menin development - News - The Coastal Star2024-03-29T10:32:37Zhttps://thecoastalstar.com/profiles/blogs/feed/tag/menin+developmentBusiness Spotlight: Johnnie Brown’s building sold for $7.3 millionhttps://thecoastalstar.com/profiles/blogs/business-spotlight-johnnie-brown-s-building-sold-for-7-3-million2020-03-04T14:00:00.000Z2020-03-04T14:00:00.000ZThe Coastal Starhttps://thecoastalstar.com/members/TheCoastalStar<div><p style="text-align:center;"><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}7960928255,original{{/staticFileLink}}" target="_blank"><img src="{{#staticFileLink}}7960928255,original{{/staticFileLink}}" class="align-center" alt="7960928255?profile=original" /></a><em>The Johnnie Brown’s building at the corner location near the FEC railroad tracks along Atlantic Avenue in Delray Beach was sold to a division of Menin Development. <strong>Photo provided</strong></em></p>
<p><strong>By Christine Davis</strong></p>
<p>A company associated with <strong>Menin Development</strong> has purchased the <strong>Johnnie Brown’s</strong> restaurant and bar building in Delray Beach.<br /> The Menin division Rosebud JB LLC paid $7.3 million for the Atlantic Avenue restaurant building on Jan. 31. That works out to just over $2,470 a square foot for the building, built in 1939, on .16 of an acre at Northeast Third Avenue. <br /> The seller, 301 East Atlantic LLC, bought the property for $1 million in 2009.<br /> Another Menin division owns the vacant space to the east that housed Luigi’s Coal Oven Pizza. Rosebud 307 LLC paid $5.5 million in December 2018 and plans to open the Lionfish restaurant in the 4,112-square-foot space. The building dates to 1955.<br /> In addition to the two restaurants, Menin owns a variety of properties in downtown Delray Beach, including a 1936 building housing the Urban Outfitters store and a 1927 building with Capital One Café and bank. <br /> Menin also is developing The Ray hotel on Northeast Second Avenue and the Delray City Market, a food hall on Southeast Third Avenue. <br /> <br /> South Florida-based real estate investors <strong>Shane Neman</strong>, principal of Neman Ventures, and <strong>Richard Waserstein</strong> and <strong>Mauricio Bello</strong> of Waterstone Capital acquired the <strong>Residence Inn by Marriott Boca Raton</strong> from the Blackstone Group for $14.5 million in February. The 120-room extended-stay hotel sits on four acres at 525 NW 77th St. <br /> The property will be redeveloped in three phases and is expected to be completed by 2030.<br /> Phase 1 includes a full-scale remodeling and a marketing campaign aimed to increase occupancy. Phase 2’s goal is to increase visibility of the property. Phase 3 will include the addition of a new lodging project that leverages the Marriott brand name as well as a multifamily building complex adjacent to the hotel. <br /> “There are numerous indicators that peg Boca Raton as South Florida’s next high-growth locale as it further evolves into a live, work, play destination for people of all ages and backgrounds,” Neman said. “We have a grand vision for what this project will become, both in the near term and into the next decade.” <br /> The Residence Inn by Marriott Boca Raton, which was built in 1988, last traded hands in 2014 for $12 million. <br /> <br /> Ralph and Mary Gesualdo bought the waterfront Manalapan mansion at <strong>1920 S. Ocean Blvd.</strong> for $10,299,100 from South Ocean Living LLC, managed by Francisco Gonzalez. The eight-bedroom estate, built in 2004, totals 8,706 square feet. Ralph Gesauldo was president of Milwaukee-based International Autos Group, a group of car dealerships in Illinois, Wisconsin and Indiana.<br /> The deal closed in late January. <strong>Christian Angle</strong> of Christian Angle Real Estate represented the buyer and the seller. The property last sold for $11.8 million in 2014.