Siesta Photobomber promotes positivity— and now local businesses, too
Five years ago, Larry Frankel would never have pictured himself as an outgoing, beach-centric, local celebrity and online influencer. But today, his alter-ego, the Siesta Photobomber, has amassed more than 4,000 Instagram followers, not to mention in-person selfie requests wherever he goes.
Now, in the wake of Hurricanes Helene and Milton, Frankel is eager to return to Siesta Key to spread his usual brand of positivity—and to use his influence to promote local businesses.
A Marine Corps veteran and longtime Philadelphia resident, Frankel spent decades as an introverted husband,
By Hannah Wallace
avid runner, and stay-at-home dad. But a full hip replacement, followed by a divorce, inspired a major life change. Longing for the southwest Florida sunsets he’d first seen on Longboat Key decades ago—”I’d rather have sunsets than sunrises,” he said— he moved to Sarasota in 2020 and vowed to pursue new passions.
“I literally started a new life,” he said. “I never would’ve done this in my other life.”
And after 10 years off from running, he realized Siesta Key Beach’s flat, packed sand near the shoreline would be perfect for a jog. Soon enough, he was running five miles a night. And during his excursions, he saw many other visitors who’d come to see—and
Sphotograph—Siesta’s famous sunsets.
In 2022, in a moment of boredom, he maneuvered himself into the background of a group photo, and a local legend was born.
“It really started to catch on with people,” he remembered. “I said to myself, ‘Larry, you might have something here. Let’s create an Instagram account and see what happens.’”
What began as a playful impulse quickly grew into an online sensation. Nowadays, instead of his guerilla-style antics, fans and passersby often request Frankel’s presence in their shots.
One bride actually paused her beach wedding to flag him down
for a photo. He’s met people from around the world and fielded invitations to places as far afield as Iceland and Argentina. In some cases he stays in touch with people even after they go home, turning spontaneous encounters into lifelong friends.
Four years after his move, Frankel still wants to be on Siesta Key for nearly every sunset.
“Even to this day, I get excited,” he said. “I know I’m going to the best beach in America.”
With his flowing gray hair and ready smile, he exudes a humble charisma and enthusiasm that’s hard to resist.
“Sometimes there’s some people who don’t get what I do,”
Festive Holiday Shopping in Siesta Key & Gulf Gate
anta says, “Head to Siesta Key and Gulf Gate to do your holiday shopping this year.” Lend your support to the local merchants and discover wonderful finds for everyone on your list. Jingle, jingle!
Siesta Key and neighboring Gulf Gate are filled with shops and eateries on the Key offering sure-to-please holiday gifts that can’t be found at large department stores. Shoppers will discover personalized shopping and help in finding just the right gift.
Along the way, there are also plenty of places to stop for breakfast, lunch, dinner or a drink.
For a morning, afternoon or full day of holiday shopping, plan for a fun day of holiday shopping on Siesta Key and nearby Gulf Gate.
Shop and dine in Siesta Key
En route to Siesta Key, at the intersection of Stickney Point Road and Tamiami Trail South, dive into Swim City. This large and welcoming shop has a large selection of beachwear and accessories. Continue over the bridge to CB’s Saltwater Outfitters. Following post-storm renovation, CB’s is expected to open in late November or early December. Next door, Fin Island Company, CB’s sister store, is a beach-inspired boutique filled with tropical gear, clothing and gift items for him, her and kids. too.
At the light, turn left at the colorful “Welcome to Siesta Key” mural on the side of the Crescent Beach Market. This end of the Key has a vibe that’s distinctly different than the village that lies to the
By Jane Bartnett
northern part of the island. Stop in at Captain Curt’s Souvenir & Gift Shop, lot of fun gifts to consider. The Southbridge Mall is home to Silver City Jewelers and the trademarked watercolor gemstone, silver jewelry is the star of the show here. The Green Turtle Shell & Gift City store has great coastal inspired finds. The Crescent Beach Shopping Center is home to Key Casuals, a women’s clothing shop filled with vacation wear and Siesta Key merchandise. A few doors away, Sunshine & Sand Hidden Treasures, next to the Big Water Fish Company has affordable coastal themed gifts. The stylish Eye Style Optical Boutique has a large selection of top brand sunglasses that would make an excellent gift.
Siesta Key’s iconic lifeguard chairs decorate these cool tumblers found at Sunshine & Sand Hidden Treasures in the Crescent Beach Shopping Center. (Photo provided)
Larry Frankel, the Siesta Photobomber.
