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East County | Business

A colorful spread of kebabs, house-made sauces and sides showcases the restaurant’s bold, cross-cultural approach to Mediterranean cuisine.
    By
  • Marty Fugate
  • May 20, 2026
Middle Eastern-inspired restaurant gets its passion from surprising its customers

Florence & the Spice Boys Chef Collin Blakeman explains why Middle Eastern cuisine is the spice of life.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
My-Lien Truong and Dwight Fitch, the radiation oncologists at Advocate Radiation Oncology in Lakewood Ranch, both studied chemical engineering before pursuing radiation oncology.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • May 12, 2026
Radiation, oncology center opens Lakewood Ranch office

Advocate Radiation Oncology has opened at 8946 77th Terrace E., to go with its previous location on S.R. 64 in Bradenton.

  • East County
  • Business
Saucy! is expanding on the Gulf Coast, with a Lakewood Ranch and Trinity location opening May 4 and 5, respectively.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 7, 2026
Saucy new chicken spot opens in Lakewood Ranch

As the name of the KFC spinoff suggests, dipping sauces are front and center in the restaurant on Lena Road.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Janet and Dean Mixon are retiring. The couple sold their food truck to Polk Sheriff Charities, Inc.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • May 6, 2026
Mixon Swirl food truck finds a new home in Polk County

Dean and Janet Mixon sell their iconic food truck to Polk Sheriff Charities Inc.

  • East County
  • Business
Sarasota's Axel Neff is glad to welcome community members who are both familiar and unfamiliar with Tim Horton's brand to bond over food and coffee.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • April 26, 2026
Tim Hortons blazes a Florida path with Manatee County restaurant

Tim Hortons, a Canadian breakfast chain, wants customers both familiar and unfamiliar with the brand to walk away with a smile.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
The Ikea franchise system includes 58 retail locations in the United States. There are 412 Ikea stores worldwide in 32 countries.
    By
  • Elizabeth King
  • April 11, 2026
Ikea to open at UTC in Sarasota

The store will span 48,000 square feet off Cattlemen Road.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
John Atanassov and Joel King, co-owners of Blu Kouzina, are eager to serve and get to know new customers at their new location at University Town Center.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • April 6, 2026
Blu Kouzina adds its Greek flavor at University Town Center

With a focus on fresh ingredients and making customers feel at home, Blu Kouzina hopes to win over East County patrons.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Indigo's Amber Hanratty, who was in the building industry for 25 years, now has her own business called Dirty Sara-Soda.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • March 31, 2026
Dirty Sara-Soda hopes to clean up with a new beverage

The "dirty soda" mobile business is owned by Lakewood Ranch's Amber Hanratty, who saw an opening in the market.

  • East County
  • Business
Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance President and CEO Brittany Lamont and Board Chair Wayne Parrish are eager for members to hit the course for the Ranch Scramble.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • March 30, 2026
Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance takes a swing at networking

The Ranch Scramble draws 140 golfers and 40 businesses to Lakewood Ranch Golf and Country Club.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Saks' parent company, Saks Global, filed for bankruptcy in January.
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • March 25, 2026
Saks changes its mind: UTC store will remain open

The parent company, going through bankruptcy, says it has renegotiated its lease terms at The Mall at University Town Center in Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
Life Time, an athletic country club, is slated to open in Lakewood Ranch in late 2026. This is the outdoor pool and waterslide at the Life Time in Winter Park.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • March 17, 2026
Entertainment district expands in Lakewood Ranch

Several entertainment options are under construction on the Sarasota County side of Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • News
Austin Venhaus and Aaron Rutsky
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • March 11, 2026
Walls go up as Sarasota's first climbing gym nears opening

Formerly known as Project 24 Climbing, Hexrock Climbing is set to open at the beginning of April.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
Sweetwater's Whit and Taylor Wesenberg founded Humu's Island Treasures after selling five handmade art pieces within a day of being posted on Facebook marketplace.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • March 10, 2026
Lakewood Ranch small business carves out good vibes

Humu's Island Treasures sells carved and painted art pieces via social media and art shows.

