Beachside Hospitality raises $15,000 for marine conservation
CLEARWATER — Beachside Hospitality Group has raised $15,000 for marine conservation through fundraising campaigns at its Pinellas and Manatee county restaurants, splitting the money between Clearwater Marine Aquarium and Mote Marine Laboratory.
At the group’s Clearwater restaurants — Salty’s Island Bar & Grille, Crabby’s Dockside and Crabby’s Pavilion — $1 from every Chubby Mermaid cup sold went to the aquarium, raising $5,000 for its research and animal rescue programs.
A similar campaign at the group’s Manatee County restaurants — Mar Vista Dockside Restaurant & Pub, Sandbar Seafood + Spirits and Beach House Waterfront Restaurant — raised $10,000 for Mote’s manatee rehabilitation and conservation programs.
“Our restaurants are rooted in Florida’s coastal communities, so supporting the organizations that help protect them is important to our team and guests,” said Greg Powers, CEO of Beachside Hospitality Group. “We’re grateful to everyone who participated, and we look forward to expanding these partnerships with various events each year.”
Hold-Thyssen brokers $800,000 sale of Gibsonton industrial site
CLEARWATER — Sandy Hall, a sales and leasing associate in Hold-Thyssen’s Clearwater office, has negotiated the $800,000 sale of a 1.28-acre industrial and flex property at 7812 Symmes Road in Gibsonton.
Hall represented the seller, Gibtown Enterprises. Before the sale, she negotiated a short-term lease of 1,322 square feet of warehouse space for boat and RV storage. The property sold 42 days after it went on the market.
The buyer, Lovegren Symmes Development of Riverview, owns adjoining property. The purchase adds about 246 feet of frontage along Symmes Road, a collector road serving one of Hillsborough County’s fastest-growing areas.
Hold-Thyssen said the added frontage improves the site’s visibility and development potential and supports the buyer’s plans to expand affordable housing in Gibsonton.
Clearwater agency honors family caregiver
CLEARWATER — Assisted Living Locators of Clearwater has honored Jess Villaray with the Loved01 Cares “Live Like a Legend” caregiver award for her advocacy on behalf of her father, who has dementia.
The award recognizes family caregivers during Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month, observed in June.
Kristin Downer, owner of the Clearwater office, selected Villaray after helping the family find a new memory care placement for her father, Peter.
“When Jess first contacted me, her family was exhausted and heartbroken,” Downer said. “They had done everything they could to care for Peter, but the memory care community they had trusted wasn’t meeting his needs. Jess never stopped advocating for her father, and her determination ultimately changed his life.”
Villaray had cared for her father at home while raising three young sons, Downer said. As his dementia progressed, the family moved him into memory care, but his condition worsened and relatives were repeatedly called in to help with his daily care.
Downer recommended Arden Courts, which specializes in dementia care and caregiver education. Peter Villaray moved in the next day and within days was taking part in activities and spending time outdoors, Downer said.
Streetlight Taco to open at former bank building
CLEARWATER — Streetlight Taco will open on the ground floor of the historic Peoples Bank building at Cleveland Street and Fort Harrison Avenue.
The Mexican restaurant earned a Michelin Bib Gourmand designation within months of opening its South Tampa location in January 2024.
Its menu centers on tacos, including a signature brisket taco, along with chips and dips, tostadas, burritos, bowls, sides, flan, tres leches and cocktails.
Renderings show a street-facing space with a central bar, wood finishes and artwork drawing on Mexican markets and street vendors, a departure from the restored building’s historic common areas.
The Peoples Bank clock was unveiled July 25 during the building’s public reopening.
Solar panel effort begins new round
CLEARWATER — A program that lets residents buy rooftop solar panels at a group discount is opening another round, with a Sept. 2 deadline to sign up.
Switch Together, offered in partnership with the city and the nonprofit Solar United Neighbors, uses group buying to lower installation costs. The average participating household in the current round is expected to save $7,475, about 24% below the market average, according to the program. Switch Together says 16,604 households have accepted an offer to date.
The program also offers solar education through online resources and in-person events.
Wednesday, Sept. 2, is the last day to register and accept a personal recommendation. To register or learn more, visit tinyurl.com/36rd4utz.
Clearwater police step up patrols on state roads
CLEARWATER — Clearwater police will increase patrols on state roads with high crash rates under a partnership with the Florida Department of Transportation intended to curb dangerous driving.
The enhanced enforcement effort runs through March 31, 2027. Officers will focus on:
• Intersection violations
• Driving under the influence
• Speeding, aggressive driving and distracted driving
• Lane departure • Work zone violations
• Move-over violations