Happy campers
Ohio friends find volunteering at Turtle Beach Campground far from a job
FBy Jane Bartnett
or two longtime Ohio friends, spending a few weeks at the Turtle Beach Campground is a cherished tradition.
Patricia Mugrage and Michelle Oberdier, both seasoned campers, began visiting the Siesta Key campground in 2014 with their children in tow. These days, when the pair crosses the bridge onto the island to complete their two-day journey, it’s just the two of them.
Murage’s spacious travel trailer becomes their home. They even set up an informal living room under an awning just outside the door, complete with an outdoor rug and decorations. Flowering plants
and coastal signs create a welcoming space for the trailer that also serves as their office when they assume their Siesta Key volunteer job as campground hosts.
“My husband owns his own business,” said Oberdier.
“And my boyfriend has his own business too,” said Mugrage. “It’s peak season for them.”
Added Oberdier, with a nod of her head, “They’re not beach people” as both friends laughed.
“It’s perfect for us,” said Mugrage when asked about their short-term, beachside hospitality job. Serving as a Turtle Beach Campground host carries responsibility, patience and organizational skills, the
Swim City sells island lifestyle at gateway to Siesta Key
Judy and Nick Johnson create branding that captures the feeling of the Key
By ChrisAnn Allen
Swim City owner Judy Johnson was raised on Siesta Key beaches. Her great grandparents lived on Beach Road.
“I have such wonderful memories growing up here and I want to bring that joy to everyone that comes to our beaches,” Johnson said.
From that mindset and a background in broadcasting, Johnson and her late husband, TJ, purchased and grew Swim Mart, which later developed into Swim City. Now, the business includes five locations, stretching from St. Pete Beach to Englewood.
Locally recognizable by the large swimwear and surf shop at the corner of Stickney Point Road at the gateway
to the Key, the company started in 1989 when Judy and TJ decided to depart from their careers in radio/television advertising sales and purchased Swim Mart, then located on Bay Road in Sarasota. Judy said TJ sold airtime to the former owner, who suggested they buy his business.
“Since we loved the water and I enjoyed fashion and I was in radio, music broadcasting, I thought it paired very well,” Johnson said.
So, the previous owner introduced them to the different manufacturers, which included trips to New York, as well as Miami Swim Week -- the biggest swimwear trade show in the world.
“Just really enjoying fashion and
swimwear, it was so fun to meet the vendors and reps to build those relationships to be fashion-forward and the first in the industry to carry certain brands,” she said.
Their newly purchased business coincided with the start of the outlet mall boom, so they were able to operate as a retailer in those malls and, according to Johnson, became a “category killer,” meaning the other stores didn’t carry swimwear because they couldn’t compete with what Swim Mart was offering.
“We were very fortunate at that time because that was really the beginning of that type of retail,” she said. They had eight outlet stores before becoming Swim City.
Initially, Swim City was a competitor, but the founding owners were retiring in 2008 and Johnson had a chance to purchase. She said there had been some pushback as certain brands were concerned with being associated with the name “Mart,” so this transition allowed them to elevate their branding.
pair explained. Both had plenty of practice in these areas during their long and fulfilling careers as school bus drivers for Warren Local Schools in Ohio.
The role of the campground host, they said, is to assist campers as they check in, offer ideas on where to go and what to do on the Key, check the grounds, and lend a hand to the campground manager.
Last summer, Sarasota County recognized the women for their exceptional service and commitment. Together, the two logged more than 1,900 volunteer hours over a four-year period. “A heartfelt appreciation goes out to Patricia and Michelle, two essential faces of Turtle
Continued
because we want everyone to have a great time and get to know us in the stores,” she said.
Additionally, Johnson’s background in radio and sales helped her provide the music and create the “vibe” to set the perfect ambiance for their stores.
“We create a beachy, tropical vibe
Subsequently, they have a solid following that has been shopping at their stores for years. “Even multigenerational, “ Johnson said.
And the legacy Johnson and her
Nick and Judy Johnson in their beloved Volkswagen outside their Stickney Point Road store. (photo by John Morton)
Turtle Beach Campground hosts (left to right) Patricia Mugrage, Michelle Oberdier and manager Greg Steinberg welcome a new arrival.
BRUNCH by the
BEACH
E V E R Y S U N D A 1 1 : 0 0 A M T O 1
O C E A N B L V A S O T A , F L 3 4 t h e b i g t i k i l o u n g e . c o m
Are you comfortable?
