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East County | Business

  • By Madison Bierl
  • April 26, 2026
Tim Hortons blazes a Florida path with Manatee County restaurant

Tim Hortons, a Canadian breakfast chain, wants customers both familiar and unfamiliar with the brand to walk away with a smile.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
  • By Elizabeth King
  • April 11, 2026
  •  For Subscribers
Ikea to open at UTC in Sarasota

The store will span 48,000 square feet off Cattlemen Road.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
  • By Madison Bierl
  • April 6, 2026
Blu Kouzina adds its Greek flavor at University Town Center

With a focus on fresh ingredients and making customers feel at home, Blu Kouzina hopes to win over East County patrons.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
  • By Madison Bierl
  • March 31, 2026
Dirty Sara-Soda hopes to clean up with a new beverage

The "dirty soda" mobile business is owned by Lakewood Ranch's Amber Hanratty, who saw an opening in the market.

  • East County
  • Business
  • By Madison Bierl
  • March 30, 2026
Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance takes a swing at networking

The Ranch Scramble draws 140 golfers and 40 businesses to Lakewood Ranch Golf and Country Club.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
  • By Mark Gordon
  • March 25, 2026
  •  For Subscribers
Saks changes its mind: UTC store will remain open

The parent company, going through bankruptcy, says it has renegotiated its lease terms at The Mall at University Town Center in Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
  • By Lesley Dwyer
  • March 17, 2026
Entertainment district expands in Lakewood Ranch

Several entertainment options are under construction on the Sarasota County side of Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • News
  • By Ian Swaby
  • March 11, 2026
Walls go up as Sarasota's first climbing gym nears opening

Formerly known as Project 24 Climbing, Hexrock Climbing is set to open at the beginning of April.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
  • By Madison Bierl
  • March 10, 2026
Lakewood Ranch small business carves out good vibes

Humu's Island Treasures sells carved and painted art pieces via social media and art shows.

  • East County
  • Business
  • By Mark Gordon
  • March 7, 2026
Bankrupt Saks Fifth Avenue to close Sarasota-UTC store

A Saks has been in the Sarasota-Manatee market for at least three decades.

  • Sarasota
  • News
  • By Madison Bierl
  • March 3, 2026
CoworkLWR moves to a new, larger Lakewood Ranch location

Keith Pandeloglou's business had spent the past 10 years on Lakewood Main Street.

  • East County
  • Business
  • By Lesley Dwyer
  • February 24, 2026
Lakewood Ranch's Waterside Place gains a Kiddie Academy

Kiddie Academy of Sarasota opens its child care and preschool business March 2.

  • East County
  • Business
  • By Marty Fugate
  • February 18, 2026
Lucky Pelican's general manager shares how he keeps the restaurant flying high

What makes the Lucky Pelican Bistro so good? No bad days. And the lobster roll, of course.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
  • By Jay Heater
  • January 27, 2026
Sirius Day Spa opens new location in Lakewood Ranch entertainment hub

Owner Karen Medford says it has been a dream for her to own a spa at Waterside Place.

  • East County
  • Business
  • By Lesley Dwyer
  • January 27, 2026
Baking hobby turns into a hot business for Manatee County couple

Baking racks and equipment have taken over this Heritage Harbour household over the past year.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
  • By Madison Bierl
  • January 20, 2026
Dance fitness studio opens new Lakewood Ranch location

The business offers a variety of dance and fitness classes while aiming to be a judgement-free space.

  • East County
  • Business
  • By Elizabeth King
  • January 17, 2026
  •  For Subscribers
Bradenton Area EDC names interim CEO

The appointment of an interim CEO — Fawley Bryant Architecture COO and Partner Amanda Parrish — comes after the former leader of the organization retired.

  • East County
  • Business
  • By Madison Bierl
  • January 13, 2026
New German bakery, coffeehouse rises at University Town Center

Mama G's opened its doors of a new Sarasota-Bradenton location on Dec. 15 under the leadership of two 26-year-old managing partners.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
  • By Madison Bierl
  • December 8, 2025
Love of cows adds spice to Lakewood Ranch business

Moo-Jitsu is a new spice company that brands itself through a love of cows and jiu jitsu.

  • East County
  • Business
  • By Lesley Dwyer
  • December 3, 2025
Big Top to open expanded brew house at Sarasota's Fruitville Commons

An upgraded brewing system will more than triple Big Top's beer production.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
»
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