Family & Money
Fresh Market Opens on Treasure Coast, Boosting Local Food Options
The new store offers specialty and locally sourced products, providing Treasure Coast families an alternative to national chains amid rising grocery costs.
Carlos Reyes
Business & Real Estate Reporter
Covers: business, real_estate, economy, family_money
Carlos Reyes covers the Treasure Coast economy with a focus on real estate, development, and the financial pressures facing working families. He grew up in Port St. Lucie and watched the 2008 foreclosure crisis hollow out his neighborhood — that formative experience drives his commitment to economic reporting that connects macro trends to local lives. He has a nose for public records and a talent for making financial data readable.
“Grounded and data-driven. Makes complex financial topics accessible without dumbing them down. ”
Stories by Carlos Reyes
Family & Money
Rising Costs Force Treasure Coast Families to Flee Florida Boomtowns
Skyrocketing housing prices and insurance bills in Port St. Lucie and Stuart drive population declines, signaling an end to the state's rapid growth wave.
Family & Money
Aldi Targets Martin County for Fourth Store in Florida Expansion
The discount grocer's move offers relief to Treasure Coast families grappling with grocery bills that have surged since 2021 amid population growth.
Family & Money
Bitcoin Bull Claims $75,577 Floor Based on Corporate Buy, Alerting Treasure Coast Traders
Samson Mow cites Strategy Inc.'s SEC filing to predict a permanent Bitcoin baseline, but local advisers warn Treasure Coast investors against rash moves amid market volatility.
Family & Money
Treasure Coast Renters Reel as Florida's Cheapest City Ranks Among US Worst
Port St. Lucie's average rents have surged since 2020, fueled by South Florida influx and workforce housing shortages squeezing local families.
Family & Money
Skyborne Debuts Operations Control Center at Vero Beach Airport
The British-founded pilot training academy expands its Indian River County presence with a new hub coordinating flight operations in Florida's bustling general aviation market.
Family & Money
Treasure Coast Gas Prices Drop Below $4 as Oil Markets Ease
Port St. Lucie families enjoy relief at the pump from falling crude prices tied to a Strait of Hormuz ceasefire, but analysts warn the break may be short-lived.
Family & Money
Pelican Island Marks 122 Years as Nation's First Wildlife Refuge Near Vero Beach
President Theodore Roosevelt established the Indian River County sanctuary in 1903 to protect pelicans from plume hunters, igniting the US conservation movement.
Family & Money
HUD Secretary Turner Spotlights Opportunity Zones in Port St. Lucie Visit
Turner's Florida trip highlights federal tax incentives aimed at boosting housing and economic growth in St. Lucie County, where new homes start at $358,900.
Family & Money
Bitcoin Hits $74K on Japan Rate Signals, But Treasure Coast Feels No Impact
Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda's hints at steady rates sparked a global crypto rally, yet no verified ties connect it to local investors or markets in Martin, St. Lucie and Indian River counties.
Family & Money
Pierced Public Market Opens Restaurant, Speakeasy in Historic Fort Pierce Bank
The downtown Fort Pierce staple expands with lunch service and a bar hidden behind original vault doors, boosting the city's revitalizing urban core.
Family & Money
Port St. Lucie Cracks Top 20 U.S. Cities for Remote Workers
The ranking boosts the city's draw for relocating professionals as new homes in St. Lucie County start at $35,900 amid a booming market.
Family & Money
Vero Beach Showcases Vintage Cars at Train Station for July 4th Parade
Dozens of vehicles from the 1920s to 1970s will line up in a static display by the Indian River Antique Automobile Club, kicking off the city's Pioneers to Paradise event for America's 250th anniversary.
Family & Money
Martin County Riverfront Home Fetches $8.9M on Hutchinson Island
The standout sale highlights strong luxury demand on the Treasure Coast from South Florida buyers as the county plans a $13 million beach nourishment project nearby
Family & Money
Record Stores Fuel Vinyl Revival on Treasure Coast
Independent shops in Vero Beach, Port St. Lucie and Stuart thrive with tactile alternatives to streaming as U.S. vinyl sales grow for 18 straight years.
