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Longboat Key | Business

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
Leaders from the service organizations posed with bags of food.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • September 13, 2021
St. Armands Key Lutheran Church connects with service organizations

For God's Work, Our Hands, the church met with leaders of the local organizations they support.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
In May, Caitlyn Zaborowski moved from Danbury, Connecticut, to Longboat Key. On June 6, she began her new role with the Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • August 12, 2021
Chamber hires vice president of membership services

In June, Caitlyn Zaborowski began her new role with the Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • August 11, 2021
Longboat Key Chamber hosts Networking at Noon at Lazy Lobster

Members came together for a midday island mingling.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Jason and Shelly Crouse
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • July 20, 2021
Bubble tea shop The Thirsty Snail has burst onto the Longboat Key scene

Bradenton couple Shelly and Jason Crouse own the mid-island tea and coffee shop.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • July 20, 2021
Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce hosts networking lunch at Bijou Garden Cafe

The July luncheon took mingling off Longboat Key and brought in new members.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • July 20, 2021
Michael Saunders & Co. Foundation gives out donations

The foundation selected three charities that received $2,000 each.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Lark Rippy
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • July 20, 2021
Longboat Key resident Lark Rippy goes forth with dog-walking business

Rippy is perhaps the island's youngest businesswoman at just 12 years old.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Anne Milot, Wendy Boscia, Mary Dent and Kathy Pesce at the event in January. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • July 15, 2021
Volunteer travel company Soul Sister Travels begins on Longboat Key

The pair of women are starting local and have hosted wellness and volunteer events at Zota Beach Resort.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Tina Bazell, Toni Auteri, Toni Coit and Bianca Scheip
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • July 14, 2021
After 40 years on St. Armands Circle, Toni's Too is still a constant in a changing world

European Alterations by Toni and Toni’s Too is on its third location, but loyal customers have followed at every turn.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • July 12, 2021
Longboat condo project sells all 16 units

Sage Longboat Key Residences is expected to be completed in late 2022.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Hal Porter purchased Whitney Beach Plaza for about $3.24 million. Brian Mathae purchased LBK Liquors.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • July 8, 2021
Whitney Beach Plaza sells for $3.24 million

Ryan Snyder had ownership of Whitney Beach Plaza since 2012.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • June 30, 2021
Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce gathers guests for Business After Hours

Despite the rain, a couple dozen local businesspeople came to network.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Henry the Heron. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • January 7, 2021
Heron about town

A blue heron has captured Longboat Key's attention.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • December 24, 2020
St. Mary, Star of the Sea hosts Christmas concert

There was plenty of social distancing and almost no socializing, but the members upheld their tradition.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Ed Chiles and Barron Schimberg are teaming up with artisan Dale Rieke of Wood Street Studios to create furniture from cut down Australian pines.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • March 16, 2020
Chiles and partners aim to make furniture from Australian pines

Invasive trees on parking lot land will be milled, dried and turned into custom tables and benches.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • March 1, 2020
751 Emerald Harbor Drive: Langteau home

The Longboat Key Garden Club Home Tour runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on March 7.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • January 29, 2020
Discussion brings new members and social hour to Temple Beth Israel

Longboat Key's Jewish community center sees increase in education programs.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Huck selects the 49ers.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • January 28, 2020
49ers otter win in Miami, Mote residents predict

Mote otters take over the football prediction game while manatees' habitat is renovated.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • January 21, 2020
Longboat Key Chamber starts the new year with annual awards

To move forward, the Chamber first looked back at their successes over 2019.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • January 17, 2020
Seaplace residents enjoy cabaret show

Singer and show was a huge hit with residents.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Briana Harris Francois (right) and John Woods stand together at the Longboat Key Club Tennis Association's annual Fall Frolic. Harris Francois is succeeding Woods, the only director of tennis in club history.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • November 20, 2019
Harris Francois ready to step up as Longboat Key Club tennis director

Briana Harris Francois worked under John Woods for seven years at Longboat Key Club. Now, she's succeeding the only Director of Tennis the club has ever known — and she's spent a lifetime preparing for it.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
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Latest in Longboat Key

1
Bird Key Yacht Club members Carol Smith, Amy Lazarus and Beth Nothstine played instrumental roles in keeping the club's lecture series fresh this season by inviting friends to tell their fascinating life stories. Closing out the series, Bobbi Brown shared tales from her journey starting a makeup empire.
  • March 31, 2026
Longtime friendships make Bird Key lecture series possible
2
Animal in car deemed not a criminal offense on breezy, 68-degree day
  • March 31, 2026
Animal in car deemed not a criminal offense on breezy, 68-degree day
3
The Coquina Beach parking lot has dozens of free spots for beachgoers. There were plenty of open spaces Monday, March 30 as rain began to fall.
  • March 31, 2026
Paid parking considered on Anna Maria Island
4
Judy Johnson has lived on Siesta Key since 2010 but grew up hanging out on the Key.
  • March 31, 2026
Siesta Key resident helps others embrace their inner beach babe
5
The Easter Bunny offers encouragement to the families joining the egg hunt at Longboat Key Club Resort.
  • March 31, 2026
Hop to it this Easter weekend on Longboat Key

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