Summer snapshot on St. Armands Circle

The Circle falls into an easy-going summertime pace in August, when visitors and residents take their time exploring the restaurants and shops in the area.

Olivia Swanson dishes up a scoop of passionfruit gelato on her last day at Settimi's Gelato before she heads off to college for a new school year.
Olivia Swanson dishes up a scoop of passionfruit gelato on her last day at Settimi's Gelato before she heads off to college for a new school year.
Photo by Dana Kampa
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Summer on St. Armands Circle does look a bit different from previous years as multiple shops remain closed from damage caused by last year's storms. 

But certain aspects have remained the same — most vitally, the welcoming atmosphere the gift shops, boutiques, restaurants, watering holes and other businesses exude while visitors mill among them.

On a summer's day in August, families can be found exploring the centrally located park while snacking on ice cream — a welcome relief from the heat. Tourists snap photos of the iconic marble statues dotted around the Circle. Friends catch up over lunch on outdoor patios when summer's frequent showers bring down the temps.

Even as the community works to rebuild, it has moments to celebrate. 

Businesses on the Circle have been working to help one another through the last months of the low season, collaborating to host monthly "Circle the Date" deals and specials. The next takes place on Aug. 21, when participating shops will mark their doors with colorful balloons.

Owners highly anticipate the peak season boost to come as they continue building back stronger.

Emma Garza, Junny Nunez-Garza, Justin Farrell, Karina Farrell and Sophia Farrell enjoy a family day out on St. Armands Circle.
Photo by Dana Kampa


Jacquie Silvernail and Jana Sherpan share lunch on an uncharacteristically cool August Sunday outside Cha Cha Coconuts.
Photo by Dana Kampa


Austin Knuth lets customers fight August fire with fire as he doles out samples of zingy hot sauces at the Pepper Palace.
Photo by Dana Kampa


Le Colonne Restaurant, rebranding as Nōnnō Umbertō Italian Seafood & Steakhouse, has begun construction for the reopening.
Photo by Dana Kampa


Mother-son duo Sandra and Matthew Heisler welcome diners to Venezia Italian Restaurant one evening on St. Armands Circle.
Photo by Dana Kampa


Meckenzie and Makayla DePasquale, who have regularly visited Longboat Key from Ohio for years, took in an afternoon on the Circle.
Photo by Dana Kampa


Longboaters await updates on the Starbucks on St. Armands Circle, which closed after Hurricane Helene hit the area.
Photo by Dana Kampa


author

Dana Kampa

Dana Kampa is the Longboat Key neighbors reporter for the Observer. She first ventured into journalism in her home state of Wisconsin, going on to report community stories everywhere from the snowy mountains of Washington State to the sunny shores of the Caribbean. She has been a writer and photographer for more than a decade, covering what matters most to readers.

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