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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
Sales Manager Jim Greenley holds a bottle of La Gerla Brunello in front of ABC Fine Wine & Spirits' Wines of Distinction case.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • August 19, 2021
ABC Fine Wine & Spirits opens Lakewood Ranch store

ABC liquors opens

  • East County
  • Business
Mark Stevens, president of Stevens Construction, Greg Bartoli, PopStroke founder, and Bryon Bell, president of TGR Design, get busy with shovels at the PopStroke groundbreaking at UTC in Sarasota.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • August 18, 2021
Tiger Woods' PopStroke breaks ground at UTC in Sarasota

PopStroke, designed by Tiger Woods and his TGR team, breaks ground at Sarasota's University Town Center.

  • East County
  • News
University Park resident Marlene Meyer, who owns Marlene's Finds and Designs, repurposes customers' memorabilia into household items such as bracelets, napkin rings, purses, rings and more.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • August 4, 2021
University Park woman crafts special memory collections

Marlene Meyer repurposes customers' memorabilia into jewelry and household items.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Kingdom Business Alliance Co-founders Greg Claxton and Scott McKay stand with member Mindy Poff after a Tuesday morning meeting at the Grove. The alliance meets every single week.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • July 28, 2021
Lakewood Ranch-based Kingdom Business Alliance keeps God first

The Kingdom Business Alliance has grown to 29 members in six months.

  • East County
  • News
Development along Lorraine Road, including neighborhoods such as Esplanade, is occurring quicker than Manatee County anticipated, which has increased the urgency to improve Lorraine Road.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • July 20, 2021
Changes coming to Lakewood Ranch's Lorraine Road

Manatee County has several improvements planned to better accommodate development between S.R. 64 and 70.

  • East County
  • News
Selva Grill's dining room features blues and greens and a mural inspired by Vincent van Gogh's Starry Night. Unlike the lounge, it accepts reservations. (Photo courtesy of Selva Grill)
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • July 14, 2021
EYE ON BUSINESS: Selva Grill brings Latin American flavors to Sarasota's UTC

Co-owner Jeremy Osment hopes to attract UTC customers with exotic dining experience.

  • East County
  • News
Buyers from all over the U.S. have been gobbling up Lakewood Ranch homes, such as this one in the Genoa community of the Lake Club.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • July 12, 2021
Lakewood Ranch seizes No. 1 spot in master-planned community sales

RCLCO study names Lakewood Ranch as nation's No. 1-selling master-planned community.

  • East County
  • News
The average price of a single-family house in Manatee County increased from $463,015 in November to $567,549 in May.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • July 7, 2021
Eastern Manatee County developers say housing market will stabilize — eventually

Developers expect supply chain to self-correct at some point, but house prices may not return to pre-pandemic levels.

  • East County
  • News
Tsunami Sushi and Hibachi Grill Owner Sam Ray and General Manager Jeffrey Karasawa hope to open their restaurant at the heart of The Green by the end of 2021.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • June 30, 2021
Tsunami Sushi fills important role at The Green in Lakewood Ranch

Business owners at The Green hope two new restaurants located at the heart of the plaza will bring more shoppers.

  • East County
  • News
Sky King Fireworks Managing Partner Dustin Luer said East County residents shouldn't wait until the last minute to buy their fireworks this year because of a supply shortage.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • June 29, 2021
Lakewood Ranch residents plan Fourth filled with fireworks, fun

However, an industry shortage could lower the boom in East County.

  • East County
  • News
New donut shop coming to UTC in Sarasota.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • June 17, 2021
Five-O Donut Company comes to Sarasota's University Town Center

Five-O Donut Company will build its fourth Sarasota location at University Town Center.

  • East County
  • News
Tidewell volunteers Lynda Anderson, who works in patient support, and Phyllis Scarff, who works as a host, stand outside the entrance to the Lakewood Ranch facility. Anderson couldn't do patient support for more than a year.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • June 16, 2021
Tidewell Hospice welcomes back Lakewood Ranch volunteers

Tidewell Hospice also seeks new volunteers after losing more than one-third of its volunteers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

  • East County
  • News
Greenbrook's Allison Konick has always dreamed of opening a dental practice and looks forward to growing her practice in the same community in which she lives.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 19, 2021
EYE ON BUSINESS: New dental practice makes owner smile in Lakewood Ranch

Greenbrook resident opens Kind Smiles Dental Health in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Business
Warby Parker's Tyler Carbol says the Warby Parker stores are very similar in presentation.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • March 24, 2021
New Warby Parker store in Sarasota has vision

Warby Parker opens at the Mall at University Town Center in Sarasota.

  • East County
  • Business
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • August 28, 2020
No feud for this family in Lakewood Ranch

Alliance hosts first large in-person networking event.

  • East County
  • Business
AltMed MUV Director of Corporate Affairs Todd Beckwith discusses the 75 products available at AltMed MUV.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • June 30, 2020
Cannabis dispensary makes debut in Lakewood Ranch area

AltMed MUV cannabis dispensary makes debut in Lakewood Ranch area

  • East County
  • News
Financial advisor Joshua Lowe learned about hard work during his dad's run as a minor league baseball coach with the Cubs, Yankees and Expos.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • June 10, 2020
Lakewood Ranch financial advisor hopes to score with new office

Lakewood Ranch financial advisor hopes to score with new office

  • East County
  • Business
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Though Florida Power & Light employs a variety of advanced technology to avoid power failures, often the basic work of tree trimming goes a long way toward heading off trouble.
  • May 24, 2026
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A rendering of the 12U baseball/softball fields five-plex that will be built at UMR Sports complex in East County.
  • May 23, 2026
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3
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4
Leighton Paul (right), pictured here during the FHSAA Class 5A-Region 3 final May 14 against Gulf Coast, was Braden River's leadoff hitter this season. She went 0-for-3 in the state semifinals against Niceville.
  • May 22, 2026
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