Coffee cart brews up downtown food truck expansion proposal

A local business and a mobile beverage vendor teamed up to press for the expansion of food truck use into the Downtown Bayfront zone district.

The Patio coffee cart once operated in the parking lot at Swim City on North Tamiami Boulevard.
Alisa Mitchell helped guide the organization to record-breaking successes in fundraising with its sell-out annual author luncheon, the group said in a release, adding that she played a significant role in growing the donor base and more.
  • July 13, 2026
Executive director to leave Library Foundation
Kelly Shrout (left) and Melanie Dale weed at Bicentennial Park Friday, July 10 in the morning before the heat index reached triple digits.
  • July 13, 2026
Bicentennial Park hurricane repair nearly complete
Boston's JJ Maguire, 4, Ariel Maguire, 6, and their mom, Kasha Grabowski, wear funky hats while enjoying treats from Jeremiah's Italian Ice at the Farmers' Market at Lakewood Ranch.
  • July 13, 2026
Despite the heat, the Farmers' Market at Lakewood Ranch is still the place to be
Poppy Otte paddles through the water while Mote Education Specialist Morgan Swartz helps.
  • July 12, 2026
Campers make a splash with Mote Marine Laboratory

Arts + Culture

Fogartyville has installed a new bar.
  • July 13, 2026
Fogartyville gets a face-lift
Keren Shani-Lifrak is stepping down as executive director of Artist Series Concerts.
  • July 13, 2026
Artist Series Concerts executive director is stepping down
Kelsey Stalter teaches Katharine McLeod how to live in the moment in Florida Studio Theatre's "Dog Mom."
  • July 8, 2026
Florida Studio Theatre embraces summer's dog days with a rolling world premiere
Beth Arthur poses with her granddaughter Sandy Arthur in front of two paintings acquired by Arts Advocates Gallery, "Bryce Canyon" (left) and "Sky Dreams."
  • July 6, 2026
Sarasota Art Colony artist refuses to be forgotten
Boston's JJ Maguire, 4, Ariel Maguire, 6, and their mom, Kasha Grabowski, wear funky hats while enjoying treats from Jeremiah's Italian Ice at the Farmers' Market at Lakewood Ranch.
  • July 13, 2026
Despite the heat, the Farmers' Market at Lakewood Ranch is still the place to be
Poppy Otte paddles through the water while Mote Education Specialist Morgan Swartz helps.
  • July 12, 2026
Campers make a splash with Mote Marine Laboratory
Alex Walker, 6, and Max Walker, 8, work on paintings at the America250 Celebration at Selby Library.
  • July 11, 2026
America250 Celebration at Selby Library showcases local, national history
Lakewood Ranch's Harper Fraser, 7, Jack Fraser, 5, and their mom, Melissa Fraser, test out the Royally Cosmic photo booth at the Star-Spangled Spectacular at Waterside Place.
  • July 5, 2026
Star-Spangled Spectacular lights up Lakewood Ranch
Sam and Ileana Galati bring some starfish and star-spangled attire.
  • July 5, 2026
All-American Cookout dazzles with bubbles and food
Eric Ribeiro and his son, Luke Ribeiro, 17; watch the fireworks from the VIP and sponsors area.
  • July 5, 2026
Siesta Key Fourth of July Fireworks celebrates local and national milestones
Frankie Del Rosario of The ProMedia Group, which assisted with the projectors for the display, shows that he's "awesome" at setting off the fireworks.
  • July 4, 2026
Fireworks go virtual in interactive art display at Spirit of '76 block party
Lucy Clark and Carlin and Ellie Mackintosh, granddaughters of Longboat Key artist May Lou Johnson, help release the first of 250 butterflies at Freedom Fest. The Fourth of July festivities also included a parade, canine costume contest, rededication of Bicentennial Park and family activities.
  • July 4, 2026
Longboat Key pulls all the stops for special Freedom Fest
