Coffee lovers and wine enthusiasts alike have a stylish new spot to sip and socialize. Serving artisanal espresso, curated wines and provisions in an atmosphere designed for connection, Le Shop officially opened its doors on St. Armands Circle on November 15. Blending European café culture with coastal Sarasota charm, the business is the passion project of Sydney Nichols and her husband, Taylor. The couple, who moved from California to Florida shortly after the pandemic, chose the St. Armands location because they saw a real need for a space where locals and visitors could gather for casual, yet high-quality coffee and wine. However, the idea for a shop of this nature has been something they have been talking about for quite a while.
“We’re most excited to be a place of connection, where locals and visitors can gather in a space we spent years dreaming up,” says Sydney. “Our goal is to give the folks on Longboat Key, Lido Beach and St. Armands Circle a convenient place to meet in the area for quality coffee, wine and pastries.
Comfy, sunlit seating at the front of Le Shop invites guests to linger and enjoy the view in true café style. In the middle/rear section, a marble-topped espresso bar—reminiscent of those found in Italy—provides the perfect spot for coffee, wine and conversation. Upstairs, the current office space may one day host special events and private gatherings. Le Shop’s wine selection focuses primarily on French varieties, available by the glass or bottle. Alongside espresso, the café will serve cold brew, drip coffee, collagen lattes, matcha and other beverages with specialty milks like grass-fed whole, pistachio and organic oat. The beans will be sourced from Methodical Coffee, a quality roaster based in South Carolina. The majority of the breads and pastries will be supplied by local favorite, Bread Bandits.
“Our coffee program is all about craftsmanship,” says Taylor. “From our equipment to our coffee roaster to our milk options, every choice reflects a commitment to quality, precision and consistency.” Even the La Marzocco espresso machine was custom powder-coated by local powder coat company, C2 Powder Coating, using paint swatches supplied by Sydney.
Although the shop’s drinks are mostly made for adult guests, kids and their families will be delighted to discover Bubs candy—Swedish sweets celebrated for their playful shapes and distinctive flavors. Crafted with high-quality, vegan-friendly ingredients, Bubs candies contain no gelatin, palm oil or artificial dyes, making them a clean and delicious indulgence.
While Le Shop is the couple’s first business venture, they haven’t had to go it alone. Sydney’s mom lent her eye for interior design, an uncle with contracting experience helped with construction needs and other relatives—including an aunt who was busy vacuuming during this interview—have all eagerly pitched in. That, combined with Sydney’s past experience in advertising and marketing and Taylor’s expertise in finance, is helping Le Shop get off to a strong start.
Located at 28B South Blvd. of the Presidents, the couple intentionally chose the “quieter” side of St. Armands Circle because of the spaciousness offered and free parking nearby. “We will grow the brand one day,” says Sydney. “This will be our flagship location but we definitely have aspirations to grow this over the next few years in a very healthy manner."
