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Sarasota | 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
Insomnia Cookies is now open at 2264 Gulf Gate Drive.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • February 26, 2026
Late-night cookie chain opens its first store in Sarasota

Insomnia Cookies is now open at 2264 Gulf Gate Drive.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Marlon Brown served as city manager of Sarasota from 2021-2024.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 11, 2026
Nonprofit elects former city manager, investment advisor to board

Barancik Foundation taps Marlon Brown and Jeffrey McCurdy for three-year terms.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
Chamber launches summertime internship program
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 4, 2026
Chamber launches summertime internship program

The Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce is connecting students with businesses through InternConnect, a paid summer internship.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
Sarah Firstenberger was named CEO of the Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce in June.
    By
  • Emily Leinfuss
  • February 4, 2026
Siesta Key Chamber’s new leader takes the helm

Homegrown CEO Sarah Firstenberger brings fresh ideas and steady leadership to the Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Cinthia Peña is the new managing director of CreArte Latino.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 2, 2026
CreArte Latino names new full-time managing director

The new role for Cinthia Peña is made possible by a Barancik Foundation grant.

  • Arts + Culture
Capriotti's Sandwich Shop is at 6320 S. Tamiami Trail in Sarasota.
    By
  • Elizabeth King
  • January 23, 2026
New sandwich shop opens in south Sarasota

Capriotti’s, known for its submarine sandwiches, is located on South Tamiami Trail and Stickney Point Road.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
The Original Hob Nob Drive-In will open this spring at 1701 N. Washington Blvd. in Sarasota.
    By
  • Elizabeth King
  • January 23, 2026
Hob Nob to reopen in Sarasota with new owner

The Original Hob Nob Drive-In will be operated with support from The Breakfast Company founders.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Malia Price, co-owner of The Sarasota Style, held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Jan. 14 with the Sarasota Chamber of Commerce.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • January 21, 2026
Lifestyle, clothing brand officially opens on St. Armands Circle

The Sarasota Style, the latest addition to St. Armands Circle's business community, recently opened.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
Sarasota's Alyssa Freniere, Beate “Mama G” Goldstein and Blair Sellers are the people behind the new Mama G's location at University Town Center.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • January 13, 2026
New German bakery, coffeehouse rises at University Town Center

Mama G's opened its doors of a new Sarasota-Bradenton location on Dec. 15 under the leadership of two 26-year-old managing partners.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Pura Vida Miami is at 4994 S. Tamiami Trail, Unit 100, in Sarasota.
    By
  • Elizabeth King
  • January 9, 2026
Healthy restaurant opens second Sarasota location

Pura Vida Miami recently opened a restaurant in The Landings.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Katie Weiss is board chair of The Sarasota Players board of trustees. Thayer Greenberg is managing artistic director of The Sarasota Players.
    By
  • Monica Roman Gagnier
  • January 7, 2026
The Sarasota Players adds new board, cuts CEO position and promotes two

The reorganization precedes the community theater's move to Payne Park later this year.

  • Arts + Culture
A steaming plate of pasta comes up to the pass while Simone Salustri, owner of the newly reopened Nōnnō Umberto restaurant, begins work on another dish.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • January 5, 2026
Longstanding St. Armands Italian restaurant reopens under new name

Nōnnō Umberto, formerly operating as Le Colone, held its soft opening the first week of January under a new generation's leadership.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
The building at the corner of N. Boulevard of the Presidents and Madison Drive may be the location of a revived Shore Restaurant on St. Armands Circle.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • December 12, 2025
Shore Restaurant could return to St. Armands

A three-story mixed-use proposal includes the popular destination, which closed its previous Circle location after 2024's floods.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Heather Kasten is President and CEO of the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • November 25, 2025
Greater Sarasota Chamber announces promotions

The Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce recognized four team members with promotions.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
Co-owners Jason Klamson, Sam Ray and Jeffrey Karasawa
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • November 20, 2025
Sarasota's Tsunami Sushi prepares to reopen under new name

With its new spot in the Rosemary District, Hanami Sushi Cocktails & Grill will fuse Japanese culture with Sarasota history.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Jessica Muroff has been CEO of the United Way Suncoast since 2019.
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • November 11, 2025
Community Foundation of Sarasota County names new CEO

The new leader, Jessica Muroff, has held leadership roles with United Way Suncoast and Girl Scouts of West Central Florida.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
Tommy Bahama CEO Doug Wood said he is thrilled with how the rebuilding of the restaurant and retail space at 465 John Ringling Blvd. turned out, especially the indoor bar area.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • November 8, 2025
Tommy Bahama celebrates grand return to St. Armands Circle

The combined restaurant and retail store invited guests to join in recognizing the official return after rebuilding from last year's hurricanes.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The renovation has altered features including the walls, carpet and floors.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • November 5, 2025
Michael's On East renovations offer a new theme

The Sarasota restaurant's new design aims to evoke the golden age of supper clubs.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Christian Delunas, retail general manager, shows one of his favorite unique purses offered at the newly opened Italian Idea boutique on St. Armands Circle. The shop recently hosted a soft opening for its third attempt to open a location on the shopping hub.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • November 3, 2025
Boutique featuring Italian leather handbags opens on St. Armands

Italian Idea, which hosted its soft opening last week, brings its family fashion tradition to St. Armands Circle.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
1 2 3 4 5 »
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1
Robyn Modly, sponsor of the USS Cleveland, takes in the Navy band’s performance of the “Star Spangled Banner” aside Bruce Hallet, left, commander of the USS Cleveland, and Hung Cao, acting secretary of the Navy.
  • May 20, 2026
Forging a legacy with the Navy's newest ship
2
This truck was driven by 67-year-old Edward O'Neil when he was arrested on charges of attempting to lure two minor girls into the vehicle.
  • May 20, 2026
Sarasota man charged with luring minor girls
3
With an eye on lawsuit, county commissioners formalize tax-fee vote
  • May 20, 2026
With an eye on lawsuit, county commissioners formalize tax-fee vote
4
The 1.2-mile stretch of North Tamiami Trail from Myrtle Street north will be resurfaced and safety features enhanced.
  • May 20, 2026
Resurfacing on the way to North Tamiami Trail
5
Gia DePastino was one of five seniors on the Sailors' 13-person roster in 2026. She'll play for Warner University at the NAIA level this fall.
  • May 20, 2026
Despite regional final defeat, Sarasota High softball succeeded

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