(Photo provided)
Continued on page 9V
Continued on page 9V
Salad … $20 With grilled shrimp or chicken
Kale Salad … $21
SANDWICHES
Grouper Sandwich … $21
Salmon BLT … $20 Mahi Mahi Sandwich … $20
Chicken Sandwich … $14
Cheeseburger … $14 Vegan Burger … $13
Stuffed
PASTA & BOWLS
Shrimp & Crab Scampi … $25 Salmon Pasta … $22 Chicken & Shrimp Curry … $22 Sweet ‘n Spicy Chicken & Shrimp $22 Jambalaya … $23
Pasta Primavera … $16
DESSERTS Turtle Pie … $10
Lime Pie … $10 Sample Platter … $13
Cream Bar … $7
Arts on the Horizon By Rodger Skidmore
New Season and Season of the New
Seeing old friends is great but establishing new relationships can be just as rewarding. And a new dance company in town might be just the ticket. Azara Ballet, just two years old, is starting its season with six performances in late November: three on the 16 and 17 and another three on the 23 and 24.
Voices of Azara, their first program, is not spoken or sung, but is the danced voice of four Azara choreographers who celebrate the company’s unique talent and creativity.
One piece, Fortune in Divergence by Cecilia Roddy, utilizes dance to portray the togetherness and apartness of two people who, while misaligned, connect on various levels–for an amount of time. It is fitting that they dance to the Duke Ellington/John Coltrane composition In a Sentimental Mood, as those two artists normally produced works that were quite divergent melodically but came together quite perfectly for this body of work.
While the first piece details the stress and pleasures of two people interacting, another work, Sarah Brandon’s In Praise of Stillness, highlights the stresses inherent in the transition from one plane of existence to another–that of carefree childhood to the anxieties that accompany being an adult. Olivia Huseonica’s Is This What Love Is goes more deeply into one’s dreamy feelings, the turmoil of joy, longing, desire and caring.
Dance Party is, appropriately, by Martin Roosaare, cofounder of Azara Ballet. Appropriate, because his joy, along with that of Azara’s co-founder Kate Flowers, is on display in this celebration of 70s and 80s dance hits. The jazz and musical theatre style of these tunes show the Baltic, lighter side of dance.
Azara will perform their Short & Suite program, which was a hit for them during their first season. It will be a joining of contemporary and classical ballet with excerpts from the Nutcracker Suite, followed by a performance of holiday music and dance choreographed by Martin Roosaare. More information can be found at azaraballet.org.
Music to soothe the soul
Okay, we’ve just been subjected to 72 hurricanes (well, it certainly seemed like it) and would like to relax a bit. What could soothe the soul better than sitting down and listening to Soul Crooners: Solid Gold Edition? This will be a dance-inyour-seats re-creation of 1970s soul music
oriented or joyous, the Supremes, the Jackson 5, the Four Tops, the Temptations and all the other Motown wonders were able to infuse the Motown sound into these hits while keeping holiday spirit flowing.
All shows will be at the Donnelly Theatre on North Orange (except for the WBTT’s 25th Anniversary Celebration, which will be at Ora on November 14). More info can be found at westcoastblacktheatre.org.
There’s a new MDD in town
The process is complete and the Sarasota Orchestra has selected a new Music Director Designate for the 2025-2026 season–six-time Grammy winner Giancarlo Guerrero. This is Sarasota’s gain and Nashville’s loss, as he will be leaving that city at the end of their 2024-2025 season. He will continue as Music Director of Chicago’s Grant Park Music Festival in the summer.
Quartets are great and Schubert’s Octet is for a string quartet plus a double bass, clarinet, bassoon, and horn (no, not a tuba, but a French horn). A good word for this composition is “lush” and will be available for your listening pleasure on November 3, featuring Jennifer Best Takeda, the Concertmaster of the SO, on violin.
This year, the holiday festivities start in the first half of December (each day from the 11th through the 15th) with a Great Escapes program titled Merry And Bright. And indeed, with what Sarasota and Southwestern Florida have gone through, we indeed need to lift our spirits. And what better way than hearing Joy to the World, Sleigh Ride, A Klezmer Nutcracker, and Skater’s Waltz
All these choreographed works show the inner toil and pressure that is/was in each of Azara’s founders, its choreographers (and us), as well as the joy and release that dance can bring. Bring, specifically to the Ovation Black Box Theater in Bradenton. In the same venue, on December 20-22,
The original show premiered back in 2009 and has not been seen (or heard) in 15 years. These are the hits by groups that you might remember (or should get to know if you’re younger and want to hear great lush orchestrations sung by the current crop of outstanding singing and dancing Westcoast Black Theater Troupe performers.) What song stylists and groups are being honored? How about Stevie Wonder, The Commodores, The O’Jays, Marvin Gaye, Smokey Robinson and many more. And the WBTT singers? Favorites like Michael Mendez, Leon Pitts II, Sheldon Rhoden and, of course, Nate Jacobs himself. The Show is currently running through November 17. If you want to focus on a single singer in addition to those golden oldies groups, give a listen to Naärai Jacobs’ show Legends: My Favorite Songs. This is a two-day only song spectacular being performed on November 3 and 4. This will feature songs made famous by Barbra Streisand (Evergreen), Dionne Warwick (Do You Know the Way to San Jose), Aretha Franklin (Bridge Over Troubled Water), Diana Ross (Upside Down) and many others.
