A local specialty grocery chain just broke ground on a 133,000-square-foot warehouse and distribution center in Palmetto.

University Park-based Detwiler’s Food Market held a groundbreaking ceremony last week on the property, which will be located at Benderson Development’s Florida International Tradeport.

“Our goal is to be able to bring our prices down lower and continue to stay true to our ‘Eat Fresh for Less’ motto,” said Sam Detwiler, president of Detwiler’s Farm Market.

At the groundbreaking, he said the company is currently operating out of two different centers. One of those is at the chain’s corporate offices on 16th Street in Sarasota. But the new warehouse will become the new home to the main offices, produce, meat, deli and grocery distribution centers, all in a single location.

“We’re looking forward to all being under one roof in our new distribution center so we can serve our customers even better,” Detwiler’s Farm Market Founder Henry Detwiler Sr. said.

Sam Detwiller called the current distribution system a “nightmare” now that the company has growth to six stores.

“By us being able to control our own distribution, it’s been crucial," he said. "Even since we were a small little company, with one store getting ready to open a second store, we already had a little distribution. We know this is crucial and we are super excited. It can’t come quick enough. We’re busting at the seams.”

Henry Detwiler said his sons working in the business all wanted double the space in the massive warehouse, but he believes the new warehouse will handle the company's needs for the foreseeable future.

Benderson opened its Tradeport industrial park in 2018 and announced a significant expansion in 2021, at which point the park had six leased buildings. That number has since grown to 12 buildings on a 2-million-square-foot property, with another eight expected to open this year.

Detwiler’s broke ground on its warehouse facility a week ago on May 13. The massive center will allow a consolidation of space serving six Detwiler’s locations operating in the Sarasota-Manatee area.

Henry Detwiler started the Detwiler’s first with a tent at Sutter Egg Farm and later a Palmer store. Between a first roadside stand serving Sarasota in 2002 to the opening of a West Bradenton location in December, the Detwiler’s chain has grown to six locations, including Sarasota stores on Palmer Boulevard, Lockwood Ridge Road and Clark Road, a Venice location on Tamiami Trail, a Palmetto market on U.S. 301 and most recently a West Bradenton location on 53^rd Avenue West.

The warehouse should allow the Amish chain to further expand in the region with fewer logistics challenges.

“This is something we’ve been working on for a long time,” Sam Detwiller said. 

Pictured: Mike Asher, Mark Chait, Steve Schlabach, Henry Detwiler Sr., Sam Detwiler, Henry Detwiler Jr., Caleb Detwiler and Josh Detwiler.. Photo courtesy Detwiler's.

Sarasota County Sheriff Kurt A. Hoffman presented several awards at a ceremony on Monday. Sergeant Lincoln Dilling received the Heroic Achievement Award for his response to a call for a male in distress after falling into a lake. Deputy Elizabeth Gray-Smith received the Life Saving Award for her immediate action at a traffic crash while heading home from her shift. Deputies Connor Goad, Lynda Morris, and Jackson Stroud received the Life Saving Award for their response to an attempted suicide by hanging. Deputy Jeffrey Mendez received the Lifesaving Award for his actions at the scene of an unresponsive male. 

The Sarasota County Public Hospital Board, which governs Sarasota Memorial Health Care System, appointed former Hospital Board Chair William “Bill” Noonan to temporarily fill the vacant at-large Seat 3 on the Board. Charged with setting the strategic direction of the organization and serving as stewards of public resources, the Board is made up of nine citizens elected to serve on the unpaid Hospital Board. The at-large Seat 3 has been vacant since mid-April, when Britt Riner stepped down to focus on a new role advocating for parents and children at a statewide level. Noonan, who is not running for election this year, will serve on the Board until the general election in November 2024, when local voters will elect a new member for a full, four-year term. Noonan previously served on the Hospital Board from 2016 to 2020, representing Seat 1 in the Central District. He was named Board chair for 2019-2020 but stepped down in 2020 for personal family reasons. He resumed his service to the organization in 2021, when he was appointed to serve as a community representative on the Hospital Board’s Mission & Planning Committee. Born and raised in New Jersey, Bill was hired by IBM after graduating from Villanova University in Pennsylvania with a degree in electrical engineering. During his 30-plus years with IBM in Boston, he served in a number of senior executive roles, including senior global sales operations manager and senior program manager for incentive planning. While at IBM, Bill was also selected as the U.S. representative to the IBM Cambridge Programme at the University of Cambridge, England. After retiring from IBM in 2004, Bill joined Novell, a global enterprise software company, ultimately serving as senior director for global field operations. His many areas of expertise include business and financial management, HR and executive management, operational process design, implementation and improvement, as well as sales and marketing. Bill has been active in our community since he and his wife, Candace, moved to Sarasota in 2012. Sarasota County voters will have an opportunity to vote for candidates for the at-large Seat 3 and three other seats on the Hospital Board in the Primary Election on Aug. 20 and General Election on Nov. 5. Information on candidates and when and where to vote in the upcoming elections can be found on the Sarasota Supervisor of Elections website, www.SarasotaVotes.gov. 

