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East County | Business

Andy and Anna Mignery opened The Thrivery in February.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • April 25, 2025
New cafe brings pure juices, superfoods to Lakewood Ranch

Andy and Anna Mignery share their health journey by providing clean eating choices at The Thrivery in Center Point.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
131 Main is open in Lakewood Ranch's Center Point Plaza.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • April 11, 2025
131 Main now serving steak and seafood in Lakewood Ranch

The restaurant also features two bars, a wood burning grill, an indoor patio and original works of art.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
L.L. Bean has long been known for its rugged outdoors clothing, but the company says its first Florida store at UTC in Sarasota will sport plenty of tropical wear that the locals will love.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • March 27, 2025
L.L. Bean sees exciting new market as it opens at UTC

The store at 111 North Cattlemen Road in the University Town Center of Sarasota will be L.L. Bean's first Florida location.

  • East County
  • Business
Veterinarian lands honor of working at Nate's in Lakewood Ranch
  • By Eric Garwood
  • March 20, 2025
Veterinarian lands honor of working at Nate's in Lakewood Ranch

Dr. Sharon Pindar will be the first on-staff vet at Nate's Honor Animal Rescue.

  • East County
  • Business
Salads, bowls and wraps are on the menu at Flower Child.
    By
  • Elizabeth King
  • March 11, 2025
National healthy restaurant to make Florida debut in Lakewood Ranch

Flower Child offers a menu filled with fruits, vegetables, grains and proteins.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
After a career in coporate, Peggy Kronus is her own boss now.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • March 5, 2025
Lakewood Ranch resident plans a new path

Event planning makes Peggy Kronus' heart happy, and now she's doing it for herself with a new business, PK Events & Services.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Local college presidents, from left, Michele Morgan of Keiser University, Brett Kemker, of the University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee, Dr. Larry Thompson of Ringling College of Art & Design, Tommy Gregory of State College of Florida, and moderator Mark Gordon spoke Feb. 25 at a lunch hosted by the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance.
    By
  • Jim DeLa
  • March 3, 2025
Local college administrators tackle issues with the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance

Administrators say partnerships with local businesses strengthen the economy.

  • East County
  • Business
Miso-glazed Chilean sea bass is a specialty at Deep Lagoon Seafood & Oyster House in Waterside.
    By
  • Marty Fugate
  • February 20, 2025
Family values, commitment to quality on the menu at Phelan Family Brands

CEO and co-Owner Grant Phelan discusses the family business, including its newest member, Deep Lagoon Seafood & Oyster House.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
The Urban Air Adventure Park location in Lakewood Ranch will be its largest in the country.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • February 17, 2025
Urban Air Adventure Park flies into Lakewood Ranch this summer

The 60,000-square-foot indoor adventure park is anticipated to open July 25 on Professional Parkway.

  • East County
  • Business
Greeters Ethan McNary and Sarah Williamson welcomed guests to Fleming's Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar at UTC during a soft opening event Saturday.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • February 8, 2025
Fleming's Prime Steakhouse opens at UTC

The new Fleming's is the second in the Sarasota area.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Julie Fanning holds the ceremonial gavel in taking over as the 2025 chair of the board for the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • January 29, 2025
Maintaining a positive direction is key to new LWRBA chair

Julie Fanning will guide the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance through its 20th anniversary year.

  • East County
  • Business
Students work their muscles with weights and with laughing at Jazzercise.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • January 26, 2025
Jazzercise studio opens in Lakewood Ranch

Former "gym rat' brings her passion to the Lakewood Ranch enterprise.

  • East County
  • Business
Calusa Country Club is hosting a grand opening event on Jan. 23. It will open to the public shortly after.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • January 21, 2025
Calusa Country Club to open in Lakewood Ranch in February

Lakewood Ranch's newest golf course will feature 30 holes and a socialized concept.

  • East County
  • Business
Bad Ass Coffee of Hawaii is at 658 University Parkway, Sarasota.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • January 16, 2025
Bad Ass Coffee brings Hawaiian flavor to Lakewood Ranch

The new coffee shop at Center Point takes a community-first approach.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
The Toasted Yolk Cafe is at 6562 University Pkwy., Suite 150.
    By
  • Elizabeth King, Jay Heater
  • January 10, 2025
Toasted Yolk Cafe opens in Lakewood Ranch

The breakfast and lunch cafe opened its doors in the Center Point development on University Parkway.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Friends Laura Salata and Melissa Monoki are preparing to open a brand-new BODYBAR Pilates studio in Lakewood Ranch on Jan. 20.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • December 26, 2024
New Year's resolution leads to new Lakewood Ranch Pilates studio

Two friends mix community and exercise with new Bodybar Pilates location.

  • East County
  • Business
Garrett Dakin is one of Gerry Dakin's four nephews that took over the farm in May.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • November 30, 2024
Dakin Dairy Farms increases its focus on education

The farm continues to be revamped since former owner Jerry Dakin's nephews took over in May.

  • East County
  • News
Glad Wags marketing coordinator/field manager Csenge Csicsek with her dog, Uka; Glad Wags founder Chris Cooper with her dog, Ivy; and office/field manager Amanda Gunter with her dog, Bodhi.
    By
  • Marty Fugate, Su Byron
  • November 21, 2024
Lakewood Ranch is full of places focused on catering to canines

From gourmet treats to holistic care, explore the best local resources for your canine companions.

