New restaurants coming to South Tamiami Trail shopping center

The Landings Shopping Center on South Tamiami Trail is adding another restaurant.

The Apollonia Mediterranean Grill will be opening a second location, in addition to their property at the University Town Center.

“They do a wonderful job and have been a great tenant,” said Benderson Development’s Director of Leasing Mark Chait. “People have been very favorable about the restaurant.”

The 4,500 square-foot restaurant is the fourth new restaurant announced for the plaza since Benderson Development bought the property in January.

Chait said residents from the surrounding neighborhoods have been looking for more nearby place to eat, leading Benderson to prioritize restaurants as it revitalizes the plaza. Benderson already owns several properties in South Tamiami Trail area including the Pelican Plaza Shopping Center and the property for the proposed Siesta Promenade.

“Obviously it’s in the heart of Sarasota and there’s tremendous demographics,” Chait said. “It’s a market that we’ve always realized we want to be a part of.”

Station 400, a breakfast and lunch eatery, recently opened its doors in the shopping center. DaRuMa, a Japanese restaurant, and ofKors Donuts, a gourmet bakery, are opening soon.

Benderson’s representatives also went before the Sarasota County Development Review Committee in September for county staff to review preliminary plans for a 2,200 square foot restaurant with a drive-thru. Chait declined to comment on what type of restaurant is in the works.

The plaza is anchored by a Publix, and includes a Dollar Tree and a PetSmart. An Olive Garden, a Sweet Tomatoes and two banks stand in the parking lot.