<br /> <br /> Atlantis resident <strong>Amy Snook</strong>, co-partner in the All About Florida Homes Team of Lang Realty with Noreen Payne of Delray Beach, was recently appointed assistant manager for the Lang Realty Boynton office, where she will assist agents with contracts and client issues. <br /> <br /> <strong>Kaufman Lynn Construction,</strong> headquartered in Delray Beach, recently celebrated its 30th anniversary. Other news from the company: <strong>Tim Bonczek</strong> was promoted to vice president of operational excellence and innovation, and <strong>Elaine Hinsdale</strong> was promoted to vice president of integrated marketing. Bonczek is responsible for the company’s quality control, safety, training and technology research. Hinsdale manages the company’s marketing department and internal communication. <br /> <br /> <a href="{{#staticFileLink}}7960928658,original{{/staticFileLink}}" target="_blank"><img src="{{#staticFileLink}}7960928658,original{{/staticFileLink}}" class="align-left" alt="7960928658?profile=original" /></a>Political campaign veteran <strong>Joy Howell</strong> of Delray Beach is the new communications director for the <strong>Florida Democratic Party</strong>. Howell has served as communications director and senior strategist for the Federal Communications Commission, as a communications director for the Gore/Lieberman presidential campaign and the 2000 Democratic National Convention and, more recently, was a founder of a national consulting firm. She has had senior strategy roles on dozens of congressional and issue-based campaigns in Florida and nationally. She holds an MPA from Harvard University and an MBA from the University of Redlands.<br /> <br /> The County Commission has appointed <strong>Shirley Erazo</strong>, president and CEO of the Delray Beach Housing Authority, to the board of directors of <strong>CareerSource Palm Beach County</strong>. A company chartered by the state, CareerSource has a team of career counselors, business coaches and training providers to help area businesses with training, grants and talent acquisition. It also offers job seekers career assessments, training and employment help. <br /> <br /> <strong>The Arc of Palm Beach County</strong> has named <strong>Ellie Marshall</strong> as its new chief operating officer. Marshall joined The Arc, a nonprofit that assists people with developmental disabilities, to oversee the organization’s day-to-day business. Previously, she spent eight years in Washington, D.C., working with the White House Conference on Aging, the U.S. Department of Labor, and the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. Marshall was a senior manager for a luxury homebuilder and started her own art studio. <br /> She has bachelor’s degrees in political science and creative writing from Florida State University, and a master’s degree in philosophy and social policy from George Washington University.<br /> <br /> <strong>Pine Tree Camps</strong> at Lynn University appointed <strong>Jayson Rubin</strong> camp director. He will oversee operations, programming, and camper and staff recruitment. Rubin, who was director and co-owner of Camp Waukeela in New Hampshire, will lead a team of 100 camp counselors at Lynn and welcome more than 1,800 campers each summer. <br /> <br /> <strong>Palm Beach State College</strong> has earned national top-10 rankings from two military publishers for the third consecutive year. Military Times and Viqtory have placed PBSC third and fourth respectively on their lists of the best higher education institutions for veterans, which in turn makes PBSC the highest-ranking Florida school in its category. In addition, Viqtory has again designated the college a Gold “Top 10” Military Friendly School, the highest level possible. For information about the college’s Veterans Services department, call 561-868-3380 or visit <a href="http://www.palmbeachstate.edu/VeteransServices">www.palmbeachstate.edu/VeteransServices</a>.<br /> <br /> The <strong>Institute for Regional Conservation</strong>, a nonprofit dedicated to the protection, restoration, and long-term management of ecological biodiversity, received a $5,000 grant from the state of Florida and the Florida Wildflower Foundation. This grant will expand the institute’s Natives for Your Neighborhood website as the go-to source for native plant selection for Florida landscapes.</p>
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<p style="text-align:center;"><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}7960928097,original{{/staticFileLink}}" target="_blank"><img src="{{#staticFileLink}}7960928097,original{{/staticFileLink}}" class="align-center" width="600" alt="7960928097?profile=original" /></a><em>Josie’s Ristorante and the front of the old Winn-Dixie (right) are all that was still standing on March 2 after demolition in part of Riverwalk Plaza in Boynton Beach. A 326-unit apartment complex is planned for the Winn-Dixie site, and Josie’s will not be allowed to stay in its current location after its lease expires Nov. 30, 2026.</em></p>
