SRQ DAILY Dec 8, 2025
Monday Business Edition
"Any of our teas can be cupped and made to order, either hot or iced."
TeBella Tea Company, a small, family-owned tea boutique specializing in loose-leaf teas and tea accessories, recently expanded to a new Rosemary District location in November. Owner Abigail StClair first founded the company in Tampa in 2010. Although she has had a store at University Town Center in Sarasota for several years, she says she had always hoped to relocate to an area that better suited the vibe of her store.
“While it worked out and was financially very successful, the mall atmosphere just never really suited our brand. The timing was right to relocate to a regular old brick-and-mortar street-side store, and the Rosemary District just has tons of charm,” says StClair. “We love the surrounding businesses, and we love the proximity to downtown and this beautiful building that we found, it is just so charming, so much natural light. We're right on a corner, and as for the building, the second I laid eyes on it, I knew it was the one.”
The newly opened TeBella Tea location features more than 100 different teas, sourced from across the world. StClair sources the tea herself and focuses on finding high-end, orthodox-grade teas, meaning they are premium and hand-harvested blends. Although TeBella is primarily a retail store, it also features a tea bar. “Any of our teas can be cupped and made to order, either hot or iced. So you can actually come in and choose one for us to prepare for you on site,” says StClair. “We have a collection of pre-curved lattes as well that we've designed ourselves.”
Current popular offerings include matcha, a lavender black tea, a blueberry pomegranate green tea and a Florida orange blossom green tea. At the tea bar, TeBella favorites are the London Fog latte, a salted caramel latte and seasonal flavors offered throughout the fall and holiday season. “We rotate our menu all the time to reflect what's popular and what's new. We get fresh harvests almost weekly, if not monthly, from different regions which harvest teas at different times of year,” says StClair.
As TeBella Tea adjusts to its new location, StClair hopes that the added charm and space bring the opportunity for the brand to grow organically and open a second store in Sarasota. With the current store, she hopes to share her own love for tea with the community. “I've loved tea since I was a little girl, and for me, it's always been about the ritual of tea, the experience of making a perfect cup of tea and enjoying that ritual,” says StClair. “Tea has always kind of been part of that relaxation ritual for me. We’ve introduced a lot of people who didn't know they loved tea to our brand.”
591 N Orange Ave, Sarasota, 941-376-5019. 
Pictured: Owner Abigail StClair hopes that the new location in the Rosemary District will provide a space that fits the aesthetic of her brand.
Sarasota-based wealth management firm, Forza Wealth Management, has two major reasons to celebrate as of late: the firm recently marked its tenth anniversary, and has moved to a larger office so that it can continue on its path of strategic growth. Forza is a Fee-Only advisory firm, meaning that they are only compensated by the client, without earning commission of any kind for product sales or referrals; they are legally sworn and obligated to always place the interest of the client ahead of their own; and they are not affiliated with any brokerage firm, bank, or insurance company. The firm has grown primarily through referrals from clients and associates, and now manages nearly $400 million in assets.
Sarasota Memorial Health Care System (SMH) has completed more than 20,000 robotic-assisted surgeries using the groundbreaking da Vinci surgical system. SMH, which participated in early clinical trials of robotic technology, was the first hospital in Florida – and among the first in the world – to acquire Intuitive Surgical’s daVinci S robot when it first became commercially available in 2006. Over two decades, the company has worked with SMH and other pioneering robotic surgeons to steadily advance and expand the technology, and provide unparalleled precision, dexterity and control in minimally invasive surgical procedures. SMH’s robotic surgical team is using the da Vinci systems across multiple specialties, including general surgery, gynecology and gynecologic oncology, thoracic surgery, urology, and ENT, giving patients access to precision minimally invasive care backed by nearly two decades of local experience.
Shutts & Bowen LLP is pleased to announce that Michael R. Whitt has joined the firm’s Sarasota office as a Partner in the Government Law Practice Group. Whitt is a veteran trial attorney with nearly 40 years of experience representing clients in complex business litigation and real estate disputes, as well as in eminent domain and inverse condemnation matters. Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Business Litigation, he has served as lead trial counsel in significant multimillion-dollar disputes in both state and federal courts. His clients have ranged from individuals and small businesses to Fortune 100 companies, internationally-known recording artists and foreign entities. His broad project background includes advising on matters involving road right-of-way, gas transmission lines, electrical powerlines, storm water management, public parks, schools, water and wastewater systems and municipal infrastructure.
The Manatee Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller is alerting residents to a new version of the recurring jury duty scam after receiving a report from a Manatee County resident. Scammers posing as law enforcement are calling residents claiming they ignored a jury summons that was signed for at their home. The scam, which in the past claimed that the person missed jury duty, includes threatening arrest and demanding immediate payment via gift cards or other untraceable methods. How legitimate jury summons work: Delivered by U.S. Postal mail, no signature required upon delivery, contact information included if you need to reschedule. Residents who receive suspicious calls should hang up immediately. Questions about legitimate jury service can be directed to the Clerk & Comptroller's Jury Coordinator at (941) 749-1800.
