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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
Dan Sidler is the Greater Sarasota Chamber’s vice president of CareerEdge and economic development.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 1, 2023
Nine local companies win CareerEdge grants

The Greater Sarasota Chamber program awarded $205,000 to help advance careers of current employees.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
A rendering of the second-floor outdoor seating area at the planned Ocean Prime in The Quay.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • June 30, 2023
Ocean Prime's upscale dining will be alongside retail, condos at The Quay

High-end seafood and steak restaurant Ocean Prime will feature marina views and two levels of dining at the Sarasota development.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
John O'Keefe, brand ambassador Julianne Gentile, and Debbie O'Keefe
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • June 28, 2023
Sarasota boaters create watercraft management app

The YachtWave app is intended to be a one-stop shop for all needs related to boat care, maintenance and use.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Take Care Home Health is run by Sue Wise and two of her daughters Erika Wise Borland and Courtney Wise Snyder.
    By
  • Lauren Tronstad
  • June 27, 2023
Home health care agency continues 28 years of growth, success

Sarasota-based Take Care Home Health started with one office and four employees. It has grown into a multimillion-dollar business with multiple locations and nearly 400 employees.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
Ocean Prime plans to build a two-story, 9,500-square-foot restaurant on Block 10 in The Quay.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • June 27, 2023
Seafood, steak restaurant coming to The Quay

The centerpiece restaurant in The Quay is planned to open in late 2024.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Workforce Development & Innovation award with PGT Innovation staff Rob Moulds, Debbie LaPinska, Lakewood Ranch Medical Center chief operating officer Diego Perilla, and PGT Innovation staff Jeff Jackson, Don Vichitvongsa, and Stephanie Cz.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • June 25, 2023
2023 Small Business Awards reveal a caring community

The Sarasota Chamber of Commerce's awards highlighted area businesses that are positioned for continued success and have provided opportunities for the community.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
Erin Silk was officially named president and CEO on June 15.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • June 15, 2023
EDC of Sarasota County names new president and CEO

Erin Silk has been promoted by the Economic Development Corp. board to replace Lisa Krouse, who is retiring.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Les and Pam McCurdy opened their first Sarasota comedy club in 1988, the year after they got married.
    By
  • Monica Roman Gagnier
  • June 14, 2023
McCurdy's celebrates 35 years of comedy in Sarasota

Les and Pam McCurdy share their secrets for mixing business with pleasure.

  • Arts + Culture
Beso is expected to open June 10.
    By
  • Amanda Postma
  • June 4, 2023
Tapas restaurant to open in downtown Sarasota

The new concept is run by the same people who own State Street Eating House + Cocktails.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
After being selected a nominee for the category, Der Dutchman Restaurant in Sarasota was voted on by USA Today readers.
    By
  • Amanda Postma
  • June 2, 2023
Der Dutchman crowned best buffet in the US

The restaurant has been in the Sarasota area since 1985.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
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