Business Briefs

+ Sunglass Express Optical receives Insignia Award
Sunglass Express Optical, 343 St. Armands Circle, received the Insignia Award for May from the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce. The award, sponsored by Insignia Bank, recognizes quality customer service and commitment to the community.

Founded in 1993, the boutique store offers sunglasses, prescription glasses and eyewear, handbags, wallets and more.

“Customer service is the heart of a small business. All people want is to be heard and understood. Honesty and integrity. That’s all,” said owner Yvonne Schloss in a news release.

+ Food drive continues this month at First Bank
First Bank Longboat Key, 5390 Gulf of Mexico Drive, is collecting nonperishable items for the Food Bank of Manatee County.

Drop off items such as baby food/formula, diapers, peanut butter, tuna, rice, dry beans, canned goods, healthy cereals and 100% fruit juice or monetary donations throughout the month of June to any Manatee County First Bank location. For information, call 383-6847.

+ Harry’s receives TripAdvisor award
Harry’s Continental Kitchens, 525 St. Judes Drive, recently received a 2014 TripAdvisor Award Certificate of Excellence. Certificate of Excellence winners are determined by traveler reviews and ratings.

+ Longboat Massage celebrates grand opening
Longboat Massage celebrated the grand opening of its new location in the Centre Shops of Longboat Key, 5370 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Suite 210, in a May 20 ribbon-cutting ceremony. Owner Liz Yerkes has more than 20 years of massage therapy experience. For information, call 544-5478.

+ Mote community relations VP named to committee
Stacy Alexander, assistant vice president of community relations and communications at Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium, was recently appointed to the communications committee for VISIT FLORIDA, the state’s official tourism agency.

The Communications Committee is comprised of professionals selected from tourism-related organizations throughout Florida. It is the main source of strategic counsel for VISIT FLORIDA’s public relations and corporate communications activities, including media relations and crisis communications.

Alexander joined Mote in 2007 as corporate and donor relations coordinator and was promoted several times before taking on her current role in 2013.