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Sarasota | Business

Armel Jewelers has operated on St. Armands Circle for decades, and after working to rebuild from the 2024 hurricanes, second-generation owner Michael Melnick looks forward to reopening this month.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • September 1, 2026
Armel Jeweler's announces return to St. Armands Circle

The longtime staple of the Circle has plans to open its doors again in mid-September.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
Jpan Sushi & Grill is moving out of its spot at 229 N. Cattlemen Road.
    By
  • Elizabeth King
  • August 27, 2026
UTC restaurant closing but 'not leaving' after 10 years, owner says

Jpan Sushi and Grill is searching for its next location in the University Town Center area.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
DOH-Sarasota County gets a new chief health officer
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 27, 2026
DOH-Sarasota County gets a new chief health officer

Veteran Department of Health Sarasota County executive Lynette Herbert has been named to replace the retiring Chuck Henry.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
Clockwise from top left, Elizabeth Moore, Gai Morrison Morganroth, Richard Mones and Sondra Biller are new members of the Selby Gardens Board of Trustees.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 25, 2026
Selby Gardens adds four new trustees

Four new members were elected to Marie Selby Botanical Gardens' Board of Trustees.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
Just Salad offers salads, bowls, wraps, soups, market plates and smoothies.
    By
  • Elizabeth King
  • August 23, 2026
New restaurant opens at University Town Center

Just Salad opened recently, while another healthy option is coming soon nearby.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Annis joined Barancik Foundation in 2017 as senior vice president of collaboration and impact.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 18, 2026
Annis named CEO of Barancik Foundation

Longtime community leader John Annis served on an interim basis with the Sarasota nonprofit since March.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
Balos Restaurant will be located on the ground floor of The Edge Sarasota in a 7,200-square-foot space.
    By
  • Elizabeth King
  • August 14, 2026
Mediterranean restaurant to make Florida debut in downtown Sarasota

Balos Restaurant will be located in The Edge condominium.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Mia Eylon, right, recently took the helm at the newly renamed St. Armands Jewelers. With input from Diane DelloRusso, manager of Jewelry by Cole, and other experts, the new shop hasn't skipped a beat in serving patrons on Boulevard of the Presidents.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • August 8, 2026
New jeweler takes the helm on St. Armands Circle

Previously known as Jewelry by Cole, the new St. Armands Jewelers is offering a blend of classic and trending styles.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
Can you eat both halves of a corned beef sandwich? You can test your skills when Wolfie's Hand Cut opens at UTC late this year.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • July 23, 2026
Can new concept earn the bread for Wolfie's at University Town Center?

Wolfie's Hand Cut will use a Chipotle Mexican Grill-style fast-casual concept to streamline operations.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Co-owners Tory Delany and Kevin O'Hanlon say every aspect of Delany's Public House on Lakewood Main Street is genuine Irish.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • July 15, 2026
Delany's Public House ready to open on Main Street at Lakewood Ranch

The owners went to great lengths to present the public with a genuine Irish Public House.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Jason Starkman, the director of operations for The Original Wolfie's and Rascal House restaurants, shows off a corned beef sandwich. Wolfie's 21 Hand Cut is coming to UTC in late November or early December.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • July 10, 2026
Wolfie's Hand Cut headed to University Town Center

The new restaurant will offer 21st-century versions of the Original Wolfie's and Rascal House menu items.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
FoodTrukt, a new app, aims to bring together food truck owners and customers through making locations, schedules and menus more accessible.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • July 8, 2026
Find nearby food trucks with new app

Sarasota-Manatee food truck owners can post their precise locations, menus, specials and more on FoodTrukt.

  • East County
  • Business
Liam Schreiner reviews the selection of house-made sweets available at the newly opened Chocolate Emporium on St. Armands Circle. Branching from the original location on Anna Maria Island, the second shop held a soft opening this week.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • June 30, 2026
Local artisanal chocolate shop brings sweet treats to St. Armands

A second location branching from the original on Anna Maria Island held its soft opening this week.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
The lunch and dinner buffet at Der Dutchman is available from 11:45 a.m. to close. The breakfast buffet is offered from 7 to 11:15 a.m.
    By
  • Elizabeth King
  • June 27, 2026
Sarasota Amish eatery ranks as No. 2 buffet restaurant in US

Der Dutchman is on the USA Today’s 10 Best list for best buffet restaurants.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The pizzeria offers mostly 13-inch and a handful of 8-inch pies.
    By
  • Elizabeth King
  • June 23, 2026
Michelin-recommended pizzeria opens at University Town Center

Mister 01 Extraordinary Pizza is known for its artisanal star-shaped pizzas.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Work was underway along Madison Drive at Boulevard of the Presidents in late May.
    By
  • Elizabeth King
  • June 18, 2026
St. Armands landlord formally applies for Shore restaurant remake work

Kauffman Shore Properties LLC is seeking approval for its development plans on St. Armands Circle.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
Diane DelloRusso, who has worked in the jewelry business for 36 years and been a longtime manager at Jewelry by Cole, said she believes customers will appreciate the new St. Armands Jewelry store with its blend of classic and contemporary styles. She came out of retirement to assist with the transition and can't wait for longtime patrons to see the boutique's new look.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • June 16, 2026
Two new shops coming to St. Armands Circle

Two new stores are preparing to open, one under new ownership and the other as a new location.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
Silas and Josh Stacy stand amid their collection.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • June 4, 2026
Father and 7-year-old son get into the business of trading Pokémon cards

Josh Stacy turned part of his used car dealership into a shop for a different asset, Pokémon cards, after his son Silas helped inspire his interest.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
University Town Center is poised to welcome more than a dozen new tenants, Ikea this summer to Dick's House of Sport in 2027.
    By
  • Elizabeth King
  • June 3, 2026
13 new retailers, eateries coming to University Town Center

Restaurants and retailers are among the new businesses coming to the UTC area.

