SRQ DAILY Jun 5, 2017
Monday Business Edition
"I'm looking to move on to bigger and better things."
By the end of this month, the Short Stop Market will close down to make room for more retail space at The Women’s Exchange. But owner Ali Molavi says this doesn’t mean the end of his days helping wine connoisseurs and craft beer lovers find the perfect imbibe. “I’ve been doing this for over 30 years,” he says. “I think it’s what I do well.”
Molavi and wife Jane, who runs the Deli at Short Stop inside the convenience store, announced this week that the long-time Sarasota store would close for good, at the end of June at the latest and sooner if inventory moves. “It was the proper opportunity, the right time for the right price,” he says. “I’m looking to move on to bigger and better things.”
Part of why the recent selling to The Women’s Exchange now made sense, Molavi says, is that the retail nature of the long-time store will be preserved; the nonprofit next door wanted more parking and a larger sales floor. The sale doesn’t mean a new high-rise looming over Laurel Park, he says.
The store predates the Molavis, first opening its doors in 1967. Molavi has run this store for 15 years, after spending years helping his father with two Beverage Station locations in Riverview. An Iranian immigrant living in America since age 2, he didn’t initially plan to operate a convenience store, and studied chemical engineering, but got back into the business when he found trouble finding an employee willing to hire someone of Middle Eastern descent post-9/11.
The store proved a great place to raise a family, the Molavis told SRQ magazine when the store was featured in the January issue as a legendary local business. But as the couple's two sons have grown older—Bijan is now 12, Kamran 10—the management of the store became a time-consuming thing keeping the family from major vacations and other cherished moments. “This is my first time from my recollection of adulthood where, as a family, we’ve been able to go somewhere for eight days, 10 days, two weeks without any worries,” he says. “I’m still waiting for that call from work that says, ‘Boss, everything is fine and we wanted to let you know.’ It’s always ‘something’s broken’ or ‘something went wrong.’ Psychologically, I’m looking forward to being relaxed.”
So family time will be the priority for now. But Molavi’s entrepreneurship didn’t get sold away. He’d still like to get back to running a business in the future, though more likely one focused on beverages rather than the delicate business of perishable foods. 
Gov. Rick Scott on Friday signed a state budget into law, but used his line item veto power to eliminate $410 million in local spending projects, including millions in funding for projects in Sarasota and Manatee. He also vetoed a bill that would have put severe budgetary and oversight restrictions on Visit Florida. When he announced his actions on the budget, the governor also called a special session for this Wednesday through Friday.
“I am calling on the Florida Legislature to consider new legislation that funds Visit Florida at $76 million,” Scott said. “Additionally, I am proposing to establish the new Florida Job Growth Grant Fund to be funded at $85 million to promote public infrastructure and individual job training which will encourage more businesses to choose Florida as a destination to grow jobs. I have fought for jobs since my very first day in office and I do not intend to stop and this new fund will give our state the tools we need to compete with other states and nations for jobs.”
Local vetoes included: more than $3.25 million in funding for STEM program efforts at University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee and Mote Marine Laboratory; $3 million for improvements to River Road; $1 million for emergency room diversion in Manatee County; $500,000 for a Venice water main replacement project; $1 million for road improvements in the City of Venice; $3 million for infrastructure improvements near Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport; and $2.5 million for improvements to the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine’s Lakewood Ranch campus.
But the region did see $2.5 million for the All Star Children’s foster home protect, $2.5 million for improvements to Nathan Benderson Park and $1 million for Circus Sarasota, the latter of which has been vetoed by the governor before.
With 113 days until Nathan Benderson Park welcomes 1,700 elite rowers from around the world, the 2017 World Rowing Championships Host Committee has announced that single-day tickets are now available for purchase. Since September 23rd of last year, only multi-day packages have been available for general admission, grandstand seating, beach seats and the pavilion. Single-day tickets are now available at, WRCH2017.com/tickets. In addition, Jeramy Burkinshaw, the general manager of The Mall at UTC, announced that the tickets are available for purchase inside the shopping center. More than 40,000 spectators are expected to attend the world-class regatta in Sarasota-Bradenton from Sep. 23-Oct. 1.
