Barbecue, seafood restaurants en route to State Street garage

Three more tenants will soon be moving into the ground floor of the State Street parking garage in downtown Sarasota, including two new restaurants.

Brick’s Smoked Meats, a barbecue restaurant that currently operates as a vendor at the Sarasota Farmers Market, will move into the space at 1528 State St. in the first quarter of 2017. Construction is underway on the 4,300-square-foot storefront.

“It’s been an ambition of ours for a while, and we think it’s a great spot,” Brick’s partner Vic Rivera said of the transition to a brick-and-mortar location. “What’s happening downtown is exciting, and we like what’s happening on State Street.”

Two doors down, the restaurant group behind Boca plans to open its second concept in the city. Called Atlantic Beer & Oyster, the restaurant will be more casual than its Lemon Avenue counterpart, according to Be-1 Concepts partner Kevin Enderle.

He said the success of Boca makes it likely Be-1 Concepts will continue to explore opportunities to open restaurants in the city.

“We love Sarasota,” Enderle said. “It’s a great audience — they appreciate what we do.”

Studio G Home, an interior design firm currently located at 1517 State St., will move into a third storefront in the property.

Wayne Ruben, who purchased the ground-floor commercial space in the garage from the city, said he sought tenants that would match the current character of the State Street garage. In 2015, Dimmitt Automotive Group opened the high-end Sarasota Studio used-car showroom.

With more than 150 residential units in development on the street, Ruben was optimistic State Street would establish itself as a vibrant downtown destination.

“We’re trying to keep it upscale, continue that feeling,” Ruben said.

A version of this article appeared in the Dec. 15 edition of the Sarasota Observer.