Business | Sarasota | Your Observer

Sarasota | Business

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Jim DeLa
January 21, 2025

Sarasota Winn-Dixie to close, reemerge as Aldi

The conversion could take several months, the company said.

Sarasota
Business

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Ian Swaby
November 21, 2024

Son returns to operate plant-based coffee house his father founded

Simon's Coffee House, founded in 1991, has become a staple of plant-based dining in the Sarasota community.

Arts + Entertainment
Eat + Drink

Andrew Warfield
November 20, 2024

Piccolo to retire as SRQ CEO next year

After 30 years leading Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport, a search firm has been contracted to recruit President and CEO Rick Piccolo's replacement.

Sarasota
Business

Monica Roman Gagnier
November 19, 2024

Circus Arts Conservatory co-founders step down

Pedro Reis and Dolly Jacobs are succeeded by 16-year veteran Jennifer Mitchell, who has been named president and CEO.

Arts + Culture

Petra Rivera
November 19, 2024

Coldwell Banker Realty reopens its St. Armands Circle office

The real estate office renovated to build in resiliency for the potential of future flooding on St. Armands Circle.

Longboat Key
Business

Lesley Dwyer
November 6, 2024

PopStroke at UTC in Sarasota just got a little cooler

Fans and misters were installed on the mini-golf courses, along with a few other upgrades.

East County
Business

Andrew Warfield
October 29, 2024

Exclusive restaurant, club coming to Sarasota

1000 NORTH, with a long list of celebrity partners, will bring its second private dining club concept to the BLVD Sarasota building.

Arts + Entertainment
Eat + Drink

Ian Swaby
October 25, 2024

Sarasota Chamber celebrates awards and honors at annual meeting

The Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce hosted its annual meeting on Oct. 25, celebrating the community's businesses and the theme of resilience.

Sarasota
Business

Observer Staff
October 25, 2024

Columbia Restaurant on St. Armands to reopen Oct. 26

Cha Cha Coconuts is also back after nearly a month of work to repair damage from hurricanes.

Arts + Entertainment
Eat + Drink

Ian Swaby
October 24, 2024

Siesta Key slowly comes back to life

Two weeks after Hurricane Milton hit Sarasota, business owners say there's still further to go before Siesta Key returns to normal, while patrons and the community continue to offer support.