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Longboat Key | Business

The commercial space at 3170-3174 Gulf of Mexico Drive will soon include a Starbucks location.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • February 6, 2025
Starbucks location to open on Longboat Key this summer

The shop, located at 3174 Gulf of Mexico Drive, will emphasize the brand’s "community coffee house" feel with a modern look tailored to Longboat Key.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Columbia Restaurant is known for its authentic Cuban sandwiches, vibrant paella and signature sangria.
    By
  • Marty Fugate
  • January 29, 2025
Columbia Restaurant preserves family tradition while evolving with the times

A staple for visitors and locals alike, the Columbia Restaurant shares the legacy behind its tasty traditions.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Lo’ Key Island Grille opened Jan. 6, 2025.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • January 15, 2025
Lo' Key Island Grille now open on Longboat Key

The island's newest restaurant, Lo' Key Island Grille, is now open for business.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Brigette Kubin cut the ribbon for her business, Three Island Monkeys, on Jan. 8.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • January 11, 2025
Three Island Monkeys celebrates Longboat opening with ribbon-cutting

The gift shop offering unique gifts and from local artists opened in November 2024 but had a ceremony to celebrate the opening with the local community.

  • Longboat Key
  • Business
Jon Mongeau, the Florist at Le Gardineu Bleu.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • December 31, 2024
Jon Mongeau brings extravagant florals to Longboat with Le Gardenia Bleu

From programmer to florist, Jon Mongeau plans to use his 38 years of floral design to mentor new florists and help Longboat Key bloom.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Will Parard, the head of culinary for Oysters Rock Hospitality
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • December 30, 2024
Former Café L'Europe chef leads the restaurant into a new era

New Head of Culinary for Oysters Rock Hospitality Will Parard plans to bring a mix of his Florida roots and unique flavors to Café L'Europe and Anna Maria Oyster Bars.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Cafe L'Europe renovated its private and semi-private dining areas ahead of the restaurant's 50th anniversary in 2023.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • December 11, 2024
Café L'Europe becomes The Café on St. Armands with new dining theme

The St. Armands Circle staple will reopen in January 2025 with a reimagined dining theme and new name following damages from Hurricane Helene.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
Kandi Kerekes's original logo for Three Island Monkeys.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • December 4, 2024
Anna Maria Gift Boutique reopens on Longboat Key

Brigette Kubin brings whimsical art and gifts to lighten up Longboaters as they recover after hurricanes Helene and Milton.

  • Longboat Key
  • Business
Jon Mongeau, Lita and John Brannan are the owners of Le Gardenia Bleu.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • December 3, 2024
New flower shop opens before hurricanes on Longboat Key

Le Gardenia Bleu aims to bring hope to Longboat Key with its unique trinkets from local artists and accessible flowers.

  • Longboat Key
  • Business
Stylist Sanda LaRose from Design 2000 Salon at David Gregory Salon.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • November 26, 2024
Design 2000 salon reopens after hurricane season

After weeks of sharing styling chairs at David Gregory Salon, Design 2000 employees are back in their newly renovated shop.

  • Longboat Key
  • Business
Hurricane Helene left the Lord's Warehouse at the Longboat Island Chapel in disarray.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • November 24, 2024
Lord’s Warehouse works to reopen next year after Hurricane Helene

After losing 75% of its merchandise, the Lord's Warehouse at the Longboat Island Chapel asks for donations and volunteers to reopen by February.

  • Longboat Key
  • Business
Petey the Pelican welcomes guests to Save Our Seabirds located at 1708 Ken Thompson Pkwy.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • November 20, 2024
Save Our Seabirds reopens after hurricanes with future goals in mind

The avian rescue and rehabilitation facility on City Island reopened to the public on Nov. 18 after nearly two months of being closed after hurricanes Helene and Milton.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The Coldwell Banker Realty office on St. Armands Circle reopened on Nov. 13
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • November 19, 2024
Coldwell Banker Realty reopens its St. Armands Circle office

The real estate office renovated to build in resiliency for the potential of future flooding on St. Armands Circle.

  • Longboat Key
  • Business
Harry, Lynn and Hal Christensen.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • November 12, 2024
Most Longboat Key restaurants are open

Staple restaurants on the Key shared what it is like being open after two hurricanes devastated the island.