The Hermitage is a leading national arts incubator and the only major arts organization in Florida exclusively committed to supporting the creation and development of new work across all artistic disciplines. Located on Manasota Key in Sarasota County, the Hermitage provides accomplished and diverse artists with multi-week residencies to create original works of theater, music, visual art, literature, dance, and more. Hermitage Fellows have included eighteen Pulitzer Prize winners, multiple Tony, Oscar, Emmy, Grammy nominees and winners, Poets Laureate, MacArthur and Guggenheim Fellows, and hundreds of extraordinary artists from around the world. Hermitage artists, writers, and performers offer a unique glimpse into the creative process, sharing their original works-in-process with our Gulf Coast community. These free, hour-long programs take the shape of musical performances, play readings, concerts, visual art demonstrations, panel discussions, master classes, open studios, and more. Audiences can experience a unique level of engagement with these extraordinary talents at our year-round sunset programs on the Hermitage Beach and other partner venues throughout the region. To register for an upcoming Hermitage program or to make a tax-deductible, year-end gift in support of the Hermitage, visit HermitageArtistRetreat.org.
Join us for an inspiring afternoon celebrating creativity, community, and commitment to diversity in the arts. Discover how you can lend your voice and vision to sustain and expand the mission of Suncoast Black Arts Collaborative. Together, we can ensure the creative brilliance and contributions of artists of color and continue to inspire and shape our shared cultural future. Your presence makes a difference. Hosted by Suncoast Black Arts Collaborative, Board of Directors and Michele Des Verney Redwine, Founder and Executive Director.
Friday, January 9, Gulf Coast Community Foundation Philanthropy Center, 1549 State Street, Sarasota, Artist Art Sale & Reception, 3-4pm, Membership Drive 4-5pm.
The Players Studio is proud to present Into the Woods Jr., running December 12–13 at Payne Park Auditorium. Performed by the talented young artists of The Players Studio, this enchanting musical weaves together beloved fairy-tale characters as they venture into the unknown to pursue their wishes and discover who they are along the way. A junior adaptation of Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine’s Tony Award-winning musical, Into the Woods, invites audiences of all ages to explore themes of growing up, responsibility, courage, and community. With humor, heart, and unforgettable music, the production showcases the students’ hard work, creativity, and a level of artistry far beyond their years. The Into the Woods Jr. cast is also preparing a special cut of the show to perform at the 2025 Junior Theatre Festival in Atlanta, where they will represent The Players Studio on a national stage. The production offers local audiences a first look at the work these students will present among some of the best youth performing arts programs in the country.
Payne Park Auditorium, 2100 E Laurel St, Sarasota, Dec. 12-13, 2025
Community Day School first- and second-grade students explored the world of marine science on Wednesday, Dec. 3, during a learning expedition to the newly opened Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium. The field trip gave students a first look at Mote’s cutting-edge facility and expanded their classroom studies on ocean conservation and the careers of scientists who protect the planet. Throughout the visit, students encountered sea creatures and asked questions about habitats, ecosystems, and human impact on the ocean. Teachers said the trip sparked great discussions about environmental responsibility and reinforced CDS’s commitment to experiential, curiosity-driven learning. The visit also highlighted CDS's ongoing effort to connect academics with hands-on experiences that broaden students’ understanding of the world. For most students, this trip was their first opportunity to explore Mote’s new aquarium — and it left them inspired, excited, and eager to learn more about the natural world and their role in protecting it.
This long-term installation in Gallery 10 of the Museum of Art showcases five outstanding examples of 17th-century Dutch painting on loan from the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. Featuring a dramatic seascape, an expansive landscape, and captivating portraits set in detailed interiors, this exhibition offers a window into the vibrant artistic production of the Netherlands as the small nation rose to global prominence in the 17th century. The five exceptional paintings from the collections of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, complement The Ringling's holdings of Dutch art and provide additional perspective on the artistry, historical significance, and continuing appeal of Dutch painting from this period.
Ringling Museum, 5401 Bay Shore Rd, Sarasota
Renowned for his evocative renderings of light, mist, and glowing colour, visionary artist Yoshida Hiroshi (Japanese, 1876–1950) gathered his subject matter from his travels across the Americas, Europe, north Africa, and Asia. Back in his studio, he translated his sketches into the medium of polychrome woodblock printing—an artform perfected over 200 years of Japanese history.