  • East County
  • Business
Alistair Weatherstone and Jeremy Finney created a high-tech, indoor golf experience where members enjoy lifelike golf played on renowned courses.
    By
  • Eric Snider
  • November 21, 2024
Golf Society welcomes players looking to take their game to the next level

The Golf Society redefines the game of golf by offering a high-tech, indoor golf experience where members enjoy lifelike golf play on renowned courses.

  • East County
  • Sports
Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance's Sandies award winners celebrate.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • November 16, 2024
Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance presents its annual Sandies awards

After 18 years with the Business Alliance, Cheri Kessler takes home the Networking Queen award.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Evan Percoco and Zach Zeller have ambitious plans for restaurants on Lakewood Ranch Main Street.
    By
  • Beth Luberecki
  • November 16, 2024
Restaurateurs build a trifecta on Lakewood Ranch Main Street

Evan Percoco and Zach Zeller have already made a big impact on Lakewood Ranch's original downtown, with lots more good eating to come.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Ann MacClellan will open her third Island Kids Child Care Center. She has two locations in Grand Island, New York and will tentatively open her third location Nov. 18 in Lakewood Ranch.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • November 12, 2024
Island Kids Child Care Center to open in Lakewood Ranch

Owner Ann MacClellan seeks to put her passion for education into caring for children.

  • East County
  • Business
The new Mote Marine Lab and Aquarium building is part of the view from PopStroke's UTC mini-golf course.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • November 6, 2024
PopStroke at UTC in Sarasota just got a little cooler

Fans and misters were installed on the mini-golf courses, along with a few other upgrades.

  • East County
  • Business
Jamie Kahns and Bob Kahns with Bank of America and Tim Estep, the manager for the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance, get into the western theme for the alliance's Hob Nob.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • October 31, 2024
Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance's Hob Nob BBQ brings community together

Approximately 400 people attend the BBQ at Lakewood Ranch Library.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
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
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
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
Kate Mulligan
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • September 4, 2024
New director for Lakewood Ranch Community Foundation

Kate Mulligan, who was the general manager for EnsembleNewSRQ, has been hired to lead the Lakewood Ranch Community Foundation as its executive director.

  • East County
  • Business
Lakewood Ranch's Mike O'Donnell has launched a virtual biographer that will help people preserve their life memories and defining moments.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • September 4, 2024
Lakewood Ranch businessman uses AI to capture lasting memories

Through the Leaves Legacy Project, Mike O'Donnell preserves and produces life stories that includes a virtual biographer.

  • East County
  • Business
Andy Guz, the chief executive officer for Lakewood Ranch Medical Center, has led the hospital through several expansions.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • August 27, 2024
Lakewood Ranch Medical Center CEO takes new post

Andy Guz was promoted to CEO of Manatee Memorial Hospital.

  • East County
  • Business
Mike Herley brings extensive restaurant management experience and a zeal for experimentation to Wheat + Water Italian Kitchen.
    By
  • Marty Fugate
  • August 23, 2024
Italian American cuisine offers the best of both culinary worlds in Wheat + Water

Wheat and water may be all it takes to make pasta, but the making of Mike and Kim Herley's welcoming restaurant took a lot more.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Deep Lagoon Seafood & Oyster House general manager Leslie Carmody and division manager Dacie Broshears show the variety of seafood available in the restaurant's fresh food market.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 20, 2024
Deep Lagoon Seafood & Oyster House open in Waterside Place

The restaurant offers upscale coastal casual dining with fresh seafood from the Gulf of Mexico.

  • East County
  • Business
Ryan Reid said The Sports Farm is for athletes dedicated to getting to the highest levels of their sport.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • August 13, 2024
The Sports Farm wants to be a one-stop shop for elite athletes

The facility in Lakewood Ranch is co-founded by former MLB relief pitcher Ryan Reid.

  • East County
  • Sports
Lakewood Ranch's Nathan Russell is working to develop a partnership to have his coffee cart, Traveling Bard Coffee, weekly at Lakewood Ranch Library.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 13, 2024
Traveling Bard Coffee serves Lakewood Ranch and surrounding areas

Owner Nathan Russell makes dream of being a barista a reality with a traveling coffee cart.

  • East County
  • Business
New Pilates club opens in Lakewood Ranch
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 12, 2024
New Pilates club opens in Lakewood Ranch

Club Pilates opened on Aug. 12 in the Center Point Plaza at the corner of University Parkway and Lakewood Ranch Boulevard.

  • East County
  • Business
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Latest in East County

1
CEO Mike Bisaha says the new equipment will at least triple Big Top Brewing Co.'s beer production.
  • December 3, 2025
Big Top to open expanded brew house at Sarasota's Fruitville Commons
2
Mill Creek's Ilana Simone, who performs as Ilana Armida, has returned to her roots after living in Los Angeles to pursue her musical career.
  • December 3, 2025
Mill Creek musical artist continues to search for her audience
3
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.
  • December 3, 2025
Sodi Pop, billed as a healthier product, comes to Lakewood Ranch High
4
Marine Corps veteran Dale Cole lives in Greenfield Plantation and is a regular user of Manatee Moves.
  • December 3, 2025
Ride service for Manatee County veterans is on the move
5
Commissioners George Kruse and Bob McCann are on opposite sides of the AAA High School vote. Kruse voted in favor of approving the site plan, and McCann voted to deny the site plan.
  • December 3, 2025
Manatee commissioners have final say about new school but no real power

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