Family & Money
Florida City Hits Top 20 in Remote Work Ranking, Reshaping Treasure Coast
Local real estate agents report the trend is driving shifts in home searches and office demands from Stuart to Vero Beach, despite unverified ranking details.
Family & Money
New Car Prices Hit $50K, Crushing Treasure Coast Families' Budgets
As costs surge 30% in six years with monthly payments averaging $775, buyers in Port St. Lucie and Fort Pierce see affordable options vanish from lots.
Family & Money
Taylor Morrison Set to Build Two New Communities in Port St. Lucie
The national homebuilder's expansion underscores confidence in St. Lucie County's housing market amid growing affordability concerns for Treasure Coast buyers.
Family & Money
USDA Lifts Florida Citrus Forecast 2%, but Treasure Coast Growers Grapple With Historic Lows
Revised estimates project 12.2 million boxes of oranges for the 2025-2026 season, offering modest relief to Martin, St. Lucie and Indian River county farmers amid a quarter-century industry decline.
Family & Money
Lowe's Opens 124K-Sq-Ft Tradition Store in June, Hiring for 100+ Jobs
The second Port St. Lucie location at 13845 SW Village Parkway targets surging demand from families moving into the fast-growing corridor.
Family & Money
Maggie McFly's Targets Late April 2026 Opening in Port St. Lucie
The Connecticut chain's second Florida location at 662 S.E. Becker Rd. in Veranda Falls will offer over 150 scratch-made dishes sourced from local purveyors.
Family & Money
High Mortgage Denials Squeeze Treasure Coast Homebuyers
Florida's ranking among the nation's toughest states for loan approvals cuts off affordable homeownership paths amid surging prices in Martin, St. Lucie and Indian River counties.
Family & Money
Treasure Coast Riverfront Home Sells for $8.9M in Priciest Deals
The luxury sale highlights strong demand among high-end buyers despite rising insurance costs and mortgage rates pricing out middle-income residents in Martin, St. Lucie and Indian River counties.
Family & Money
1715 Hurricane Wrecks Spanish Fleet, Scatters Treasure on Treasure Coast Beaches
Eleven ships carrying $400 million in gold and silver sank off Vero Beach, with riches still emerging along Martin, St. Lucie and Indian River county shores today.
Family & Money
Cuban-Backed Rideshare Targets South Florida, Sidelines Treasure Coast
The group rideshare company expands to the region but leaves Martin, St. Lucie and Indian River counties without confirmed service amid persistent transportation gaps.
Family & Money
Iran Tensions Spike Gas Prices, Squeeze Treasure Coast Family Budgets
UCF economist Sean Snaith warns that rising fuel costs from the Iran conflict hit local households just as they recover from recent inflation.
Family & Money
Pelican Island Hits 120 Years as Nation's First Wildlife Refuge
President Theodore Roosevelt established the Indian River County site in 1903 to protect brown pelicans from plume hunters, preserving 5,400 acres now open to visitors year-round.
Family & Money
Treasure Coast Easter Brunches Book Up Fast; Reserve Now
Waterfront spots from Vero Beach to Stuart fill weeks in advance for April 5, 2026, holiday meals, with TC Sentinel updating confirmed menus and prices as available.
Family & Money
Rising Rent Shuts Down Mulligan's Jensen Beach After 23 Years
The waterfront restaurant in Martin County served its last meals on Easter Sunday, with staff offered transfers to Vero Beach and Sebastian spots.
Family & Money
Treasure Coast Gets License-Free Freshwater Fishing This Easter Weekend
Florida waives fees Saturday and Sunday, letting local anglers and visitors fish without the usual $17 resident or $47 non-resident licenses, though size and bag limits apply.
Family & Money
Unverified Report Claims Treasure Coast Seafood Spot Halts June Reservations
TC Sentinel could not confirm the restaurant's name, location or reason behind the booking freeze cited in a public notice.
Family & Money
Port St. Lucie Leads Florida in Growth, Rentals and Inbound Moves
New homes in St. Lucie County start at $238,990, luring families from pricier Miami-Dade and Broward with a median price of $375,000.
Family & Money
Treasure Coast Families Drive Record $24.9B Easter Spending Boom
Local shoppers join 80% of Americans celebrating with candy, food and gifts topping budgets, surpassing last year's $24 billion mark amid economic uncertainty.
