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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
Agave Bandido brings a taste of Mexican elegance to Waterside Place.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • March 1, 2024
Mexican restaurant Agave Bandido ready to debut in Waterside Place

The eye-catching artwork in the Mexican restaurant goes on display March 11 in Lakewood Ranch.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Dave Otterness says his wife Jennifer's support allows him to give back to the community through the LWRBA.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • February 28, 2024
Willis Smith exec takes over as LWRBA chair

Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance Chair David Otterness says he will put new vision and mission statements into action and increase the nonprofit's advocacy in 2024.

  • East County
  • Business
The Mixons' food truck showcases the history of Mixon Fruit Farms.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • February 21, 2024
Former Mixon Farms owners begin new stage with food truck

Although Mixon Fruit Farms closed, life with the Mixons continues on a food truck.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Mark and Michele Schlossberg founded Paint Nail Bar nine years ago.
    By
  • Monica Roman Gagnier
  • February 15, 2024
The journey from one nail salon to a national brand

Lakewood Ranch residents Mark and Michele Schlossberg launched Paint Nail Bar nine years ago. It has since become a nationwide brand.

  • East County
  • Business
Co-owner Adam Myara serves up a smashburger to the wait staff in the Ed's Tavern kitchen. The new Ed's Tavern had a soft opening for its second Lakewood Ranch location on Friday.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • January 19, 2024
Ed's Tavern opens its second Lakewood Ranch restaurant

The new building on Upper Manatee River Road hosted a soft opening on Friday before it opened to the public on Saturday.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
The mezzanine is designed to be used as an event space.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • January 9, 2024
Tsunami Sushi & Hibachi to open Lakewood Ranch restaurant Jan. 20

After years of delays, the Japanese restaurant is opening the State Road 70 location on Jan. 20.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Lakewood Ranch residents Mary and Tom Noon are the founders of Pure Dink.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • December 19, 2023
Lakewood Ranch entrepreneurs launch pickleball accessory brand

Pure Dink offers pickleball jewelry, bags, eyeglass holders and cocktail glasses.

  • East County
  • Business
President Brittany Lamont, board member Keith Pandeloglou and Communications Coordinator Kristie Calandro prepare for the last meeting of the year.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • December 14, 2023
Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance puts focus on philanthropy

About 40 nonprofits showcased their services for alliance members at their last meeting of the year.

  • East County
  • Business
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • December 13, 2023
Lakewood Ranch Medical Center hires new COO

Philip Reber's goal is to make LWRMC the hospital of choice for local residents.

  • East County
  • Business
Keith Pandeloglou, the owner of UTC Venture Group and President and CEO of Lakewood Ranch Community Activities, won the Best Rancher award at the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance's Sandies event Friday at the Grove.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • November 17, 2023
'Mr. Lakewood Ranch' lands big Business Alliance award

Keith Pandeloglou was named Best Rancher at the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance's annual Sandies awards.

  • East County
  • Business
Braulio Vizcaino pulls a Margherita pie out of Osteria 500's trademark red Fiat pizza oven.
    By
  • Marty Fugate
  • November 16, 2023
Osteria 500 serves Italian food with Italian soul

The restaurant’s co-owner is grounded in Italy’s culinary past. He’s equally grounded in Italy’s inventive, creative commitment to the future.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Samantha Albano (left) and Gabriella Moss (right) are young entrepreneurs who are both driven to succeed.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • November 16, 2023
Two high school classmates reunite through their businesses

Samantha Albano and Gabriella Moss met in high school. But they reignited their friendship 10 years later through their businesses in San Marco Plaza.

  • East County
  • Business
Mark Hiser believes in the healing power of horses.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • November 16, 2023
New executive director brings fresh ideas for SMART growth

As the new executive director of Sarasota Manatee Association for Riding Therapy, Mark Hiser has plans to make the organization even more visible.

  • East County
  • Business
As Lakewood Ranch has grown over the last two decades, Albert Myara has had his fingerprints on many business deals, both in real estate and restaurants.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • November 15, 2023
The secret behind Albert Myara’s success isn’t so secret: It's hard work

Lakewood Ranch’s Albert Myara excels at business, but his No. 1 priority is his family.

  • East County
  • Business
Zoe Sommers only works the evening shift at Forked.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • November 15, 2023
Forked at Night expands into a nightclub at Waterside Place

The popular breakfast eatery is now a nightclub on Friday and Saturday nights.

  • East County
  • News
The School of Rock is open in Lakewood Ranch. The soft opening was on Sept. 11, and the grand opening was on Oct. 29.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • November 6, 2023
Bradenton couple brings personal experience to School of Rock

Gary and Kelley Falcon, who opened the new Lakewood Ranch music education school, have spent more than 30 years in the music business.

  • East County
  • Business
Trader Joe's held a grand opening Oct. 26 in The Shoppes at University Town Center.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • October 26, 2023
Trader Joe's opens at University Town Center

The popular grocery store chain held a grand opening Oct. 26 in The Shoppes at University Town Center.

