Shipping Containers for Sale in St. Petersburg, FL

CLEARWATER, Fla. — Inside the St. Petersburg College Clearwater library, Syanika Porter-Trumbull and Georgianna Dotson are working hard on expanding their business.

They both are SPC students and just completed their first cohort of the Veterans Florida Entrepreneurship Program at SPC.

What You Need To Know

“It saved me. It gave me a lot of details that I had no idea, so I am very thankful," said Dotson, who is a U.S. Air Force veteran and owner of W3 Tribe Fitness.

“This is my forecasting for three to five years. This is, you know, the good and the bad," said Porter-Trumbull, a U.S. Air Force and Army veteran, and owner of SMPT Business Consulting.

The pair are deep into doing all they can to make their businesses sustainable.

“Veterans Florida is designed to help veterans with their next career," said St. Petersburg College faculty member Greta Kishbaugh.

Kishbaugh teaches the intense, but free, six- to eight-week entrepreneurship training course, which is a partnership between SPC and Veterans Florida.

Now in its third year at SPC, Kishbaugh said they see the local economic impact taking effect.

“More than half of them have gone on now to start a business, and they're starting to hire individuals now to help them," said Kishbaugh. "So, it's not just about a solo. We don't just focus on the solopreneur. We want you to start a business. We want you to start hiring.”

Dotson's fitness business had only a handful of clients before the course. Now, she has dozens.

“I’ve already grown my business," said Dotson. "Not huge, but it's grown and I feel really energized, and it wouldn't have happened, I don't think ... it gave me confidence.”

For Porter-Trumbull it is the same, and they are both are expected to be mentors to future Veterans Florida cohort classes.

"Coming back to mentor, if we can help the next veteran, I want to do that," said Dotson.

“I live by my favorite Bible scripture, 'To whom much is given, much is required,'" Porter-Trumbull said. "So, much has been given to me by other people. So, I definitely want to give much to other people too."

The program will be offered twice this academic year — beginning Jan. 19 at The Greenhouse in St. Petersburg, and March 28 at SPC’s Clearwater Campus. Veterans ready to start or grow their business can apply on the SPC Veterans Florida website.

The program is free for veterans, their spouses and their children at SPC.

Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg has once again been named the No. 1 children’s hospital in Florida, according to 2025-26 Best Children’s Hospitals rankings.

This marks the third straight year the hospital has earned the state’s top honor and remains the only ranked pediatric hospital in the Tampa Bay region. Johns Hopkins All Children’s also tied for No. 4 in the Southeast, its highest regional ranking to date.

For Tampa Bay’s business and healthcare community, the recognition reinforces the region’s growing reputation for excellence in research, innovation and clinical care.

READ: YMCA of Greater St. Petersburg names new CEO

What happened

The 19th annual U.S. News & World Report rankings list Johns Hopkins All Children’s among the nation’s top 50 hospitals in eight specialties:

The diabetes and endocrinology program’s No. 17 ranking marks the hospital’s best performance in any specialty to date.

“We are honored to be named the No. 1 children’s hospital in Florida for the third year in a row, and most importantly, this recognition reflects what it means for the families who depend on us,” said Alicia Schulhof, president of Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital. “Parents deserve the very best care for their children, and that’s exactly what they can expect when they come to Johns Hopkins All Children’s.”

For this year’s rankings, U.S. News and RTI International collected and analyzed data from children’s hospitals nationwide. The study examined clinical outcomes, adherence to best practices and the quality of hospital resources related to patient care.

Since joining the Johns Hopkins Health System in 2011, Johns Hopkins All Children’s has collaborated with its Baltimore counterpart on research and treatment initiatives. Johns Hopkins Children’s Center in Baltimore ranked nationally in 10 specialty areas and No. 1 in Maryland.

Locally, the St. Petersburg hospital has expanded its network of outpatient care centers and partnerships with regional hospitals, increasing access to specialized pediatric care across Tampa Bay.

