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Longboat Key | Business

Amanda and John Horne will honor Café L’Europe’s favorite menu items, including the French onion soup served in an onion, but have revamped the interior and refreshed the menu.
    By
  • Abby Weingarten
  • February 6, 2023
Restaurateur brings his brand of hospitality to the iconic Café L'Europe

John Horne, one of the area’s most experienced restaurateurs, takes the helm of an iconic restaurant on St. Armands Circle.

  • Longboat Key
  • Business
Foxy Lady’s founder and owner Lorry Eible has been a local trendsetter for 50 years.
  • By Amy Bentley
  • January 28, 2023
St. Armands' Foxy Lady is still fabulous at 50

Foxy Lady founder Lorry Eible credits family, friends and generations of loyal customers for 50 years of success.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
Robert Jendelund is the new contract tennis pro at the Longboat Key Public Tennis Center.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • January 17, 2023
New tennis pro joins Longboat tennis center

The Longboat Key Public Tennis Center hired a new contract pro to handle the overflow of requests for tennis lessons.

  • Longboat Key
  • Business
From the property's beach groin, the scale of the project is evident.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • December 31, 2022
Enough concrete poured at Longboat's St. Regis to build a 234-mile sidewalk

Heading into second year of construction, the condo and hotel buildings are coming together.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The new DalMoros location in St. Armands Circle.
    By
  • Amanda Postma
  • November 29, 2022
Takeout pasta concept opens in St. Armands

Passersby will notice a mural created by local artists and watch the signature DalMoros pasta machine at work on St. Armands Circle.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Estella Villegas front and center with Mariachi Contemporaneo. The band plays every other Wednesday for now, weekly during peak season.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • November 29, 2022
Mexican restaurant opens on Longboat Key

It took owners 16 months to open La Villa Mexican Grill. Now it's open and serving up authentic Mexican dishes, margaritas and mariachi.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
The bar at Ventura's Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar at its November 2022 opening.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • November 14, 2022
New Italian restaurant opens in Whitney Plaza

Ventura's Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar has replaced the Bayou Tavern, but you can still order the veal cannelloni.

  • Longboat Key
  • Business
Deep Lagoon gives every diner an up-close view of Little Sarasota Bay. (Courtesy photo)
    By
  • Su Byron
  • November 11, 2022
Must-try waterfront restaurants in Sarasota, Longboat Key, Osprey

Looking for a table by the water? For a close encounter with Florida’s natural splendor, enjoy one of these waterfront restaurants on a nearby key.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
When Judy Fryer is not working, she’s managing a 25-acre farm and participating in equestrian eventing. (Photo by Lori Sax)
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • November 10, 2022
Old Salty Dog owner dishes on origin story of its quirky menu, sustained success

This astute businesswoman and restaurateur shares her insights on hot dogs, horses, happy employees — and the secret sauce behind running one of the most popular restaurants on the keys.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Rumble founder and CEO Chris Pavlovsk and prominent Wall Street executive Howard Lutnick on a screenshot from a Rumble video where they talked about the SPAC merger.
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • September 22, 2022
Longboat Key video-sharing firm reels in $400M from merger

"We have only scratched the surface of what this business could be," Rumble officials say.

  • Longboat Key
  • Business
(Photo courtesy of the Chicago Zoological Society's Sarasota Dolphin Research Program, taken under the National Marine Fisheries Service Scientific Research Permit #20455)
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • September 8, 2022
Dolphin study changes focus from patterns to conservation

The Sarasota Dolphin Research Program was started in 1970 and tracks about 170 dolphins around Sarasota Bay.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
TPC offers a Zumba class every Thursday. (Photo by Lesley Dwyer)
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • September 2, 2022
The Paradise Center combats loneliness with connection

Loneliness is an epidemic among seniors. One-fourth of adults over 65 are socially isolated, reports have found.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Tara's Bill Kaser (back) and Lakewood Ranch's Don Deibert do all the dispatching from their homes but eventually would like to get an office for the nonprofit. (Photo by Jay Heater)
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • August 31, 2022
Sarasota, Manatee seniors can tap into nonprofit ride service

Two Lakewood Ranch men started a senior ride service after nonprofit ride-provider ITN Suncoast closed.

  • East County
  • Business
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • August 25, 2022
Candy shop moves in next door to Kilwins on St. Armands Circle

River Street Sweets Savannah's Candy Kitchen, which just opened on the Circle, is the largest praline manufacturer in the country.

  • Longboat Key
  • Business
Guests at Hugo II can choose between indoor and outdoor seating. (Courtesy photo)
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 25, 2022
New restaurants on Longboat Key focus on fresh ingredients

Hugo II has been serving guests since April. LaVilla Mexican Restaurant will open its doors on Saturday.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Longboat Key's Bank of America branch reopened for in-person banking on June 27. It's open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays. (File)
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 18, 2022
Bank of America's Longboat Key location reopens

The initial closure was due to the COVID-19 pandemic and staffing issues.