Finally, if holidays help you to forget things like hurricanes (and I don’t mean Halloween), then give a listen to the WBTT Full Spectrum Show A Motown Christmas running from November 27 through January 5. As most of the Motown singing groups had holiday hit albums, Nate Jacobs had a lot from which to choose. Whether upbeat or wistful, dance
A bit further into December on the 22nd, another Chamber Soirée, Beethoven and Brass, will feature Beethoven’s Piano Quartet in E-flat Major, and Ferenc Farkas’s Early Hungarian Dances from the 17th Century, along with various selections from A Canadian Brass Christmas.
Because of the flooding problems at the Van Wezel, the two Masterwork concerts scheduled for this month have been postponed. However, as Holley Hall has survived, the three concerts listed above will be joyfully performed. More info is available at sarasotaorchestra.org.
On Saturday afternoon, November 30, jolly old St. Nick will make a special appearance at the Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce & Visitor Center, 5223 Avenida Navarra.
Santa will be at the new Siesta Key Chamber from 2 - 4 p.m. to meet with children and to hear their Christmas wish list. Parents are welcome to take pictures of their boys and girls with Santa. Beach Bazaar will provide gift bags to the first 250 children who arrive to meet Santa.
At 4 p.m., Santa and his elves will need to get ready for his starring role at the annual Siesta Key Light Up the Village & Holiday Parade. Because
Santa Claus is coming
By Jane
Santa’s reindeer had to stay behind at the North Pole to get ready for their big trip around the world, Santa has had to factor in a bit more time to get to the parade.
This annual parade, which marks Siesta Key’s kick off to the holiday season, will step off at 5:30 p.m. sharp from the intersection of Avenida del Mare and Beach Road.
After traveling north on Beach Road, the parade will turn onto Ocean Avenue and into Siesta Key Village. Many local businesses and groups will join Santa in this treasured Siesta Key holiday tradition.
The Siesta Islander Trolley will provide free public
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
Santa Claus will be coming to town on Saturday, November 30. (Photo provided.)
Bartnett
transportation between Turtle Beach and Siesta Key Village for those who want to watch the parade.
Floats will be judged during the parade. To register to join the parade with a float or to become an event sponsor visit: https://siestakeychamber. chambermaster.com/ eventregistration/register/2863
Dates and times to remember:
Saturday, November 30, 2-4pm - Santa meets children at the new Siesta Key Chamber and Visitor’s Office, 5223 Avenida Navarra, Siesta Key. FREE Saturday, November 30 Siesta Key Holiday Parade - 5:30 p.m. registration deadline: Friday, Nov. 22, 5 p.m.
MARKETS/FOOD STORES
Circle K Store Map-E #6
Morton’s Siesta Market Map-C #25
MASSAGE
Hands of Light Massage Map-B #35
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
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
Capt. Rick Grassett’s Fishing Report
CB’s
Since our area has had several major storms recently, fishing may be affected due to water quality. You might find larger trout in skinny water along with reds. Snook will stage around sand bars and on shallow flats as they make their move toward winter areas. Action in the coastal gulf with false albacore, tripletail, Spanish mackerel, blues and other fish should explode!
You may find snook staging around docks and bridges in the ICW and along sand bars and in potholes on shallow flats. They may be along mangrove shorelines when the tide is high. I like CAL jigs with 3” and 4” shad tails and surface walking top water lures like the DOA “PT” in shallow water for snook. CAL jigs with shad tails or jerk worms, DOA TerrorEyz, DOA Shrimp and small white flies, like my Grassett Snook Minnow, will work well around dock and bridge fender lights. Fish the strongest tides for the best action.
