Sometimes best laid plans go awry. In the case of Beachside Hospitality Group, the back to back hurricanes of fall 2024 had the potential to lay waste to their newly purchased trio of waterfront restaurants: Mar Vista on Longboat Key, Beach House on Bradenton Beach and Anna Maria Island’s Sandbar Seafood and Spirits.

At Sandbar, the sand from the storm surges was piled three to four feet high in the dining area. Entire kitchens were wiped out, the outside pavilion which hosts upwards of 150 weddings per year was swamped in sand and the floors, walls and windows were compromised. Although renovations to the restaurant were already underway, the storms forced management to get creative—the winter rush was incoming for the establishment that has called Anna Maria home for over 70 years.

“We were approaching spring break in our business season and didn’t want to miss that opportunity. Over the next couple of months, we saw a level of teamwork that we’d never seen before and witnessed the pride that our employees have not just for our restaurant, but for Anna Maria Island as a whole,” says Director of Southwest Operations at Beachside Hospitality, Daniel Sullivan. “It was an opportunity to take something that was extremely negative and turn it around and have as much of an optimistic approach as possible.”

The team at Sandbar have taken that opportunity in stride as the summer beach season nears closer. They have revamped the space, with new flooring, furniture and lighting in the dining areas, installing a new bar and kitchen equipment, refurbishing the grand pavilion space and redesigning the restaurant’s entrance. Beachside Hospitality has also introduced new dining elements to Sandbar—Beachside Bites, open from 8am-3pm, operates out of a walk-up window on the beach entrance adjacent to the restaurant, offering breakfast options and light fare. Sweet Willy’s Ice Cream Shoppe, open from 11am-10pm, now sits in the restaurant’s entryway, specializing in small-batch ice cream and other after dinner indulgences.

Sandbar’s menu also features a new look, tying in fresh, wild-caught seafood with some of the staples of Sandbar such as the cowboy shrimp and Sandbar tacos. Some of the new additions include red grouper, royal red shrimp and bairdi crab, a larger, sweeter variant of snow crab.

“When it comes to seafood by the seashore it’s a simple equation,” says Sullivan. “People want fresh, quality, simply-made dishes.”

Sandbar Seafood and Spirits, 100 Spring Avenue, Anna Maria, 34216

Photo by Codey Phillips Photography.

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The Junior League of Sarasota announced that Jessica Rogers, MS, vice president of philanthropy at Children First and a longtime Junior League of Sarasota member, has been named to the inaugural 2025 class of the 40 Over 40 Award by the Association of Junior Leagues International. The award recognizes 40 exceptional women selected from 300 Junior Leagues across six countries. Honorees were chosen for their leadership, service, and community impact in professional and volunteer capacities. Rogers has been a member of the Junior League of Sarasota for nearly 20 years, holding key leadership roles, including chair of the Legacy Luncheon and recording secretary on the board of directors. In 2019, she received the League’s Sustainer Community Service Award for her outstanding contributions to the Sarasota community. 

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Wellen Park recently celebrated several milestones in its Palmera neighborhood as five award-winning builders have opened model homes to the public. Palmera’s inaugural phase offers over 400 luxury single-family and semi-custom homes on oversized homesites overlooking beautiful lakes and preserved natural landscapes.
David Weekley Homes, Homes by Towne, ICI Homes, M/I Homes and Mattamy Homes have all opened model homes in Palmera. The model homes range in style from coastal or modern single-family and coach homes. Palmera’s sixth homebuilder, Neal Communities, has model homes under construction. For more information about Palmera, call 941-960-7805, go to wellenpark.com or visit the Welcome Center, open daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 12275 Mercado Drive in Venice. 