<p style="text-align:center;"><em><strong>Jerry Lower/The Coastal Star</strong></em></p>
<p style="text-align:left;"><br /> <br /> <strong>Steven Abrams</strong>, executive director of the <strong>South Florida Regional Transportation Authority</strong>, spoke to members of the Greater Delray Beach Chamber Government Affairs/Economic Development First Friday Forum and gave an update on the Tri-Rail system.<br /> He said that with the state’s population projected to reach 24 million people by 2030, road congestion is expected to worsen. As a result, Abrams and other regional transportation leaders believe that commuter rail and intercity high-speed rail should be part of the state’s plan for managing the challenges that come with population and economic growth in Florida. <br /> <br /> <a href="{{#staticFileLink}}7960928476,original{{/staticFileLink}}" target="_blank"><img src="{{#staticFileLink}}7960928476,original{{/staticFileLink}}" class="align-left" alt="7960928476?profile=original" /></a>Veteran financial trader and Boca Raton resident <strong>Larry Benedict</strong> helped <strong>Boca Helping Hands</strong> receive a large annual-match contribution. Through a live online Trade-a-Thon event, Benedict traded options to demonstrate how revenue could be generated using his techniques. In just a few hours, he turned $25,000 in seed funding into more than $100,000, which he donated to Boca Helping Hands. In addition, 1% of sales of online subscriptions during the event to Benedict’s newsletter, The Opportunistic Trader, were donated to Boca Helping Hands. <br /> “We hoped to generate a minimum of $70,000, but were pleased that the total raised ended up being $106,000,” Benedict said. <br /> The nonprofit Boca Helping Hands provides food, medical and financial assistance to meet basic human needs as well as education, job training and guidance to create self-sufficiency. In January, Charity Navigator named Boca Helping Hands a Four-Star Charity for the 13th consecutive year. <br /> Boca Helping Hands is at 1500 NW First Court. For more information, visit <a href="http://www.bocahelpinghands.org">www.bocahelpinghands.org</a>.<br /> <br /> In January, experts from the <strong>Hebrew University of Jerusalem</strong> spoke to a full house at the Four Seasons Resort during American Friends of the Hebrew University’s annual <strong>Leadership Education Forum</strong>. The conference, “A Tradition of Innovation: The Hebrew University of Jerusalem and the Future of Israeli Society, Technology and Medicine,” highlighted fields ranging from health, agriculture and nanotechnology to the humanities, environment and life sciences through Israeli innovations. <br /> Other topics included repairing DNA using advanced genomic methods, and bioengineering future meat technologies. Professor <strong>Asher Cohen</strong>, president of the university, made a special appearance. Among this year’s chairpersons was <strong>Ety Alcalay</strong> of Boca Raton.<br /> <br /> <strong>The Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties</strong> hosted its seventh annual Founders Luncheon on Feb. 4, showcasing a panel discussion, “Power of Place — A Conversation on Housing.”<br /> WPTV anchor <strong>Hollani Davis</strong> moderated the discussion. Panelists included <strong>Jonathan B. Brown</strong>, director of Palm Beach County Department of Housing and Economic Sustainability; <strong>Suzanne Cabrera</strong>, president and CEO of Housing Leadership Council of Palm Beach County; <strong>Anne Gerwig</strong>, mayor of the village of Wellington; and <strong>Jack Weir</strong>, president of Eastwind Development Group. <br /> The luncheon’s founding sponsors are Northern Trust; Rybovich Marina; Lovelight Foundation/Julie & Peter Cummings Family Fund/ Marjorie S. Fisher Fund, and The Grand Tour. Community sponsors included Sherry and Tom Barrat, Florida Power & Light, Palm Beach Illustrated, South Florida PBS, Templeton & Company and WLRN radio.<br /> <br /> The Boca Chamber’s <strong>Community Cookout</strong>, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 7, will be at the YMCA of South Palm Beach County, 6631 Palmetto Circle S., Boca Raton. Entry is free with food tickets priced at $5 adults and free for children under 10. <br /> </p>
