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Longboat Key | Business

Gary Hagen of Elegant Lady Cheesecake
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • April 9, 2024
Long-awaited cheesecake shop open in Whitney Plaza

Gary Hagen has brought Hollywood to Longboat Key through his new cheesecake shop, Elegant Lady Cheesecake.

  • Longboat Key
  • Business
Christy James of the Longboat Key Flower Shop
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • April 7, 2024
New flower shop opens on Longboat Key

Owner Christy James shared her hopes and plans for the new flower shop on the island at her ribbon-cutting with the Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce.

  • Longboat Key
  • Business
Michael Garey at Longboat Key’s Lazy Lobster.
    By
  • Marty Fugate
  • March 29, 2024
Lazy Lobster's Michael Garey is anything but lazy

This Lazy Lobster co-owner doesn’t have a lazy bone in his body. He loves his work and honors the mentors who got him started.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Penny's Ice Cream offers a variety of flavors, fresh pastries and beverages like hot and iced coffee.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • March 13, 2024
Ice cream shop named for owners' beloved dog opens on Longboat

Greg Bukowski and Volha Siamashka have opened Penny's Ice Cream near the beach and hope to grow a loyal customer base.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Harry, Lynn and Hal Christensen are celebrating 45 years of business in 2024.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • March 6, 2024
Harry’s Continental Kitchens celebrates 45 years on Longboat Key

The Christensens say the key to their business' longevity has been patience and gradual evolution.

  • Longboat Key
  • Business
Mark Johnson, Jack Dean, Linda Dillon, Kim Verreault, Michelle Johnson, Mary Lou Johnson, Andrew Vac and Kellie Spring
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • March 1, 2024
Edward Jones cuts the ribbon on first Longboat Key branch

Financial planner Michelle Johnson opens the first Edward Jones branch on the island to provide personalized financial planning for residents.

  • Longboat Key
  • Business
The outdoor patio space doubled in size after Sips began leasing its second space.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • February 29, 2024
Sips marks one year on Longboat with gelato shop expansion

The new gelato spot, a sister business of Longboat Key coffee shop Sips, opens March 1 in Whitney Plaza.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
True Fitness provided all new equipment for Reed Medical Group.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • February 13, 2024
Reed Medical Group expands with new physical therapy suite

The PT team at Reed Medical Group moves to a suite with all-new equipment to serve Longboaters.

  • Longboat Key
  • Business
Gary Hagen
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • January 3, 2024
Cheesecake mogul to open new dessert cafe on Longboat Key

Gary Hagen brings his big Hollywood cheesecake shop to Whitney Plaza to provide a hub for good eats and good times.

  • Longboat Key
  • Business
The bar at Ventura's Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar at its November 2022 opening.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • January 2, 2024
Restaurateur celebrates one-year anniversary of Ventura's on Longboat Key

Debra Murphy accomplishes her lifelong dream of opening a restaurant — Ventura’s Italian Kitchen and Wine Bar — that serves as an outlet for her interests.

  • Longboat Key
  • Business
Lorenzo Condensa, Justina Carter and Chris Carter.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • January 1, 2024
Coffee shop owners look to expand their Longboat Key business

Chris Carter, Justina Carter and Lorenzo Condensa spend most days at their coffee shop, Sips. A year of success has allowed them consider a new business venture.

  • Longboat Key
  • Business
New owner brings caregiving experience to Longboat Massage
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • December 30, 2023
New owner brings caregiving experience to Longboat Massage

After two car accidents, Maritza Rocha learned about the healing power of touch.

  • Longboat Key
  • Business
Two-story Italian restaurant to open on St. Armands in early 2024
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 1, 2023
Two-story Italian restaurant to open on St. Armands in early 2024

15 South by Napulè, a Neapolitan-inspired concept, will feature pizzas made in an authentic, gold-tiled oven.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
The newly renovated Lazy Lobster
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • November 28, 2023
Lazy Lobster of Longboat Key gets a makeover

The restaurant recently finished renovations providing a coastal, modern atmosphere for customers to enjoy a nice dinner out.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Amy Whitt worked her way from administrative assistant to owner of this landmark restaurant on Longboat Key.
    By
  • Marty Fugate
  • November 2, 2023
Euphemia Haye owner has singular goal: Don’t mess with perfection

Amy Whitt, Euphemia Haye’s new owner, plans no big changes. She knows the restaurant is perfect just the way it is.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Heather Rippy curates the items in her shop from over 35 local artists.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • September 19, 2023
Driftwood Beach Home and Garden features products from over 35 local artists

Owner Heather Rippy brings her passion of supporting small businesses into her shop by curating goods made locally and around the world.

  • Longboat Key
  • Business
The ribbon cutting of the Holistic Healing and Wellness Center of Longboat Key with Deanna Mesghali, Patti Bosco, Mayor Ken Schneier, Medge Jaspan, Michael Jaspan and Irina Bronstein.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • September 15, 2023
New wellness center offers Longboat mindfulness, holistic care

The Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce hosted the ribbon-cutting of the new Tesla BioHealing Medbed Center in Mediterranean Plaza.

  • Longboat Key
  • Business
Cafe L'Europe is temporarily closed as they repair the damage caused by Hurricane Idalia.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • September 11, 2023
Cafe L'Europe closes temporarily for repairs after Hurricane Idalia damage

Phase 3 of the restaurant's renovation is postponed until next summer to focus on adding new menu items and maintaining their atmosphere.

