High-end espresso and wine shop coming to St. Armands Circle

The founders of Le Shop said their new business won't feel simply like a coffee shop that serves wine, nor a wine bar that happens to sling coffee. They aim to create a high-end shop that offers a little something special on St. Armands Circle.

Le Shop is slated to open before the end of the year, and co-owners Sydney and Taylor Nichols are excited to start serving their clientele.

"We really want to be a local gem," Sydney said. "We want people, whether local or visiting, to feel like this is an amazing element of such a beautiful community."

Le Shop is located at 28B South Boulevard of the Presidents, heading toward Lido Beach.

The Nichols have spent the last two years realizing their vision for a boutique on the Circle that features a handmade espresso machine crafted in Florence, Italy, and a selection of more than 100 wine varieties.

Sydney said the aesthetic will be akin to a chic Parisian apartment, with a color palette that incorporates pops of pink, navy blue and burgundy.

Out front, guests can grab a seat on the sunshine-facing banquette seating or sidle up to the marble-topped espresso bar for a hot or cold beverage.

Taylor said the store will offer more than espresso though, providing quality cold brew, drip coffee, matcha and other beverages. They are collaborating with South Carolina-based roaster Methodical Coffee.

"We have three different beans at our house right now that we're testing," Sydney said of their espresso selection.

Taylor added, "We have a great cold brew we've narrowed it down to, a Colombian bean. It's a dark roast that will work well because we're making our cold brew fresh, not just turning over coffee we didn't sell. The taste will be much more caramely and chocolatey."

Photo by Dana Kampa

Looking to the future, they hope to craft their own custom bean blend.

He said their La Marzocco KB90 espresso machine with automated grinder should keep the cappuccinos flowing, both creating a consistent standard of excellence and freeing up baristas to meaningfully engage with patrons.

"We're not just focused on being a cutting-edge coffee shop," he said. "We want the coffee to be delicious and our shop to be welcoming and community-oriented, and this higher-end equipment allows us to do both."

Beyond the coffee bar, customers can peruse the wine racks for something to go, or take a seat at a table to enjoy a glass and perhaps some charcuterie or other light bites. The location will also offer a selection of beers.

The Nichols envision a hidden gem for Longboat Key, Sarasota and beyond. They hope it will become a hub where customers can either stock up on provisions for a beachside picnic, converse over a cup of coffee, or partake in offerings from a rotating cast of chefs and sommeliers.

"Not only will it save you a trip across the bridge," Sydney said. "We'll also have offerings you can't find anywhere else here."

Even kids will have something to look forward to at the candy cart, largely featuring Swedish treats that have been exploding in popularity worldwide.

They expect to open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., shifting focus throughout the course of the day from pastries and coffee to snacks and wine. 

Taylor said they have given consideration to every detail, particularly to the audio system. They hired the same experts that designed the system for the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall.

This is the Nichols' first venture into opening their own store, but they said family members and friends have offered helpful advice at every turn, from Sydney's mother's insights into interior decoration to Taylor's cousin's knowledge of operating a winery.

"Le Shop" is inspired by the pair's worldwide travels, which they'll showcase through small-vineyard wine varietals from Italy, France and Spain. Taylor said they'll also feature some special options from California.

While Taylor and Sydney are excited to share their carefully curated selection of treats with visitors, they said they're even more eager to get involved in the community, offering warm hospitality to those who come through the doors.

They look forward to celebrating years of hard work at the grand opening, ideally in late summer or early fall, but Sydney said they also can't wait to start getting to know their regulars.

Sydney said they will keep the public updated on the opening through their website at LeShopFL.com and social media.