Michelle Crabtree, realtor with Premier Sotheby’s International Realty Lakewood Ranch office, recently received the certification of Real Estate Negotiation Expert (RENE). She received the credential after completed course by the Real Estate Business Institute (REBI), an affiliate of the National Association of Realtors. Crabtree is a third-generation Sarasotan and has been a licensed Florida Real Estate Broker since 1982. She chaired the Realtor Association of Sarasota and Manatee Communications committee in 2016 and currently serves on the RPAC committee. Crabtree was director on the Sarasota Board of Realtors (SAR) 2008-2010 and received the SAR “Meritorious Service Award in 2007. She was the Sarasota Women’s Council of Realtors “Business Women of the Year” for 2009 and was also chapter president in 2007. In addition, Crabtree is a “Five Star Real Estate Agent – Best in Client Satisfaction” for 10 years and was recently awarded the Florida Realtors Honor Society 10th pin.
One of the premier preformance and teaching festivals in the world comes back to Sarasota for 3 weeks kicking off June 5. The schedule is complete with Friday Festivals and Saturday Symphonies. The festival features favorite classic composers like Bach, Beethoven, Gershwin and Mozart in a contemporary environment. The Sarasota Music Festival welcomes new Music Director, Jeffery Kahane this year.
Sarasota Opera House, 709 N. Tamiami Tr., Sarasota.
Steve Arvey’s jazz sessions began in 2012 at the old Ocean Blues in Sarasota and moved to Monday Nights at the Blue Rooster in 2013. Now that the Blue Rooster has closed on Mondays for the summer, Arvey is trying the Jazz Sessions at a new venue - the Fogartyville Community Media and Arts Center. The band features jazz veterans Steve Arvey on guitar and vocals and Bill Buchman on piano, James Varnado on drums and Michael Dempsey on bass. Arvey's style is inspired by his history in the Chicago Blues community, and he has previously played with artists such as The Outsiders and Mike Lipsey. Bill Buchman has performed his music internationally and has covered the spectrum from New Orleans jazz, music of the swing era, and boogie woogie to modern contemporary and latin jazz and blues. If you're a jazz musician or if you just love jazz, come and enjoy the show.
Fogartyville Community Media and Arts Center, 525 Kumquat Ct., Sarasota
Venice Theatre's I Never Saw Another Butterfly has garnered an invitation to perform at the national AACT festival this summer in Rochester, Minnesota.
Venice Theatre will be doing the one-act version, because of festival conditions. It has a smaller cast, because of that. Some of the original cast members have "aged" out, now too old to play their characters. But it is a joy to see these outstanding young people working almost two years later: how they've grown, matured, absorbed life.
Be a part of these special nights at the theatre. Don't miss their send-off performances, followed by a talkback with the cast and crew
Venice Theatre, 140 W. Tampa Ave. Venice
When the summer heat turns up, it’s time to fire up the grill. FST hosts a Southern-style Back Lot BBQ fundraiser on June 6 at 6pm, and everyone’s invited. Complete with live music from the Manatee River Bluegrass Band and all the fixin’s - cooked low and slow. Ribs, chicken, pork, you name it…we’re grilling it. Enjoy a cold beverage and bring your appetite to dine in the Goldstein Cabaret. Tickets are $100, of which $60 is tax deductible. A $1000 sponsorship includes 6 tickets, and primary seating.
Florida Studio Theater, 1241 N. Palm Avenue, Sarasota, FL 34236
Take a plunge into the pages of Jules Verne's classic science fiction story and get swept away in this dazzling multisensory experience. Our modern day storyteller Jules finds himself transported on board the Nautilus submarine, where he joins the mysterious Captain Nemo on a journey to the depths of the sea... and the edge of your seat. Brought to stunning life through a mix of unforgettable characters, eye-popping projections and interactive technology, this time-honored tale explores our place in time and space, and illuminates the mysteries of the deep blue sea.
