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Sarasota | Business

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
Brad Schalk is the owner of Vinyl Vault
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • March 5, 2025
Record collector turns passion into retail with Vinyl Vault

The vintage record store held its grand opening March 2, inviting The Garbage-Men band for a performance.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
Sarasota Opera names new marketing director
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • March 3, 2025
Sarasota Opera names new marketing director

Lael Mohib succeeds Stephen Baker, who held the job from 2021-23.

  • Arts + Culture
Audrey Abraham has been named executive director of One Stop Cares, a nonprofit affiliate of One Stop Housing.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 24, 2025
One Stop Cares names new executive director

Aubrey Abraham will lead the nonprofit affiliate of affordable housing developer One Stop Housing after 20 years with the organization.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
Cafe Divan is at 6568 Superior Ave. in Sarasota.
    By
  • Elizabeth King
  • February 22, 2025
Turkish restaurant owners open cafe in Sarasota's Gulf Gate

The owners of Divan in Sarasota have started a coffee shop and cafe nearby.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Greeters Ethan McNary and Sarah Williamson welcomed guests to Fleming's Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar at UTC during a soft opening event Saturday.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • February 8, 2025
Fleming's Prime Steakhouse opens at UTC

The new Fleming's is the second in the Sarasota area.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Eric Fleming, board chair of Siesta Key Chamber, presents a check to Lora Wey and Dana Dalpra for funds raised during the Siesta Key Crystal Classic.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • February 2, 2025
Siesta Key Chamber honors members at annual Awards Dinner

The event, held for chamber members, celebrated individuals within the Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Columbia Restaurant is known for its authentic Cuban sandwiches, vibrant paella and signature sangria.
    By
  • Marty Fugate
  • January 29, 2025
Columbia Restaurant preserves family tradition while evolving with the times

A staple for visitors and locals alike, the Columbia Restaurant shares the legacy behind its tasty traditions.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Lifeline Productions adds Atomica Arts co-founders to its management team
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 27, 2025
Lifeline Productions adds Atomica Arts co-founders to its management team

Will Luera and Maria Schaedler-Luera join arts nonprofit founded by Joel Ehrenpreis.

  • Arts + Culture
Kristen Kruger and Shannon Hunt carry a vibroacoustic bed out of the space.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • January 26, 2025
Conscious Cause looks ahead amid closure of wellness lounge

The nonprofit looks to a supportive community as it seeks a new space for its wellness lounge and cacao cafe.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The handheld section of the Lefty's menu features a Maine lobster roll, grouper sandwich, seafood tacos, smash burger, fried chicken thigh sandwich and soft shell crab BLT.
    By
  • Elizabeth King
  • January 22, 2025
Seafood restaurant opens Monday in Sarasota's Rosemary District

Lefty's Oyster & Seafood Bar will welcome diners to its Lemon Avenue location on Monday, Jan. 27.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
The Winn-Dixie in the Southeast Plaza, at the corner of Bee Ridge Road and McIntosh Road, is being converted to an Aldi, the company said.
    By
  • Jim DeLa
  • January 21, 2025
Sarasota Winn-Dixie to close, reemerge as Aldi

The conversion could take several months, the company said.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
Sarasota Chamber chair Joe Hembree, Observer Media Group president and CEO Matt Walsh and Sarasota Chamber president Heather Kasten.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • January 19, 2025
Sarasota Chamber honors Observer CEO, hosts Florida Chamber president

The New Year's Kickoff Brunch presented Observer Media Group CEO and founder Matt Walsh with the Spirit of Sarasota Award and featured Florida Chamber of Commerce president and CEO Mark Wilson.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Retired City Manager Marlon Brown has been named Director of Government Affairs of the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 16, 2025
Marlon Brown named chamber director of government affairs

Retired Sarasota city manager will lead the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce's state and local legislative agenda.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
Shannon Hunt
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • January 14, 2025
Wellness lounge, cacao cafe opens in Rosemary District

The space, established by nonprofits Conscious Cause and Streets of Paradise Inc., is intended to foster contributions from the community.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Eddy Ossa welcomes grand opening attendees into CreArte Latino.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • December 29, 2024
CreArte Latino enters the new year with a new space

The organization, which serves as a creative hub for the Hispanic/Latino community, held the grand opening for its space on Dec. 9.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
The Waffle Stop owner Dolly Hollinger, seen here in December 2020.
    By
  • Mark Gordon, Louis Llovio
  • December 20, 2024
The Waffle Stop, Sarasota 'Elvis Ate Here' restaurant, to close by end of 2024

A Sarasota institution, The Waffle Stop, is closing after 74 years.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Exclusive dinner club hires membership director
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 15, 2024
Exclusive dinner club hires membership director

Joining 1000 North Sarasota is hospitality veteran Alex Elshimy as the private club works toward late 2025 debut.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
Prominent national restaurateur Cameron Mitchell is opening Ocean Prime at The Quay on Dec 21.
    By
  • Elizabeth King
  • December 11, 2024
Ocean Prime is ready to open at The Quay

The $10 million, two-story restaurant featuring waterfront views will debut on Dec. 21.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Cafe L'Europe renovated its private and semi-private dining areas ahead of the restaurant's 50th anniversary in 2023.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • December 11, 2024
Café L'Europe becomes The Café on St. Armands with new dining theme

The St. Armands Circle staple will reopen in January 2025 with a reimagined dining theme and new name following damages from Hurricane Helene.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • November 23, 2024
Shore to leave St. Armands Circle; Tommy Bahama to lease its space

Shore owners say flooding issues are prompting the brand to leave Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
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