The Pops Orchestra of Sarasota and Bradenton performs on the second stage.
  • July 4, 2026
Nathan Benderson Park goes big for Fireworks on the Lake
Emersyn Baker, 3, woke up Thursday morning eager to ride in the bike parade at the Kiddie Academy.
  • July 3, 2026
Kiddie Academy of Lakewood Ranch kicks off Independence Day weekend
Gregg Vesta became the round one winner at the introduction of "singo" on June 29 at The Paradise Center. The game is a musical twist on bingo, prompting players to listen to a song snippet and mark its title on the card. The evening was a fundraiser to support the center's summer programs.
  • July 1, 2026
A musical twist on classic bingo draws praise from Longboaters
Liam Schreiner reviews the selection of house-made sweets available at the newly opened Chocolate Emporium on St. Armands Circle. Branching from the original location on Anna Maria Island, the second shop held a soft opening this week.
  • June 30, 2026
Local artisanal chocolate shop brings sweet treats to St. Armands
Gary St. Clair, his wife Elizabeth St. Clair, granddaughter Avianna Pereira, 7, daughter Allison Pereira, and granddaughters Adley Pereira, 5, and Amelia Pereira, 6, enjoy Sarasota Key Quest Fest.
  • June 29, 2026
Sarasota Key Quest Fest aims to provide the keys to well-being
Tanjee Lane, Tyler Marion, Ning Tinsley, Jessica Johnston and Nickie Hartsock of SPARCC were an event finalist.
  • June 28, 2026
Sarasota Business Awards honor innovation, entrepreneurship and the American spirit
Freya from Low Rider Dachshund rescue soaked up the summer rays at Hamlet's and The Bazaar's annual Hot Dog Day event.
  • June 28, 2026
Hot Dog Day brings pups to downtown Sarasota
Kristin Hokanson, co-owner of Fiorelli Winery and mom of Jackson and Madison, says the Red, White and Blueberry Celebration is bigger and better every year and is great way to come together as a community.
  • June 27, 2026
Fiorelli Winery hosts foot-stomping music
Kelera Turaga, a dancer with GRAE Productions, performs at sunset for The Ritz-Carlton's reopening celebrations for the Lido Key Tiki Bar on June 20. After a year-and-a-half rebuilding process, the beachside bar is now open to the public.
  • June 27, 2026
Lido Key residents and visitors rejoice a Tiki bar's return
Ellen Waugneux, Heather Rippy and Stephanie Troxler at the first Summer Night Out of the summer season.
  • June 26, 2026
Longboaters meet to sip and shop during summertime event
Sisterhood for Good's Glo Reber presents Harbor58's Ari Gibbons and Annie Wilson a grant for $7,500 to go towards a mentoring program for foster kids.
  • June 26, 2026
Another monster year for Sisterhood for Good, which awards 29 grants worth $150,095
Commodore Saul Landesberg assumed his new leadership role with the Bird Key Yacht Club at the passing of the gavel on June 20 at Art Ovation Hotel.
  • June 25, 2026
Bird Key Yacht Club leadership looks forward to clubhouse completion
Shanty Mann, Kaitlyn Presha, 11, Tyanna Mann, 8 and Tyrone Mann attended the event to support its organizer and Tyrone Mann's cousin Gwendalyn Fleetwood.
  • June 23, 2026
Newtown celebrates Juneteenth holiday
Sienna Linn, a rising first grader at Lakewood Ranch Preparatory Academy, says she has no pets at home but has had a blast with her dog, Mia, at the Little Vet School camp.
  • June 20, 2026
Little Vet School teaches skills at The Out-of-Door Academy's summer camp
Eadon Foster, a rising fourth grader at Gilbert W. McNeal Elementary, and Zion Stenzler, a rising fifth grader at Rowlett Elementary Academy, each use microscopes to look at a goldfish scale, dandelion fuzz, pollen, and more.
  • June 19, 2026
Mad Scientist Adventures Camp presents students with scientific challenges