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Sarasota | Business

Staff at the newly opened Spartina 449 on St. Armands Circle celebrate the opening of the clothing boutique this month. The brand blends flowery linens and leather goods.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • September 22, 2025
South Carolina-inspired boutique comes to St. Armands

Spartina 449 hopes to help the rebuilding process of St. Armands Circle with the opening of its newest clothing shop.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium is opening its SEA site in early October.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • September 15, 2025
New Mote SEA facility will open in early October

Members get first views on Oct. 6-7 and public on Oct. 8 at its aquarium located near University and I-75 in Sarasota County.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The Columbia Restaurant’s fourth-generation owner Casey Gonzmart Sr., believes that passion and fun are essential in running a restaurant empire.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • September 14, 2025
Family legacy at Columbia Restaurant carries to next generation

Casey Gonzmart Sr. is passing the torch to family members as he steps down as chairman of the board of the 1905 Family of Restaurants.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
The King James Big & Tall at 4333 S. Tamiami Trail in Sarasota is going out of business.
    By
  • Elizabeth King
  • September 1, 2025
Sarasota big and tall retailer to shutter after nearly 50 years

King James Big & Tall cites competition as its reason for going out of business.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
David Figueroa of Secure HR and Jorge Valdes of Golf Therapy Club enjoy the event experience.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • August 29, 2025
Business casual: Sarasota Chamber holds its grand expo

The eevent allowed the general public and business owners to browse Robarts Arena to see what the local area has to offer.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Amy Blair, the manager at the Old Salty Dog on City Island, said visitors often enjoy seeing dolphins, sharks, seabirds and other wildlife from the waterfront seating.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • August 12, 2025
Old Salty Dog celebrates post-recovery recognition

Not long after reopening from a five-month closure caused by hurricane damage, the longstanding Sarasota bar is celebrating a new national commendation.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Huey Magoo's On the Fly is located in Terminal B, next to Jimmy John's, at the Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport.
    By
  • Elizabeth King
  • July 23, 2025
Chicken tender restaurant makes airport debut at SRQ

A new fast-casual dining option is now open at the Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Leadership change made at Intercoastal Medical Group
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 23, 2025
Leadership change made at Intercoastal Medical Group

Co-founder Dr. John Steele steps down as president at age 83. He is succeeded by Dr. Mark Ramos.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
Circus Arts Conservatory board elects new leadership
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 22, 2025
Circus Arts Conservatory board elects new leadership

Julie Harris succeeds Shari Ashman as board chair, while Ken Woodworth becomes vice-chair.

  • Arts + Culture
Gorjana stylist Sydney Scovill and Taylor Lingreen, the store manager, want the customers to feel comfortable and beautiful when shopping at their store.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • July 14, 2025
California-based jewelry company opens location at UTC mall

Gorjana makes Sarasota its 106th location.

  • East County
  • Business
Marie Selby Botanical Gardens President and CEO Jennifer Rominiecki
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 11, 2025
Selby Gardens names new board leadership

Katherine Martucci and Jeannie Russell have been elected chair and vice chair by the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens Board of Trustees.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
Taylor and Sydney Nichols, co-founders of Le Shop, opening soon on St. Armands Circle, said they are excited to bring high-end espresso and wine to shoppers.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • July 8, 2025
High-end espresso and wine shop coming to St. Armands Circle

The owners aim to bring a little something special to the area, providing provisions for the perfect beach picnic and a go-to spot for high-quality beverages.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Anand Pallegar and Rose-Anne Frano have been elected chair and vice-chair of the Gulf Coast Community Foundation.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 28, 2025
Gulf Coast Community Foundation elects new board leaders

DreamLarge Founder and CEO Anand Pallegar has been elected chair and Williams Parker Attorneys at Law partner Rose-Anne Frano has been named vice chair.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
Heather Kasten and Daniel DeLeo at Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick address attendees.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • June 25, 2025
Sarasota Chamber of Commerce honors local businesses with spectacle

The Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce honored winners in 10 categories.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Edwin Jackson hands an autographed baseball to Luke Holcomb, a friend of Raining Berries Founder Bimal Bhojani.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • June 24, 2025
Former Rays pitcher is behind new Raining Berries location in Sarasota

The new Raining Berries location is co-owned by former MLB player and World Series Champion Edwin Jackson and Super Bowl champion star Kenneth Gainwell.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Drayton Saunders and Jenne Britell are the new co-chairs of the Sarasota Performing Arts Foundation.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • June 22, 2025
Sarasota Performing Arts Foundation makes leadership move

Board Chair Jim Travers steps back as Jenne Britell and Drayton Saunders step in as co-chairs.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
Mattison's City Grille is now open in Terminal B at the Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport.
    By
  • Elizabeth King
  • June 20, 2025
Mattison's opens at Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport

The establishment is part of the new restaurants located in Terminal B.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
New CEO of the Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce, Sarah Firstenberger, comes over from the Community Foundation of Sarasota County where she was director of marketing and events.
    By
  • Elizabeth King
  • June 11, 2025
Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce names CEO

