MERITAGE HOMES PLANS GRAND OPENING FOR MODEL HOME AT CYPRESS LAKES IN ORLANDO

ORLANDO, Fla. – Meritage Homes will hold a grand opening for its new model May 14 at Cypress Lakes, located off Chuluota Rd. in east Orlando.

Brian Kittle, director of sales for Meritage Homes in the Orlando region, said the model will offer 4,163 square feet of living space with eight bedrooms, four baths and a three-car garage.

Meritage Homes has 67 single-family home sites at Cypress Lakes with homes ranging from 3,055 square feet of living space to 5,107 square feet, priced from $236,990 to 290,990.

Volusia Law Firm Joins Firefighter Motorcycle Club to Sponsor May Benefit Poker Run For Shands Burn Center

FLAGLER COUNTY – The law firm of Rue & Ziffra P.A. and Chapter 11 of the Red Knights Motorcycle Club will sponsor the 7th annual Shands Burn Center Poker Run on Sunday, May 1.

Beginning at 9:30 a.m. with pre-registration at the White Eagle Lounge on U.S. Highway 1, Korona in Flagler County, the event will have participants stopping to play their hands at four restaurants/bars in Volusia, Flagler and St. Johns counties before returning to the White Eagle Lounge by 4 p.m.

“This poker run will raise money for the Shands Burn Center in Gainesville, and it’s also a fun event for all who will be participating,” said Allan L. Ziffra, president of the Port Orange-based firm.

According to national statistics, burn injuries – caused by heat, electricity, chemicals, radiation or fire – are the third largest cause of accidental death in the United States. More than two million people are injured each year; 6,000 of them fatally.

Tickets for the May 1 three-county ride – one of many sponsored annually by Rue and Ziffra in support of the motorcycle-riding community – are $15 per person and include one poker hand, food and live entertainment. Prizes will be awarded to the best hands and a raffle will be held.

For more information, contact RKMC Chapter President Paul Metzner at 410-591-2676 or h43huskie@yahoo.com. Details also are available from the club’s website at www.krmcfl11.org.

About Rue & Ziffra: Founded by John D. Rue and Allan L. Ziffra, the personal-injury law firm of Rue & Ziffra has served the Central Florida community for more than 25 years. The firm’s commitment to its profession and its clients has earned it a reputation as one of the top personal-injury law firms in Central Florida. Known for handling everything from automobile and motorcycle accidents to medical malpractice, wrongful death, and social security and disability cases, Rue & Ziffra has recovered millions of dollars for injured clients and their families. With a staff of nine attorneys, the firm maintains offices in Port Orange and Orange City. For more information, visit www.rueziffra.com.

Meritage Homes Appoints Tom Evans Sales Associate

ORLANDO, Fla. --- Meritage Homes recently appointed Tom Evans as new home sales associate at the Oaks at Brandy Lakes in Southwest Orlando.

Brian Kittle, vice president of sales at Meritage Homes in Orlando, said Evans has more than 11 years of experience in new home sales.

Shopping centers, malls are transforming as “Big Box” retailers seek smaller stores, developers seek new uses, says WeinPlus chief executive

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. --- Retailers eyeing smaller, smarter retail facilities could change the look and feel of some malls and retail centers across Florida, says one Florida real estate strategist.

Rachel Elias Wein, AIA, founder and principal of WeinPlus Real Estate Advisory Services in St. Petersburg, said many “big box” retailers are opting for smaller facilities that are more efficient.

“Retailers have begun to focus more on smaller real estate footprints, with larger inventory turnover, more sales per square foot and more sales per individual customer,” Wein said. “A store that can meet its sales objectives in 8,000 square feet or 10,000 square feet instead of 14,000 square feet can be much more profitable,” she said.

Wein said Office Depot, Target, Best Buy, Gap and even Wal-Mart are all considering smaller, smarter retail store footprints.

“Wal-Mart plans to open more than 30 smaller format stores in 2011, focusing on grocery products and a smaller inventory of general merchandise,” Wein said.

“Target’s CityTarget concept aims at smaller stores with more targeted merchandise in urban areas.

Smaller, “Big Box” stores offer strategic advantages, Wein said.

Smaller footprints are more efficient, and that means more stores — and more consumer choices — in a single retail center,” she said.

Lowered operating expenses, which include everything from energy costs and maintenance to the workforce, will help retailers economize.

“We should see several changes as developers and retailers shift strategies to accommodate the recession,” Wein said.