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East County | Business

    By
  • Jay Heater
  • August 14, 2022
Sofia's opens as Mediterranean-themed restaurant in Lakewood Ranch

Invitation-only event Aug. 13 preps Chef Angelo DiFiore's business for Aug. 16 opening to general public.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Part of the Old Florida style at Linger Lodge Restaurant is the taxidermy. (Photo by Liz Ramos)
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 12, 2022
Old Florida charm back in business at Bradenton's Linger Lodge

Owner Rita Lewis says the restaurant reopening feels like a homecoming on Braden River.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Origin has additional locations in Southside Village, UTC and Palmer Ranch. (File photo)
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • August 12, 2022
New restaurants offering pizza, coffee and more open in Sarasota, Waterside Place

Four of the Sarasota area's newest places to grab a bite are now ready for you.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • August 11, 2022
Windward at Lakewood Ranch launches latest salvo in amenities race

The Neal Communities property shows how middle- to upper-middle-class families are living the country club lifestyle.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Slim Chickens features a range of chicken sandwiches. The restaurant offers baskets featuring chicken strips and wings. (Courtesy photo)
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • August 1, 2022
Slim Chickens plans Lakewood Ranch opening

The fast-casual restaurant’s menu centers on a range of fried chicken items.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
The Twig's Lindsey May, left, and Katelyn Egolf, right, join Julie Swan of the Lake Club Women’s Giving Circle at the event. (Photo by Ian Swaby)
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • July 24, 2022
The Twig of Bradenton displays the compassion of area nonprofits

The Twig and The Lake Club Women’s Giving Circle combine to benefit foster children.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Employee Tyler Simons hands out a Jeremiah's Gelati featuring mango Italian ice and vanilla soft ice cream. (Photo by Ian Swaby)
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • July 19, 2022
Jeremiah's Italian Ice expands to Lakewood Ranch

The owners of the Bradenton franchise are bringing the frozen treat eatery to the Ranch.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
The grilled fish sandwich at Lake Park Diner features local fresh fish, pickled julienned cucumber, organic baby arugula, cilantro-lime slaw, and champagne-tartar sauce, on a brioche bun. (Courtesy photo)
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • July 18, 2022
Diner, pet store among new businesses heading to Center Point in Lakewood Ranch

Recently announced tenants at Center Point include Lake Park Diner, Woof Gang Bakery, Crisp & Green and Toasted Yolk Cafe.

  • East County
  • Business
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • July 16, 2022
New location in Sarasota for Pinnacle Chiropractic

Pediatric chiropractic care specialists opens on Cooper Creek Boulevard.

  • East County
  • Business
Maggie Harrington and Justin Simms are helping Truman's Tap & Grill get into the holiday spirit a little early. (Photo by Spencer Fordin)
    By
  • Spencer Fordin
  • July 16, 2022
Truman's Tap & Grill gives back with Christmas in July

December can be a difficult time for people to donate to charity. So one local business decided to get a jump on the holiday spirit.

  • East County
  • Business
Jenny Townsend, the owner of Music Compound MAN, says the music lounge will be a place for students to relax before lessons as well as to perform. (Photo by Liz Ramos)
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • July 15, 2022
Music Compound set to open new location in east Bradenton

Braden River Business Park facility will join the Music Compound's original Sarasota location.

  • East County
  • Business
Tyler McCallister cuts the ribbon during the grand opening of Brown & Brown Insurance. (Photo by Ian Swaby)
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • July 15, 2022
Brown & Brown Insurance arrives in University Park

Staff said that the new office is a reflection of changes in the company — but that it will also create new ones.

  • East County
  • Business
A car is suspended in the air for maintenance at Christian Brothers Automotive. (Photo by Ian Swaby)
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • July 12, 2022
Faith-based automotive repair franchise comes to Lakewood Ranch area

The franchise owner says he wants to bring more transparency to auto repair.

  • East County
  • Business
Country Club East's Nicole Pies has started Divorce Real Estate using her doctorate in psychology to help those in high-stress situations.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • June 30, 2022
Lakewood Ranch Realtor specializes in high-stress sales

Psychologist/Realtor Nicole Pies founds company Divorce Real Estate dedicated to people going through a divorce who want to buy or sell a home.

  • East County
  • Business
Big Top Brewing co-founder and partner Mike Bisaha draws a beer from a tap at the outdoor bar at its Cock & Bull location on Cattlemen Drive.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • June 29, 2022
Commercial or craft, beer drinkers unite over some frosty brew

While craft brewers take beer to new levels, legacy commercial brews still dominate American consumption.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Meals on Wheels PLUS driver Steve Gadberry, left, helps prepare bags of hot meals at the Meals on Wheels kitchen, in Bradenton. File photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • June 23, 2022
Meals on Wheels Plus celebrates 50 years of serving the community

The nonprofit, which in 2020 hit a total 11 million home-delivered meal served since its 1972 inception, now delivers more than 320,000 meals a year.

  • East County
  • Business
Work continues on Nate's Honor Animal Rescue's expansion. The pergolas are a new resting area for visitors, volunteers and staff at the center of the property. Beyond is the welcome and adoption center that is under construction.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • June 16, 2022
Progress continues on Nate's Honor Animal Rescue expansion in Lakewood Ranch

Several amenities are now finished while work on pet cottages, a playground and an adoption center continues.

  • East County
  • Business
Angelo DiFiore poses with Sofia's Assistant Manager Jorge Zavalaga. The restaurant is expected to open the first week of August.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • June 13, 2022
Mediterranean dining comes to Main Street at Lakewood Ranch

Sofia's, a Mediterranean-themed restaurant, is set to open in early August.