  • Longboat Key
  • Business
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
Jose Pavet of Cha Cha Coconuts on Aug. 31.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • August 31, 2023
Businesses on St. Armands Circle clean up after Hurricane Idalia flooding

Shops on the Circle received little water damage from the storm and plan to reopen Aug. 31 to Sept. 1.

  • Longboat Key
  • Business
Cafe L'Europe staff in the Late '70s.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • August 30, 2023
Cafe L'Europe builds on tradition for 50th anniversary

The St. Armands Circle restaurant has served the area for 50 years and trained many local restaurateurs.

  • Longboat Key
  • Business
Alex Fabrizo taking in signs and other outdoor items from the Publix parking lot.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • August 29, 2023
Business owners on St. Armands Circle, Longboat prep for Hurricane Idalia

Few businesses stay open as they make last-minute preparations and residents evacuate for the coming Category 3 hurricane.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Alana Bjork and Chuck Wolfe
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • August 8, 2023
Chiles Hospitality awards student scholarships to nine employees

Employees at Mar Vista Dockside Restaurant & Pub qualified for scholarships funded by Manatee Community Foundation.

  • Longboat Key
  • Business
The Thieles at Tyler's Gourmet Ice Cream in Longboat Key
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • July 26, 2023
Tyler's Gourmet Ice Cream brings sweetness of childhood to Longboat

The ice cream shop's partnership with Lazy Lobster has made it a family-friendly destination.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Sharon Haas sets up tables at Ventura's about an hour before the doors open for dinner.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • July 26, 2023
Local businesses find ways to retain staff amid seasonal traffic issues

The town of Longboat Key and private businesses often need to find ways to encourage people to work on the island while some are drawn to work on the island.

  • Longboat Key
  • Business
Chamber ambassador Brian Wiffin, assistant manager of stores Janeane Diaz, Mayor Kyle Battie, Cariloha owner Jeff Snell and chamber ambassador Patti Bosco.
    By
  • Sidra Wali
  • May 15, 2023
Bamboo clothing, bedding retailer cuts ribbon on St. Armands

Cariloha Sarasota celebrated its reopening with the Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce on May 4.

  • Longboat Key
  • Business
Dr. James Reed, board certified family medicine physician
    By
  • Sidra Wali
  • May 8, 2023
Reed Medical Group on Longboat expands

The medical group has added a variety of services on the island since it opened.

  • Longboat Key
  • Business
Jack Dean, Tryla Larson, Mayor Ken Schneier, Estella Villegas, Antonia Munos, Deanna Mesghali, and Scott Kuykendall.
    By
  • Sidra Wali
  • May 2, 2023
Ribbon-cutting marks opening of La Villa Café on Longboat

The new restaurant is officially open and serving coffee, healthy breakfast items and empanadas.

  • Longboat Key
  • Business
The Michael Saunders & Co. south Longboat Key office.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 27, 2023
Michael Saunders & Co. to combine two Longboat Key sales offices

Longboat agents will work under one roof at the spacious south Key location.

  • Longboat Key
  • Business
Rendering of indoor dining area at proposed Lo'Key Island Grille.
    By
  • Lauren Tronstad
  • April 26, 2023
'Quaint' restaurant concept plans approved on Longboat Key

After Tiki bar plans were rejected in 2022, the Lo'Key Island Grille proposal earned approval by the Longboat Key Planning and Zoning Board.

  • Longboat Key
  • Business
Michael Garey, Yesenia Retamozo, Kelly Breese, Mayor Ken Schneier and Kellie Spring celebrated the opening of Hearing Aids of Sarasota.
    By
  • Lauren Tronstad
  • March 14, 2023
Longboat businesses host ribbon-cuttings

Hearing Aids of Sarasota and LaVilla Mexican Grill officially celebrated their openings last week.

  • Longboat Key
  • Business
Rumble officially opened its new U.S. corporate headquarters Feb. 27.
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • March 7, 2023
YouTube competitor opens new Longboat Key headquarters

In a rare interview, Rumble CEO talks about tech companies, freedom of speech principles and the YouTube competitor’s growth track.

  • Longboat Key
  • Business
Sips owners Justina Condensa and Chris Carter celebrated their grand opening March 1.
    By
  • Lauren Tronstad
  • March 1, 2023
Sips celebrates grand opening on Longboat Key

The coffee shop in Whitney Plaza is open from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. and is closed Monday.

  • Longboat Key
  • Business
Justina Condensa and Chris Carter own and operate Sips in Whitney Plaza.
    By
  • Lauren Tronstad
  • February 20, 2023
Longboat welcomes new businesses to north end

Sips coffee shop and a mental health private practice have opened their doors on the barrier island.

  • Longboat Key
  • Business
Serge Gauthier, host and director of the show Mariloup Wolfe and Sonia Gauthier
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • February 15, 2023
Canadians make 'The Big Move' to St. Armands

A French Canadian television show filmed at the Gauthier Salon & Wellness Spa on Sunday.

  • Longboat Key
  • Business
The St. Armands Business Improvement District will expire later this year unless it is renewed by Aug. 7
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • February 14, 2023
St. Armands property owners to make second bid to renew business district

Falling just short of a 10-year renewal of the St. Armands Business Improvement District, its board will begin the process for a second ballot for property owners on the Circle.

  • Sarasota
  • News
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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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