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Sarasota | Business

Selby Gardens adds three members to board of trustees
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 12, 2024
Selby Gardens adds three members to board of trustees

Ali Bahaj, retired chairman and CEO of Caterpillar Japan; Tervis CEO Hosana Fieber; and Richard Sandor, chairman and CEO of Environmental Financial Products, will each serve a three-year term on the board.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Sprouts Farmers Market is opening a new store this fall in Sarasota.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 12, 2024
Sprouts Farmers Market set to open in downtown Sarasota on Sept. 6

The grocery store will host two in-person hiring events to fill more than 80 positions.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
The Hashtag Cafe opened 18 months ago and recently expanded to add a yarn business.
  • By Emily Leinfuss
  • July 9, 2024
Sarasota coffee shop doubles in size, adds yarn business

A family of German immigrants musters up a rare match by opening a yarn store inside their European-style cafe.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
A patron of iSmash stands atop a used car during a smash therapy session.
    By
  • Laura Lyon
  • July 9, 2024
'Smash therapy' company plans Sarasota location

Franchisees plan to bring four new iSmash locations to Southwest Florida.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
In July 2020, a three-piece Peace, Love and Happiness installation displayed in Tube Dude's parking lot on Main Street ahead of its debut in New York City.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • July 4, 2024
Tube Dude finds new home after five years on Main Street

Forced to move by redevelopment, the downtown institution finds room to grow in south Bradenton.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
Sasha Payette and Joe Carter will lead philanthropic services at Gulf Coast Community Foundation.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 28, 2024
GCCF makes two C-suite moves to bolster philanthropic services

Joe Carter and Sasha Pyatte will execute the Gulf Coast Community Foundation's strategy to deepen donors' philanthropic impact.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
Stacey Marks (left) and Kari Schroeter (middle) perform a dance workout.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • June 26, 2024
Chamber's small business awards highlight community of caring

More than 600 people gathered to celebrate 30 local businesses on June 21.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
Wendi Chapman helped launch and grow the Sarasota Tiger 21 Chapter in early 2022.
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • June 25, 2024
Peer group for multimillionaires grows in Sarasota

Tiger 21 connects the uber-wealthy with the uber-wealthy in a rapidly growing — and exclusive — niche.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Small businesses honored at Sarasota Chamber event
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 24, 2024
Small businesses honored at Sarasota Chamber event

Thirty businesses in 10 different categories were recognized with awards.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Court 13 at Payne Park Tennis Center offers a spot for players to relax before and after matches.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 17, 2024
Pro shop, lounge opens at Payne Park Tennis Center

Court Thirteen, part pro shop and part lounge, is one of several recent improvements.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
Aircraft technician Robert Heing prepares to inspect the engine of a Piper Saratoga inside the Aviotec hangar at Sarasota Bradenton International Airport. The maintenance company has also been servicing commercial airline aircraft at SRQ for the past year.
    By
  • Jim DeLa
  • June 13, 2024
Meet the crew at SRQ that helps keep planes up in the air

Sarasota-based Aviotec is the airport's "eyes and hands" that maintains private aircraft and commercial jets.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Tim and Cynthia Holliday
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • June 12, 2024
School uniforms simplified: Children’s World celebrates 60 years in business

The local retailer partners with area schools to provide a physical location for families to shop for school uniforms.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Roxie Jerde, president and CEO of the Community Foundation of Sarasota County, speaks at the Sarasota Orchestra’s second Masterworks series dinner Nov. 29, 2023.
    By
  • Elizabeth King
  • June 11, 2024
Sarasota Community Foundation CEO announces retirement

Roxie Jerde, the head of the Community Foundation of Sarasota County, will retire in June 2025.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
The former Holiday Inn on Lido is undergoing renovations.
    By
  • Elizabeth King
  • June 10, 2024
Holiday Inn on Lido Key undergoes major face-lift

Cirque St. Armands Beachside is expected to open this fall.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Heather Kasten is President and CEO of the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 1, 2024
Sarasota Chamber a finalist for Chamber of the Year

The winners in four categories grouped by organization size will be announced July 17.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Eleni Sokos, 35 is taking over the CEO role (Chief Executive Oyster) from Anna Maria Oyster Bar founder and co-owner John Horne, 63.
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • May 29, 2024
Anna Maria Oyster Bar founder to slow down, names next CEO

Restaurateur John Horne found a succession plan in the office next door to his, with up-and-coming executive Eleni Sokos.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
Sarasota Honey Co. owner Alma Johnson and employee Michelle Edwards.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • May 29, 2024
Sarasota Honey Co. finds new home at The Bazaar on Apricot & Lime

Hurricane Ian impacts, rising costs and other challenges led to the decision to relocate.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
Cary Spicuzza has owned the Hob Nob Drive In since 1991.
    By
  • Elizabeth King
  • May 15, 2024
Hob Nob officially closes after 67 years in Sarasota