Founded in 1926, the hospital operates as a 259-bed teaching and research institution and remains a key contributor to the region’s healthcare workforce and economy.

For Tampa Bay’s business leaders, this recognition highlights more than clinical excellence. It positions the region as a growing center for pediatric innovation, training and investment.

With its third consecutive No. 1 ranking in Florida, Johns Hopkins All Children’s continues to raise the standard for children’s healthcare in Tampa Bay. For families, it represents world-class expertise close to home. For the business community, it underscores the region’s growing strength as a hub for medical excellence, innovation and impact.

7-Eleven stores in the U.S., including those in Florida, are planning a rebranding as the chain’s parent company attempts to replicate its success in its home country of Japan, according to reports.

Executives said in a recent earnings call that foot traffic is down by 7.3 percent since August and that declining cigarette sales, down 26 percent since 2019, are a key reason.

The chain has 1,019 stores in Florida, including in Tampa, New Port Richey, Sarasota, St. Pete and Lakeland.

The rebranding will center around the chain's food offerings. They're generally currently considered to be convenient but unhealthy, with high levels of salt, fat, and preservatives. Changing that is one of the challenges of Stephen Dacus, a Japanese American and former Walmart executive who started three months ago as chief executive of Seven & i Holdings, the 7-Eleven parent company.

The parent company plans to spend $13 billion over the next five years to expand its overseas operations, including by upgrading existing U.S. stores, adding more than 1,000 in-store restaurants, and building a network of suppliers for 7-Eleven brand prepared foods.

Dacus told The New York Times the chain will improve the quality of its fresh food offerings to include items that have become popular options among American visitors to Japan to U.S. menus.

“Whether it’s hot food or cold food or any kind of food, we have to lean into how we improve the quality and the experience,” Dacus told The Times. “That’s what Japan does extraordinarily well.”

New items could include egg salad sandwiches, which celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain once called “pillows of love." The chain's flagship strawberries and cream sandwiches will also become a staple.

At the same time, 7-Eleven has quietly shuttered about 444 U.S. locations since last year and expects to close another 148 by the end of the year, The Street reported. The company has not released a list of where the closed stores are located.

Note: All specials are subject to change. If one of these is no longer valid, or if a good happy hour is missing, please email info@ilovetheburg.com. Be sure to bookmark this for happy hour adventures.

Are you ready to sip, savor, and save your way through St. Pete? While every hour should be a happy one here in the Sunshine City, these happy hours are guaranteed to start your night – or even, afternoon – off right. Here are some of our favorite drink specials in the Burg, with an emphasis on deals that are available most of the week.

This list is always growing, so if you know of a good deal – or if you work at a bar that has a great one we missed – please let us know so we can add it to the list. Just email info@ilovetheburg.com. In the meantime, enjoy exploring St. Pete’s happiest hours!

124 2nd Ave. NEDaily, 3-6 p.m.

439 1st Ave. NDaily, 4–7 p.m.: $1 off drafts, discounts on select wines.

945 Central Ave.Monday–Friday, 3–6 p.m.: Half off beer on tap and wines by the glass.

204 Beach Dr. NEDaily, open–7 p.m.: $6 (6 oz.) or $8 (9 oz.) house wine, $6 sangrias, $3.99 well drinks, $1 off bottled beers.

340 Beach Dr. NEMonday–Friday, 4–7 p.m.: Half off sangria, signature cocktails, and wine under $10; $3 select beer.

17 6th St. NTuesday–Friday, 4–6 p.m.: $1 off any alcoholic drink and free popcorn.

875 Central Ave.Monday–Saturday, 3–5 p.m.; Sunday, all day: $6 house wine, $6 sangria, $3.50 domestic beers, $7.95 tapas.

Multiple locationsMonday–Thursday, 4–6 p.m.: $2.50 Tecates, $3.50 margaritas.

