Longwood Marketing Company Selected to Participate in State-Funded Economic Gardening Program

LONGWOOD – Shoppers’ Critique International, a consumer intelligence marketing agency, has been selected to receive free technical assistance through the state-funded GrowFL program.

Part of the Florida Economic Gardening Institute, GrowFL was created in 2009 by the Florida Legislature and is based at the University of Central Florida in Orlando. When selecting businesses the institute looks for ones that have the potential to be successful, but just need a little assistance to become a second-stage company, according to Dr. Tom O’Neal, executive director of the Florida Economic Gardening Institute.

“Shoppers’ Critique is an ideal candidate for the program. It is a qualified second-stage company that has shown it has the potential to reach the next level of success with GrowFL,” said O’Neal, who also is associate vice president for the University of Central Florida’s Office of Research and Commercialization.

GrowFL will support Shoppers’ Critique through a number of free services, including access to market research and technology, strategy analysis, forums, database research and website optimization.

The Longwood-based company – which formerly was primarily a mystery shopping agency – was founded in 1994 in the kitchen of husband and wife owners, Bill and Susan Green. After merging with two other companies, Shoppers’ Critique International now has 35 employees, and offers its customers numerous ways to measure their own customer satisfaction, including on-site, Internet and telephone mystery shops, as well as web and telephone surveys, according to Chief Operating Officer Rich Bradley.

“We love the whole economic gardening concept,” Bradley said. “This assistance will help us get to the next level.”

Bradley said his company has already seen some benefits.

“They’ve already opened up other channels for us,” he said. “And, they also looked at our operation and gave us feedback that validated what we're doing. It may sound trite, but GrowFL really is a win, win situation for everyone.”
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About Shoppers Critique International: Shoppers’ Critique International is the largest consumer marketing/intelligence company based in Florida, the customer service capital of the world. With a heritage that includes long-term relationships with America’s top brands across multiple industries, Shoppers’ Critique measures the customer experience, delivering the highest quality, most credible information in a timely manner, as well as actionable solutions to maximize customer retention and revenue growth, providing clients with an unparalleled return on investment. For details, visit ShoppersCritique.com.

About the Florida Economic Gardening Institute: The Florida Economic Gardening Institute was created by the 2009 Florida Legislature as the Economic Gardening Technical Assistance Program to stimulate investment in Florida’s economy by providing technical assistance for expanding businesses in the state. Qualified companies must be engaged in the following sectors to receive no-cost technical assistance: Manufacturing; Finance & Insurance Services; Wholesale Trade; Information Industries; Professional, Scientific & Technical Services; Management Services; and, Administrative & Support Services. Additional information is available at www.GrowFL.com.

For more information about this release, please contact: Rich Bradley, chief operating officer, 407-834-3337, rbradley@shopperscritique.com; Linda Jennings Nelson, GrowFL Outreach Director 407-882-0046, linda@GrowFL.com; Charlene Hager-Van Dyke, Larry Vershel Communications, 407-644-4142, chagervandyke@yahoo.com

Crossman & Company Negotiates New Retail Lease at Publix at University Walk Shopping Center in Sarasota

ORLANDO - Crossman & Company, which ranks as one of the largest third-party retail leasing and management companies in the Southeast, recently negotiated a lease agreement for 1,800 square feet at the Publix at University Walk shopping center in Sarasota.

John Crossman, president of Crossman & Company said associate Ashley Thornburg negotiated the lease on behalf of the landlord.

The new tenant is Sniglet’s Pet Bakery.

“This tenant – two local entrepreneurs with an ingenious concept – helps bring an end to the current void in the market,” Thornburg said.

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For more information, contact: John Crossman, CCIM, President, Crossman & Company, 407-581-6218, jcrossman@crossmanco.com

About Crossman & Company: Crossman & Company is a commercial real estate brokerage firm that specializes in the retail industry. Currently, their portfolio under leasing and/or management exceeds 150 shopping centers throughout the Southeastern US. Founded in Orlando in 1990, Crossman & Company focuses solely on landlord representation and services clients that include Publix, PREIT, and GE. Please visit www.crossmanco.com, or call 407-423-5400 for more information.

Crossman & Company negotiates new lease at Plaza on Main Shopping Center in Kissimmee

KISSIMMEE - Crossman & Company, one of the largest third-party retail leasing and management firms in the Southeast, recently negotiated a new lease agreement with Onyx Global Services at Plaza on Main Shopping Center, 1712 N. Main St. in Kissimmee.

John Crossman, president of the firm, said associate Daniel Germano negotiated the transaction representing the landlord Plaza on Main Limited Partnership.

The tenant, a business services consultant, leased 1,200 square feet at the center, Germano said.

For more information please contact: Daniel Germano, Leasing Associate, Crossman & Company, 407-423-5400 or 407-581-6223; John Crossman, CCIM, President, Crossman & Company, 407-581-6218, jcrossman@crossmanco.com

About Crossman & Company: Crossman & Company is one of the largest third-party retail leasing and management companies in Florida with over 16 million square feet under leasing and/or management. Founded in Orlando in 1990, Crossman & Company is a full service commercial real estate firm that advises its clients in leasing, management, development and investment sales of retail and office properties and serves clients including Publix Super Markets, Inc., Lake Nona, PREIT, and LaSalle Investment Management. Please visit www.crossmanco.com, or call 407-423-5400 for more information.

NAI Realvest Appointed Exclusive Sales, Marketing Agents for $2.7 Million New Smyrna Beach Retail Center

NAI Realvest Appointed Exclusive Sales, Marketing Agents for $2.7 Million New Smyrna Beach Retail Center

MAITLAND, Fla. - NAI Realvest has been appointed exclusive sales and marketing agents for a 20,495 square foot community shopping center located at 1700 Canal St. (S.R. 44) in New Smyrna Beach.

