When staying on the surface just isn’t enough fun, now there are underwater scooters.
BLU3, a subsidiary of Pompano Beach-based Brownie’s Marine Group, announced it is the exclusive distributor of SeaNXT Elite, an all-carbon underwater scooter that the company says “pushes the boundaries of watersports innovation and technology.”
The scooter, shaped like a large football, weighs just 50 pounds, 33% lighter than comparable products, travels up to 13 mph and can descend to a maximum depth of 40 meters, the company said in a news release.
It operates with dual motors and has live GPS navigation, LED running lights for constant visibility, integrated handles for one-handed carry, and can run for 30 to 120 minutes, depending on the chosen speed mode.
BLUE3’s Pompano Beach factory will be an authorized service center for the French-made SeaNXT Elite while another Brownie’s subsidiary, Live Blue, will include rentals of the underwater scooter among its other offerings, the company said.
The retail price is $13,499 and comes with a two-year limited warranty. The company is accepting pre-orders for delivery in February and also plans to offer free trial runs in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea sometime during the month.
Brownie’s Marine Group is a developer, manufacturer and distributor of tankless breathing equipment for divers, high-pressure air rescue tanks and high-pressure air and industrial compressors.
But the SeaNXT Elite is not designed to be used with Brownie’s underwater breathing equipment because the machine is too fast, says Blake Carmichael, CEO of BLU3.
“It’s made to have fun at the surface,” he said. “Because you’re just sitting on it and not expelling energy, you’d be surprised how long you can hold your breath.”
For more information on the SeaNXT Elite, go to sea-nxt-americas.com/shop or call 954-884-5343.
Miami-Dade mall to open family entertainment complex
The start of construction of the long-planned American Dream Miami mega mall might still be up in the air, but that doesn’t mean South Florida families won’t soon have a fun mall destination to check out.
Simon, owner of numerous malls in South Florida and across the country, recently announced plans for a 110,000-square-foot family entertainment center to take over a former Kohl’s store at Florida International Mall in western Miami-Dade County.
The concept, called Elev8 Fun, is scheduled to open early next year at the Doral site, according to a Simon news release.
Elev8 Fun is expected to include an array of options for mom, dad and the kids:
- Over 100 arcade games.
- 12 bowling lanes.
- A go-kart track.
- Interactive mini-golf.
- Laser tag.
- Elev8 Sports, a concept focusing on fun and fitness.
- Full-service restaurant and bar with “wall-to-wall sports viewing.”
- Private and corporate party rooms.
It will be the third Elev8 Fun park developed in Florida by David T Goldfarb, owner of Xtreme Action Park, which occupies 200,000 square feet on Powerline Road in Fort Lauderdale. It features a go-kart track, arcade games, bowling, mini-golf, escape rooms, a speakeasy bar, and more.
The other Elev8 Fun parks are in malls in Tampa and Sanford, near Orlando.
Miami International Mall is located at 1455 NW 104th Ave., east of the Florida Turnpike and north of the Dolphin Expressway.
Like romance novels? This store is for you
Want to get “steamy” while perusing women’s fiction? Steamy Lit Romance Bookstore, scheduled to open on Feb. 24 at 161 NE 2nd Ave., Deerfield Beach, will soon be your go-to space.
Melissa Saavedra founded Steamy Lit as an online marketplace in 2020 and she’s excited to open what she calls the first bookstore of its kind in Florida.
Her aim is to attract readers from across the state with a shared love for the romance genre. The store will hold book signings, panel discussions, book club meetings and more. Authors scheduled to attend the grand opening include Julie Soto, Dylan Newton, Danielle Allen, Susan Lee and Ali Hazelwood.
Saavedra says she’s also passionate about amplifying the work of diverse authors who have been historically underrepresented in publishing.
In a short biography on her website, Saavedra writes, “At Steamy Lit, I want to empower discourse around sexuality and self-love while also providing a new way for authors to have their work showcased. The steamier the book, the better.”
Steamy Lit is also home to The Steam Box, a romance book subscription service offering a selection of “self-care items” and a “sexual wellness item” along with their novel in each box. The store’s website is steamylit.com.
Small-business accelerator program announced
Shipt, a retail technology company, is accepting applications through Feb. 16 for its LadderUp program to help small-store owners close technology gaps and access e-commerce.
Miami and Fort Lauderdale are two of 10 cities from which Shipt is accepting applications. A single store owner will be selected from each city to receive a $5,000 grant that can be invested into their retail operations.
Owners who are selected will also go through an eight-week course to hear from retail industry leaders on driving sustainable growth, building a financial foundation, improving efficiency, developing better marketing and learning e-commerce 101, Shipt said in a news release.
Participants will also have access to course instructors during virtual mentoring office hours.
Applicants must be 18 or older and operate a store in the category of grocery/beverage, floral, gifts, or health/beauty.
Shipt, as its name suggests, is a delivery company that partners with numerous leading retailers, including Costco, CVS, Petco and Target. It is owned by Target Corp.
To apply, go to shipt.com/ladderup.
Assisted-living placement company opens Fort Lauderdale franchise
When it comes time to think about an assisted-living option, elders and their family members are often unsure how to start.
Alex Escobar, a senior care adviser from Plantation, has opened a local franchise of Assisted Living Locators to offer guidance in locating quality assisted-living and in-home care options throughout Fort Lauderdale and surrounding cities, including Cooper City, Plantation, Weston, Davie, and Southwest Ranches.
Escobar’s services revolve around finding safe-care solutions such as home care, independent living, assisted living or memory care. He is available to meet with seniors and their families virtually or in person.
Services are available to clients at no cost and the company offers guidance throughout the decision-making process.
Assisted Living Locators offers an easy online assessment tool to provide quick insight into appropriate senior housing, tours of qualified options, status updates on visitation and acceptance of move-ins, home-care support through a network of regional home-care agencies, and access to resources such as eldercare attorneys, skilled home health services, moving companies and hospice.
Founded in 2003, the company oversees more than 150 franchisees in 39 states and the District of Columbia. It’s part of Evive Brands.
For more information, visit assistedlivinglocators.com/fort-lauderdale or call Escobar at 754-600-3390.
Ron Hurtibise covers business and consumer issues for the South Florida Sun Sentinel. Send him your retail news at rhurtibise@sun-sentinel.com. Make sure to type Retail Roundup in the subject line of your email.