170 Beach Dr. NEMonday–Friday, 4–7 p.m.; Tuesday, 4 p.m.–close: Well drinks and select wines $5, select beers $6, select martinis and sparkling wine $7.

332 Beach Dr. NEDaily, 3–6 p.m.: $7 wine, single well cocktails, and beer; $8 house sangria, $9 specialty cocktails; tapas $7–$9.

1047 Central Ave.Monday–Friday, 5–7 p.m.: Half off classic cocktails.

1201 4th St. STuesday–Friday, 4–6 p.m.: Half off house wine by the glass, $2 off drafts, plus premium cigars available.

397 5th St. SDaily, 4–6 p.m.: $2 off all wines by the glass and draft beers.

27 4th St. NMonday–Thursday, 3–6 p.m.: $5 wells and domestic bottles; $6 St. Pete Local drafts and house wines; all snacks $7.

540 1st St. S (inside Albert Whitted Airport)Monday–Friday, 3–6 p.m.: $4 local drafts, $4 well cocktails, $4 house wines.

1111 Central Ave.Daily, 5–7 p.m.: $3 Miller High Life, $6 Reissdorf Kölsch, $7 cocktails.

691 S Gulfview BlvdSunday-Thursday 4-6 p.m.: $12 select cocktails; $8 house wines; $5 domestic beers

600 5th St. SMonday–Friday, 4–6 p.m.: $6 beer, $7 house wine, $9 sangria, $12 select cocktails, discounted bites.

1 Beach Dr. SEMonday–Friday, 3–6 p.m.: $4 domestic beers, $4.50 well cocktails, $5 house wines.

656 Central Ave.Monday–Friday, 3–5 p.m.: BOGO cocktails.

8300 4th St. NMonday–Thursday, 4–7 p.m.; Friday, 4–6 p.m.: $2 off draft beer and barrel-fresh wines by the glass, $5 premium spirits.

Available at Red Mesa Restaurant, Cantina, and Mercado4912 4th Street North; 128 3rd St S; 1100 1st Ave NMonday: ½ Off House Margarita Pitchers (+$4 to add a flavor)Tequila Tuesday: $4 House Margaritas; $6 Espolòn or Hornitos Hand-Crafted Margaritas (available while supplies last)Wednesday: ½ Off All Signature CocktailsSangria Thursday: ½ Off Pitchers of Red and White Sangria; ½ Off All Glasses of SangriaSaturday & Sunday: $5 Bloody Marys; $5 Mimosas

1800 Gulf to Bay BlvdDaily, all day: $6.99 bar bites

241 Central Ave.Tuesday–Friday, 4–6 p.m.: Half off wine by the glass, food specials.

253 2nd Ave. NAM Happy Hour: Monday–Thursday, 10 a.m.–2 p.m., half off all coffee and tea (summer).PM Happy Hour: Monday–Thursday, 5–7 p.m.: $5 beers, $7 wines, $10 craft cocktails.

5895 Gulf BlvdMonday–Friday, 4-5PM for Early bird special

2221 4th St. NMonday–Friday, 11 a.m.–4 p.m.: $1 off house drafts, $5 house wine, $6 paranormal punch.

224 Beach Dr. NEDaily, open–7 p.m.: $3.99 wells; $1 off all beers on tap; wines on tap $7.49 (6 oz.) or $10.49 (9 oz.); $4.99 bubbles.

200 Central Ave. Ste. 165Monday–Friday, 3–6 p.m. (bar area): $5 beer; $6 select spirits (including Tito’s, Aviation Gin, Bacardi, Corazon, Four Roses Bourbon); $7 select wines; $8 happy hour cocktails.Summer only: Mondays, 3 p.m.–close.

1492 4th St. NMonday–Thursday, 3–6 p.m.: Half off draft beers, house wines, and wells; $2 off other drinks.

220 4th Street North Monday-Friday, 3-6pm,: $2 Off draft beers and $6 well drinks

2001 Pass a Grille WayMonday-Friday, 3:30-6pm