Florida panther killed on I-75 in Collier County - Florida AP - MiamiHerald.com

Juvenile male Florida Panther (Puma concolor c...

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Florida panther killed on I-75 in Collier County

Wednesday Wine Retailer: Haskell’s, Minneapolis, MN

By Lettie Teague

: Haskell’s, a nine-store chain of wine shops in Minnesota. (Lettie Teague)

It’s been quite a while since I heard a wine retailer sound as cheerful as Jack Farrell, CEO of Haskell’s wine shops of suburban Minneapolis and Naples, Florida for the past several decades.
But Farrell, whose stores are considered among the best in the Midwest, is about to open his 12th store in Burnsville, Minnesota had nothing but good news to report. “Business has been very, very good,” said Farrell. “The Christmas season was absolutely wonderful.”
WSJ: My first question, of course, how much snow there is currently on the ground in Minnesota? We just got another nine inches here in New York.
JF: The snow is over ten feet at the end of my driveway, and I live in the city! It’s as much snow as I’ve seen in all my years in Minnesota.
WSJ: You said business was good…just how good is it?
JF: We’re up over 16 percent this year over last. I think people are just tired of watching their pennies for so long. But the high end– wines over $60 — hasn’t recovered and I don’t know when it will. The people who used to drink $60 wines are now drinking $40 wine and I don’t know if they will ever go back.
WSJ: What categories are up most significantly?
JF: There’s been a tremendous increase in the amount of rose wine sales.
WSJ: Even in the dead of winter? People in Minneapolis are drinking rose in the middle of twelve-foot high snow drifts?
JF: They are: rose wines and rose Champagne.
WSJ: Are there any wines or categories of wines that you’d like your customers to drink more of, both high and low?
JF: I’d like them to drink more Burgundy. Of course I know the wines are expensive but there have been some great recent vintages. I also love Dumol Chardonnay. I think it’s just a phenomenal wine.
WSJ: It sounds like you’ve had a great 2010. What are you looking forward to in 2011?
JF: We’ve gotten some really great deals that I’m excited about. For example, a 2008 Willamette Valley Pinot that we picked up normally costs about $40 but we’re going to be able to sell for $10 a bottle under our own label. I think we’re going to call the wine Spruce Goose. It’s hard not to find a wine that’s pretty good – and pretty cheap too. There really is nothing but good news for wine consumers.

TGM Associates Acquires Upscale Naples FL Apartment Community -- NEW YORK, Dec. 21, 2010 /PRNewswire/ --

TGM Associates Acquires Upscale Naples FL Apartment Community

NEW YORK, Dec. 21, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- TGM Associates, a full-service, SEC-registered real estate investment advisory firm, announced today the acquisition of Malibu Lakes, a 356-unit garden style apartment community in Naples, Florida, built in 2003. This is the second "A Class" apartment community acquisition for the New York-based TGM in Naples, FL in 2010.

Malibu Lakes is built in modern Mediterranean architecture style with spacious floor plans featuring lofty nine-foot ceilings with kitchens perfect for entertaining family and friends. All kitchens are complete with dishwasher, built in microwave, disposal and icemaker. Malibu Lakes has an abundance of distinctive amenities and a beautiful natural setting conveniently located near Naples-area beaches and Interstate 75. Malibu Lakes is within minutes of North Collier Hospital (NCH), Ave Maria Law School, Gulf Coast High School and Laurel Oaks Elementary. Hodges University is directly across the street.

The community features two heated resort-style pools with poolside cabanas, hot tub, a premier clubhouse, expansive fitness center, picnic areas, tennis court, business center and a pet play area. "We are excited to continue our growth in the Naples and Southwest Florida markets. We look forward to providing the residents of Malibu Lakes the quality service, value and sense of community that TGM is known for," said John Gochberg, Partner & Chief Operating Officer for TGM Associates, which also acquired Bermuda Island in Naples and Yacht Club at Heritage Harbour in Bradenton, FL earlier this year.

Malibu Lakes include elegant 1, 2, 3 and 4-bedroom apartment homes ranging from 759 to 1,617 square feet with high-end finishes, full-size washers and dryers, scenic views, extra large private balconies or patios and attached direct-access and detached garages. The community welcomes pets and offers a pet play area.

Malibu Lakes was previously owned and managed by The Inland Real Estate Group.

For more information about Malibu Lakes and TGM Associates, please contact Israel Carunungan, National Director of Property Marketing at 443-864-4035, email at icarunungan@tgmassociates.com or visit www.TGMMalibuLakes.com

About TGM Associates L.P.

Founded in 1991, TGM Associates L.P. is an investment advisory firm with a single focus -- multifamily properties. TGM operates under a fully integrated organization that encompasses property acquisition, management, construction, maintenance, leasing/marketing and disposition. On behalf of its investor clients, TGM acquires, manages and sells apartment properties throughout the United States. Since 1991, TGM has invested approximately $2 billion in 118 multifamily residential properties throughout 28 states. TGM's current portfolio contains 49 properties in 23 states.

Media Contact:

Israel Carunungan, TGM Associates L.P.

Naples

Thursday, January 13, 2011