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Sarasota | Business

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
Damn Good Hospitality has two other Warren locations, one in Naples, one in Sarasota.
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • February 17, 2024
High-end whiskey-centric eatery leases downtown Sarasota spot

A high-end bar and restaurant company is planning its debut in Sarasota with a fine-dining, whiskey-infused location in a coveted second-floor spot on Main Street.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Parkinson's-focused nonprofit in Sarasota names new CEO
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • February 4, 2024
Parkinson's-focused nonprofit in Sarasota names new CEO

Jennifer Bitner will bring 24 years of nonprofit experience to the organization dedicated to improving the lives of those with Parkinson's.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
John Walsh is the new chief operating officer of Harvest House.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 26, 2024
Former SCSO captain named COO of hunger relief, housing nonprofit

Harvest House has named former Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office Capt. John Walsh as chief operating officer.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
Sandra Frank
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • January 2, 2024
All Faiths Food Bank CEO leaves behind bigger, stronger nonprofit

Sandra Frank, who helped grow the food bank, will retire after 12 years with the organization.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
Taylor Galford
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • December 18, 2023
Music Compound now offers virtual, hybrid guitar instruction

The Sarasota music school's new course, “Introduction to Guitar Fundamentals: The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide," was launched in early December.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
Caragiulos opened in Mira Mar in 1989.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • December 11, 2023
Caragiulos restaurant plans to move to Ringling Boulevard

The Italian American eatery will vacate its space in the Mira Mar building on Palm Avenue after 35 years.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Sarasota Chamber president and CEO Heather Kasten and Superintendent of Schools Terry Connor
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • December 8, 2023
Sarasota Chamber connects school officials with business community

"You would be amazed at the heroes that are leading, working in our schools," Superintendent Terry Connor says.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
The menu at Le Mans Kitchen has a French accent.
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • December 6, 2023
Sarasota Ford opens multimillion-dollar restaurant inside the dealership

Le Mans Kitchen, a high-end, French-style restaurant, is set to open inside the Sarasota Ford dealership — a move designed to increase brand and customer loyalty.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
The Flock SRQ, a social club and indoor playhouse for young children, will open Dec. 8.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 5, 2023
Indoor playhouse, children's social club opens in Sarasota

The Flock SRQ will offer a wide variety of classes, programs, toys, meet-ups and events for children ages 4 and under.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
Two-story Italian restaurant to open on St. Armands in early 2024
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 1, 2023
Two-story Italian restaurant to open on St. Armands in early 2024

15 South by Napulè, a Neapolitan-inspired concept, will feature pizzas made in an authentic, gold-tiled oven.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Sushi burritos are one of the signature items at Pacific Counter.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • November 28, 2023
Sarasota restaurant puts fast-casual spin on sushi

Pacific Counter recently opened a location in The Landings.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
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