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Longboat Key | Business

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
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
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Latest in Longboat Key

1
Danae Tran plays the violin for Longboat Island Chapel attendees of the July 19 morning service before she and fellow scholarship recipient Michelle McLeod move to greet guests at the award reception.
  • July 24, 2026
Scholars celebrated at Longboat Island Chapel award reception
2
A Flock camera takes pictures of vehicles that drive on Gulf of Mexico Drive on Longboat Key.
  • July 22, 2026
Flock cameras photograph every car that enters Longboat Key
3
The home at 344 W. Royal Flamingo Drive sold for $6.55 million. Built in 1998, it has four bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths, a pool and 4,344 square feet of living area.
  • July 22, 2026
Top residential real estate sales for July 6-10 in Longboat, Lido, St. Armands, Bird Key
4
Mother-daughter duo Bridgette, left, and Giana Clark make a doubly positive difference in their community by monitoring sea turtle nests and clearing litter from the beach as volunteers with the Longboat Key Turtle Watch. The group recently celebrated seeing their new "Adopt A Shore" signage.
  • July 22, 2026
Clean beaches are a 'shore' thing under Turtle Watch's eye
5
Multiple species of starfish have found a home on the "Living Wall" at Longboat Key's Bayfront Park. The innovative project uses 3D-printed concrete slabs modeled after mangrove roots to provide better habitat for aquatic animals.
  • July 21, 2026
Longboat's living seawall recognized for creativity

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