several options to consider from developers interested in buying its prime downtown real estate, but interest has cooled from its biggest suitor — the Genting Group. In December, the Malaysian investors told the School Board they were interested in buying the district’s downtown property, which spans more than 10 […]

Miami-Dade growth plan is complete

Now the hard work begins, as community leaders on Monday laid out a blueprint to create 75,000 targeted industry jobs in Miami-Dade County over the next five years. The Beacon Council, which leads the One Community One Goal effort, presented the last in the report’s four-part series, with recommendations outlined in 113 pages. The goal: […]

Here are the winners of the 2012 Business Plan Challenge

A winery at sea, an aquaculture venture, coupons on the go, a cookbook for kids, Priceline for brides — all were winners in the 2012 Miami Herald Business Plan Challenge. South Florida is often recognized as one of the nation’s most entrepreneurial communities, and this year’s winners and contestants represent the passion and diversity of […]

West Palm Beach woman accused of more than $28K in Medicaid fraud

A Palm Beach County woman was arrested Thursday and charged with grand theft and Medicaid fraud of more than $28,000, the Florida Attorney General’s Office said in a statement. Edna Iris Torres, 62, of West Palm Beach, was arrested on a felony warrant by the AG’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit and taken into custody at […]

Manufacturing ends a big slump in Broward

Defying a slump that’s been around for about a decade, Broward factories are suddenly hiring. The 10 percent gain in March could mean a big shift for a battered industry. The latest employment figures continue one of the biggest turnarounds we’ve seen this year on the hiring front. Broward’s manufacturing industry has seen at least […]

Florida: No. 2 in best states to do business

Florida is No. 2 as the “best state to do business.” Gov. Rick Scott probably won’t like that, but Florida did improve from last year. The state rose one spot from 2011 to take the No. 2 ranking in Chief Executive magazine’s annual Best & Worst States survey of chief executives, released Wednesday. Texas was […]

South Florida businesses blend ideas

Ever wanted to grab a sandwich while mailing out a package? How about grab a cup of coffee and a croissant while waiting for a prescription to be filled? South Florida is home to all kinds of business, including several with two very different concepts under one roof. The idea of blended space isn’t a […]

While others struggle, 1st United Bank of Boca Raton thrives

While many Florida banks have struggled or failed, Boca Raton-based 1st United Bank is thriving. It’s buying other state banks, has plenty of capital and is known for strong, experienced management. Since the financial crisis hit in 2008, 1st United has raised money twice on Wall Street and bought four small Florida banks, including Anderen […]

South Florida incomes growing, thanks to government

New figures show government aid accounts for 23 cents of every dollar of income in Miami-Dade. That’s up from 8 cents in the 1960s. Incomes are on the rebound in South Florida, thanks almost entirely to government aid. New figures show government aid to residents soared about 40 percent throughout the recession, while overall income […]

S. Florida independent jewelers see rise in sales

South Florida area independent jewelry stores are rebounding after weathering several rough years of slow sales. Cutler Altier, owner of Altier Jewelers in Boca Raton, said he expects more ofMother’s Day this year, hopefully marking another year of growth for his 52-year-old company. South Florida jewelers say they have fared better than some other areas […]

Mall could drastically alter South Beach entryway

Developer Crescent Heights will unveil proposed designs Thursday for a large outlet mall and residential complex that could drastically alter the entryway into South Beach. Three firms competing for a contract to design the project around the site of the abandoned South Shore Hospital just north of the MacArthur Causeway will present their visions at […]

Plan to park in South Florida? Raid the piggy bank

Jay Rooney seeks out street spots, takes public transportation and stays away from valet — anything he can do to avoid the high cost of parking. “I love downtown, I love Brickell. I don’t go as often as I would just because parking is too crazy,” said the 27-year-old. “I used to work on the […]

JetBlue in growth mode in South Florida

JetBlue Airways is adding flights to the Caribbean and Latin America from South Florida, hoping to cash in on South Floridians’ roots in those areas. The New York-based airline operates hundreds of flights across the United States and is now a leading carrier at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International and Palm Beach International airports. Experts say JetBlue […]

Another new Walmart proposed for South Dade

Walmart wants to build another Supercenter in South Miami-Dade, this one at Southwest 288th Street and 137th Avenue, near Homestead Air Reserve Base. The site is in unincorporated South Dade, and the South Bay Community Council is scheduled to consider a zoning change to accommodate the store. County planners have recommended the board approve the […]

Rothstein’s Fort Lauderdale mansion fetches $5.1 million

The Fort Lauderdale mansion that became the centerpiece of Ponzi schemerScott Rothstein’s self-described “rock star lifestyle” sold this week for $5.1 million. A “quiet, private person” who does not want to be identified made the purchase, said Tim Elmes, a real estate agent wth Douglas Ellman Florida. The home originally listed for $6 million. Rothstein’s […]

In Florida, women’s pay still not equal to men’s

Working women in Florida make 80 cents for every $1 paid to men, according to a report Tuesday based on U.S. Census data. That puts Florida 11th among all states in women’s pay equity, according to the ranking by the National Partnership for Women & Families. The top-ranked state is Vermont, where women are paid […]