  • Longboat Key
  • Business
At the helm: Lucile Capo-Miller and David Miller still oversee day-to-day operations at Cannons.
    By
  • Eric Snider
  • November 7, 2024
The family at the helm of Cannons Marina keep it strong after 68 years

In 1955, Michigan native Paul Miller traded his engineering career for the romance of Florida’s boating life and purchased Cannons Marina from Ernie Cannon. Today, under the leadership of David Miller and Lucile Capo-Miller, it’s a thoroughly modern boating enterprise.

  • Longboat Key
  • Business
Michael Nunes, Mary Bock, Robert Barney, Irina LaRose, Gregory Koss, Victoria Simko, David Roy and Sandra LaRose from David Gregory and Design 2000 salons.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • November 6, 2024
Longboat Key salons collaborate after hurricanes

David Gregory Salon opened its doors to Design 2000 Salon after it suffered great damage from Hurricanes Helene and Milton.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The St. Regis Longboat Key opened in August during a big celebration of the long-anticipated resort.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • November 2, 2024
St. Regis opens a new wealth of possibilities for Longboat Key

After a decade of twists and turns, the St. Regis Longboat Key introduces a different level of luxury for the island — with a nod to the noted property that preceded it.

  • Longboat Key
  • Business
Cariloha Sarasota lost about 80% of its inventory due to hurricanes Helene and Milton.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • October 30, 2024
Longboat Key small businesses seek public's help after losing everything

After hurricanes Helene and Milton affected them greatly, local businesses ask for help from the Longboat Key community to keep their businesses from closing down.

  • Longboat Key
  • Business
The wall and door at Café L'Europe shows the high water mark of the Hurricane Helene storm surge on St. Armands Circle.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • October 22, 2024
Longboat businesses plan to move forward in wake of hurricanes

Businesses recount on how they were affected by hurricanes Helene and Milton and wonder how the high season on Longboat will look like.

  • Longboat Key
  • Business
Back row: Alexander Telfair, Angie Weaver, Mindy Ward, James Reed and Jessica Kowaliski Front row: Amy Steinhauser, Debby Debile, Sarah Lilly and Sara Carson
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • October 21, 2024
The Paradise Center offers help to Reed Medical Group

After being affected by the hurricane season, the two organizations banded together to become the hub of health and wellness on Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Business
Whitney Plaza business owner recounts his Hurricane Helene experience
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • October 7, 2024
Whitney Plaza business owner recounts his Hurricane Helene experience

After staying open during the hurricane, Gary Hagen of Donuts By Design got stuck in his shop with a dead phone and car.

  • Longboat Key
  • Business
The exterior mural at Guppy's Longboat Key was commissioned by local duo Foxxy Fine Art.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • September 24, 2024
Philly-based restaurant Guppy’s Good Times to open on Longboat

Owner Robin Gupta hopes the restaurant can bring a neighborhood sports bar feel to the island.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Fannie Bushin with her toy poodle Miles.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • September 4, 2024
Pet grooming business puts safety, comfortability first for Longboat dogs

Fannie's House Call Pet Grooming owner Fannie Bushin's lifelong love for animals is married with her passion for creativity.

  • Longboat Key
  • Business
Gary Hagen makes donut sundaes at the new Donuts By Design.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • August 19, 2024
Longboat cheesecake parlor becomes donut shop

Gary Hagen plans to shift the focus of Elegant Lady Cheesecake Parlor to serve up unique donut flavors on the island.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Mike Rusnak
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • August 6, 2024
UPS Store on Longboat Key makes house calls and ships cars

Owner Mike Rusnak shares the unique items he sees while assisting Longboaters with shipping.

  • Longboat Key
  • Business
Sandbar Seafood & Spirit is one of three Manatee County waterfront restaurants Chiles Hospitality has sold.
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • July 18, 2024
Chiles Hospitality sells Mar Vista and 2 other beachfront restaurants

A St. Petersburg-based restaurant group also purchases Anna Maria Bake House and Chiles Hospitality's events department.