  • East County
  • Business
Work is underway at 28 N. Boulevard of the Presidents in the first phase of Tom Leonard’s plan to bring the Shore Restaurant back to St. Armands Circle.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • May 18, 2026
Shore’s return to St. Armands underway with gutting of building

Whether hotel units are included in the buildout is contingent on city approval, but Tom Leonard is making his case early.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Costello’s Neighborhood Pizza owner Kenny Palin takes a pie out of the oven at the Longboat Key branch of Costello’s.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • May 12, 2026
Owner rebrands Longboat, Gulf Gate pizza joints to Costello's Neighborhood Pizza

As the franchise contract reached expiration, owner Kenny Palin decided to personalize his two pizzerias with a family name.

  • Longboat Key
  • Business
Il Panificio is now open at 1995 Main St. in Sarasota.
    By
  • Elizabeth King
  • May 9, 2026
Il Panificio opens new downtown Sarasota restaurant

The pizza restaurant now has two locations on Main Street and one on Siesta Key.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Richard and Rebecca Hopkins are longtime leaders of Florida Studio Theatre.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 30, 2026
Leadership changes coming to Florida Studio Theatre

With the new McGillicuddy Arts Plaza under construction, longtime Florida Studio Theatre leaders Richard and Rebecca Hopkins have assumed higher leadership roles.

  • Arts + Culture
The Original Hob Nob Drive-In is back at 1701 N. Washington Blvd. in Sarasota.
    By
  • Elizabeth King
  • April 25, 2026
The Original Hob Nob Drive-In reopens in Sarasota

The open-air restaurant on Washington Boulevard has returned and has future plans to offer online ordering.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Element Steak.Seafood.Pasta is at 1413 Main St. in Sarasota.
    By
  • Elizabeth King
  • April 16, 2026
Sarasota restaurant closing on Main Street seeks new space

Element will shutter its current location downtown in late April.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
The Ikea franchise system includes 58 retail locations in the United States. There are 412 Ikea stores worldwide in 32 countries.
    By
  • Elizabeth King
  • April 11, 2026
Ikea to open at UTC in Sarasota

The store will span 48,000 square feet off Cattlemen Road.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
Hanami Sushi Cocktails & Grill is at 1525 Fourth St., Suite C, in Sarasota.
    By
  • Elizabeth King
  • April 10, 2026
Sushi restaurant opens in Sarasota's Rosemary District

Hanami Sushi Cocktails & Grill will open April 10 on Fourth Street.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
John Atanassov and Joel King, co-owners of Blu Kouzina, are eager to serve and get to know new customers at their new location at University Town Center.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • April 6, 2026
Blu Kouzina adds its Greek flavor at University Town Center

With a focus on fresh ingredients and making customers feel at home, Blu Kouzina hopes to win over East County patrons.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Aledia Tush, co-owner of CB’s Saltwater Outfitters, has spent nearly five decades helping shape the business into a Siesta Key institution known for its welcoming spirit and family-first approach.
    By
  • Eric Snider
  • April 2, 2026
After 50 years of change, the best things stay the same at this stalwart shop

A Siesta Key fixture for five decades, CB’s Saltwater Outfitters continues to thrive under the steady leadership of Aledia and Mason Tush.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
Bravo's Pizzeria & Italian Eatery at 1995 Main St. in Sarasota has closed.
    By
  • Elizabeth King
  • March 31, 2026
Pizzeria closes on Main Street in Sarasota

Bravo’s Pizza & Italian Eatery has shuttered next to the Hollywood 11 movie theater.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Judy Johnson has lived on Siesta Key since 2010 but grew up hanging out on the Key.
    By
  • Eric Snider
  • March 31, 2026
Siesta Key resident helps others embrace their inner beach babe

Judy Johnson has the perfect antidote to a busy day: Putting her feet in the water. "I see sharks and dolphins on a regular basis. And a million sunsets."

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Saks' parent company, Saks Global, filed for bankruptcy in January.
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • March 25, 2026
Saks changes its mind: UTC store will remain open

The parent company, going through bankruptcy, says it has renegotiated its lease terms at The Mall at University Town Center in Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
Speaks Clam Bar, pictured after its 2018 opening, closed on St. Armands Key earlier this month.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • March 24, 2026
Speaks Clam Bar shutters St. Armands location

The original Lakewood Ranch location of the Italian and Seafood restaurant will remain open.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
The Wahlberg brothers -- Donnie, Paul and Mark.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • March 11, 2026
Wahlburgers opens in SRQ's B Concourse

The celebrity-connected airport eatery also includes a full bar.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Austin Venhaus and Aaron Rutsky
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • March 11, 2026
Walls go up as Sarasota's first climbing gym nears opening

Formerly known as Project 24 Climbing, Hexrock Climbing is set to open at the beginning of April.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
Saks' parent company, Saks Global, filed for bankruptcy in January.
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • March 7, 2026
Bankrupt Saks Fifth Avenue to close Sarasota-UTC store

A Saks has been in the Sarasota-Manatee market for at least three decades.

  • Sarasota
  • News
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