Simply Susanne’s open for business

Susanne and Wolfgang Pieken spent Christmas on Longboat Key and left with a fondness for the island, memories — and a new restaurant.

“We were looking to start a new restaurant and fell in love with Longboat Key,” Susanne Pieken said. “We just knew it was the right place.”

Simply Susanne’s, located at 3172 Gulf of Mexico Drive, opened March 24.

The restaurant serves coffee drinks, smoothies, locally sourced bagels, hot dogs, sandwiches and Big Olaf ice cream.

“With the beach so close, we’d love to be a grab-and-go spot,” Susanne Pieken said. “There was a need for it.”

The Piekens are originally from Boulder, Colo. and spent a year in Massachusetts before coming to Longboat Key. Although Susanne Pieken has managed restaurants in the past, this is the first one the couple has owned.

The couple plans to listen to their customers’ needs and adjust the menu as needed.

“We want to be a casual morning and afternoon spot,” Wolfgang Pieken said. “We’re open to suggestions, and we want to try to explore with things to see what people like.”

The restaurant will be at the former, brief location of Fresh & Fresh, which opened in October.

“We liked the location,” Wolfgang Pieken said. “There’s an outdoor space. It fit what we’re looking for.”

The restaurant is open from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. seven days a week.

“I think it’s been well-received,” Susanne Pieken said. “We’re happy about it, and people are happy to see us opening.”