Co-owner Cary Spicuzza cites several reasons for Hob Nob Drive In's closure, including the post-pandemic economy. But a forthcoming food truck could keep the brand alive.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Customers pack the counter at the Hob Nob Drive In in Sarasota after it was rumored the popular eatery was closing.
    By
  • Jim DeLa
  • May 14, 2024
Hob Nob Drive In, a Sarasota landmark, rumored to be closing

The drive-in restaurant on U.S. 301 has been a staple of the city since 1957.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Cuba 1958 is set to open in mid-June on Main Street in Sarasota.
    By
  • Jim DeLa
  • May 14, 2024
Authentic ‘old-time’ Cuban restaurant coming to downtown Sarasota

Cuba 1958 will replace Flavio’s on Main and eyes an early summer opening date.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Florence and the Spice Boys serves up Middle Eastern fusion cuisine.
    By
  • Elizabeth King
  • May 12, 2024
Middle Eastern fusion restaurant to open UTC location

Florence and the Spice Boys targets a fall opening in The West District at University Town Center.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
New museum to feature model railroad and vintage toys
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • May 1, 2024
New museum to feature model railroad and vintage toys

Lakewood Ranch's Richard Pierson expects to open Sarasota Toy Museum and Moosehead Toys and Comics, with space dedicated to an HO scale model train layout, in July.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
Alessandro Di Ferdinando, Antonio Mancini and Giancarlo Di Cosmo
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • April 22, 2024
New Italian restaurant opens on St. Armands Circle

The highly anticipated Italian restaurant, 15 South By Napulè, will be the best of both worlds with an intimate restaurant downstairs and a lively bar and dance floor upstairs.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
St. Armands Circle will soon have a new Italian restaurant concept, 15 South by Napulè, located at 15 S. Boulevard of the Presidents, which was most recently the home of St. Armands Oyster Bar.
    By
  • Elizabeth King
  • April 18, 2024
New Italian eatery opens this month on St. Armands

The owner of Napulè is opening an Italian restaurant called 15 South by Napulè.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Munchies 420 Cafe has gotten a facelift and the new owners are vowing to continue the Gulf Gate landmark's traditions.
    By
  • Jim DeLa
  • April 18, 2024
Munchies 420 Cafe receives facelift under new ownership

The landmark Gulf Gate restaurant's grand reopening is scheduled for 4/20.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Sugar Champagne Bar is expected to open by the end of the year.
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • April 9, 2024
Champagne bar, piano lounge to open in downtown Sarasota

Local entrepreneur Ronnie Shugar is investing $15 million in downtown Sarasota entities and projects.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Tesla preparing to open its new Sarasota store at University Town Center.
    By
  • Louis Llovio
  • April 6, 2024
Tesla set to open UTC dealership by end of April

The electric vehicle manufacturer has built a 55,000-square-foot showroom and service center at University Town Center just off I-75.

  • East County
  • Business
Artwork in the new Big Top gives a tip of the hat to Sarasota's connection with the circus industry.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • April 3, 2024
Big Top Brewing expands to Fruitville Commons with huge plans

The Sarasota restaurant/brewery targets mid-April for the opening of its 18,000 square-foot business on the southern edge of Lakewood Ranch.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
The SMH Trauma Center opened in 2015.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • March 29, 2024
SMH named one of the top workplaces for women in the US

The Newsweek rankings relied on surveys of more than 142,000 women and 848,000 company reviews.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
Kelly Romanoff (left) and Tonika Conaway are co-chairs of the First 1,000 Days Suncoast initiative.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • March 28, 2024
Parental support organization names co-chairs

Tonika Conaway and Kelly Romanoff will lead the First 1,000 Days Suncoast initiative for the next two years.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
Project 180 founder and CEO announces retirement
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • March 27, 2024
Project 180 founder and CEO announces retirement

A search for a new CEO is underway for the inmate reintegration organization.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
Transition Sarasota rebrands as Community Harvest SRQ
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • March 20, 2024
Transition Sarasota rebrands as Community Harvest SRQ

The change is intended to better reflect the organization's mission to close the hunger gap.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
St. Armands Market provides all types of products from food, drinks, cleaning supplies, skin care and more.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • March 12, 2024
St. Armands Market offers accessible groceries and essentials

Residents and tourists can grab on-the-go meals and stock their pantries without fighting traffic to leave St. Armands Key.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
The Green Orchid restaurant at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens is restricted to Selby members or those who have paid the $26 admission fee.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 28, 2024
Selby opens garden-to-table restaurant The Green Orchid

The solar-powered eatery at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens in Sarasota aims to become the world's first net-positive-energy restaurant.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Arts & Central's rendition of a bistro steak.
    By
  • Monica Roman Gagnier
  • February 20, 2024
Contemporary restaurant opens in Sarasota's Rosemary District

Arts & Central wants to woo customers with its creative, casual food and ambience.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Barancik Foundation reelects two board members, names officers
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 20, 2024
Barancik Foundation reelects two board members, names officers

Stephanie Jones and Ben Hanan have been elected to serve three-year terms.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
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