Ringling Museum, 5401 Bay Shore Rd, Sarasota, FL 34243
Award-winning Hermitage Fellows offer a unique glimpse into their creative process, sharing original works in process with our Gulf Coast audiences. These free hour-long programs take the shape of musical performances, playreadings, concerts, visual art demonstrations, panel discussions, master classes, exhibitions, open studios,and more. The presentations are often works in process, giving Hermitage audiences a look into the creative process before these works go on to leading theaters, concert halls, and museums around the world.
Hermitage Artist Retreat, 6660 Manasota Key Rd, Englewood, FL 34223
Stelliferous is your monthly guide to the night skies and the latest news from the world of astronomy. You can enjoy our upgraded Planetarium system and feel like an astronaut as you experience our 50-foot dome!
Bishop Museum of Science and Nature, 201 10th St W, Bradenton
The monthly Saturday Night Sketch Club offers chill, creative vibes with costumed models or themed still lifes, and refreshments. Come solo or bring a friend. No experience needed.
ArtCenter Sarasota, 707 N Tamiami Trl, Sarasota
Join us for the first of five family-friendly and Free Art Walks this Academic Year. Compelling exhibitions, food trucks and live music.
Galleries of Ringling College of Art and Design, 2700 N. Tamiami Trail Sarasota, FL 34234
SPAACES is pleased to present this two-person exhibition featuring Sarasota-based artists Alicia Lisa Brown and Aaron Board. Both alumni of the New York Academy of Figurative Art, Brown and Board use richly detailed figurative painting to examine the power of narrative as a means of expressing personal and political truths.
SPAACES, 2051 Princeton St, Sarasota, FL 34237
The story that warmed hearts around the world is coming to life in a dazzling live production—and you won’t want to miss a moment of the magic! Frozen: The Musical is an unforgettable theatrical adventure filled with breathtaking special effects, sparkling costumes, and all the songs you know and love, including “Let It Go” and “Do You Want to Build a Snowman?” Perfect for audiences of all ages, this production takes you on a heartwarming journey to the kingdom of Arendelle, where sisters Anna and Elsa discover the power of love, courage, and the unbreakable bond of family.
Manatee Performing Arts Center, 502 3rd Ave W, Bradenton
YCA on Tour is an extraordinary chamber music touring ensemble that is made up of the incredible talent of current Young Concert Artists and esteemed alumni from the YCA family. Their program features Franz Schubert’s final chamber work, his poignant String Quintet in C major for two cellos.
First Congregational United Church of Christ, 1031 S. Euclid Ave, Sarasota, FL 34237
The Pops is proud to team with the Manatee Players and the Manatee High School Chorus Program to bring you our third production of Bob Christianson’s epic setting of A Christmas Carol, the Concert. It’s the timeless story of Ebenezer Scrooge told with all new songs and dances.
Now in its 10th year, this beloved event, presented jointly with First Presbyterian Church Choir & The Lubben Brothers Band, celebrates the season with the sounds of the Celtic nations. The concert features a 70-voice choir, piper Kevin Wiegand, and the acclaimed folk band, The Lubben Brothers.
First Presbyterian Church, 2050 Oak Street, Sarasota FL 34237
Divertimento No. 15, Choreography by George Balanchine, Music by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Designs by Peter Farmer Mozartiana. Company Premiere, Choreography by George Balanchine, Music by Peter Ilyitch Tchaikovsky. Jazz Calendar, Choreography by Sir Frederick Ashton, Music by Sir Richard Rodney Bennett, Designs by Derek Jarman.
Sarasota Opera House, 61 N Pineapple Ave, Sarasota, FL 34236
Relive the timeless music and electrifying energy of one of rock’s most iconic bands with Fleetwood Max: The Definitive Fleetwood Mac Tribute. This nationally acclaimed tribute act captures the look, feel, and legendary sound of Fleetwood Mac at their peak.
Manatee Performing Arts Center, 502 3rd Ave W, Bradenton, FL 34205
In this fun, country-flavored musical, laundromat owner Lana Mae and her new hire Katie turn the Wishy Washy Washateria into a honky-tonk, serving up suds, revenge, and classic hits by country legends while bringing justice to cheatin’ hearts.
Venice Theatre, 140 Tampa Ave W, Venice, FL 34285
These concerts not only provide the congregation opportunities to enjoy fine music, but also an opportunity for others in the community to visit and appreciate the wonderful place that is St. Mark’s Church.
St. Mark's Episcopal Church, 508 Riviera St, Venice, FL 34285
Shimmer, strike, and sing—enSRQ’s January program explores sound in its most elemental and tactile forms. Nina C. Young’s “Sun Propeller” spins solo violin lines through a prism of live electronics. Claude Vivier’s “Learning” fuses four violins, percussion, and tape into a mysterious sonic ritual. Shawn Allison’s world premiere, inspired by the surreal poetry of Russell Edson and written for enSRQ’s artistic directors, pairs violin and percussion in a vivid cross-disciplinary dialogue. Closing the night, Chris Cerrone’s “Goldbeater’s Skin”—for percussion quartet and mezzo-soprano Thea Lobo—alternates luminous melodic development with glittering rhythmic outbursts.