Angel Colonneso, Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller for Manatee County, was admitted to the U.S. Supreme Court Bar on May 9, 2024, in Washington, D.C. Colonneso and 28 fellow New England Law Boston alumni were sworn into the U.S. Supreme Court Bar by taking an oath administered by the clerk of the court in a swearing-in ceremony presided over by the Supreme Court. Before the entering the chambers, the group met with Chief Justice John G. Roberts, Jr. in a special event coordinated by the school. Preceding the oath, Justice Kavanaugh and Justice Kagan read a summary opinion in two cases, Culley v. Marshall and Warner Chappell Music, Inc. v. Nealy. “To be part of a formal procession into the highest Court in our nation and witness the Marshall call the Court to order as the justices took their seats was a very moving experience for me,” recalled Colonneso. “As an American and a licensed attorney committed to supporting the U.S. Constitution, this experience is something I will never forget.” As a U.S. Supreme Court Bar member, Colonneso can argue a case before the Supreme Court, access special seating to hear oral arguments, and access the Supreme Court library. Learn more about Clerk Angel Colonneso on the Manatee County Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller’s website at www.ManateeClerk.com. 

Pictured: Clerk Angel Colonneso in front of the Supreme Court building in Washington, D.C.

Grimes Galvano recently announced the addition of former Manatee County Attorney Bill Clague to its growing team of skilled attorneys. At Grimes Galvano, Clague will focus on transactional, land use and administrative law. Clague served Manatee County in various capacities for more than 20 years. Most recently, from January 2021 through February 2024, Clague was the Manatee County Attorney, where he served as general counsel to Manatee County Government, including the Board of County Commissioners, County Administrator and County staff. From 2018 through 2020, he held the position of chief assistant county attorney and from 2003 to 2018, he served as assistant county attorney. Prior to his time with Manatee County, Clague practiced in Orange County in private practice from 1998 to 2003 and as an assistant county attorney from 1996 to 1998. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of South Florida and his law degree from Florida State University College of Law.  

DSDG, a leading architecture firm known for its modern and innovative designs, proudly announces the promotion of Casey Allen to Partner. This strategic move reflects Allen’s significant contributions to the firm's success and underscores DSDG's commitment to architectural excellence and innovation.With a Bachelor of Design from the University of Florida and a Master’s degree in Architecture from Syracuse University, Casey Allen brings a wealth of experience to his new role. His portfolio spans residential and commercial projects nationwide, showcasing a dedication to pushing the boundaries of modern architecture. Throughout his tenure at DSDG, Allen has led diverse projects, emphasizing functionality, aesthetics, and sustainability. His designs integrate innovative use of materials, light, and space, creating visually stunning and harmonious environments. "Casey Allen’s promotion to Partner recognizes his exceptional talent and leadership," said Mark Sultana, Principal and Founder of DSDG. "We are confident that Casey will continue to drive our firm's growth and uphold our commitment to excellence." In his new role, Casey Allen will lead major projects, ensuring DSDG remains at the forefront of modern architectural design. "I am deeply honored to become Partner at DSDG," said Casey Allen. "I am eager to collaborate with our team to create meaningful, enduring designs that enhance our communities." 

FILLING THE KNEAD | Opening Breadsmith in Bradenton, May/June 2024. 

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