Sandbar Seafood + Spirits, on Anna Maria Island, has unveiled a renovation featuring new concepts Beachside Bites and Sweet Willy’s, along with refreshed dining, event and retail spaces.
Faith Baptist Church, in Sarasota, has sold 11 acres of its Fruitville Road property to charter school developer Red Apple Development for $3.5 million, with plans approved for new classrooms, a playground and an amphitheater.

⬅️ McDowell Housing Partners has completed phase one of Ekos at Arbor Park, a $40 million affordable senior housing community, in North Port.
Manatee School for the Arts is partnering with Tampa Bay Solar to power its entire campus with rooftop solar in one of the largest school-based solar projects in Florida history.
Sarasota-based nonprofit Local Relief has launched a free disaster preparedness and recovery app to connect communities with real-time updates, vital resources and support before, during and after major weather events.
Tiffany “Amber” Watson of Michael Saunders & Company , in Sarasota, has been named to the National Association of REALTORS 2025 “30 Under 30” list, honoring top young real estate professionals nationwide.

The Juice Pod has opened its first Florida location, at 8111 Lakewood Main Street, Suite J102, in Lakewood Ranch, offering superfood smoothies, acai bowls and wellness-focused fare in a community-driven space. ➡️
Big Waters Land Trust and the Florida DEP have secured the conservation of 34 coastal acres on Sandpiper Key, in Englewood, protecting critical mangroves and seagrass habitats within Lemon Bay Aquatic Preserve.
First Watch, based in Sarasota, has acquired three franchise-owned restaurants in Missouri, continuing its strategic growth initiative that has brought 48 locations under company ownership, since May 2023.