  • East County
  • Business
Saks' parent company, Saks Global, filed for bankruptcy in January.
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • March 7, 2026
Bankrupt Saks Fifth Avenue to close Sarasota-UTC store

A Saks has been in the Sarasota-Manatee market for at least three decades.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Brian Taylor, who works as executive vice president for Perform[cb], has been working from CoworkLWR since 2021 in order to have a separation between work and home life. He enjoys the opportunities to network with fellow remote workers at the new location.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • March 3, 2026
CoworkLWR moves to a new, larger Lakewood Ranch location

Keith Pandeloglou's business had spent the past 10 years on Lakewood Main Street.

  • East County
  • Business
Sanddy Marchena owns Kiddie Academy of Lakewood Ranch with his wife Melodie Marchena (not pictured). Michelle Frease is the academy's director.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • February 24, 2026
Lakewood Ranch's Waterside Place gains a Kiddie Academy

Kiddie Academy of Sarasota opens its child care and preschool business March 2.

  • East County
  • Business
General manager Desmond Hill brings warmth and ease to Lucky Pelican’s welcoming, neighborhood vibe.
    By
  • Marty Fugate
  • February 18, 2026
Lucky Pelican's general manager shares how he keeps the restaurant flying high

What makes the Lucky Pelican Bistro so good? No bad days. And the lobster roll, of course.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Karen Medford has moved up the ladder with her Sirius Day Spa, Salon and Med Spa business by opening a location in Waterside. The new location will include a boutique.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • January 27, 2026
Sirius Day Spa opens new location in Lakewood Ranch entertainment hub

Owner Karen Medford says it has been a dream for her to own a spa at Waterside Place.

  • East County
  • Business
Yahaira and Adam Shimer operate Crust N' Crumb out of their Heritage Harbour home.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • January 27, 2026
Baking hobby turns into a hot business for Manatee County couple

Baking racks and equipment have taken over this Heritage Harbour household over the past year.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Jaynie Peterson, Tony Pinho, Brady Jo Trombetta and Madison Chuchla all teach dance classes at Fly Dance Fitness in Lakewood Ranch.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • January 20, 2026
Dance fitness studio opens new Lakewood Ranch location

The business offers a variety of dance and fitness classes while aiming to be a judgement-free space.

  • East County
  • Business
Bradenton Area EDC names interim CEO
    By
  • Elizabeth King
  • January 17, 2026
Bradenton Area EDC names interim CEO

The appointment of an interim CEO — Fawley Bryant Architecture COO and Partner Amanda Parrish — comes after the former leader of the organization retired.

  • East County
  • Business
Sarasota's Alyssa Freniere, Beate “Mama G” Goldstein and Blair Sellers are the people behind the new Mama G's location at University Town Center.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • January 13, 2026
New German bakery, coffeehouse rises at University Town Center

Mama G's opened its doors of a new Sarasota-Bradenton location on Dec. 15 under the leadership of two 26-year-old managing partners.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
The idea for Moo-Jitsu was a collaboration between 9-year-old Olivia Whitman and her father Brandon Whitman in October of last year. They launched the business in August.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • December 8, 2025
Love of cows adds spice to Lakewood Ranch business

Moo-Jitsu is a new spice company that brands itself through a love of cows and jiu jitsu.

  • East County
  • Business
CEO Mike Bisaha says the new equipment will at least triple Big Top Brewing Co.'s beer production.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • December 3, 2025
Big Top to open expanded brew house at Sarasota's Fruitville Commons

An upgraded brewing system will more than triple Big Top's beer production.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Lakewood Ranch High School graduate Jason Huh has founded a few different companies, including Sodi Pop. Sodi Pop is now available in a healthy vending machine at the school for staff and students to enjoy.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • December 3, 2025
Sodi Pop, billed as a healthier product, comes to Lakewood Ranch High

Jason Huh, who graduated from Lakewood Ranch High School in 2003, never thought his own product would be sold at his alma mater.