  • East County
  • Business
Willis Smith executives Dave Sessions and John LaCivita with Howard Tibbals at the groundbreaking of the Ringling Museum Tibbals Circus Museum in 2003.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • May 31, 2022
Willis Smith celebrates 50 years of impact in the Sarasota and Manatee counties region

Mote, Ringling and schools projects highlight the Lakewood Ranch company's resume.

  • East County
  • Business
Lakewood Ranch's Eric Coffin is seeking investors for his “Quad-Gen” system.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • May 28, 2022
Lakewood Ranch engineer wants to revolutionize air conditioning industry

Eye on business: Eric Coffin seeks investors for his "Quad-Gen" air conditioning system.

  • East County
  • Business
Robert and Jeff Toale say the Celebration of Life Center in Lakewood Ranch will be on the cutting edge of modern funeral home service.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • May 28, 2022
New Lakewood Ranch funeral home on the cutting edge

Celebration of Life Center is set to open in Lakewood Ranch with a rousing open house.

  • East County
  • Business
Deep Lagoon Seafood & Oyster House has locations in Fort Myers, Naples and Marco Island.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • May 26, 2022
Deep Lagoon Seafood & Oyster House headed to Lakewood Ranch

Waterside Place has signed a lease with the upscale casual seafood restaurant.

  • East County
  • Business
Kelly's Roast Beef is expected to open in mid-September at UTC.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • May 24, 2022
Kelly’s Roast Beef to bring a taste of the Northeast to University Park

The owner of the sandwich chain, set to open locally in September, says he wanted to bring a taste of Boston to Sarasota.

  • East County
  • Business
The view from the VIP tent at TerraNova. (Courtesy photo)
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • May 19, 2022
Myakka City equestrian facility aims to a jump above the rest

Behind a $30 million investment, a young entrepreneur is taking big strides to turn the TerraNova Equestrian Center into a leading destination.

  • East County
  • Business
In his leadership role at Coastal Orthopedics, Dr. Arthur Valadie recognizes the need to expand to meet the needs of a growing population out east. (Photo by Mark Wemple)
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • May 17, 2022
Coastal Orthopedics completes a major expansion

A construction and build-out project with a price tag of more than $30 million positions a fast-growing medical group to meet East County’s current and future demand.

  • LWR Life
Central Park's Skyler Vargas will graduate from Florida Gulf Coast University at 18 years old after finishing high school at 16 years old.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 4, 2022
Lakewood Ranch student graduates college at 18

Central Park's Skyler Vargas is way ahead of the curve as she graduates college at 18.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Galbi, or grilled ribs, are one of Dokko's favorite items on the menu.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • March 31, 2022
Korê Steakhouse to bring Korean food and culture to Waterside Place

The new Korean restaurant brings no-tipping policy to Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • News
Bradenton's Dr. Dwight Fitch will lead Advocate Radiation Oncology's newest cancer treatment center in east Bradenton.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • March 30, 2022
Advocate Radiation Oncology opens new cancer treatment center

New east Bradenton cancer treatment center gives Lakewood Ranch area patients a short drive for care.

  • East County
  • Business
Tricia Farrington focuses all her attention on making pecan caramel apples
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • March 16, 2022
Kilwins owner says Waterside, Lakewood Ranch is in for a treat

A confectionery franchise finds a sweet spot at Waterside, Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • News
Five-O Donut Co. offers a variety of donuts from classics to fancy donuts.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • March 13, 2022
Five-O Donut Co. and The Paper Store now open at UTC

Donut lovers and shoppers flock to grand openings for the donut and gift stores at Sarasota's University Town Center.

  • East County
  • Business
Hugo Rodriguez of PlayTri says bike parts are hard to acquire during the supply chain shortages.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • February 15, 2022
Despite nationwide supply chain shortages, Lakewood Ranch area businesses move forward

Local businesses are searching for answers during supply chain shortages.

  • East County
  • Business
A rendering of the Luxe Dream Garage that will be built in the Lakewood Ranch Corporate Park. (Courtesy rendering)
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • February 9, 2022
Car condo project starts its engine in Lakewood Ranch Corporate Park

Developer David Slone says his Luxe Dream Garage project in Lakewood Ranch has sold half the units with groundbreaking July 1.

  • East County
  • Business
Rocco Mangel is set to open Rocco's Tacos & Tequila Bar at University Town Center by December. It will be his ninth location in Florida. (Courtesy photo)
    By
  • Scott Lockwood
  • January 30, 2022
Rocco's Tacos owner aims for Dec. 1 opening at UTC

University Town Center in Sarasota will be Rocco's Tacos and Tequila Bar's ninth location in Florida.

  • East County
  • News
Kristin and John Hokanson with the daughter Madison have taken ownership of Fiorelli Winery and Vineyard.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • November 1, 2021
Fiorelli Winery and Vineyard under new ownership in eastern Bradenton

Kristin and John Hokanson take over East County's Fiorelli Winery and Vineyard.

  • East County
  • Business
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • September 15, 2021
Longboat Key, Lakewood Ranch businesses come together for East Meets West

Businesses met in the middle for an expo at the Robarts Arena.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Bodybar Pilates is coming to Waterside Place in Lakewood Ranch.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • August 31, 2021
Lakewood Ranch's Waterside Place adds Pilates studio

Bodybar Pilates studio joins the lineup at Waterside Place in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • News
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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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