News Briefs

+ Luxury cinema to debut at Westfield Southgate mall
The ongoing renovation of Westfield Southgate has secured its latest tenant: Cobb Theatres, which will open a seven-screen CinéBistro complex at the mall next year.

The 35,000-square-foot CinéBistro, according to a release, has oversized, reclining leather chairs and in-theater, full-service dining from an American bistro-style menu. CinéBistro will also have a bar, dining lounge and patio that will be open to moviegoers and any other guests. The movies will be first-run films and independent films.

“Cobb Theatres has a long tradition of innovation and commitment to the guest experience and takes pride in providing our guests with the most convenient and sophisticated forms of entertainment,” Cobb Theatres COO Jeremy Welman says in the statement.

+ Sheriff’s Office operation arrests 20 contractors
Sarasota County Building Official Greg Yantorno has been fighting unlicensed contracting since 2009. Last week, his department helped the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office conduct a sting that busted 20 alleged perpetrators.

Deputies arrested 20 men for a variety of charges related to operating a construction business without a license, including workers’ compensation and insurance violations. The county, the Sheriff’s Office, the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulations and the Florida Department of Financial Services Division of Insurance Fraud worked together to contact and lure suspects to a decoy home from Nov. 13 to Nov. 15 as part of Operation Freelance.

Charges included 15 felonies and 36 misdemeanors.

+ Salvage showroom adds to Sarasota design district
Sarasota Architectural Salvage will christen the former site of the Ice House exhibition space at the intersection of 10th Street and Central Avenue with new signage this week. With a grand opening planned for Dec. 11, the new warehouse plants the retailer within the burgeoning Sarasota Design District.

“It’s an awesome location, and we’re really hoping to bring our heart and soul, and our longevity to it,” said Sarasota Architectural Salvage owner Jesse White.

White said he’s essentially splitting the business and using SAS Mercantile as a showroom for more finished, upscale products, as opposed to the architectural elements and raw materials at the other building. And, with more furniture, the warehouse will fit in with the Design District — White is hosting a mixer for businesses within the district Thursday.

“I hope by reaching out to our distant client base we can bring in a whole new clientele to the neighborhood and the district,” White said.

+ Corrections
The author of the book review of “The Paying Guests,” by Sarah Waters, published in the Nov. 6 Diversions, was incorrectly credited. Jennifer McPheeters wrote the review.
A Nov. 13 article misidentified Commissioner Suzanne Atwell.

Meetings & agendas
Downtown Improvement District Board Meeting — 9 a.m. Nov. 25, at SRQ Media Studio, 1565 First St.