Lying on a beach towel under the broiling sun for two or three hours – not so much. Yet, sitting in a beach chair at sunset on the gulf with a glass of chilled chardonnay in your hand – yes, comfort comes to mind. Especially if there is a gentle breeze caressing your arm – and if you’d just spent some time in an earlier part of the day in the air-conditioned multi-room galleries within Art Center Sarasota.
That experience is Beyond Comfort, a series of five rooms containing more than 100 works of art in the latest annual Juried Show, on view through July 27.
As you enter the art center and move past the donations/ information desk, turn right and enter a room with a
two-part greeting of its own. On the far wall there is a banner declaring Desire Makes Everything Blossom, situated above a floating fabric full of flowers, an oil on fabric work rendered by Isabelle Klauder. And almost directly in front, enhancing rather than blocking one’s view, is Music of the Spheres, a ceramic and mixed media piece by P.A. Kushner. And on the wall to the right is an arresting piece by Jim Stewart, Ambitions, done in India inks on watercolor paper. In the room to the left of the entrance, three images catch the eye. Street, Miami by Laura Campbell, Reconstruct Withered by David Bush, and Rafael Montalvo’s Eating Beauty Donna are photos printed on metallic photo paper on acrylic, on archival paper, and by inkjet on stock, depending upon the desires of these artists.
A stroll down a long runway ramp leads to another left/ right group of display spaces. There one can see a young Art Deco lady lounging on the beach in the style of a Tamara de Lempicka oil painting, but done in Petit Point by Betsy Tomasso, titled Bella Donna
From there one enters the main gallery where even more art works reside. There, art goes from whimsey to monumental to statement, in all mediums – oil, collage, sculpture, photography, chalk, and colored pencil. A fun piece is Just Listed: End Unit with Ocean View by Robert Shade. A 4-foot by 5¾-foot work, Polymorphing by Art Venti, is made up of 780,426 colored pencil strokes (approximately), and is worth looking at in depth. And finally, a lasting impression is made by Walking on Broken Glass, acrylic and tempered glass on wood by Viktorija Bulava.
The works described above are just subjectively highlighted parts of this annual show, which is filled with many others of equal merit.
More info at artsarasota.org.
Statue to a song
It seems that every country in the world, and every people of the world, not matter the continent, peninsula, or island, where they have banded together to be a unity, all have yearned to be free.
To seek liberty, no matter the stony road they trod, was the goal they sought, the hope they hoped for with their voices resounding as the rolling sea. All have sought it and all seek to keep it. And if they keep forever on that path, then forever may they stand.
In 1900 some of the above phrases and many others just as poignant were crafted in Jacksonville by James Weldon
Johnson in a poem he wrote to honor Abraham Lincoln and the idea of freedom.
That year the poem was recited by 500 students from Florida Baptist Academy and surrounding schools. Five years later James’ brother J. Rosamond Johnson wrote the music, thus creating an anthem that has been sung in churches; at school commencements, dedications, and graduations; and at sporting events, births, and funerals.
That poem, which became a song, “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” has been sung at thousands of events by a multitude of classical and popular artists – by Beyoncé, the students at Maya Angelou’s eighth-grade graduation ceremony, Dionne Warwick, Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin, the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, Alicia Keys, and Ray Charles; played by the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, and Jon Batiste; recited by James Brown before a Muhammad Ali fight, by Joseph Lowery at President Obama’s inauguration ceremony, and at Super Bowl LVII, and referenced by political and religious leaders around the world.
Augusta Savage received a commission to create a statue symbolizing African-American music for the 1939 World’s Fair in New York. She lovingly sculpted a chorus singing “Lift Every Voice and Sing.” Unfortunately, it was not cast in bronze and the painted plaster statue was destroyed in 1940.
At long last, a new statue, sculpted by Brian Owens, honoring both the poet and the composer has been cast at the Bronzart Foundry here in Sarasota and was put on display near their birthplace in Jacksonville last month. Also, here in Sarasota is Marian Anderson Place, on a 14-acre site acquired by the city in 1944. A developer plans to house some light industry there. It would be nice if the
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Beach Campground,” read the official county statement. “We recognize that without people like them on our team, our campground wouldn’t offer the customer service experience we aim for.”
In return for their service, volunteer campground hosts receive a free stay at the site. Each year, between 8 and 12 adult volunteers serve as hosts.
