Roundup: Armature Works reopens, Bloomin’ CEO advises Trump, Dynasty cooks with an Iron Chef

Today’s roundup includes news about Armature Works, Bloomin’ Brands, Dynasty Financial Partners and Tech Data.

Armature Works will reopen part of its operation on Thursday, after a four-week shutdown.

“We are very happy to allow our vendors the opportunity to now use their kitchens for both takeout and delivery, with very strict guidelines,” Chas Bruck, co-developer for The Heights District and Armature Works, said in a news release. “We fully appreciate and understand how much our vendors have needed this opportunity, but we felt it was more important at the time to close in a proactive effort to slow the spread of Covid-19. Further, the last four weeks have allowed us to research and observe best practices to better ensure the safety of our guests, employees and vendors.”

Six vendors will open tomorrow: Astro Ice Cream Co., Ava, Butcher N’ Barbeque, Kuba (previously known as Hemmingway’s), Union by Commune, and Zukku Sushi.

Dixie Dharma and Ichicoro Imoto will open Monday.

Vendors will adopt and abide by strict guidelines put in place by Armature Works management, the news release said.

David Deno

David Deno, CEO of Bloomin’ Brands, was named to one of the teams President Donald Trump is calling on to advise on reopening the economy. Deno will serve on the food and beverage advisory group, according to a release from the White House. Bloomin’ (Nasdaq: BLMN) is the Tampa-based restaurant company that owns and operates Outback Steakhouse and other dining brands.

The bipartisan groups “will work together with the White House to chart the path forward toward a future of unparalleled American prosperity,” the release said.

It’s unclear exactly what role they will play in the process, according to USA Today.

Here’s your chance to take part in an exclusive cooking experience with Iron Chef Marc Forgione. Forgione will make one of his favorite dishes and a specialty cocktail Thursday evening in an online event presented by Dynasty Financial Partners.

Marc Forgione

The St. Petersburg-based wealth management technology firm has opened attendance to the community; register here.

St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman and his family are scheduled to participate. Attendees will get a chance to “grill” Forgione during a Q&A session hosted by Shirl Penney, Dynasty’s CEO.

Dynasty is encouraging attendees to donate funds for The Kind Mouse, which helps to support the community and chronically hungry children in St. Petersburg as well as Forgione Employee Fund, which assists the employees of Forgione’s restaurants who have been displaced and are out of work.

Tech Data (Nasdaq: TECD) has launched Tech Data Coaches, an online coaching and mentoring community for the company’s partners in the U.S. and Canada. The program features 70 coaches from Clearwater-based IT distributor’s business, who can advise partners on marketing, sales, business development, organizational enablement and more, a news release said.

The news release does not specifically mention business restrictions in place because of the Covid-19 pandemic, but the timing of the rollout is fortuitous.

“When you think about the times we’re living in, a lot of us are used to traveling conferences where a big value of attending events are the side conversations,” Stacy Nethercoat, senior vice president, cloud solutions, Americas at Tech Data, told Channel Futures. “This new opportunity for mentoring and conversations is going to fill a void for partners and Tech Data, as well.”