First Congressional Church, 1031 S. Euclid Ave., Sarasota
World Premiere, Choreography by Gemma Bond. Lilac Garden, Choreography by Antony Tudor, Music by Ernest Chausson. Valsinhas, Choreography by Ricardo Graziano, Music by Franz Schubert.
FSU Center for the Performing Arts, 5555 N Tamiami Trl, Sarasota, FL 34243
Once Upon a Mattress flips the classic fairy tale upside down in this hilarious, high-energy musical that’s bursting with charm, cleverness, and contagious fun for all ages. With toe-tapping tunes, outrageous characters, and non-stop laughs, this is a royal romp that will have you grinning from start to finish.
Manatee Performing Arts Center, 502 3rd Ave W, Bradenton, FL 34205
Johann S. Bach’s most towering achievement, the great Mass in B Minor, a work of sublime vocal and orchestral mastery. Written across two decades, and completed in Bach’s final years, the Mass in B Minor is the glorious summation of an extraordinary musical life demonstrating his skill, ingenuity, and symbolism into a work full of dramatic impact. Conducted by Joseph Caulkins.
Church of the Redeemer, 222 S Palm Ave, Sarasota, FL 34236
In a virtuoso performance, SJT favorite Michael Raver portrays the Polish World War II hero and Holocaust witness Jan Karski, who risked his life to carry his report of the Warsaw ghetto from war-torn Poland to the Allied Nations and the Oval Office, only to be met with inaction and disbelief.
The Sarasota Players, 3501 S Tamiami Trl Suite 1130, Sarasota, FL 34239
Juana Romani (1867–1924) was one of the most fascinating and successful painters in late-nineteenth-century Paris. Born in Italy, Juana—whose given name was Giovanna Carlesimo—moved to Paris with her mother and stepfather at the age of ten. She took up painting, studying under the well-known painters Jean-Jacques Henner (1829–1905) and Ferdinand Roybet (1840–1920). Romani quickly earned both critical praise and significant fame for her deftly painted, richly colorful depictions of strong, sensual women adorned in lavish textiles.
Ringling Museum, 5401 Bay Shore Rd, Sarasota, FL 34243
Mayer explores the impact of technology on the human body through this interactive sculpture series. Slumpies invites viewers to sit and slump on these sculptures, much like furniture, and find a place of comfort while using their technological devices.
Sarasota Art Museum, 1001 S Tamiami Trl, Sarasota, FL 34236
If you are oyster curious or just craving the fresh coastal seafood & hand-crafted cocktails from your new Rosemary District favorite, join us at Lefty's for our daily Happy Hours Monday - Friday from 4 pm - 6 pm and our Late Night Happy Hours every night from 9:00-Close. With seafood offerings from the Steamer and Buck-A-Shucks on oysters plus our extensive wine, specialty and seasonal cocktails and draft beers, Lefty's has your recipe to get happier and explore our menus. Join us every day for Lunch, Happy Hours or Dinner and for our downtown neighbors and Hospitality industry colleagues, we'll have live music and keep the light on for you on the weekends!
Lefty's Oyster and Seafood Bar, 428 N Lemon Ave, Sarasota, FL 34236
Cask & Ale on Main Street lifts a toast & taps a toe to our fabulous Brunch every Saturday and Sunday from 11:00 - 3:00 with live Jazz during Sunday Brunch from Noon - 4:00. We offer a diverse chef-prepared menu with a full spread of Brunch delectables + our rotating Chef's Special menu, bottomless Mimosas and a wide selection of craft cocktails. Cask & Ale Liquor Locker owners enjoy the benefit of reservations for tables, holidays or special occasions! Continue the good vibes to make the most of your weekend. Voted Best Cocktails by SRQ Magazine!
Cask & Ale, 1548 Main St, Sarasota, FL 34236
Every Wednesdat at 6 pm a 5k Fun Run starts and ends at 99 Bottles. Course runs through Downtown Sarasota and along the Bayfront, all skill levels, all fun. Each time you finish a run, you must get yout card punched to get an attendance credit and receive 99 bottles prizes. All runners are expected to obey all traffic laws, be courteous to other runners, pedestrians, cyclists, animals, etc.on the route and to know your limits - running and/or drinking!
99 Bottles, 1445 2nd St Sarasota, FL 34236
Join us every Sunday morning at 9am for a walk to the Bayfront and back on a route that is just under 2 miles. Meet at 99 Bottles Downtown Sarasota and end at the same location in approximately 30-40 minutes, depending on pace. This weekly walking social club is an opportunity to connect with other locals.
99 Bottles, 1445 2nd St Sarasota, FL 34236
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