<p><em>Jane Smith contributed to this column.</em><br /> <em>Send business news to Christine Davis at cdavis9797@gmail.com.</em></p></div>Delray Beach: Food court proposed for downtown areahttps://thecoastalstar.com/profiles/blogs/delray-beach-food-court-proposed-for-downtown-area2018-05-30T17:55:49.000Z2018-05-30T17:55:49.000ZThe Coastal Starhttps://thecoastalstar.com/members/TheCoastalStar<div><p style="text-align:center;"><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}7960796094,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img width="500" src="{{#staticFileLink}}7960796094,original{{/staticFileLink}}" class="align-center" alt="7960796094?profile=original" /></a><em>The food court proposed a block from the nearly complete iPic in downtown Delray would have 30-some vendors on the ground floor and event space and parking above. <strong>Rendering provided</strong></em></p>
<p><strong>By Jan Norris and Jane Smith</strong></p>
<p>If its plans are approved, the Menin Development Co. will bring the food hall trend to Delray Beach’s downtown.<br /> The retail developer announced a proposal for the Delray City Market at the former Metropolitan condo site east of the railroad tracks on Southeast Third Avenue, saying it will complement the new iPic theater under construction a block east.<br /> “The existing Metropolitan did not make sense economically,” said Marc Yavinsky, executive vice president of Menin Development. <br /> In December, a Menin division paid $4.6 million for the acre site behind the SunTrust Bank building.<br /> “We always wanted to do a food hall,” Yavinsky said. “Delray Beach has a thriving food and beverage culture. Food halls are the latest trend in dining, where a family can go, every person picks what they want and everyone sits down together to eat.”<br /> Menin has hired Dennis Max, noted South Florida restaurateur, to help design and choose vendors for the hall. His name is reflected on Max’s Harvest in Pineapple Grove and he partnered in Max’s Social, a craft bar and grill on Federal Highway that was replaced by Death and Glory.<br /> The four-story site will be on a scale comparable to Grand Central Market in Los Angeles and, to an extent, Quincy Market in Boston, both of which were researched for the Delray project, Max said. <br /> The 120,000-square-foot building is being designed by Miami architect Jose Gonzales, who also is designing Menin’s Ray Hotel, a project recently approved for Pineapple Grove. Max also is working with Menin on the restaurants going into the hotel.<br /> Delray City Market is “a perfect location and scenario,” Max said. “We have a keystone location in east Delray. We’re fully visible from the avenue.”<br /> The first floor will be the food hall, featuring 30-plus vendors with spaces in the 600-square-foot range, all food- and drink-related, Max said. Seating will be strategically placed throughout, inside and outdoors.<br /> A mezzanine open to the hall below is designed as an event space, with full demonstration kitchens and a bar, ideal for receptions and cooking classes, he said. Live entertainment will be set up there.<br /> Meant for both locals and tourists, the food choices will offer something for everyone. Max, who has owned numerous acclaimed full-service restaurants, says it’s the way people are choosing to dine today and fits a modern lifestyle.<br /> A mix of made-to-order counter service businesses and fresh food retailers — such as a butcher, cheesemonger, chocolatier, baker and produce seller — will be the vendor profiles, he said. The focus will be on locally owned foods and businesses, with no chains involved.<br /> “It’s an incubator for young, emerging chefs,” Max said.<br /> He noted that some of the hot restaurateurs on both East and West coasts have backgrounds as food truck owners who have gone through food halls and eventually opened brick-and-mortar spaces of their own. <br /> Full bars will be set up; an on-site craft brewery also is planned.