  • Longboat Key
  • Business
Captain Ed Kolodzieski and two clients enjoy a sunny day on Sarasota Bay in a Duffy Sun Cruiser. (Courtesy photo)
    By
  • Spencer Fordin
  • June 22, 2022
Local business corners market on electric boats

Ed Kolodzieski won't just order an electric boat for you. You can visit his showroom and take one home the next week.

  • Longboat Key
  • Business
    By
  • Spencer Fordin
  • June 15, 2022
Dream Weaver closing after 32 years on St. Armands Circle

You might associate Joan Morgan with high-end clothing. But now she's looking forward to living off the land.

  • Longboat Key
  • Business
Longboat Key Turtle Watch president Tim Thurman, store manager Melanie Dale and vice president Cyndi Seamon
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • May 25, 2022
J. McLaughlin donates to Longboat Key Turtle Watch

The funds were raised through Sip and Shop events, where the store shared profits with the turtle watch.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
After three weeks to convert the Lazy Lobster, the new seafood restaurant reopened on May 11 on Lockwood Ridge Road in Manatee County.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • May 25, 2022
Lazy Lobster in Sarasota converted to Kacey's Seafood

The price of protein was rising, so the owners decided to make a change.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Beachgoers head to the shore in Longboat Key.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • May 2, 2022
Sarasota County approves higher tourist tax

After a record year in 2021, county qualified as a state-certified High Impact Tourism County.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Jose Martinez in the main dining room at Maison Blanche.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • April 19, 2022
Maison Blanche on Longboat Key celebrates 20 years

The restaurant, which shares its name with its Parisian predecessor, has built a following over two decades.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Gianfranco Santagati has wanted to get the takeout business open for a while but has struggled to find enough employees.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • March 2, 2022
La Norma on Longboat Key opens new takeout concept

The Italian restaurant is adding The Italian Market to the Centre Shops, where pizza, sandwiches and more will be available to-go.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Jeannie Perales and Brent Campbell, who is part of the Speaker Series committee, met up after Perales' presentation.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • February 28, 2022
St. Armands Key Lutheran Church hosts The Bay's Jeannie Perales

The park conservancy's chief experience officer spoke about current goings-on and the future of the project.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Dr. James Reed
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • February 22, 2022
Concierge service Reed Medical Group to open on Longboat Key

Dr. James Reed will start seeing patients on March 1 at his north-end office.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Since May 2007, Amy Whitt (right) has worked with D'Arcy and Ray Arpke at Euphemia Haye.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • February 3, 2022
Longtime employee assumes ownership of Euphemia Haye

Ray and D’Arcy Arpke sold Euphemia Haye to longtime employee Amy Whitt for an undisclosed sum.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Café L'Europe opened in 1973. Submitted
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • January 27, 2022
Café L’Europe announces new ownership

Ron and Julie Milton have agreed to sell Café L’Europe to John and Amanda Horne.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Jimmy Bonner and Kelli Spring hold the ribbon for Jenni Kopelman
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • January 24, 2022
La Vita Zen, a Mediterranean lifestyle business, opens on Longboat Key

Jenni Kopelman, who has traveled extensively in Italy, will use the Italian lifestyle as a starting point.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
La Villa Mexican Restaurant will open in the coming months at 5610 Gulf of Mexico Drive Suite No. 5.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • December 14, 2021
Mexican restaurant coming to Longboat Key

Town also will consider in the new year another proposal for a restaurant at the site of a former hair salon.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 9, 2021
Longboat Key weather page photo: December 9

Wilma Davidson captured this rainbow glowing over Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • November 17, 2021
Symphony Massage, Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce host ribbon-cutting on Longboat Key

The spa business opened in mid-February 2020, but the chamber took the opportunity to welcome them in 2021.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • November 5, 2021
Ultra-Yacht opens in former post office on Longboat Key

Ed and Terry Kolodzieski finally host a grand opening after COVID-19 delays.

  • Longboat Key
  • Business
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • November 4, 2021
Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce celebrates Small Business Awards

The winners in four categories were honored at a luncheon on Nov. 4.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Gail Loefgren, right, hands an award to virtual winners D'Arcy and Ray Arpke in January, 2021. File photo.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • October 19, 2021
Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce names Small Business Awards nominees

Awards will be handed out at a luncheon on Nov. 4.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Todi Garay in Crisp Waffle Company. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • October 14, 2021
Crisp Waffle Co. opens on St. Armands Circle

Owner Todi Garay is making liege waffles out of dough rather than batter.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    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
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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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