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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
New pizza restaurant opens in Lakewood Ranch
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • August 24, 2023
New pizza restaurant opens in Lakewood Ranch

Piesanos Stone Fired Pizza opened on the corner of State Road 70 and Lorraine Road.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
For Carrie Leitzman, co-proprietor, Truman’s is an extension of her home, a bridge to her community, and an expression of family values passed down across the generations.
    By
  • Marty Fugate
  • August 19, 2023
Spirit of giving sets this Lakewood Ranch family restaurant apart

For the restaurateurs behind Truman’s Tap & Grill, serving great food in a relaxed ambiance starts with family.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
The “Grandma’s Sicilian” pizza is one of Michelangelo’s signature offerings.
    By
  • Marty Fugate, Su Byron
  • August 18, 2023
When you’re craving a slice, these local eateries bake the best pizzas

In Lakewood Ranch, the sky is the limit for pizza possibilities.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Those who come to Waterside Place in Lakewood Ranch will now have more places to dine, shop and dance.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • August 18, 2023
Eatalia, The Wellness Space sign to join Waterside Place lineup

Agave Bandido, a Mexican-American restaurant, and the Deep Lagoon seafood and oyster house are expected soon.

  • East County
  • Business
The Miami-based cafe is expected to open in the UTC West District in the first quarter of 2024.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • August 16, 2023
Health-conscious cafe Pura Vida coming to UTC in Sarasota

The Miami-based cafe is expected to open in the UTC West District in the first quarter of 2024.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
John Breiner's Peculiar Pub on Lakewood Main Street will offer a large selection of draft beers.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • August 16, 2023
Peculiar Pub set to open on Lakewood Main Street

Former Ed's Tavern owner John Breiner returns to Main Street at Lakewood Ranch with another restaurant/pub.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Don’t miss the vegan heirloom tomato tarts at Owen's Fish Camp.
  • By Emily Leinfuss
  • August 15, 2023
New restaurants await your tastebuds in Lakewood Ranch

The Lakewood Ranch region is attracting a host of new restaurants, including those with popular followings in downtown Sarasota.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Shawna Hicks-Cranston, the owner of PostNet, says Mentor Connect benefits both the mentors and mentees that participate.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 10, 2023
Young professionals, mentors connect through LWR Business Alliance

Mentor Connect, an LWRBA Young Leaders Alliance program, brings mentorship opportunities that benefit anyone in the business community.

  • East County
  • Business
Lakewood Ranch High School junior Byron Simon, who launched Southernly Simon Apparel, hopes people like Parrish Community High's Makayla Chenard relate to his clothing brand.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 8, 2023
Lakewood Ranch high schooler launches clothing brand

Southernly Simon Apparel encourages mental health awareness and addresses other topics.

  • East County
  • Business
LJ Govoni, president of Fat Point Brewing Co., offers up a Keywaydin Island blonde ale at the grand opening July 28 at UTC.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • July 30, 2023
Fat Point Brewing offers pint-sized satisfaction at UTC

Sarasota's newest craft beer pub opened at a small, intimate setting on Cattlemen Road.

  • East County
  • Opinion
John Saputo's Gold Coast Eagle Distributing will supply all the beer products to the new World Champions Cup that will be held Dec. 7, 8, 10 at The Concession.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • July 21, 2023
Gold Coast Eagle Distributing lands major role at World Champions Cup

The Lakewood Ranch distributor will handle all beer provisions and sales at the international golf event hosted by The Concession.

  • East County
  • Business
Gwyn Ingham, the owner of For the Love of Reading, uses Orton-Gillingham methods during her private reading instruction with Scarlett Samson.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • July 18, 2023
Lakewood Ranch educator tries to make reading fun through new business

Summerfield's Gwyn Ingham uses her passion for reading and books to start For the Love of Reading.

  • East County
  • Business
The loft dining area is a nod to Sorrento, and the town's love of lemons.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • June 29, 2023
Osteria 500 set to open at Waterside Place in Lakewood Ranch

The Italian restaurant will be fully open by the second week of July after a soft opening.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Ermanno Morrone has opened Morrone's of Arthur Ave., an Italian restaurant and deli, in east Bradenton.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • June 28, 2023
Italian restaurant, deli brings slice of New York to east Bradenton

Morrone’s of Arthur Ave. opened June 10 on 53rd Avenue East.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Nancy Krohngold, owner of Nancy's Bar-B-Q, is bringing the restaurant back to downtown Sarasota after the Lakewood Ranch location closes.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • June 26, 2023
Nancy's Bar-B-Q will close in Lakewood Ranch

The restaurant is returning to downtown Sarasota after not being able to reach an agreement to renew the lease at Lorraine Corners.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Gabriella Moss and her mother, Silvia Costa, are 50/50 partners in Via la Casa.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • June 17, 2023
Via la Casa opens in Lakewood Ranch's San Marco Plaza

The multipurpose shop is a coffee and wine bar, art gallery, home decor store and event space.

  • East County
  • Business
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Latest in East County

1
The Lakewood Ranch Garden Club Butterfly Symposium will take place at 9 a.m. on Feb. 7 at Lakewood Ranch Town Hall.
  • February 4, 2026
Butterfly symposium lands at Lakewood Ranch Town Hall
2
Braden River boys basketball has clinched its first 20-win season since 2011-12, and won eight games in a row to close out the regular season.
  • February 4, 2026
Braden River High boys basketball team turns the tides with teamwork
3
Sisterhood for Good members Nikki Pelier-Simon, Samina Morrow and Allison Adams show off some fashions that will be in the spotlight at Tropical Escape July 27 at the Sarasota Polo Club.
  • February 4, 2026
Lakewood Ranch fundraiser is a hula for moolah
4
Thundercloud Ranch is one of two conservation easements Manatee County purchased Jan. 27.
  • February 4, 2026
Manatee County purchases two easements, conserves nearly 1,500 acres
5
Village Idiots Cycling Club member Patrick Franklin Sr. (center) was killed riding his bicycle Jan. 22 when hit by a truck pulling a trailer on Conquistador Parkway in Bradenton.
  • February 4, 2026
Building safer roads for cyclists worth a discussion in Manatee County

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