<br /> The 200 parking spaces on the top three floors will benefit the food hall and help out businesses nearby, Max said. An enclosed rooftop garden growing vegetables, greens and herbs for the restaurants below is proposed.<br /> Menin will submit a site plan package to Delray Beach by the end of June, Yavinsky said.<br /> If plans are approved, the plan is to break ground in the fall.<br /> “This will be a fresh new place for Delray,” Yavinsky said. “It’s a hot trend. It will be curated to be a destination place.”</p></div>Business Spotlight: Visitors get warm welcome at new Delray Beach centerhttps://thecoastalstar.com/profiles/blogs/business-spotlight-visitors-get-warm-welcome-at-new-delray-beach-2018-04-04T17:00:58.000Z2018-04-04T17:00:58.000ZThe Coastal Starhttps://thecoastalstar.com/members/TheCoastalStar<div><p style="text-align:center;"><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}7960786471,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img src="{{#staticFileLink}}7960786471,original{{/staticFileLink}}" class="align-center" width="600" alt="7960786471?profile=original" /></a><em>The revamped visitors center is open every day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. It contains brochures about local merchants, a Delray Beach map and a historic-photo display. <strong>Jerry Lower/ The Coastal Star</strong></em></p>
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<p><strong>By Christine Davis</strong></p>
<p><strong>The Delray Beach Visitor Information Center</strong>, at 2 S. Ocean Blvd., re-opened with a new look and triple the space in March. It has new floors, ceilings, windows, doors, racks to hold brochures about local merchants, and a Delray Beach map and historic-photo display. <br /> The center was a renovation project of the Downtown Development Authority’s partnership with the city of Delray Beach. Architect Roy Simon and interior designer Maura Taft donated their services. <br /> “With this updated look and feel, we can really showcase all that our Village by the Sea has to offer,” said Laura Simon, the Downtown Development Authority’s executive director. <br /> The center is open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. every day. <br /> <br /> To be in the know about Delray Beach happenings, check out <strong>DelrayBeachCalendar.com</strong>, covering 10 categories. The calendar is open to all producers holding events in Delray Beach.<br /> “This initiative was the brainchild of Old School Square’s Rob Steele, brought up at a Downtown Development Authority team meeting, with the city of Delray Beach paying for the website, the Greater Delray Beach Chamber of Commerce developing the site, and the Delray Beach Marketing Cooperative administering, promoting and running it,” said Stephanie Immelman, executive director of the Marketing Cooperative.<br /> <br /> Dorothy Ellington, president and CEO of the <strong>Delray Beach Housing Authority</strong>, recently addressed members of the Sunrise Kiwanis Club. She spoke about the challenges the Housing Authority faced in redeveloping the former Carver Estates Public Housing complex that was devastated by Hurricane Wilma in 2005. The site is now home to 144 families with children and 84 households with members 55 and older. <br /> <br /> <strong>Royal Investment Group</strong> moved its headquarters from Orlando to Mizner Park in Boca Raton, signing a 10-year lease for 5,316 square feet of space in the office tower. Broker Kathleen Yonce, of Boca Raton-based Key Investment Advisors, represented the tenant in the deal. According to its website, Royal Investment Group is an independent broker dealer of real estate that does investment banking, brokerage and design-build services on behalf of major real estate investors.<br /> <br /> <strong>Caspian Delray Beach</strong>, a mixed-use development at 190 S. Federal Highway with 146 apartments and 3,478 square feet of retail and office space, has four suites available for lease. The suites range in size from 795 to 930 square feet and are priced under $40 per square foot gross. For more information, call Nicole Fontaine, director of leasing and sales for Katz & Associates, at 869-4350, or Roxanne Register, vice president of leasing and sales at Katz & Associates, at 869-4346.<br /> <br /> <strong>Menin Development Inc.