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Business

The wall and door at Café L'Europe shows the high water mark of the Hurricane Helene storm surge on St. Armands Circle.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • October 22, 2024
Longboat businesses plan to move forward in wake of hurricanes

Businesses recount on how they were affected by hurricanes Helene and Milton and wonder how the high season on Longboat will look like.

  • Longboat Key
  • Business
Back row: Alexander Telfair, Angie Weaver, Mindy Ward, James Reed and Jessica Kowaliski Front row: Amy Steinhauser, Debby Debile, Sarah Lilly and Sara Carson
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • October 21, 2024
The Paradise Center offers help to Reed Medical Group

After being affected by the hurricane season, the two organizations banded together to become the hub of health and wellness on Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Business
Bruno Wu serves hamburgers.
    By
  • Ian Swaby, Petra Rivera, Emily Walsh
  • October 17, 2024
Businesses step up to offer meals to those in need

Amid the power outages and aftermath of Hurricane Milton, free hamburgers and hot dogs were on offer.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
A worker helps repair the thatch roof of Captain Curt's Crab & Oyster Bar.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • October 16, 2024
Some Siesta Key restaurants reopen after Hurricane Milton

Amid the impacts of two successive hurricanes, a glimmer of business activity is emerging on Siesta Key.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Whitney Plaza business owner recounts his Hurricane Helene experience
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • October 7, 2024
Whitney Plaza business owner recounts his Hurricane Helene experience

After staying open during the hurricane, Gary Hagen of Donuts By Design got stuck in his shop with a dead phone and car.

  • Longboat Key
  • Business
The Tommy Bahama Marlin Bar will open in the Center Point plaza off of University Parkway on Oct. 9.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • October 5, 2024
Tommy Bahama Marlin Bar set to open in Lakewood Ranch

The bar will open on Oct. 9 in the Center Point plaza off University Parkway.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Brick veneer and metal touches are characteristic of Whataburger restaurants.
    By
  • Elizabeth King
  • September 27, 2024
Popular Texas burger chain Whataburger seeks approval for Sarasota debut

Developers are proposing putting a Whataburger on the former Café Baci location on U.S. 41 in Sarasota.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
The exterior mural at Guppy's Longboat Key was commissioned by local duo Foxxy Fine Art.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • September 24, 2024
Philly-based restaurant Guppy’s Good Times to open on Longboat

Owner Robin Gupta hopes the restaurant can bring a neighborhood sports bar feel to the island.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Jordan Sebastiano of Servpro tosses a football.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • September 20, 2024
East and west are on the same team at tailgate business expo

The Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance returned to last year's tailgate theme as it hosted its annual expo.

  • East County
  • Business
Visit Sarasota County names three board members
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 19, 2024
Visit Sarasota County names three board members

Stacey Corley, Jason Samson and Heather Van Wie join the VSC board for two-year terms.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
Tom Edwards is the first executive director of SRQ Strong.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 18, 2024
SRQ Strong names first executive director

Sarasota County School Board Member Tom Edwards will guide the nonprofit's transformation into a professional organization.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
Customers can enjoy the poke bowls atop tables made from the colorful skimboards at Zap Skimboards in Venice.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • September 16, 2024
Siesta Pokè brings its specialty to Siesta Key

The restaurant, opened Aug. 30, differentiates itself with a range of house-made sauces.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Karen and Malcolm Ronney have operated The Granary since August 2015.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • September 12, 2024
The Granary remains a Lakewood Ranch breakfast and lunch staple

Karen and Malcolm Ronney found Lakewood Ranch to be the perfect place to host their business ventures.

  • East County
  • Business
There are eight massage tables in the 2,200-square-foot studio.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • September 10, 2024
Elements Massage opens at the Shoppes at UTC

The massage studio offers monthly memberships and online booking.

  • East County
  • Business
Trey Hamer, 11, works with other youth soccer players at the new indoor facility, The Fitballer.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • September 10, 2024
New Sarasota facility brings soccer training indoors

The Fitballer offers professional training for kids and adults.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
« 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 »
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Latest News

1
Traffic cleared after fire, bridge malfunction in Sarasota, Longboat
  • December 19, 2025
Traffic cleared after fire, bridge malfunction in Sarasota, Longboat
2
Artist JC Wayne hangs the ninth and final piece in her series "Atomic Universe," the latest installation at All Angels by the Sea Episcopal Church. The display will be up throughout the holiday season.
  • December 19, 2025
Artist delves into ideas of existence at Longboat exhibition
3
Charlie Shachat, a co-founder of the Foolishly Festive Christmas Parade, decided to be part of the show for the "Jaws" 50th anniversary.
  • December 19, 2025
Esplanade continues tradition of being 'foolishly festive' for parade
4
District 5 representative Ron Cutsinger will be the 2026 chairman of the Sarasota County Commission.
  • December 19, 2025
Sarasota County commissioners pick chair, vice chair
5
Locations of the new St. Armands speed tables are marked in red.
  • December 19, 2025
St. Armands speed humps will be replaced with permanent speed tables

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