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Business

Munchies 420 Cafe has gotten a facelift and the new owners are vowing to continue the Gulf Gate landmark's traditions.
    By
  • Jim DeLa
  • April 18, 2024
Munchies 420 Cafe receives facelift under new ownership

The landmark Gulf Gate restaurant's grand reopening is scheduled for 4/20.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Lo' Key Island Grille is expected to wrap up construction this summer and open its doors in October.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • April 18, 2024
Casual restaurant to open on Longboat Key in October

Lo’ Key Island Grille will emphasize a laid-back atmosphere with a sizable outdoor space while serving fresh seafood.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Colleen Collandra
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • April 10, 2024
Longbeach Cafe celebrates 10 years at Whitney Plaza

The restaurant keeps people coming back with delicious food, friendly service and consistent experiences.

  • Longboat Key
  • Business
Gary Hagen of Elegant Lady Cheesecake
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • April 9, 2024
Long-awaited cheesecake shop open in Whitney Plaza

Gary Hagen has brought Hollywood to Longboat Key through his new cheesecake shop, Elegant Lady Cheesecake.

  • Longboat Key
  • Business
Sugar Champagne Bar is expected to open by the end of the year.
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • April 9, 2024
Champagne bar, piano lounge to open in downtown Sarasota

Local entrepreneur Ronnie Shugar is investing $15 million in downtown Sarasota entities and projects.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Norman Love Confections has reopened its chocolate salon on the other side of University Parkway at The Shoppes at UTC.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • April 8, 2024
Norman Love Confections moves in next to Trader Joe's

The chocolate salon moved to the Manatee County side of UTC to The Shoppes.

  • East County
  • Business
Christy James of the Longboat Key Flower Shop
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • April 7, 2024
New flower shop opens on Longboat Key

Owner Christy James shared her hopes and plans for the new flower shop on the island at her ribbon-cutting with the Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce.

  • Longboat Key
  • Business
Tesla preparing to open its new Sarasota store at University Town Center.
    By
  • Louis Llovio
  • April 6, 2024
Tesla set to open UTC dealership by end of April

The electric vehicle manufacturer has built a 55,000-square-foot showroom and service center at University Town Center just off I-75.

  • East County
  • Business
Artwork in the new Big Top gives a tip of the hat to Sarasota's connection with the circus industry.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • April 3, 2024
Big Top Brewing expands to Fruitville Commons with huge plans

The Sarasota restaurant/brewery targets mid-April for the opening of its 18,000 square-foot business on the southern edge of Lakewood Ranch.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Michael Garey at Longboat Key’s Lazy Lobster.
    By
  • Marty Fugate
  • March 29, 2024
Lazy Lobster's Michael Garey is anything but lazy

This Lazy Lobster co-owner doesn’t have a lazy bone in his body. He loves his work and honors the mentors who got him started.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
The SMH Trauma Center opened in 2015.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • March 29, 2024
SMH named one of the top workplaces for women in the US

The Newsweek rankings relied on surveys of more than 142,000 women and 848,000 company reviews.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
Kelly Romanoff (left) and Tonika Conaway are co-chairs of the First 1,000 Days Suncoast initiative.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • March 28, 2024
Parental support organization names co-chairs

Tonika Conaway and Kelly Romanoff will lead the First 1,000 Days Suncoast initiative for the next two years.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
Project 180 founder and CEO announces retirement
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • March 27, 2024
Project 180 founder and CEO announces retirement

A search for a new CEO is underway for the inmate reintegration organization.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
    By
  • Louis Llovio
  • March 26, 2024
Target to build large-format store near Lakewood Ranch

The retailer has filed for a permit with Manatee County to build a new store, nearly 25,000 square feet larger than its average store, at Marketplace at Heritage Harbour off I-75.

  • East County
  • News
Chamberlin's will open in Center Point at Waterside this spring.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • March 25, 2024
Center Point will add grocer, restaurants and more by summer

Chamberlin's Natural Foods and Bar Italia head the lineup coming to Waterside in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • News
« 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 »
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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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