</strong> received final site-plan approval from the city of Delray Beach on its hotel development, The Ray, to be located in the Pineapple Grove Arts District of downtown. Designed by Gonzalez Architects in Miami, The Ray is scheduled to be completed fall 2019. Features include 143 rooms and suites, three restaurants, an event space, rooftop pool and lounge area and fitness center. <br /> <br /> <strong>Morse Operations Inc.</strong> received $114.3 million in financing last month for 10 automobile dealerships in Florida. Midvale, Utah-based Ally Bank is the lender, according to property records. It covers dealerships in Brandon, Tampa, Lakeland, Port Richey, Delray Beach, Riviera Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Sunrise and Lake Park. The company said it is planning to expand.</p>
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<p style="text-align:center;"><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}7960786882,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img width="450" src="{{#staticFileLink}}7960786882,original{{/staticFileLink}}" class="align-center" alt="7960786882?profile=original" /></a><em>Douglas Elliman Real Estate hosted its annual awards celebration, the Ellies, on March 5, to honor its top performers at Etaru Restaurant in Hallandale Beach. Four of the top agents were (l-r) Steven Solomon, Ingrid Carlos, Sue Tauriello and Erik Ring. <strong>Photo provided</strong></em></p>
<p><br /> Hedge-fund manager and Miami Worldcenter co-developer William Powers sold his estate at 901 S. Ocean Blvd., Delray Beach, for $26.75 million. The sale was recorded on March 20. Powers paid $19 million for the property in 2015 about a year after it was built. Devin Kay of <strong>Douglas Elliman</strong> held the listing. Nicholas Malinosky of Douglas Elliman represented the buyer, QCRE VII, a Delaware limited liability company with a New York address. Affiniti Architects designed the five-bedroom house, which was built by Boca Raton developer Mark Timothy. Interiors were designed by Marc-Michaels Interior Design.<br /> <br /> An ocean-to-Intracoastal estate at 1920 S. Ocean Blvd. in Manalapan was recently listed by <strong>Premier Estate Properties’</strong> broker associate Pascal Liguori for $16.9 million. Recording star Billy Joel paid just under $12 million for the home in 2014 and listed it for sale in 2015 for $19.5 million. This is one of three Manalapan properties owned by Joel. <br /> Built in 2005 and renovated in 2015, it is sited on 1.88 acres. The furnished eight-bedroom house has 13,216 total square feet, and features marble floors, pecky-cypress ceilings and Chicago-brick accents. <br /> It appears Joel and family are expanding their Wellington holdings. Wife Alexis Roderick is an accomplished equestrian, and, as of Jan. 25, they own a farm on Palm Beach Point Blvd., adjacent to a ranch they bought in 2016. For information on the Manalapan estate, call 866-502-5441.<br /> <br /> In February, <strong>Premier Estate Properties’</strong> D’Angelo/Liguori team listed 2020 Royal Palm Way in Boca Raton for $14.75 million. The home has 96 feet on the Intracoastal Waterway, 11,504 total square feet and five bedrooms. It was built by Bloomfield Construction. <br /> Also, scheduled to be completed by year’s end, a Georgian-style home under construction at 4081 Ibis Point Circle in The Sanctuary was just listed by the D’Angelo/Liguori team for a preconstruction price of $8.95 million. With six bedrooms and 8,966 square feet of interior space, the home is being developed by Dan Swanson of Addison Development Group. <br /> Another property recently listed by the D’Angelo/Liguori team is a new “Tropical Modern” home at 1141 Spanish River Road, Boca Raton. Priced at $10.495 million, it was constructed by JH Norman Construction and designed by Brenner Architecture Group. The five-bedroom, 12,533-square-foot home has water views from all major rooms. For information, call 866-281-2158.