  • East County
  • Business
REI Co-op announced earlier that year that it planned to open a store in the UTC area.
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • October 24, 2023
Outdoor retailer REI sets mid-November opening at UTC

The Seattle-based outdoor gear and clothing brand's other store on the west coast of Florida is in Tampa.

  • East County
  • Business
Fuego Comida & Tequila Lounge is open in The Green shopping center.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • October 21, 2023
Upscale Mexican cuisine comes to Lakewood Ranch

Fuego Comida & Tequila Lounge in The Green will celebrate its opening on Day of the Dead on Nov. 1.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
The Shoppes at University Town Center in east Manatee county will soon be home to a Trader Joe's.
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • October 20, 2023
Trader Joe's opens Oct. 26 in The Shoppes at UTC

California-based grocer Trader Joe’s is known for its signature food items and loyal following.

  • East County
  • Business
Lynn Meder is the owner of Uniquely Yours in Myakka City.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • October 13, 2023
Jewelry store Uniquely Yours opens in Myakka City

The shop sells handcrafted jewelry, hats, bird feeders and anything owner Lynn Meder is inspired to create.

  • East County
  • Business
Ruth's Chris Steak House is the first of several restaurants to open before the end of the year.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • October 10, 2023
New restaurants opening in Lakewood Ranch, East County

Ruth's Chris Steak House was the first of several new restaurants set to open before the end of the year.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Ruth's Chris Steak House opened Tuesday at the Center Point development in Lakewood Ranch.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • October 3, 2023
Ruth's Chris Steak House opens in Lakewood Ranch

The nation's largest steakhouse chain has opened a restaurant in the Center Point development.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
The Good Liquid Distilling Company will offer tours of the distillery in the future.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • October 1, 2023
Good Liquid opens distillery, cocktail bar at Waterside Place

Handcrafted cocktails are produced from spirits, syrups and foams that are made from scratch.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Jenny and Mike Schenk, co-owners of Bradenton-based Pineapple Kitchen, recently announced an expansion of the murder-mystery part of the company.
    By
  • Amanda Postma
  • October 1, 2023
Murder mystery show plans hotel expansion in Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch

Pineapple Kitchen, a culinary and hospitality business based outside Lakewood Ranch, is expanding its murder mystery shows to meet rapidly growing demand.

  • Arts + Culture
The Original Rainbow Cone, a five-flavored ice cream cone, is set to debut its first franchise location outside of Illinois in Bradenton.
    By
  • Amanda Postma
  • September 22, 2023
Popular Chicago ice cream shop to open in east Bradenton

The nearly century-old Chicago business is known for its five-flavor ice cream cone named the Rainbow Cone.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Neil, an American Bulldog, runs straight to Donte's Den Director of Operations Sean Hill. Neil was born deaf, so Hill said he needs a special kind of owner.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • September 18, 2023
Dogs become part of the family at Donte's Den Foundation in Myakka

Donte's Den is an animal sanctuary that also provides low-cost pet care to members of the military and first responders who are deployed.

  • East County
  • Business
Mark Hiser, the new executive director at Sarasota Manatee Association for Riding Therapy, has been around horses his whole life. He looks forward to taking on his new role.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • September 13, 2023
Riding therapy nonprofit welcomes new executive director

Mark Hiser wants to use his experience of working with "misfit horses" to expand the programming at Sarasota Manatee Association for Riding Therapy.

  • East County
  • Business
Carrie Leitzman is selling Truman's Tap & Grill to spend more time with her family.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • September 4, 2023
Truman's generous goodbye to Lakewood Ranch

After serving the Lakewood Ranch area for 11 years, Truman's Tap & Grill is closed as of Sept. 1.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Carol Hayes cleaning up the inside of Coastal HoBo
    By
  • Amanda Postma
  • September 2, 2023
Local businesses encouraged to take damage survey

The survey asks for both physical and economic damages caused by Hurricane Idalia.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
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Latest in East County

1
School Board Member Heather Felton took off her blazer during the May 5 workshop to show her sleeveless shirt is appropriate for students in the Florida heat.
  • May 18, 2026
Manatee Schools to re-evaluate dress code guidelines
2
The Manatee River Youth Sailing Program serves kids ages 6 to 16.
  • May 18, 2026
Kids learn lessons on and off the water at Manatee River Youth Sailing Program
3
Jeff Toale stands inside the Robert Toale & Sons Celebration of Life Center in Lakewood Ranch, where light-filled spaces and a contemporary design reflect a shift toward more personalized, meaningful memorial experiences.
  • May 17, 2026
Jeff Toale looks to deepen and double impact at helm of the LWRCF
4
Brittany Lamont and Nicole Hackel congratulate Jacob Kinsel of the Manatee Community Foundation as he is announced as the winner of the "Next Gen" award at University Park Country Club May 13.
  • May 16, 2026
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5
The Sarasota Orchestra bought a site on Fruitville Road for its Music Center in 2023.
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