“We’re very thankful to have Patty and Michelle helping us out,” said Sarasota County’s Greg Steinberg, the campground and permit program manager. “We need people to host in the summer months.”
Speaking about their role as camp hosts, both women agreed that the Turtle Beach Campground attracts very interesting people from around the world.
“Campers are some of the best
people,” said Mugrage. Added Oberdier, “We’ve heard the most interesting stories from people that we’ve met.”
She recalled a woman motorcyclist who had shipped her bike from Germany to Texas.
“She rode from Texas to Siesta Key and she’s coming here again soon,” Oberdier said.
And there are some yummy perks for making new friends.
“Sometimes people bring us international dishes to try,” said Mugrage. “I remember a delicious pork schnitzel recipe that a German camper shared with us.”
In addition to sharing recipes, the two award-winning hosts also share their knowledge of Siesta Key’s restaurants with fellow campers.
“Captain Curt’s clam chowder is the best,” said Mugrage.
Both agreed that the nearby
ACCOMMODATIONS
Beach Palms B-#74
Siesta Key Beach Resort & Spa Map-A #38A
ATM / BANKS
PNC ATM Map-C #61
Sun Trust Bank & ATM Map-E #4
BARS & NIGHTCLUBS
Blase Café Map-A #38
Daiquiri Deck Raw Bar Map-B #42-43
Gilligan’s Map-B #33
My Village Pub Map-C #53/54
Siesta Key Oyster Bar Map-B #45
The Beach Club Map-D #22
The Cottage Map-C #58
The Hub-Baja Grill Map-D #59
COFFEE SHOPS
Bean Coffeehouse Map-D #62
Mojo Risin’ Coffee Company Map-B #31
Project Coffee.....................................Map-D #9
FASHION & ACCESSORIES
Beach Bazaar’s & Swin Shack Map-C #28
Blvd. Beachwear Map-B #30
Casa Smeralda Fashion’Style D #12-11
Comfort Shoes-Birki & More Map-D #64
Foxy Lady Fashions Map-A #40
Gidget’s Coastal Provisions Map-B #44
Island Boutique Map-B #50
Island Style Map-C #53
Lilly Pulitzer Map-D #66
Sandbar Swimwear............................Map-B #50
Sea Shanty Map-C #24
Siesta T’s Map-B #30
Southern Tide.....................................Map-D #60
The Sandal Factory Map-B #46
GAS STATION
Circle K Store Map-E #6
GIFTS & SOUVENIRS
Beach Bazaar Map-C #28
Gilligan’s Gift Store Map-B #32
Island Trader Map-C #51
Sea Pleasures & Treasures Map-C #29
Siesta Key Outfitters Map-D #13 HEALTH & FITNESS Indep. Lifestyle
Orange Octopus ice cream shop can’t be beat, either. When it comes to getting around, the two recommend the free trolley that’s only a short walk away.
“Most of the people that we meet are wonderful,” said Oberdier. “We’re all here to have a good time.”
And the friends have shared some special experiences.
“One night on the beach, we watched a big turtle lay her eggs and cover them,” Oberdier said.
“She slowly made her way back to the water. It took her four hours. We watched the whole thing.”
The hosts are not alone in their appreciation of this picturesque public camping space. Last month, the Florida and Alabama RV Park and Campground Association recognized the Turtle Beach Campground as the Small Park of the Year.
MARKETS/FOOD STORES
Circle K Store Map-E #6
Morton’s Siesta Market Map-C #25
MASSAGE
Hands of Light Massage Map-B #35 The Spa at Calle Minorga Map-E #74
Sassy ... the Little Day Spa.............Map-D #62
MEDICAL - DENTAL
Siesta Village Dentistry Map-D #63
Siesta Dental Map-B #49
Siesta Key Physical Therapy Map-D #20
MISCELLANEOUS
Chamber of Commerce Map-D #67
Prime Audio Video Map-E #1
Roberti Enterprises Map-A #39
Village Arcade Map-C #53
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Attorney Fleming Map-E #1
Edward Jones Investments Map-D #68
Smith Architects Map-E 74
REAL ESTATE / RENTAL SERVICES
Amy Robinson RE Map-E #1
Beach Palms B-74
Coldwell Banker Realty Map-D #20
EXP Realty Map-E #4
Judith Guzzi & Assoc Map-E #74
Keller Williams Real Estate Map-D #11
Michael Saunders Realty Map-E #72
ReMax Alliance Group Map-C #29
RentSiestaKey.com Map-D #9
Robasota Rentals & Real Estate Map-A #39 Siesta Key Rental
Left: Michelle Oberdier and Patricia Mugrage chat with Sarasota County Campground and Permit Manager Greg Steinberg. Right: In 2023, Sarasota County honored Patricia Mugrage and Michelle Oberdier for their volunteer service as Turtle Beach Campground hosts.
