New Starbucks slated for the North Trail

North Tamiami Trail could be on the road to its first Starbucks, as the city of Sarasota is reviewing plans for the popular coffee shop to replace the former site of El Pescador.

Representatives of Casto Southeast Realty Services will go before the city’s Development Review Committee next week for a pre-application session to consider plans for a 2,250-square-foot Starbucks, which includes a patio area and drive-thru at 1603 N. Tamiami Trail. 

"I think it’s a great location for them” said Ann Casadio. “There’s so much traffic on the North Trail, I think it will do great."

Castro is under contract to buy the property from Ann and Joseph Casadio, who also own 15 South on St. Armands Circle. The couple closed El Pescador, which specialized in Mediterranean food, last summer. 

City staff have determined the Starbucks will generate more peak-hour vehicle trips, which will require Casto to pay for a traffic study, according to a March 19 memo from Assistant City Engineer Daniel Ohrenstein.

"I think it’s a great location for them” said Ann Casadio. “There’s so much traffic on the North Trail; I think it will do great."