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East County | Business

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
Gary Blake is the owner of Adolfo's Italian Market and Pizzeria in the San Marco Plaza.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • June 12, 2023
Lakewood Ranch market pays homage to Italian roots

Adolfo's Italian Market and Pizzeria is making its mark at San Marco Plaza.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Ryan Langley Music School studio manager Ken Settlemyer and owner Ryan Langley are thrilled to see what the future holds for the new school.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • June 9, 2023
New Lakewood Ranch music school spreads musician's passion

With a desire to share his passion for music with others, Ryan Langley opens his own music school.

  • East County
  • Business
Owen's Fish Camp is now open in Lakewood Ranch.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • June 1, 2023
Owen's Fish Camp opens in Lakewood Ranch

The new location features double the seats and a bigger kitchen.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Donations for the Pet Food Bank are growing at Farmhouse Animal and Nature Sanctuary.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 26, 2023
Animal sanctuary's new food bank supports pets in low-income families

Farmhouse Animal and Nature Sanctuary in Myakka City hopes that by providing pet food and supplies, families will be able to keep their animals.

  • East County
  • News
CASTO Managing Director of Southeast Development Michael Chadwick talks to the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance about his company's many projects.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • May 24, 2023
More restaurant choices headed to East County

CASTO executive talks about his company's many development projects in the Lakewood Ranch area.

  • East County
  • Opinion
This bench in front of Linger Lodge was made from a slab of oak from a tree that was uprooted during Hurricane Ian.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • May 23, 2023
Linger Lodge restaurant perseveres despite setbacks

Rita Lewis launches into her first full summer at the quirky Bradenton restaurant and says business never has been better.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Chef Sellner’s culinary journey includes a stint as chef de cuisine and executive sous chef at the Mar-a-Lago Club.
    By
  • Marty Fugate
  • May 19, 2023
Pascone’s chef loves taking diners on a culinary journey

From fried spaghetti to French cuisine inspiration, Pascone's Ristorante Executive Chef William Sellner’s culinary journey is anything but boring.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Andrea Saputo Cox steps into her role at Gold Coast during a challenging time in the industry.
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • May 19, 2023
Saputo family reaches its fourth generation of beer wholesalers

Andrea Saputo Cox confidently steps into a leadership role at Gold Coast Eagle Distributing.

  • East County
  • Business
The Peach's location on State Road 70 in Creekwood Crossing has reopened after a two-year hiatus.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • May 17, 2023
Peach’s in Creekwood Crossing reopens after nearly two years

The breakfast and lunch restaurant on State Road 70 was closed for nearly two years to the day because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Bloomin' Brands CEO David Deno says in May 2023 that Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar will grow to 100 locations and incorporate design of new flagship location in Tampa.
    By
  • Louis Llovio
  • May 17, 2023
New flagship Fleming's steakhouse coming to UTC

A restaurateur is building its new 13,000-square-foot flagship restaurant in Tampa and plans to grow the chain to 100 locations, starting with a new location in Manatee County.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Nikki Pelier Simon, John Simon and their daughter Ashley Sanchez are carrying on the legacy of this popular boutique.
  • By Emily Leinfuss
  • May 17, 2023
Scout & Molly’s new owners share their roots in fashion

When Scout & Molly’s former owner died last year, John Simon, Nikki Pelier Simon and their daughter Ashley Sanchez decided to carry on the legacy of this popular boutique.

  • East County
  • Business
Schnitzel, a zebra shark, was brought to Sarasota from an aquarium in Minnesota to be featured at the Science Education Aquarium
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • May 16, 2023
Mote prepares for the animals it will house in its new aquarium

As the infrastructure of Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium's new Science Education Aquarium is being completed, the aquatic creatures who will live there are being prepared to move to their new home.