<br /> <br /> <strong>Illustrated Properties,</strong> a member of The Keyes Family of Companies, has listed a brand-new mansion in Boca Raton for $11.5 million. Kathryn Gillespie is the listing agent for the 899 Enfield St. property. Developer Mary Widmer of JMW Florida Properties designed and developed the six-bedroom, 10,000-square-foot estate. The estate was built by Ed Clement of Sabre Custom Homes. <br /> <br /> Stephen and Marla Garchik purchased a 10,500-square-foot estate at 2474 S. Ocean Blvd., Highland Beach, from <strong>Richard Chaifetz</strong> for $8.417 million, according to property records. Chaifetz bought the property in 2000 for $7 million. Chaifetz is the founder and CEO of ComPsych Corp. Stephen Garchik is president of SJM Partners, a company that specializes in developing and managing commercial and residential projects throughout the eastern U.S., according to its website.<br /> <br /> A local group from the <strong>Realtors Political Action Committee</strong> met with Florida senators and representatives in Tallahassee to ask for support on real estate-related issues. They included reducing assignment of benefits abuse that drives up insurance premiums for property owners; reducing the business rent tax; enacting legislation concerning vacation rentals that treats homeowners equitably; and increasing funding for the housing trust funds. <br /> <br /> Sales of single-family homes in Palm Beach County, priced at $300,000 and above, made double-digit jumps year-over-year in February, with the greatest jump, 33.8 percent, in homes ranging from $300,000 to $399,999, the <strong>Realtors Association of the Palm Beaches and Greater Fort Lauderdale</strong> reported. There was an 11.6 percent increase in the sale of homes $400,000 to $599,999; a 12.4 percent increase in homes $600,000 to $999,999, and a 17 percent increase in homes $1 million and up. <br /> Overall, there was a 4.8 percent year-over-year increase in closed sales, with a 2.9 percent decrease in cash transactions. The median sale price increased 9.5 percent to $345,000, and the median time to contract decreased 15.6 percent to 54 days. <br /> In addition, inventory (active listings) decreased by 4 percent and the months’ supply of inventory decreased 3.7 percent to 5.2 months. <br /> <br /> <strong>Eau Palm Beach Resort & Spa</strong> and <strong>Eau Spa</strong> received Forbes’ five-star award for the third year in a row as part of Forbes Travel Guide’s 2018 ratings. The Boca Beach Club received a four-star award; Four Seasons Resort Palm Beach received a five-star; Jove Kitchen & Bar, located within the Four Seasons, received a four-star; and Palm Beach Spa at Four Seasons Resort Palm Beach received a five-star.<br /> <br /> <strong>The Cultural Council of Palm Beach County</strong> won five American Advertising Awards from the American Advertising Federation of the Treasure Coast, in recognition of its work to promote Palm Beach County as a cultural tourism destination. <br /> The council received three Addys for its “Where Culture Always Shines” advertising campaign. Its online “Spring Training” campaign won a gold award, and the “About the Cultural Council” brochure took a silver award. <br /> <br /> <strong>The Greater Boynton Beach Chamber of Commerce</strong> is growing, with 15 businesses added in January and February, making it well on its way to meeting its goal to add 70 members by the end of 2018. <br /> “We are currently 40 percent ahead of projections,” said Michael Mohl, chairman of the chamber’s board. “With a very successful gala in January, we now turn our attention to our second annual Small Business Bow Tie 5K run, which will be held on April 14 at the Boynton Beach Mall.” The mall is at 801 Congress Ave. Registration will start at 6:30 a.m. and the run and walk will start at 7:30. The price to participate is $30, plus a $2.50 sign-up fee. The family-friendly 5K run is competitive and timed. For more information, call 927-7331 or email chamber@boyntonbeach.org.<br /> <br /> <strong>The League of Women Voters of Palm Beach County</strong> will host a Hot Topic Luncheon on the “New Role of State Colleges,” from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 18 at the Atlantis Country Club, 190 Atlantis Blvd., Lake Worth. <br />Special guest speaker will be Ava Parker, president of Palm Beach State College. Before joining the college in 2015, Parker was executive vice president and chief operating officer of Florida Polytechnic University. Tickets are $25 per person until April 11, and $35 after that date. RSVPs are requested at <a href="http://www.lwvpbc.org">www.lwvpbc.org</a> or by calling 968-4123.</p>
<p><em>Send business news to Christine Davis at cdavis9797@gmail.com.</em><br /> </p></div>