For a limited time, Christopher Alan Homes is offering up to $20,000 in builder-paid closing costs and rate buydowns on select new-construction homes on scattered homesites in Lee and Charlotte counties. The award-winning homebuilder’s impressive savings are applicable for single-family homes sold through May 31, 2025, when using a preferred lender and title company. Buyers can receive up to $20,000 in incentives for new homes on scattered homesites in Cape Coral, Lehigh Acres and Port Charlotte, and in the Punta Gorda master-planned communities of Burnt Store Village and Deep Creek. Ranked as the top private single-family homebuilder in Southwest Florida based on single-family permits in 2024, Christopher Alan Homes offers homes starting at $279,990. Home plans range from 1,285 to 2,321 square feet of air-conditioned living space with three to four bedrooms, two to three bathrooms, and two- or three-car garages. 

 Beneva Weddings and Events is delighted to announce the addition of Petra Thomas to its team as Event Coordinator. With a diverse background in events, marketing, and floral design, Petra brings over two decades of international experience to her new role. Originally from the Czech Republic, she spent more than 20 years in England honing her skills before relocating to Sarasota, Florida. Most recently, Petra was the owner of Tiger Lily Floral, a local floral design studio known for its creative, bespoke arrangements and personalized client service. Though she has transitioned from studio ownership, her passion for weddings and special events remains the heart of her work. Petra’s thoughtful, detail-oriented approach, global perspective, and strong design sensibility make her a valuable asset to the Beneva team. She is known for her collaborative nature, creativity, and commitment to delivering memorable, seamless events for clients and couples alike. 

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The Palmetto Marriott is honored to be recognized as one of the Top 8 Spa Resorts in Tampa Bay by Strategistico, a leading source for lifestyle and travel rankings.In their recent feature, Strategistico praised the Palmetto Marriott for its seamless blend of modern elegance and coastal charm, highlighting the exceptional guest experiences offered throughout the resort — especially at Revive Spa, our signature wellness retreat. “This recognition is a true testament to the dedication and passion of our incredible team,” said Scott Selvaggi, Director of Sales and Marketing of Palmetto Marriott. “We also extend our deepest thanks to our loyal guests who continue to support us and make our resort a standout destination.” To read the full feature, visit: https://www.strategistico.com/best-spa-resorts-in-tampa-fl/ 

Sarasota County Sheriff Kurt A. Hoffman is proud to announce the promotion of three sheriff’s office members in a ceremony held on Tuesday. Corrections Deputy Jason Namors was promoted to corrections sergeant. Hired as a corrections deputy by the sheriff’s office in 2012, he started his career in jail operations and then transferred to booking. Emergency Operations Supervisor Kent Collins was promoted to emergency operations manager. He joined the agency in 2011, and the next year took the role of communications training officer. Sergeant Sabrina McMahan was promoted to corrections lieutenant. She was hired by the sheriff’s office in 2013 as a booking technician.  

Sheriff Kurt A. Hoffman is pleased to announce the graduation of Captain Brian James from the Senior Leadership Program Class 27, hosted by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) and Florida Criminal Justice Executive Institute. The graduation took place Friday morning at the FDLE headquarters in Tallahassee. The Senior Leadership Program consists of seven weeklong sessions spaced 6-8 weeks apart. Participants are eligible for up to nine graduate level university credits offered through the Reubin O’D Askew School of Public Administration & Policy at Florida State University. The intensive program requires students to design and complete an independent research project within the field of criminal justice. In addition to their individual projects, participants studied innovative problem solving, strategic planning and leadership skills that will help them become more well-rounded leaders in their respective agencies and communities. 

SRQ Podcast special guest SRQ Elite Top Attorney Bruce Rosenberg of Rosenberg Law, P.A shares insights on commercial and business law, healthcare litigation, personal injury claims, and consumer law. Hosted by SRQ MEDIA Executive Publisher Wes Roberts. 

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Feature your business in SRQ’s July/August 2025 edition, packed with premium opportunities: the inspiring Home & Design Flipbook, essential Hurricane Preparedness section, and the celebrated Best of SRQ Local Winners Showcase. Reach engaged readers with impactful stories, expert positioning, and targeted visibility. Space is limited—secure your placement today!