  • East County
  • Business
Jennifer Currier, Jeff Kahn, and Laritha Burks
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • May 12, 2023
Consulting service seeks to empower at-home caregivers

Two certified nursing assistants have launched Senior Consulting & Staff Support, whose goal is to offer caregivers the resources they need to keep seniors at home.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
Ed's Tavern co-owners Bob Bender, Adam Myara and Albert Myara said the new restaurant will have the same menu and many of the same features as the existing one.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • May 3, 2023
Ed's Tavern to open a second location in Lakewood Ranch

The popular sports bar will open a 4,200-square-foot restaurant at the State Road 64 and Upper Manatee River Road intersection late this year.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Nikka Colorado and Courtenay Smith strike a yoga pose in their new Waterside Place studio.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • April 28, 2023
Shack Yoga + Fitness opens second location in Waterside Place

The Shack Yoga opened its second location after being on Central Avenue in the Rosemary District for the past 10 years.

  • East County
  • Business
Daniel Lubner is loving life at the new Clive Daniel store in Sarasota.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • April 20, 2023
Clive Daniel story can't be swept under the rug

The Sarasota interior design/furniture business has driven, and sometimes comical, Clive Daniel owner Daniel Lubner.

  • East County
  • Business
David Spagnuolo said he had never used a Marana rotary pizza oven before coming to the King's Corner at Legacy Golf Club. He said it is "odd, but helpful."
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • April 19, 2023
New cook revamps menu at Legacy Golf Club's restaurant

Former New England restaurant/bakery owner David Spagnuolo has brought pizza to the restaurant with hopes of bringing in more non-golfers.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
James Hugglestone and Kirk Bauer have received promotions to principals at Fawley Bryant Architecture.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • April 18, 2023
Fawley Bryant Architecture names new principals

Kirk Bauer and James Hugglestone are named principals at the Lakewood Ranch firm.

  • East County
  • Business
Nannette and Mark Cobb spent their lives working for other people, so they decided to go their own way and buy a toy store.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • April 5, 2023
Learning Express owners squish and slime their way to a new life

The owners of the new toy store in the Shoppes at University Center risked their savings to enter an industry that some view as failing.

  • East County
  • Business
Willis Smith Construction CEO and owner David Sessions looks back on 35 years with the company, and leading it through its significant growth.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • April 4, 2023
Willis Smith Construction CEO looks back on 35 years of growth

David Sessions has led the Lakewood Ranch-based firm to its status as a giant in the building industry.

  • East County
  • Business
Yard House General Manager Richard Sauceda shows off his restaurant's huge beer cooler. Yard House opens April 2 at UTC.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • March 30, 2023
Yard House brings 110 beer taps, diverse food menu to Sarasota

The new restaurant at University Town Center will open its doors on Sunday, April 2.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Waterside Place, which hosts a weekly farmers market, has been growing. On Tuesday, the Black Dog store joined the retail lineup.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • March 28, 2023
Clothing store, Italian restaurant join lineup at Waterside Place

Black Dog and Osteria 500 have been announced to open at the Lakewood Ranch hub.

  • East County
  • Business
OnPlace staff members celebrating the company's one-year anniversary are Erin Steele, community relations, Sandy Friedman, business development, Monaca Onstad, president and CEO, Amanda Arnold, vice president, and Mackenzie Straley, director of community experience.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • March 21, 2023
Community lifestyle specialist spreads wings with OnPlace

Former SMR community relations director Monaca Onstad uses her Lakewood Ranch experience to enhance communities around the nation.

  • East County
  • Business
The Winn-Dixie grocery store at The Green in Lakewood Ranch lasted just over two years and is closing on April 10.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • March 16, 2023
Winn-Dixie in Lakewood Ranch to close April 10

Besides the regular grocery store, Winn-Dixie's liquor store also will close at The Green in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Business
Scooter's Coffee will be located at 6625 State Road 70, Bradenton.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • March 14, 2023
Scooter’s Coffee targets late 2023 opening in Bradenton

The growing specialty coffee chain will open a location on State Road 70 just east of Manatee Technical College.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Lisa Caufield and Rose Braonea serve customers at Panda Express.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • March 7, 2023
Culver's, Panda Express, Slim Chickens move into Lakewood Ranch

The fast-casual menu grows in Lakewood Ranch with three new fast-food franchises now open.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
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