The retail center, which includes a 5.27-acre site, is contiguous to K-Mart. Major tenants include Curves, MetCare, Volusia Therapy and the Florida Dept. of Motor Vehicles. Built in 1982 and remodeled earlier this year, the center is 53 percent leased.

Thomas E. Hankins, CCIM, SIOR, a principal at NAI Realvest, negotiated the exclusive broker agreement with owner Concord Americas Corporation.

The property is listed for sale at $2.7 million.

For more information, please contact:
Thomas E. Hankins, CCIM, SIOR, Principal, NAI Realvest 407-949-0727 (Direct) or thankins@realvest.com
Patrick Mahoney, President, NAI Realvest 407-875-9989 pmahoney@realvest.com
Larry Vershel, Larry Vershel Communications 407-644-4142 lvershelco@aol.com

About NAI Realvest:
NAI Realvest, covering all of Central Florida, is a fully integrated commercial real estate operating company specializing in brokerage, development, investment, leasing and management, consulting and research services in the U.S. and worldwide. NAI Global is an international commercial real estate network with over 325 offices spanning the globe. Since 1978, clients have built businesses on the power of NAI Global’s expanding network. Extensive services include multi-site acquisitions and dispositions, sublease, tenant representation, lease administration and audit, investment services, due diligence and related consulting and advisory services. To learn more, visit www.NAIRealvest.com.

Lennar’s Central Florida Division unveils May Realtor Bonus Offer worth $5,000 For Each New Home Sold with Progressive Commissions

Lennar’s Central Florida Division unveils May Realtor Bonus Offer worth $5,000 For Each New Home Sold with Progressive Commissions and $10,000 Shopping Spree

TAMPA, Fla. - Lennar’s Central Florida Division, which builds new single-family homes and town homes priced from the $100s to the $400s in 32 Lennar communities throughout the Tampa Bay, Orlando and Space Coast regions, is offering the Florida home building industry’s most generous Realtor bonus program during the month of May.

Mark Metheny, president of Lennar’s Central Florida Division, said local Realtors who sell new homes in all 31 Lennar communities in Central Florida will be offered a $5,000 cash bonus for all homes sold and closed during May in addition to their co-broker commission.

And that’s not all, Metheny said.

“Realtors who sell more than one Lennar home during the month of May will receive bigger commissions,” Metheny said. “For the first home sold and closed, the co-broker commission is 3 percent. For the second home, it’s 3.5 percent, for the third, 4 percent, fourth 4.5 percent and for the fifth and subsequent homes sold and closed Realtors will receive 5 percent commission,” Metheny explained.

And there’s more.

“The top 10 Realtors will receive shopping sprees worth up to $10,000,” Metheny said. Lennar’s Central Florida Division will choose the top 10 Realtors based on the dollar volume of sales that go to contract and close between May and November, Metheny added.

Metheny said Lennar’s Realtor Bonus program could generate as many as 500 to 700 new home sales during that time period.

“May is the start of the busy summer selling season for new homes,” Metheny said. “Local Realtors in our communities account for as many as half of all home sales and we want to reward them for their efforts,” he said.

Contact:
Jassy Friddle, Marketing Manager Lennar, 888-317-7489 orMark Metheny, Lennar Division President-Central Florida, 888-317-7489;

Larry Vershel or Beth Payan, Larry Vershel Communications, 407-644-4142, Lvershelco@aol.com

Grubb & Ellis|Commercial Florida Negotiates New Lease at Anclote Corner Shopping Center in Tarpon Springs

Grubb & EllisCommercial Florida Negotiates New Lease at Anclote Corner Shopping Center in Tarpon Springs

TAMPA, Fla. - Grubb & EllisCommercial Florida, which is associated with 130 Grubb & Ellis offices worldwide, recently negotiated a new lease for 1,200 square feet of retail space in the Anclote Corner Shopping Center in Tarpon Springs.

Michelle Seifert associate vice president in the Retail Services Group at Grubb & EllisCommercial Florida, negotiated the transaction representing the landlord, Anclote Corner Associates of New York, NY.

The new tenant at 1963 North Pinellas Avenue is Metro Cellular, LLC a local firm.

The 51,200 square foot Anclote Corner is now 95 percent leased.

About Grubb & Ellis:
Grubb & Ellis Company (NYSE: GBE) is one of the largest and most respected commercial real estate services and investment companies. With more than 130 owned and affiliate offices worldwide, Grubb & Ellis offers property owners, corporate occupants and investors comprehensive integrated real estate solutions, including transaction, management, consulting and investment advisory services supported by proprietary market research and extensive local market expertise.

Grubb & Ellis and its subsidiaries are leading sponsors of real estate investment programs that provide individuals and institutions the opportunity to invest in a broad range of real estate investment vehicles, including tax-deferred 1031 tenant-in-common (TIC) exchanges; public non-traded real estate investment trusts (REITs) and real estate investment funds. As of September 30, 2008, more than $3.8 billion in investor equity has been raised for these investment programs. The company and its subsidiaries currently manage a growing portfolio of more than 225 million square feet of real estate. In 2007, Grubb & Ellis was selected from among 15,000 vendors as Microsoft Corporation's Vendor of the Year. For more information regarding Grubb & Ellis Company, please visit http://www.grubb-ellis.com/.

For more information about this news release, contact:
Michelle Seifert, Associate Vice President, Retail Services Group, Grubb & EllisCommercial Florida, 813-830-7537, mseifert@commercialfl.com
Jeffrey S. Sweeney, President, Grubb & EllisCommercial Florida, 407-481-5387, Jsweeney@commercialfl.com