Business briefs

Rosedale unveils new model

Rosedale Golf and Country Club has unveiled its newest model, the Pristine VI, and also announced it will open three more models in the coming year. 

“The Pristine VI is our top-selling home design, and we are very pleased to offer it as a fully furnished model,” said Patrick Hogan, vice president of The Hunt Group and developer of Rosedale. “There is great flexibility with this design, so touring it as a model provides a visual starting point that people can customize to suit their needs.”

The 2,395-square-foot home has an open-concept plan meant for entertaining, while still offering private spaces for work and rest. It features two bedrooms and three bathrooms. 

Linda Mixon, of Linda Mixon Designs, styled the space around a restoration theme.

Microsoft sets opening date

Microsoft today announced April 9 will open its eighth retail store in Florida in a space within The Mall at University Town Center.

The store will open June 11 in a 2,095-square-foot space and will employ about 30 people.

Microsoft stores offer customers an assortment of products, including Windows 8.1 and signature edition PCs, tablets, Windows phones, Xbox One, Microsoft Band, Microsoft Office 365 and more.

Microsoft will open two other locations — one in New Jersey and another in Texas — in June, as well.

Fannie May closes

Fannie May, a chocolates and gifts shop on Lakewood Ranch Main Street, closed its doors Friday.

The shop sold its products at discount that day and posted a sign on the door that said “Going out of business.”

Founders Club hits milestone

The Founders Club, recently named Sarasota’s “best overall community” by the Manatee-Sarasota Building Industry Association, has reached a new milestone: it is 60% built out.

The 700-acre community offers 262 single-family homes.

“Every community has its time, and this is The Founders Club’s year,” said Roland Nairnsey, director of sales for London Bay Homes, which owns the majority of the community’s home sites.

Main Street Trattoria celebrates fifth year 

A local Italian eatery is celebrating its five-year anniversary with a change of flavors.

Main Street Trattoria, on Lakewood Ranch Main Street, is celebrating its fifth year in business with a new menu expressing the restaurant’s old mantra, “Simply, fresh Italian.” 

Owner Gary Fennessy says the new menu is inspired by choices patrons would find on a chalkboard at any classic trattoria in an Italian village.

For example, the restaurant’s signature bruschetta appetizer is not a bruschetta trio — the original tomato and goat cheese bruschetta is now served with mushroom and pistachio plus duck prosciutto with pear bruschetta. 

Another new addition is the pan-seared Atlantic salmon, encrusted with basil breadcrumbs on a plate of root vegetables, kumquats and smoked tomato butter.