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East County | Business

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
City Furniture will open a 120,000-square-foot showroom in UTC's East District by summer 2025.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • August 10, 2024
Furniture store going big and green at University Town Center

City Furniture will open a 120,000-square-foot showroom in UTC's East District by summer 2025.

  • East County
  • Business
The original Superman lunch boxes by Adco debuted in 1954.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • August 6, 2024
Sarasota Toy Museum debuts Aug. 8 with thousands of vintage exhibits

Owner Richard Pierson has assembled toys representing more than 200 years of playtime history.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
The Golf Society is not finished yet, but this photo offers an idea of what a suite will look like.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • August 5, 2024
Members-only golf lounge to open in Lakewood Ranch

The Golf Society is planning to open in August on Solutions Lane.

  • East County
  • Business
Jonathan Mitchell and Jason Starkman look forward to offering The Original Wolfie's New York-style deli items at its new location in Lakewood Ranch on Paylor Lane.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • July 22, 2024
The Original Wolfie's to open location in Lakewood Ranch

The new location will be a commissary and production facility that offers grab 'n' go items as well as delivery of its New York-style deli food.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
The Lakewood Ranch Deli will be open in the San Marco Plaza on July 29 at 10 a.m.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • July 18, 2024
New deli and lunch spot coming to Lakewood Ranch

The Lakewood Ranch Deli will open in the San Marco Plaza on July 29.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
CITY Furniture will open in spring 2025 at University Town Center.
    By
  • Elizabeth King
  • July 13, 2024
Furniture showroom with wine bar coming to UTC

City Furniture will open a 120,000-square-foot showroom complete with a cafe and bar off University Parkway.

  • East County
  • Business
Bar Italia is preparing to open on July 13 in the Center Point plaza on the corner of University Parkway and Lakewood Ranch Boulevard.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • July 8, 2024
New Italian restaurant set to open in Lakewood Ranch

Bar Italia is scheduled to open on July 13 in the Center Point plaza.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Naked Farmer is a fast-casual restaurant that offers a healthy, locally sourced menu.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • June 21, 2024
Naked Farmer opens at University Town Center

Naked Farmer is a fast-casual restaurant that offers a healthy, locally sourced menu.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Myra Maldonado shows the inside of one of the salt caves. The salt came from Pakistan, and the cave was designed to transport people to a calm, relaxing "safe haven," she says.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 29, 2024
Salt Caves and Spa encourages healthy lifestyles with 'safe haven'

Owners Myra and Rafier Maldonado opened The Salt Caves and Spa after trying to find holistic treatments for their mothers, who died of cancer.

  • East County
  • Business
Paul Caragiulo is part of the winning team that reinvented Owen’s Fish Camp for Lakewood Ranch.
    By
  • Marty Fugate
  • May 16, 2024
Owen's Fish Camp co-owner shares the secret sauce behind the second location

Who says lightning doesn't strike twice? Paul Caragiulo shares how he and his brothers brought one of Sarasota's favorite restaurants to Lakewood Ranch.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
David Otterness has been on the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance board since 2021.
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • May 15, 2024
Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance thrives as it turns 20

As the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance readies to shed itself of its teenage years, a leader with a steady hand helps guide the organization on some big goals and aspirations.

  • East County
  • Business
Julie Peters hosts her first pop-up event at The Green at University Town Center on April 13.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • May 6, 2024
Nurse-turned-florist finds roots with Posies Flower Truck

Julie Peters's budding business will be making the rounds at special events in Sarasota and Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Business
Residents line up to get into The Fresh Market on April 24.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • April 24, 2024
The Fresh Market opens in Lakewood Ranch

More than 100 residents lined up to be the first shoppers in The Green's new store on State Road 70.

  • East County
  • Business
Every space in La Chic Bohème is artistically designed, such as the tile.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • April 24, 2024
Spa retreat featuring salt room, infrared sauna opens in Waterside Place

La Chic Bohème perseveres through construction delays to offer a unique experience.

  • East County
  • Business
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
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
    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
The Greyson is open in the Lakewood Walk plaza at the intersection of State Road 70 and Lakewood Ranch Boulevard.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • March 24, 2024
Upscale sports bar opens in Lakewood Ranch

The Greyson in the Lakewood Walk plaza offers wall-to-wall TVs, later hours and food from scratch.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
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