The Asolo Repertory Theatre , 5555 N. Tamiami Tr. Sarasota
The Big Run will take place at more than 70 Fleet Feet Sports locations nationwide and locally at Fleet Feet Sports Sarasota. The Big Run allows runners from across the country to compete against each other or compare their times with other runners across the country based on each store’s local race format. The event is designed to unify the efforts of running communities in different locations behind one event, which is estimate to draw more than 10,000 participants. The Big Run coincides with the annual Global Running Day initiative and is open to runners of all levels and abilities.
The measured 3.12-mile course is an out and back course from Fleet Feet Sports Sarasota on Osprey and Mound, taking participants down to and around Sarasota’s Bayfront, with Selfie photo stations at the Dolphin and Kissing statues.
Designated safety and course route volunteers will be positioned at key intersections and turns to help direct participants and help manage traffic.
Fleet Feet Sports , 711 S. Osprey, Sarasota
Join Gulfcoast South Area Health Education Center in celebrating the Health Education Advocacy & Leadership (HEAL) awards. This year Heidi Godman and Dr. Kirk Voelker will be honored for their outstanding leadership in the health and wellness community within the Sarasota area. Godman graduated from West Virginia University with a Bachelors of Science in journalism and has since become an award winning news anchor, reporter, and editor enlightening her audiences with skillful passion. Dr. Voelker is a renowned pulmonologist at Sarasota Memorial Hospital who received his medical degree from University of Florida College of Medicine and has been practicing for over 20 years. Tickets are $125 and include a carving station, heavy hors d’oevres, beer, wine, and a silent auction. Enjoy delicious food in an inspiring environment and come to Michael’s Wine Cellar June 8. Kindly RSVP by May 31.
Michael’s Wine Cellar , 1212 S East Ave, Sarasota, FL 34239
Shirley and Me is the first encore presented from the SaraSolo Film Festival. This one woman play stars Jan Wallace and is about is about her relationship over the years with her beloved theatre and movie character, Shirley Valentine. Tickets are $15 at the door.
Starlite Room , 1001 Cocoanut Ave, Sarasota.
The Ringling is pleased to announce the presentation of the Chinese artist Ai Weiwei’s 12 monumental bronze sculptures, Circle of Animals/Zodiac Heads. A sculptor, photographer, installation artist, architect and social activist, Ai is one of the most renowned artists working today. Circle of Animals/Zodiac Heads was inspired by the fabled fountain-clock of the Yuanming Yuan, an 18th-century imperial retreat just outside Beijing. The 12 bronze Zodiac Heads stand on bronze columns. Each animal head measures approximately 4 feet high and 3 feet wide. The animal heads on their columns reach between 9.8 and 12 feet high, with each one weighing approximately 800 lbs. The sculptures will be on The Ringling’s grounds, which are free and open to the public. For more information please visit www.ringling.org
The Ringling, 5401 Bayshore Rd., Sarasota
Mean Mary is known internationally for lightning-fast fingers, haunting vocals, and intricate lyrical storytelling. This Nashville-based musician will be joining us at WSLR for a night of summertime fun! Spanning the genres of Americana, folk-rock, bluegrass, and blues, Mean Mary is accomplished on no less than 11 instruments, including banjo, fiddle, and guitar. She is joined by long-time collaborator and brother Frank on guitar and vocals.
Fogartyville Community Media and Arts Center , 525 Kumquat Ct., Sarasota
A lively and informative discussion group free and open to everyone. A selected famous artist(s) is featured each month. Join the fun and chat with artists, art lovers and the curious minded. The upcoming artist will be Marc Chagall.
Art Center Sarasota , 707 North Tamiami Trl., Sarasota
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