Reds will spread out on shallow grass flats in November. You should find them along sand bars, in potholes or around docks. Look for them along mangrove shorelines when the tide is high, but they are just as likely to be roaming with mullet schools in shallow water. CAL jigs with shad tails, grubs or jerk worms and gold spoons should work well for reds in shallow water. Fly anglers may score with lightly weighted flies, such as Clousers, spoon flies or my Grassett Flats Minnow fly.
Also, this month, you may find big trout, along with reds, in shallow water. The same lures and flies that you use for snook and reds in shallow water will also work for trout. You’ll also find trout on deep grass flats in water from 3’ to 7’ deep. I like to drift and cast quartering ahead of my drift with CAL jigs, DOA Deadly Combos or weighted flies on sink tip fly lines to locate
trout. In addition to making a series of drifts to find fish, look for baitfish on the surface or birds to find them. I feel that it’s important to protect large trout, which are usually female breeders. Full regulations and details can be viewed at https://myfwc.com.
You may also find blues, Spanish mackerel, flounder or pompano on deep grass flats this month. The techniques to find them are the same as for trout, although blues and Spanish mackerel may feed on the surface making them easier to find. Like pompano, they may skip on the surface when you run or drift past them. When that happens, circle back upwind and drift back through the area, casting ahead of your drift. I like a 1/16 or 1/8-ounce chartreuse CAL jig head with a gold grub for pompano. You’ll need to add wire or heavy fluorocarbon when toothy fish are around to keep them from biting your lure off. You may find flounder on a mixture of grass and sand, particularly on the edges of bars or in potholes.
There should be good action in the coastal gulf with false albacore (little tunny), Spanish and king mackerel, blues, tripletail or cobia. Look for Spanish mackerel, blues or false albacore feeding on the surface to find them. Diving terns or terns hovering just above the surface of the water
and moving fast will give their presence away if they aren’t on top. CAL jigs with shad tails and jerk worms and top water plugs will work well. Fly anglers should score with small white flies, Ultra Hair Clousers, poppers or Crease flies. Look for tripletail around crab trap floats and cast DOA Shrimp, CAL jigs with shad tails or DOA TerrorEyz to them. Cobia may also be found around crab trap floats, swimming on the surface or over structure. They will require medium-heavy
spinning tackle or at least a 9-weight fly rod. Larger baits like DOA Baitbusters, CAL jigs with 5½” jerk worms or the DOA SnakeKoil should work well for cobia on spinning tackle. Fly anglers should score with wide profile baitfish patterns.
This is a great month for fishing the flats or the coastal gulf. Since the action in the coastal gulf is seasonal and will end when it gets cooler, I like to fish there
when conditions allow it. However, if that’s not for you or if conditions won’t allow it, there will be plenty of action for a variety of fish on shallow and deep grass flats of Sarasota Bay. Our natural resources are under constant pressure from red tides fueled by agricultural, industrial and residential runoff, toxic spills and discharges, freezes, increasing fishing pressure and habitat loss and degradation. Please limit your kill, don’t kill your limit!
NOVEMBER 2024 TIDE CHART
There should be good action with seasonal species during November. Kirk Grassettt (top & middle), from Middletown, DE, with tripletail and false albacore (little tunny).
Pat Beckwith (below), from Sarasota, with a bluefish, all caught and released on flies while fishing with Capt. Rick Grassett
he admitted. “But after 10 or 12 minutes I have them laughing and smiling and high-fiving and hugging me.”
Now Frankel has begun harnessing his popularity to benefit local businesses. On request, he’ll spend several hours over the course of a few days at a local restaurant or shop taking hundreds of photographs and short videos. He then edits them together into reels that he posts on his Instagram page, tagging the business so that their followers will see them, too. He never, ever accepts payment for his services. “For you it’s an opportunity to get Instagram customers, and for me to pick up Instagram followers. And that’s it,” he explained. Unsurprisingly, the idea caught on. “I’m almost losing some time running because I’m out collaborating.”
While Frankel began partnering with businesses earlier this year, his free promotional opportunities will no doubt benefit small business owners recovering from this year’s devastating hurricane season. Still, as of press time, he had not yet been able to return to Siesta Key to visit his favorite spots after Hurricane Milton. But he is, of course, optimistic about the island’s future.
Heading north on Midnight Pass toward Siesta Key Village, the acclaimed Foxy Lady clothing store offers women’s sportswear, accessories and evening wear.
For “big bling for a little ching”, drop in to Created Gems to find manmade Spektralyte diamonds and other treasures in gold and silver. Find the perfect something for the beach lover on your list at Beach Bazaar including Siesta Key stocking stuffers ranging from magnets to shells and tumblers to candles. Beach toys, towels, backpacks, swimsuits, Siesta Key hats and T-shirts for men, women and kids will make memorable gifts.