  • Longboat Key
  • Business
Dr. Daren Spinelle offers accessible health care for the residents of Longboat Key at the Paradise Center Medical Suite.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • June 24, 2024
Longboat doctor plans to expand health services at The Paradise Center

Dr. Daren Spinelle hopes to provide accessible educational and medical resources for snowbirds and full-time residents on the island.

  • Longboat Key
  • Business
SeaMonkey Apparel's Longboat Key Turtle Watch design for June.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • June 10, 2024
Apparel brand with LBK ties launches partnerships with local nonprofits

A collaboration between SeaMonkey Apparel and Longboat Key Turtle Watch led to a unique design that raises awareness for sea turtle nesting season.

  • Longboat Key
  • Business
The former Holiday Inn on Lido is undergoing renovations.
    By
  • Elizabeth King
  • June 10, 2024
Holiday Inn on Lido Key undergoes major face-lift

Cirque St. Armands Beachside is expected to open this fall.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Christy James and Art Conforti
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • May 19, 2024
Longboat Key Flower Shop readies for in-person shopping

The shop will hold an open house throughout the month of July complete with giveaways.

  • Longboat Key
  • Business
Charlie the goldendoodle from Cannons Marina is one of Jadyn Norton's regular clients.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • May 13, 2024
Dog groomer makes a name for himself on Longboat Key and beyond

Jadyn Norton decided to start a new chapter in his life by moving to Sarasota. It led him to start his own business, Puppy Pals Dog Grooming, which has been a success so far.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Club Leaf & Bean in Cranberry Township, Pennsylvania.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • April 29, 2024
Cigar club on Longboat Key is now open for its inaugural members

Club Leaf & Bean co-owners Mark Zini and Matt Kaltenberger are close to reaching their max for membership for the new members-only social cigar lounge on Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Business
Alessandro Di Ferdinando, Antonio Mancini and Giancarlo Di Cosmo
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • April 22, 2024
New Italian restaurant opens on St. Armands Circle

The highly anticipated Italian restaurant, 15 South By Napulè, will be the best of both worlds with an intimate restaurant downstairs and a lively bar and dance floor upstairs.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
St. Armands Circle will soon have a new Italian restaurant concept, 15 South by Napulè, located at 15 S. Boulevard of the Presidents, which was most recently the home of St. Armands Oyster Bar.
    By
  • Elizabeth King
  • April 18, 2024
New Italian eatery opens this month on St. Armands

The owner of Napulè is opening an Italian restaurant called 15 South by Napulè.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Lo' Key Island Grille is expected to wrap up construction this summer and open its doors in October.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • April 18, 2024
Casual restaurant to open on Longboat Key in October

Lo’ Key Island Grille will emphasize a laid-back atmosphere with a sizable outdoor space while serving fresh seafood.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Colleen Collandra
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • April 10, 2024
Longbeach Cafe celebrates 10 years at Whitney Plaza

The restaurant keeps people coming back with delicious food, friendly service and consistent experiences.

  • Longboat Key
  • Business
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Latest in Longboat Key

1
A satellite image of Hurricane Irma.
  • December 4, 2025
Hurricane season ends without Florida landfall
2
Longboat Key Police Chief Russ Mager speaks at a Rotary Club of Longboat Key meeting Tuesday, Sept. 16. Mager, who spent nearly three decades in law enforcement primarily in Delray Beach, said LBKPD has training requirements similar to the much larger city of Delray and that officers on the Key are well prepared for any event that may take place thanks to partnerships the department has with neighboring jurisdictions.
  • December 4, 2025
Longboat police chief begins community video series
3
Sidewalks on the southern portion of Gulf of Mexico Drive will be closed nightly as construction crews begin work to install a gas line to accommodate a dredging project in Sarasota Bay.
  • December 3, 2025
Expect road, sidewalk closures on Longboat Key
4
Lucie Lapovsky, president of the Longboat Key Democratic Club, and Nick Gladding, president of the Republican Club of Longboat Key, are two members of Miracle on the Key, a group which aims to find common ground among hot-button political issues.
  • December 3, 2025
Longboat Dems, GOP join together to find common ground
5
A leatherback turtle hatchling crosses the beach.
  • December 3, 2025
Turtles born on Longboat return home to nest decades later

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