TarponshouldCapt. Rick Grassett’s Fishing Forecast
be plentiful in the coastal gulf this month as big schools of fish migrate along our beaches. Also look for cobia, tripletail and false albacore (little tunny) in the coastal gulf. Catch-and-release snook fishing should also be good in and around passes and in the surf. Fishing should also be good on deep grass flats for a variety of species.
Tarpon fishing should be strong this month as schools of fish increase in size and numbers. They will head off shore to spawn close to new and full moons. Set up in travel lanes along the beach at first light in the morning and cast live crabs, baitfish, DOA Baitbusters and Swimming Mullet to them. I travel well offshore along the beach in the morning to avoid disturbing schools of tarpon that may be traveling close to the beach. Once you’ve reached the area you intend to fish, ease into the beach with an electric trolling motor and set up in your spot. You can anchor or drift, depending on conditions.
Give other anglers several hundred yards of space. Since fish may be moving both north
and south, setting up too close to another angler may negatively affect their fishing. Tarpon fishing is very dependent on conditions and there are a lot of variables that need to come together to be successful.
Use tackle heavy enough to land them as quickly as possible. When fly fishing, I use 12-weight rods and large arbor reels capable of holding 300 yards or more of backing. I use a variety of baitfish, shrimp or crab fly patterns fished on floating fly lines. The shallower the water, the easier it is to get your fly in front of a fish when fly fishing. Stake out or anchor in travel lanes to get shots at them.
When spin fishing, I usually drift a couple of live baits under a float while we wait for tarpon schools to pass by. Blind casting with DOA Baitbusters or Swimming Mullet, if you’re in the right spot, can also be productive when fish are moving past you but not showing well on the surface. The CAL 4-inch Shad Tail/ Swimbait with a heavy weedless hook is also be a good tarpon bait, especially when sight fishing.
You should find snook in the surf, in passes and around docks and bridges in the Intracoastal Waterway near passes. You can walk the beach and sight fish them in the surf with fly or spinning tackle. Small baitfish fly patterns,
CAL jigs with shad tails and jerk worms or DOA shrimp should all work well. The same lures and flies that work in the surf will also work well at night.
Snook will congregate in passes around the new and full moons to spawn. They will usually be in deep channels in these areas. Bouncing a DOA TerrorEyz or Baitbuster in bridge channels or passes can be an effective technique in these areas.
Fishing for reds should also be good. Look for them over shallow grass along mangrove shorelines or around oyster bars when the tide is high. You’ll find them in potholes or edges of flats when the tide is low. Top water plugs will work well, especially early in the day. I like to cover water with CAL jigs and shad tails or jerk worms to find them. Fly anglers should score with baitfish fly patterns like my Grassett Flats Minnow.
You may find Spanish mackerel, bluefish or pompano in passes or on deep grass flats this month. I like to drift deep grass flats and cast ahead of my drift with CAL jigs and shad tails or jerk worms or DOA Deadly Combos. Fly anglers should score by drifting and casting ahead of the drift with Ultra Hair Clouser flies tied on long shank hooks on an
intermediate sink tip fly line. You’ll need to add a few inches of heavy (40- or 50-pound) fluorocarbon when toothy fish are in the mix.
In addition to tarpon look for Spanish mackerel, false albacore, cobia and tripletail in the coastal gulf this month. Although none of them may be thick, I’ve encountered all of them before this time of year.
Keep your eyes open for bird activity or “breaking” fish to find albies and mackerel. Cobia and tripletail may be found around crab trap floats; however, I’ve seen cobia swimming with tarpon schools before. Medium spinning tackle and a DOA Shrimp or CAL jig will get the job done for all of them, although your tarpon tackle would also work well for a big cobia. An 8- or 9-weight fly rod with a floating or clear sink tip fly line is adequate to catch everything except a big cobia, in which case your 12-weight tarpon fly tackle will work well.