Sarah Firstenberger has been named CEO of the nonprofit that promotes businesses and organizations on Siesta Key.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Heather Kasten is President and CEO of the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 10, 2025
Sarasota Chamber named finalist for national award

The Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce is among the finalists for the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives' Chamber of the Year.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Potbelly specializes in sandwiches. It also sells salads, soups, shakes and cookies.
    By
  • Elizabeth King
  • May 22, 2025
Potbelly opens first Sarasota location

The Sarasota Potbelly will be the 14th for the brand in Florida.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Benderson Development has been growing the tenant base in the UTC area for at least the past decade.
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • May 15, 2025
Check out what's coming soon to UTC

From Tesla to Trader Joe's, the University Town Center districts that straddle Manatee and Sarasota counties just outside Lakewood Ranch have redefined the region's retail scene.

  • East County
  • Business
The Sarasota Style is a new lifestyle shop featuring apparel and more that is slated to open on St. Armands Circle at the end of the year.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • May 13, 2025
New retail, lifestyle shop to open on St. Armands Circle

Co-owner Malia Price eagerly anticipates the opening of her new store, The Sarasota Style, a lifestyle brand to feature clothes, accessories and items by local artisans.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
Zoto is being developed by James Beard-nominated restaurateurs Jimmy and Johnny Tung.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 12, 2025
Upscale Japanese restaurant and bar coming to University Town Center

Zoto is being developed by James Beard-nominated restaurateurs Jimmy and Johnny Tung.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Sarasota residents Larry and Susan Siebl were fans of O'Leary's Tiki Bar & Grill before hurricanes Milton and Helene, and they were thrilled to join staff in celebrating the official reopening on Friday.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • May 5, 2025
Rum runner fans rejoice at O'Leary's reopening

Say goodbye to the boat wrecked on this Sarasota Tiki bar's dock and hello to a revamped bay-side experience.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Peachey's Baking Co. is at 4800 S. Tamiami Trail in Sarasota. It is located in the Landings shopping center.
    By
  • Elizabeth King
  • May 2, 2025
Peachey's Baking Co. sets opening date in Sarasota

The wildly popular donut business is coming to the Landings shopping center.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Florence & the Spice Boys opens at University Town Center April 25.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • April 28, 2025
Florence & the Spice Boys opens at UTC

This is the second location for the Middle Eastern-inspired restaurant that started as a food truck.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Omar Guevara-Soto, left, and John Annis will assume new roles in May with the Sarasota-based Barancik Foundation.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 24, 2025
Barancik Foundation leaders assume new roles

John Annis and Omar Guevara-Soto take on new responsibilities with the philanthropic organization in May.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
Visit Sarasota County names new visitor experiences coordinator
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 18, 2025
Visit Sarasota County names new visitor experiences coordinator

Jennifer Manzanilla Dolgetta joins Visit Sarasota County from First Watch Restaurants group where she was customer care manager.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 14, 2025
Jeffrey McCurdy elected to Barancik Foundation board

The new Barancik Foundation board member has served on the organization's investment committee since 2020.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
Artist Series Concerts names new executive director
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 8, 2025
Artist Series Concerts names new executive director

Keren Shani-Lifrak succeeds Marcy Miller, who is retiring after six years with the cultural group.

  • Arts + Culture
SPAF names new chief development officer
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 3, 2025
SPAF names new chief development officer

Kelly Addington will lead the Sarasota Performing Arts Foundation's capital campaign for its proposed performing arts center.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
Prominent Sarasota nonprofit leader to retire after 10 years
    By
  • Elizabeth King
  • March 29, 2025
Prominent Sarasota nonprofit leader to retire after 10 years

Teri Hansen, the president and CEO of Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation, was initially hired as the organization's first employee.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
L.L. Bean has long been known for its rugged outdoors clothing, but the company says its first Florida store at UTC in Sarasota will sport plenty of tropical wear that the locals will love.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • March 27, 2025
L.L. Bean sees exciting new market as it opens at UTC

The store at 111 North Cattlemen Road in the University Town Center of Sarasota will be L.L. Bean's first Florida location.

  • East County
  • Business
Bottles of wine line a shelf in Sugar Champagne Bar.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • March 26, 2025
Sugar Champagne Bar prepares for Friday opening

The luxury reservation-only bar, with a minimum tab of $150, will hold its grand opening Friday, March 28 in downtown Sarasota.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
PAC Sarasota Co-Chairs Chris Voelker and Dick Lynch.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • March 19, 2025
Sarasota Arts & Culture Coalition rebranded PAC Sarasota

The goal of the Sarasota Arts & Cultural Coalition is to advocate for Sarasota's arts and cultural organizations.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
Big Waters Land Trust leads a kayaking program in the area.
    By
  • Beth Luberecki
  • March 17, 2025
Nonprofit land conservation group spreads word of name change

Big Waters Land Trust underwent a rebranding to better align its mission with its identity.

  • Sarasota
  • News
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