Condo Insurance Market Faces Major Hikes. Residents of Old Port Cove Towers in North Palm Beach are facing significant increases in their condo insurance premiums, despite recent renovations. After enduring double-digit increases in wind coverage for four consecutive years, they hoped that new roofs would reduce their costs.
Mike Beck, president of the Old Port Towers Condominium, stated, “I thought we were being conservative by budgeting the same amount for insurance as last year. We thought the new roof would actually mean a reduction.” However, when it came time to renew, the condo association learned that their insurance bill had skyrocketed to $855,719, representing a 150% increase from 2022. This increase comes even with a higher deductible for repairs to the 22-story building.
New Palm Tran Express Service Launches
Palm Tran is set to launch a new express bus service between downtown West Palm Beach and Port St. Lucie on September 23. The service promises to make the 50-mile journey in under an hour for a fare of $3, with no immediate cost to Palm Beach County taxpayers.
The public bus service will utilize rented charter buses equipped with WiFi and restrooms. Buses will operate during the early morning and evening on weekdays. The Palm Beach County commissioners approved the $396,000 route in June, funding it for a year with a grant from the Florida Department of Transportation.
H&H Bagels Opens in Boca Raton
H&H Bagels, a renowned New York City bagel shop, is making its Florida debut in Boca Raton. Known for its iconic bagels featured in popular TV shows and movies such as “Seinfeld” and “Sex and the City,” H&H Bagels will open its first location outside New York City by the end of summer 2024.
Founded in 1972 on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, H&H Bagels has built a reputation for its unique bagel-making process, which includes using New York City tap water. The Boca Raton location will be the first of several planned expansions in Florida, with additional locations set to open in Tampa and Jacksonville later this year.
Jesse Stein, director of marketing at H&H Bagels, expressed excitement about the new location, stating, “It’s definitely a place that is very near and dear to us. Customers can expect the only authentic New York City bagel outside of New York City.”
H&H Bagels plans to offer a variety of catering options, including classic bagels and spreads, as well as specialty sandwich boxes. The Boca Raton location is expected to provide an authentic taste of New York to the local community.