There are lots of options in inshore waters or the coastal gulf this month. If pulling on a 100-pound tarpon isn’t for you, fishing pressure is usually light inshore this month so snook, reds, trout and more should also be good options.
Bill Morrison, from Holmes Beach, FL, with a bluefish caught on a fly while fishing Sarasota Bay with Capt. Rick Grassett in a previous June.
late husband created has carried on to their family’s next generation. Judy’s son, Nick Johnson, who grew up helping in the warehouse by removing plastic and preparing merchandise to be placed in stores when he was about 8 years old, is now the vice president of the company. After TJ passed in 2003, Nick and his brother Tommy, two years his senior, went with their mom to shows, where skateboarding, skimboarding and surfing brand reps
would “pick their brains” about what the kids were into.
“He had an instrumental part in the expansion of our business,” Johnson said of Nick. “Some of these brands were hesitant because we were carrying missy and women’s swimwear, so it helped these companies to feel comfortable with us. And he had a good eye for color and trends.”
Said Nick Johnson, “In high school
I worked in the stores for a bit, which helped me see what customers were looking for.”
He then went Pepperdine University in southern California, where he studied business with a computer science minor, but was also in the epicenter of the swimwear and surf world. Following school, he worked for a tech startup for several years.
“Meanwhile, my mom was trying to reel me back in,” he said. “So, I returned home and joined the family business, primarily doing the men’s
buying but ventured out into athleisure and brought in some of our newer brands, including Vuori, Free Fly, Fair Harbor and 7Diamonds and we’ve seen some great success with that.”
Now, the stores carry more than 70 premiere brands, both at their physical locations and online at swimcity.com.
With Nick’s return in 2018, they grew their web-based business. Judy said, with her advertising background they place importance on marketing; both online and print. However, word of mouth from years of satisfied
customers has been important to their success and subsequent growth, she added.
“Especially at the Stickney Point location, a reputation has been built that the people that live here know us and bring their friends when they visit,” Johnson said. “We want customers to feel like this is the one place where you can get everything you need for your time at the beach. And if you live here, we feel like we’re your one-stop shop for lifestyle in this area.”
5:00pm-6:00pm Daily. Must be seated by 6:00pm. Excluding Valentine's Day, Mother's Day and New Year's Eve.
city and the developer would commission a statue to Marian Anderson, who sang so many beautiful songs, uplifting spirits across America and the world, and be honored, like the Johnson brothers, with more than just a street sign.
Send in the clowns
The Summer Circus Spectacular is back at the Historic Asolo Theatre through Aug. 17. These for-kids-of-all-ages shows (from 3 to 93, and everywhere in between) are performed up to three times each day, when the sun is at its hottest, so this gem of a theater will be most enjoyable.
What would you do if your mother was the first woman in the world to walk on stilts on a circus high wire? Probably join the circus yourself, along with your siblings, to form the Bello Sisters Acrobatic Balancing Act.
A lot of the acts performing at this year’s summer circus have some connection with Canada. For many of these performers, they or a parent performed with
Cirque du Soleil, graduated from the Circus School of Quebec, or from the National Circus School of Montreal. The main thing is that great acts ultimately wind up being associated with the Circus Arts Conservatory in Sarasota, world famous home of so many circuses.
At this year’s spectacular there will be contortionist Uranbileg Angarag, who first performed with the Mongolian National Circus when she was 6; the Bello Sisters, famous for their handbalancing act and who perform as the halftime entertainment for various NBA and NCAA basketball shows; Zorè España who will thrill you as she careens around the stage, spread-eagle within a giant hula hoop; Camille Langlois, who like many kids dreamt of hanging out around the circus, fulfilled that dream by hanging around by her hair while swinging above the circus ring to ethereal music; and while you might have been able at some time in your life to stand on your hands while leaning against a wall, it probably wasn’t your dream to do
so while on a rope high in the air, like Antino Pansa the slack wire artist.
All this and more (the more being the Circus Museum and the Tibbals Learning Center) at ringling.org.
DISCOVER GULF GATE’S SHOPPING VILLAGE
With our map on the next page you’ll be able to navigate your way to our featured shops with ease.
The Shop SRQ (G-2) offers flat-tops, fades, tapers, blowouts, razor cuts, and straight razor shaves. Owners, Erick and Dawn use a back to basics approach to grooming with a precise attention to personal detail.