In Davidson’s Plaza, Tommy Bahama, Lily Pulitzer and Southern Tide sit side by side.
Get to Know Gulf Gate
Combine a trip to Gulf Gate with your visit to Siesta Key or make a day of it in this fascinating neighborhood that lies five minutes from the key, just off South Tamiami Trail. A mini United Nations of exciting small shops filled with unique items, Gulf Gate is home to many highly acclaimed small restaurants that offer a taste of French, Mexican, Spanish, Turkish, Italian , German and American fare.
There are four main shopping streets in Gulf Gate. Superior and Gateway Avenues are bordered by Mall Drive and Gulf Gate Drive.
On Friday, November 8, the new “Gulf Gate Second Friday Festival” will open the season. Created by Only Eyes Optical owner Diana Reason and chef Fatima Soriano of the Taste of Spain restaurant, the program strives to introduce customers to
Gulf Gate shops and restaurants. The Gulf Gate Second Friday Festival will continue through the spring.
On Gulf Gate Drive, a long strip of stores, offices and restaurants line this busy center. Seascape Aquarium & Pet Center, in the center of the storefronts, is the place to find exotic tropical and freshwater fish, coral, and aquariums, as well as reptiles and birds. A few doors away, Scandinavian Gifts Baked Goods & Grocery is home to the original O&H Danish pastry Kringle. Sold frozen, this delicacy is ready to heat and enjoy and is available in 15 flavors.
Shoppers will also find a large selection of Scandinavian crystal and fine china, Nordic Christmas collectibles, cards, jewelry and gift items. At the end of the row of stores, stop in at L’Opera Bakery Bistro and take home French pastries and breads that will make a great hostess gift or surprise for a neighbor as you wish them a “Joyeux Noel.”
On Superior Avenue, the Wild Ginger Apothecary is a bright and welcoming shop filled with beautiful crystals, jewelry, apparel and gifts. Also, on Superior, Only Eyes Optical offers a wide selection of sunglasses from Ray Ban and other top manufacturers. Clarabell Cookies bakes natural cookies from their own recipes in their on-site kitchen and will also ship.
Organic skin products, essential oils and bath salts can be found on Gateway Avenue at the Natural Apothecary Shoppe. Next door, at the Sail Away Studio boutique, discover chic women’s clothing and accessories from Europe.
Happy shopping and a very happy holiday season!
“We will 110% come back. We’re Siesta Strong, there’s no doubt about it,” he said. “I can’t wait for it to come back so I can get back out there and have more fun.”
Sarasota’s only old-fashioned Meat Market, Deli and Restaurant under one roof Voted Sarasota’s best non-chain Steakhouse 4 years in a row! Home of the Sarasota TurDucKen, as seen on The Food Network with Guy Fieri, host of Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives
Time to order:
• Beef Tenderloin
• Prime Rib
• TurDucKen
• Crown Roast (Pork or Lamb)
• Party Platters
• Stone Crab Claws
Aged Steaks, Chops, Seafood, NY Deli Meats, Sausage and Salads
Voted Sarasota’s Best Philly Cheesesteak and NY Reuben Serving Sarasota Since 1975 We offer takeout and complete catering services.
Foxy Lady’s Siesta Key sophisticated shop on Beach Road. (Photo provided.)
Gate merchants are celebrating. Drop by on the second
of every month to shop, dine and mingle. (Photo provided.)
The Color Purple
There was a book, two movies, and a Broadway musical with that name. But the purple Sarasota is celebrating is The Orchid Show 2024: PURPLE! This show features purple in all its glory at The Selby’s downtown campus.
Anything that is red with a hint (or a lot) of blue is a shade of purple. And any bit of blue with any red at all is also purple.
A host of plants are purple–the sweet plum, the beautiful rose, the rich currant, the grape which becomes wine, the scent of lavender: they are all shades of purple, but the royalist of all are purple orchids, and there are many of them on display in the Selby Tropical Conservatory.
Rare photos and books of and about orchids are in the Museum of Botany & the Arts in the Payne Mansion, as well as explanations as to why orchids have come to be purple. The Selby has the world’s largest collection of orchids and certainly the largest collection of purple ones anywhere. For more information, go to Selby.org.
Welcome to Merci Café 6112 S Tamiami Trail
Your go-to spot for a French lunch-breakfast! Open daily from 8 AM to 2:30 PM. Join us for Sunday (from 8 AM to 2:30 PM) brunch and enjoy our special offer: buy one mimosa, get the second at 50% off Experience the taste of France in every dish.
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.
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.
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.