  • East County
  • Business
Instead of a ribbon, a 180-pound blue fin tuna will be cut to celebrate the grand opening of Kuro Sushi.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • November 22, 2025
Kuro Sushi rolls into Lakewood Ranch

Instead of a ribbon-cutting, the grand opening celebration included a tuna-cutting ceremony.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Shawna Hicks-Cranston of PostNet raises her Sandies award for the Community Champion category. The annual Sandies was held by the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance Nov. 14 at the Grove in Lakewood Ranch.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • November 14, 2025
Lakewood Ranch community leaders are saluted with Sandies awards

The Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance hosts its annual awards program at the Grove.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
A rendering of Optimal Outcomes' HealthPark II that will be built in Lakewood Ranch with the groundbreaking early in 2026.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • November 5, 2025
Optimal Outcomes builds a second health park in Lakewood Ranch

The health care real estate development company expects to break ground in early 2026.

  • East County
  • Business
A new Outback Steakhouse opens Nov. 11 on the corner of State Road 70 and Crossland Trail.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • November 1, 2025
Outback Steakhouse opens in Lakewood Ranch on Nov. 11

The popular Australian-themed restaurant will open on the corner of State Road 70 and Crossland Trail on Nov. 11.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Bank OZK's Lisa Lawler and Kate Mulligan, executive director of the Lakewood Ranch Community Foundation, are among those who dressed in Western attire for the 36th annual Hob Nob Oct. 29 at the Lakewood Ranch Library.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • October 30, 2025
Hob Nob event continues to connect businesses in Lakewood Ranch area

The event, presented by the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance, presents a "networking on the Ranch" atmosphere.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Carved Crafted Sandwiches, located at Waterside Place, will serve hot and cold sandwiches, salads, bowls, soups, beer and wine. They will also have grab and go items.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • October 24, 2025
Gourmet sandwich shop to open in Waterside Place at Lakewood Ranch

Owned and operated by Mark and Carrie Botros, Carved Crafted Sandwiches makes its debut early in November.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Circle Chiropractic's Zoey Young, Greg Hengel, Ben Duke and Alex Scholz welcomed clients for the first time at their new location in Lakewood Ranch on Oct. 6.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • October 21, 2025
Chiropractic office opens in Lakewood Ranch

Their own injuries prompted Circle Chiropractic Owner Ben Duke and Clinic Director Greg Hengel to pursue careers in chiropractic care.

  • East County
  • Business
Kuro Sushi, owned by Daniel Dokko, is set to open on Nov. 1 on Lakewood Ranch Main Street.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • October 8, 2025
New sushi restaurant brings multiple cultural influences to its menu

Restaurateur Daniel Dokko tests the Main Street at Lakewood Ranch market with Kuro Sushi, opening Nov. 1.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Myakka City's Bennett Simunovic, 8, wasn't expecting to fly out of the slide so fast, but he doesn't mind.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • September 30, 2025
Urban Air Adventure Park opens in Lakewood Ranch

The 60,000-square-foot facility is the largest Urban Air in the country.

  • East County
  • Business
Lakewood Ranch's Katelyn Diaz, 19, is studying business and learning through hands-on experience with Sip n Brew.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • September 27, 2025
New business owners connect with Lakewood Ranch through coffee

Sip n Brew, a new coffee trailer owned and operated by a Lakewood Ranch family, will be at various locations throughout each week.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Waxing Bye Felicia opened on Sept. 22, and owner Felicia Michaels began her day waxing the arms of one of her past clients, Stacey Oaster. Oaster drove nearly two hours for her services and says she plans to continue to do so.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • September 24, 2025
Waxing Bye Felicia opens in Lakewood Ranch

Felicia Michaels, owner of Waxing Bye Felicia, said it is her priority to make her clients feel comfortable and satisfied with her services.

  • East County
  • Business
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1
Dustin Dahlquist, the current principal at Lakewood Ranch High School, will be the founding principal of Rangeland High School.
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Lakewood Ranch High principal named Rangeland High's first leader
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Take a long look at contributions
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Florida Highway Patrol Trooper Michelson Fleurant places a rose on a plaque at the Manatee County Law Enforcement Memorial Service May 14 in Bradenton.
  • May 20, 2026
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Jazmin Ortega, Alora Parcells and Suri Bui reminisce on their time at Braden River High School prior to the commencement ceremony at LECOM Park May 19.
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5
A colorful spread of kebabs, house-made sauces and sides showcases the restaurant’s bold, cross-cultural approach to Mediterranean cuisine.
  • May 20, 2026
Middle Eastern-inspired restaurant gets its passion from surprising its customers

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