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Sarasota | Business

Mayor Kyle Battie introduces Greg LeMond.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • November 8, 2023
Three-time Tour de France winner Greg LeMond partners with Sarasota bike shop

Wheel Street USA, which offers custom designs and complimentary coffee, recently opened in Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
The Original Wolfie’s Deli and Wolfie Cohen’s Rascal House will serve breakfast, lunch and dinner.
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • November 4, 2023
Sarasota deli closes temporarily two days after opening, citing staffing issues

The Original Wolfie's and Wolfie Cohen's Rascal House, a New York-style and Jewish deli from executive chef Sol Shenker, opened Nov. 2 in the Rosemary District.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Mike Granthon and Chris Brown own five restaurants in the heart of Siesta Key Village.
    By
  • Monica Roman Gagnier
  • November 3, 2023
Restaurant company continues to make its mark on Siesta Key

Some of Siesta Key’s most popular restaurants are owned by Chris Brown and Mike Granthon, founders of Sarasota’s Above the Bar Hospitality Group.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
The Original Wolfie's will serve classic New York deli-style sandwiches under the direction of chef Sol Shenker.
    By
  • Monica Roman Gagnier
  • November 1, 2023
The Original Wolfie's deli opens Nov. 2 in the Rosemary District

The grand opening festivities will feature live entertainment from New York's Dani Luv.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Teri Hansen, president and CEO of the Charles and Margery Barancik Foundation addresses the Sarasota Chamber membership at its 103rd annual meeting on Oct. 27, 2023.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • November 1, 2023
Sarasota Chamber packs the house for 103rd annual meeting

About 600 attended the event as the gavel was passed to Teri Hansen of the Barancik Foundation.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
AG Lafley helped lead the formation of the Bay Park Conservancy and the opening of the first phase of The Bay.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • October 30, 2023
Founding CEO returns to helm of Bay Park Conservancy

AG Lafley replaces Stephanie Crockatt, who stepped down after five months on the job.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
The YMCA brand in Sarasota dates back to 1945.
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • October 30, 2023
Sarasota has a YMCA again, behind nonprofit merger announcement

A no-quit group of volunteers and deep-pocketed donors, paired with some like-minded nonprofit executives, rejoice over the news Sarasota is no longer a city without a Y.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Trader Joe's held a grand opening Oct. 26 in The Shoppes at University Town Center.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • October 26, 2023
Trader Joe's opens at University Town Center

The popular grocery store chain held a grand opening Oct. 26 in The Shoppes at University Town Center.

  • East County
  • Business
REI Co-op announced earlier that year that it planned to open a store in the UTC area.
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • October 24, 2023
Outdoor retailer REI sets mid-November opening at UTC

The Seattle-based outdoor gear and clothing brand's other store on the west coast of Florida is in Tampa.

  • East County
  • Business
Nelle Miller will start as CEO of All Faiths Food Bank in January 2024.
    By
  • Jim Stinson
  • October 20, 2023
Sarasota-area food bank chooses prominent community leader as new CEO

All Faiths Food Bank CEO's appointment comes after a national search.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
The Shoppes at University Town Center in east Manatee county will soon be home to a Trader Joe's.
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • October 20, 2023
Trader Joe's opens Oct. 26 in The Shoppes at UTC

California-based grocer Trader Joe’s is known for its signature food items and loyal following.

  • East County
  • Business
Goodwill Manasota President and CEO Donn Githens (second from left) with the Community Ambassador Awards Luncheon honorees (from left) Rob Kehs, Dora Talamantes, Tom Waters and Bill Isaac
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 18, 2023
Goodwill Manasota revives its Community Ambassador of the Year Awards

The awards recognizing community service were last given in 2019.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
Rise Up Cafe is located at 1534 State St.
    By
  • James Peter
  • October 13, 2023
Rebranded cafe opens downtown, rolling out 50 new ice cream recipes

Rise Up Cafe challenges New Yorkers to put the Sarasota eatery’s bagels to the taste test.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Payne Park nonprofit hires veteran fundraiser
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 9, 2023
Payne Park nonprofit hires veteran fundraiser

Michael Ayres will lead the effort to raise capital and develop partnerships for the renovation and expansion of Payne Park Auditorium.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
Chef Sol Shenker will not reveal where the ingredients from Wolfie's mouthwatering sandwiches will come from.
    By
  • Monica Roman Gagnier
  • September 26, 2023
New York-style deli finds new home in Sarasota's Rosemary District

Sol Shenker is executive chef at The Original Wolfie's, which opens in October in the Rosemary District.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
The eFoil is growing in popularity in Sarasota.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • September 14, 2023
Ready for a real-life 'magic carpet' ride? Hop on an eFoil.

Learning to fly on a surfboard isn't easy, but the "unreal feeling" is worth it, Sarasota eFoil owners say.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Carol Hayes cleaning up the inside of Coastal HoBo
    By
  • Amanda Postma
  • September 2, 2023
Local businesses encouraged to take damage survey

The survey asks for both physical and economic damages caused by Hurricane Idalia.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
Jose Pavet of Cha Cha Coconuts on Aug. 31.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • August 31, 2023
Businesses on St. Armands Circle clean up after Hurricane Idalia flooding

Shops on the Circle received little water damage from the storm and plan to reopen Aug. 31 to Sept. 1.

