AUTOMOTIVES

Potamkin sells N.Y. showroom for $125 million

Potamkin Automotive has sold its flagship New York showroom on Manhattan's `auto sales Autobahn' for $125 million.

Oasis: World's largest ship arrives

On a brisk October morning amid the clink of champagne glasses, Richard D. Fain took ownership of the $1.4-billion Oasis of the Seas on the southwest coast of this nation where shipbuilding is a proud tradition.

HOSPITALITY

Low-frills hotels have advantage in downturn

No room service? No waiters? No problem. Developers of limited-service hotels say they're hurting, too, but feel braver about jumping into a rocky lodging market.

Broker asks: Where were the regulators?

Muriel `Mickie' Siebert shares her insights on the market, the economy and what the U.S. needs to do to regain its financial footing.

REPORTER'S NOTEBOOK

Devoted army creates Oasis' grandeur

When I visited the Oasis of the Seas the day before she was delivered to Royal Caribbean International at the STX Europe shipyard

in Turku, Finland, the first thing that surprised me -- aside from the jaw-dropping size -- was the bustling crowd of Royal crew members who already were working like a colony of ants on the ship.

Bankruptcies

Recent bankruptcies for the Southern District of Florida

SMALL BUSINESS

Moms stitch together winning business

Two moms come up with doll-adorned denim jackets for girls that are both fun to wear and great for playing dolls and dress-up.

Movers

High-level promotions and new hires in South Florida

Sandy's Super Suds irons out details for website

Sandra Bonner's laundry service is up and running. Now Sandy's Super Suds needs a website.

HEALTHCARE

`Cadillac' tax could hit hard

Many South Floridians could wind up paying taxes on their health insurance under a so-called `Cadillac' provision in a Senate healthcare reform bill.

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Boca Raton investment advisor ordered to pay $90K

Federal authorities have ordered a Boca Raton investment advisor to pay a $90,000 civil penalty for alleged misappropriation of a client's money.

In a Sept. 29 order, the Securities and Exchange Commission says that beginning in November 2004, Charles B. Ganz misappropriated more than $400,000 from a client's account to pay personal expenses.

ON THE HIGH SEAS

Wave of social media precedes world's largest cruise ship

With blogging CEOs and a daily video with the Oasis' captain at the helm, Royal Caribbean is sailing uncharted waters to tout the world's largest cruise ship.

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

At Coral Gables hotel, a taste of Tuscany

The flavors and fashions of Tuscany will be on display at a Coral Gables hotel next week.

HEALTHCARE

S. Florida seniors' coverage may be cut

Congress is considering healthcare reform proposals that may reduce benefits that South Florida seniors receive through Medicare HMOs.

RESTAURANTS

Owners taking Burger King to court

Burger King is back in court with its franchisees, this time over its $1 double cheeseburger.

THE ECONOMY

Obama will hold job forum

President Barack Obama will meet with chief executives, small-business owners, economists, labor leaders and others to discuss ways to create jobs.

HOMEOWNERS INSURANCE

State Farm might not leave Florida

After `intense negotiations,' state Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty said he's `cautiously optimistic' that State Farm won't drop all of its Florida homeowners policies.

REAL ESTATE

Home sellers keep on cutting prices

Nationwide, home prices have been lowered by $28.1 billion, or 10 percent per home.

COMMERCE

World Trade Center Miami helps drive business to South Florida

World Trade Center Miami helps drive business to South Florida

WORK/LIFE BALANCING ACT

Authors juggle different duties

Economic pressures in the publishing industry prompt authors to become their own marketing muscle.