Business Briefs

Turnstile Media Group – publisher of Winter Park/Maitland Observer – appointed Tracy Craft to the position of publisher on March 1. Craft, 43, whose media career spans more than a decade, has been a major player in the success of the community media division of Turnstile since joining the organization in 2008. “Our newspapers are deeply woven into the fabric of the communities they serve, and I’m thrilled to be taking on the challenge of finding even more ways to strengthen those bonds,” Craft said.

On Feb. 16 two Winter Park businesses made their national debut on ABC’s Good Morning America. Sprinkles Custom Cakes’ The Original CakeShooter, a mess-free push-up cake treat, and Peterbrooke Chocolatier of Winter Park’s Jami Shoo, an all-edible chocolate high heel, were featured with other products for Tory Johnson’s Steals and Deals segment.

Insurance Office of America has assumed a three-year, five-figure sponsorship as the “Title Sponsor” for Central Florida’s largest office party and premiere evening run, the IOA Corporate 5K located at Lake Eola, scheduled for April 12. 

NAI Realvest negotiated a new lease agreement for 3,363 square feet of office space at 2200 Lucien Way in Maitland. The tenant, Willis Construction Consulting, Inc., is the largest estimating firm in Central Florida.

Winter Park-based La Familia Pawn & Jewelry’s 2011 revenue nearly tripled last year, due largely in part to new store openings, successful social media and new investors.

Emerson International, which developed the CenterPointe Office at 220 E. Central Parkway in Altamonte Springs, recently negotiated a major lease renewal there. Travel Holdings, Inc., owner of LastMinuteTravel.com renewed its lease for 28,540 square feet.