Their commitment to excellence has provided them with many loyal customers. They welcome the opportunity to earn your trust. Hours: Tues. thru Fri. 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sat., 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Gulf Gate Barber Shop (G-7) has been an institution in the community for years, owned by Kyle Flannery. The super-clean barbershop’s clientele is comprised of primarily men, but the shop services children as well. Scott Reich, formerly of the Siesta Key Village Barber Shop has relocated to this location.
West End Pub (G-49) Where else can you watch your favorite game with a great selection of beers, wines and liquors served by a friendly staff AND where you’re allowed to bring your own restaurant or deli food? Right here. 6500 Gateway Ave. 941-554-8905. Tony’s Chicago Beef Company (S-16) is owned and operated by true Chicagoans. Dedicated to deliver Chicago’s best food, Chicago style Hot Dogs wit’ the works ... dragged through the garden on poppy seed buns with fresh cut fries, Italian Beef Sandwiches anyway you like, dipped or dry, sweet or hot.
Solórzano’s Late Night Pizzeria (S-34): At every Solórzano’s, they offer an experience familiar to those who understand the importance of family and dedication. Their recipes and techniques have been perfected through three long generations based on the traditional simplicity of the methods used by their Italian ancestors. Dine inside, outside, pick up, or DELIVERY anywhere on Siesta Key, or in Sarasota until 3:30 a.m. 6574 Superior Ave., 941-924-5800.
Gulf Gate Food + Beer (S-51): Sarasota’s late-night hot spot for the service industry, night owls, and midnight snackers. It’s not your typical sports bar, offering unique menu selections for carnivores and vegetarians. Be sure to check out their menu online at: eatfooddrinkbeer.com. Hours: 11 a.m. – 1 a.m. (Sun. - Thurs.) open until 2 a.m. (Fri & Sat.).
Roberts Realty, Inc. (M-5) John Garner, Broker Assoc. & Diane Shane, Broker Assoc. have a combined 40 years’ experience in Sarasota of making dreams come true for our clients. For buyers, we have had great success in finding the right property for our clients because we listen closely to their wants and needs and matching that as close as possible. For sellers, over the years we
have successfully listed and sold many, many properties throughout Sarasota County. Our philosophy is to have fun, enjoy the experience, achieve great results, make friends and receive referrals. We’re with you every step of the way! Call 941-924-2330 or drop by our office.
Only Eyes Optical (S-24) brings a new, exotic, eclectic, eccentric, unique collection of vintage, hipster, contemporary eyeglasses and sunglasses to the community. Licensed and experienced optician available to fill your prescriptions. Only Eyes Optical has a large assortment of free frames with the purchase of new lenses. Call 941-444-7984 to set up an appointment with their licensed optician.
Seascape Aquarium & Pet Center (GG39) Serving the area since 1975, this lively critter emporium features 10,000 feet of showroom, 25,000 gallons of freshwater, saltwater and coral, and adventures galore.
Hours are Monday-thru Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday 10 am. 5 p.m., Sunday noon to 4 p.m.
Scandinavian Gifts Baked Goods and Grocery (GG-37) A fixture in Sarasota for 32 years, Scandinavian Gifts offers an assortment of linens, glassware, cookbooks, jewelry, candles, food items, and Christmas collectibles. Located at 2166 Gulf Gate Drive, the store is open Monday-Saturday from 10
a.m. - 5 p.m.
The Skinny Dip (G-26) Established in 2020. The Sarasota Skinny Dip location is a family-owned business, with husbandand-wife Alex and Sorelly, and their kiddos, Sophie and Noah. The business specializes in letting you make your frozen yogurt the way you want it! We specialize in Skinny8 Froyos, which are only 8 calories per once! Also available vegan and low-fat options so that all Dippers can, well, dip!
Apothecary Shoppe (GG-28) Eric and Laurie’s knowledge of pharmaceuticals and natural/holistic remedies enables the safe integration of traditional and natural therapies. Their organic skincare line is compounded on site by Laurie who started her career as a make-up artist for the Today Show, Saturday Night Live, and so many more. Eric is a pharmacist and also certified in naturopathy, wanting the best natural options for his clients. Open M-F 10-5 pm, Sat 10-3 pm.
L’Opera Bakery Bistro (GG1) This French bakery and pastry restaurant has a great dedication to freshness with sweets and breads baked on site. Also features salads and sandwiches along with homemade macaroons and chocolate. Hours are 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday thru Sunday. Located at 2336 Gulf Gate Drive. Call 941-922-2253.
