Business Briefs

+ Homebuilder sets new roof for pricing
The latest sign of a luxury homebuilding rebound on the Gulf Coast comes from Nelson Homes, an independently owned Arthur Rutenberg Homes franchisee. The firm recently opened two models priced at more than $2 million each.

The Ravenna, the company’s newest model, was unveiled earlier this week at The Lake Club in east Manatee County, according to a release. The other $2 million model, the Modena, is in The Concession, also in east Manatee County.

“The unveiling of these models is a direct response to the uptick of the luxury custom-home market,” Derek Nelson, president of the Lakewood Ranch-based franchise, says in the release. “Discerning buyers are coming to the area looking for premium homes with luxury features, and the Ravenna and Modena definitely deliver. I’m excited about our current and future models, which have a lot of memory points and wow moments.”

The Ravenna, a 6,500-square-foot home, features four bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths plus a den and clubroom with wet bar. The home, with panoramic lake views, also has a 400-square-foot casita, large lanai/cabana, resort-style pool and spa with phantom roll-down screens. The Modena, 4,228 square feet of space with an optional casita that adds an additional 1,262 square feet, sits on a one-acre site, the release states. It has four bedrooms and four-and-a-half baths with a den. It includes a home-management center, an entry courtyard and a putting green.

Nelson launched the Rutenberg franchise in 2009, after holding leadership positions for other Rutenberg franchises in the area for 20 years. His Rutenberg franchise has sold 16 homes so far in 2014, for a total sales volume of $18.5 million.

+ Orchid nursery to host open house
Florida SunCoast Orchids will host its first open house from 3 to 7 p.m. Sept. 5. and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 6 and Sept. 7, at the business, 8211 Verna Bethany Road, Myakka City.

Guests can view three greenhouses filled with thousands of plants, including blooming cattleya, vanda, encyclia and other orchids, which are available for purchase.

For more information, visit FloridaSunCoastOrchids.com.

+ Community Haven expands Haven Industries program
Community Haven for Adults and Children with Disabilities has expanded its Haven Industries program by signing a new work contract with United Natural Foods Inc.

Eight Haven Industries clients, all of which have some sort of disability, will be transported daily to the United Foods Sarasota Distribution Center to perform general warehouse duties. UNFI is the leading independent national distributor of natural, organic and specialty foods in the United States.

“Community Haven is excited to be able to offer differently-abled persons such amazing job experiences,” CHAC President and CEO Marla Doss said. 

The clients will work as teams in a roughly 950,000-square-foot warehouse and perform what is called “down stacking.” This is a process in which they move product from the rear of pallets to the front of pallets to ensure a safe environment for the pickers who gather the product. They will also sweep and mop various areas, as well.