Family & Money
Treasure Coast Absent in Unverified Florida Rankings on Anxiety, Rentals, Spending
TC Sentinel could not confirm local city inclusion or data accuracy in national reports before deadline, despite claims of scoring Florida areas.
Family & Money
Port St. Lucie Leads Florida in Population Growth and Rental Surge
New rankings spotlight the city's inbound moves and apartment demand, but Treasure Coast families grapple with escalating housing costs.
Family & Money
Dream Finders Unveils 1,000-Home 55+ Community in Port St. Lucie
Set to open in spring 2027, Reverie at Solaeris offers homes from 1,475 to over 3,000 square feet, a 16,000-square-foot clubhouse and resort amenities inside the Solaeris master-planned development.
Family & Money
Taylor Morrison Set to Build 1,750 Homes in Port St. Lucie's Solaeris
The national builder's plan includes an age-restricted and a family community in the western master-planned development, marking one of St. Lucie County's biggest recent housing investments amid South Florida migration.
Family & Money
Dream Finders Homes Announces Reverie at Solaeris 55+ Community in Port St. Lucie
The Jacksonville-based builder's project joins a surge of active adult developments meeting rising demand from older newcomers to the Treasure Coast.
Family & Money
Developers Eye 1,000-Home 55+ Community in Port St. Lucie for 2027 Debut
The massive age-restricted project aims to meet booming demand from retiring baby boomers flocking to St. Lucie County's Treasure Coast.
Family & Money
Jones' Pier Center Showcases Treasure Coast's Fishing Heritage
The interpretive site draws visitors to explore the Indian River Lagoon's history in Martin, St. Lucie and Indian River counties through exhibits and programs.
Family & Money
Developers Eye 1,000-Home 55+ Community in Port St. Lucie for 2027 Debut
The massive age-restricted project would stand as one of St. Lucie County's largest single-phase residential developments in recent years, adding significant housing for older residents.
Family & Money
Stuart's Weedoo Greenboat Snags Silver in Florida Manufacturing Awards
The Martin County aquatic vessel maker beat out over 100 nominees statewide to earn the Sterling Council's Silver Award for outstanding performance.
Family & Money
Investors Slash Orlando, Miami Home Buys, Opening Doors for Treasure Coast Buyers
Institutional purchases fell 18% in Orlando and 14% in Miami during Q3 2025, potentially shifting capital to Martin, St. Lucie and Indian River counties in 2026.
Family & Money
Treasure Coast Shoppers Push for Trader Joe's as Winn-Dixie Stores Close
Residents in Martin, St. Lucie and Indian River counties rally for the specialty grocer to fill gaps left by Southeastern Grocers' announced Florida closures.
Family & Money
St. Lucie Mets Host Organ Donor Night April 11 at Port St. Lucie's Clover Park
Partnering with Legacy Donor Services Foundation, the team honors donor families with a pregame ceremony and auctions jerseys to fund scholarships for donors' children.
Family & Money
Wealthy Buyers Boost Vero Beach Values, Echo Elite East Coast Spots
Rising property prices and shifting demographics in Indian River County position the coastal city as a serene upscale rival to bustling South Florida resorts.
Family & Money
Florida Prepaid Enrollment Opens With $29 Monthly Payments for Treasure Coast Families
St. Lucie County families can lock in future college tuition at current rates through flexible one-year plans during the annual savings window.
Family & Money
Fort Pierce Central Students Launch Spring Break with Jaycee Park Cleanup
National Honor Society and Key Club volunteers honored late teacher Kimberly Pearson in the 7th annual beach clean-up on March 14, removing debris from the local shoreline.
Family & Money
St. Lucie Students Raise $14K for Treasure Coast Food Bank at Empty Bowls Event
Artists from six high schools sold handcrafted ceramic bowls and simple meals at the March 14 farmers market to combat regional hunger.
Family & Money
Treasure Coast Boasts 5 Must-Visit Specialty Museums for International Museum Day
Locals in Martin, St. Lucie and Indian River counties can explore maritime heritage in Fort Pierce and natural history in Vero Beach at these cultural gems open year-round.