  • Longboat Key
  • Business
Cafe L'Europe staff in the Late '70s.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • August 30, 2023
Cafe L'Europe builds on tradition for 50th anniversary

The St. Armands Circle restaurant has served the area for 50 years and trained many local restaurateurs.

  • Longboat Key
  • Business
Uzi Baram has been named director of archaeology at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 25, 2023
Selby Gardens names new director of archaeology

Uzi Baram has taught anthropology at New College for 25 years.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County President and CEO Brian Hersh, incoming Visit Sarasota County President and CEO Erin Duggan and Economic Development Corp. of Sarasota County President and CEO Erin Silk.
    By
  • Monica Roman Gagnier
  • August 24, 2023
New Sarasota County leaders meet the community

A panel discussion and members mixer was held at CMX CinéBistro Siesta Key.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
Alexandria Elman Foley has been named CEO of The Lighthouse Vision Loss Education Center.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 22, 2023
The Lighthouse names Alexandra Elman Foley as CEO

Previous CEO Lisa Howard will lead the vision-loss education nonprofit's first capital campaign in its history.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
Art Uptown Gallery artist Elisabeth Trostli displays digital paintings of powerful women of varying races and ethnicities in 2018.
    By
  • Monica Roman Gagnier
  • August 18, 2023
Art Uptown Gallery to close after 43 years in Sarasota

Rising rents are forcing galleries out of downtown, but other artist spaces beckon.

  • Arts + Culture
The Miami-based cafe is expected to open in the UTC West District in the first quarter of 2024.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • August 16, 2023
Health-conscious cafe Pura Vida coming to UTC in Sarasota

The Miami-based cafe is expected to open in the UTC West District in the first quarter of 2024.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Jaiden Johnson and Sharon Preston-Folta
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 10, 2023
Suncoast Black Arts Collaborative adds two new team members

Sharon Preston-Folta and Jaiden Johnson are joining the nonprofit.

  • Arts + Culture
Selby Gardens promotes new COO from within
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • August 6, 2023
Selby Gardens promotes new COO from within

Crystal Bailey joined the organization in January as chief administrative officer and general counsel.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
Sarasota's Sage Restaurant has been honored for its wine program by Wine Spectator magazine.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 3, 2023
Sarasota's Sage Restaurant honored by Wine Spectator magazine

The restaurant won the 2023 Award of Excellence for its wine selection and service.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Jan and Tim Solmon sail onwards.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • August 2, 2023
Key Sailing wants to change the world one voyage at a time

The Sarasota sailing charter supports local charities while its owners offer a message of hope.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
William Cinéa conducting field work in his native Haiti.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 26, 2023
Haitian botanist named Selby Gardens research associate

The three-year appointment will mutually benefit Selby Gardens' research and Caribbean flora.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
The vegan version of the Chicago Hot was ranked among the country's top 10 vegan hotdogs for Summer 2023.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • July 25, 2023
Vegan hot dog at Sarasota eatery ranked in nation's top 10

The vegan version of Doggystyle's Chicago Hot was ranked by PETA among the top 10 hot dogs in the U.S. for summer 2023.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Dan Sidler is the Greater Sarasota Chamber’s vice president of CareerEdge and economic development.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 17, 2023
CareerEdge receives $125,000 grant from Gulf Coast Community Foundation

The workforce development program, led by the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce, will use the funds to support workforce development initiatives.

  • Sarasota
  • News
David Sessions, left, and Anand Pallegar have been elected chair and vice chair of the Gulf Coast Community Foundation.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 16, 2023
Gulf Coast Community Foundation elects leaders for 2024

The GCCF board named David Sessions chair and Anand Pallegar vice chair along with three new board members.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
Tyler Fite pours a red, white and blue daiquiri at the Siesta Key Daiquiri Deck.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 12, 2023
Daiquiri Deck giving away free daiquiris for a year

To celebrate National Daiquiri Day, each of the five restaurant locations will award one lucky winner free daiquiris for the year.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
A rendering of the new welcome center at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens downtown campus.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 11, 2023
Selby Gardens elects new leadership for 2024

The board of trustees also named one new member and reelected seven others to three-year terms.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
Jennifer Arevalo tries out a new dress with assistance from Erika Alarcon.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • July 11, 2023
Barbie's Boutique began with a dream, grew into a one-stop shop for all

Founded to serve the local Latino community, the Sarasota boutique has expanded its clientele and recently opened an additional location.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
The renovations at Melting Pot Sarasota included new fabrics, carpet, paint, artwork, lighting and exterior signage.
    By
  • Amanda Postma
  • July 3, 2023
Fondue chain one-third of the way through $30 million renovation

The Melting Pot Sarasota wrapped its renovation around a new focus on the bar area.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
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