For owners Antonello Piras and Christian Delunas, their newly reopened boutique, Italian Idea, on St. Armands Circle, represents not just a business venture but a long-held affection for the island. This October marked the third time the local brand has opened in the location—evidence both of their persistence and their belief in the Circle’s potential. “This is the third time that we tried in St. Armands because we love this place,” says Piras. “Even if it's close to the other location that we have in Downtown Sarasota, we think it's a completely different type of place.”

Italian Idea, a luxury store for Italian handbags, first debuted on St. Armands Circle in 2017 and quickly found success, until the arrival of COVID-19 forced Piras and Delunas to close its doors. Last year, they tried again, reopening just before Hurricanes Helene and Milton swept through and damaged the shop. Despite the setbacks, they never considered giving up on St. Armands.

As new businesses come to the Circle and old ones reopen in the wake of these storms, Piras says that he is optimistic about their third reopening. The store will serve as a complementary partner to Italian Idea’s first location in Downtown Sarasota. Though the two locations carry many of the same brands, each store has its own distinct selection of items. Styles stocked on St. Armands won’t necessarily appear downtown, ensuring customers can find new items every time they return to the brand.

Featuring five handbag brands from different regions of Italy, each with its own story and specialty, Italian Idea focuses on sourcing items made in Italy with real Italian leather. What makes them stand out, Piras says, is that they source directly from small, reputable producers who create only the highest quality. Cuoieria Fiorentina, one of the first brands the shop ever carried, features classic Florentine craftsmanship that the owners have trusted since 2017. Visona, from Vicenza, is known for its exceptionally soft leather. Ripani, from Abruzzo, offers both leather goods and airy raffia-leather blends—bright, lightweight pieces ideal for Florida. Another standout is Enrico Versari, a collection of handmade crochet-style bags from Arezzo. Smaller accessories, including Italian hats from Petracci, round out the mix.

Looking ahead, Piras and Delunas hope to recreate the loyal customer base they’ve built downtown. “We know what we're doing. If you buy a bag, after a while, you come back again to buy another one, because you love the prices, you love the quality, you love the style,” says Piras. “What we would like to do in the future is try to bring new customers in at St. Armands as well. We know that it will take a while, but as I said, we know what we're doing.” For now, all they need is the storms—and the slow seasons—to stay away long enough for St. Armands to fully come back to life.

Italian Idea, 59 S Boulevard of the Presidents, Sarasota, 941- 400-7807, italianidea.us/. 

Photo Provided by Antonello Piras.

Andy Harshman of Sarasota High School was named the 2026 Sarasota County Teacher of the Year at the Ignite Education Teacher of the Year Award Celebration hosted by the Education Foundation of Sarasota County in partnership with Sarasota County Schools on Dec. 11, 2025. Harshman is the visionary leader of Sarasota High School’s MaST Research Institute- a program recognized as one of the most prestigious high school science research initiatives in Florida and across the nation.  He will represent district educators throughout the 2026 calendar year and will serve as Sarasota County’s nominee for state Teacher of the Year. The award celebration was made possible by presenting sponsor Sunset Automotive Group, gold sponsors Suncoast Credit Union and Publix Super Markets Charities, and silver sponsors Barancik Foundation, Veronica Brady and Keith Monda, Gilbane Building Company, Gulf Coast Community Foundation, ME&S, and USF College of Education. The Education Foundation is grateful for their continued support of teachers. 

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The Palmetto Marriott Resort & Spa is proud to announce two major industry recognitions in its inaugural year. The resort has been named Marriott International’s 2025 Hotel Opening of the Year and honored as ConventionSouth’s 2025 New or Renovated Award Winner for the state of Florida. Located on the scenic Manatee River, the Palmetto Marriott Resort & Spa has quickly become a celebrated addition to the region, blending the charm of a small hometown with the elevated amenities of a world-class property. As the resort prepares for a landmark year ahead, the team remains deeply committed to serving guests, supporting the community, and elevating the Gulf Coast hospitality experience. 

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Safe Children Coalition (SCC), the community-based care agency for Circuit 12, serves Sarasota, Manatee, and Desoto counties, providing Foster Care, Adoption, and Prevention and Diversion programs for more than 10,000 children and families in our community. Over 80% are served through prevention-focused programs like our Youth Shelter. We are the only community-based youth shelter for teens ages 10–17 in our community, and we’re building a new 9,000-square-foot building to serve more teens. Thanks to partnerships with Gulf Coast Community Foundation, Charles and Margery Barancik Foundation, the Community Foundation of Sarasota County, Inc., Manatee Community Foundation, and the support of many generous donors, we have surpassed our Phase 1 $9M goal and have only an additional $700,000 left to complete our Phase 2 goal to furnish the shelter, complete the backyard, and other requirements.  

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 Lee Wetherington Homes, a top rated privately owned custom luxury home builder in Sarasota, is pleased to offer its Sand Dollar model home, located in Shellstone at Waterside, for sale, with a model lease-back opportunity.  The Sand Dollar model is listed for $3,449,900 and features 3,289 square feet of living space, with three bedrooms and four bathrooms, plus a bonus room. The builder is offering a lease back opportunity of 18 to 24 months. Consistently recognized as an all-ages and award-winning master planned community, Lakewood Ranch offers top-rated healthcare, schools and more, with easy access to I-75, nearby metro areas like Tampa and Sarasota, world-class beaches, high-end retail, entertainment districts, professional sports venues, cultural attractions and airports. 

Principals from Jebco Ventures and ORE Development, the development team behind The Edge Sarasota, gathered with buyers at the construction site located at the corner of Cocoanut Avenue and Fruitville Road. Together, they signed a concrete plinth that will be part of the building, marking the pouring of the top floor of this exciting condominium community. The Edge Sarasota, featuring ten stories with 27 meticulously designed residences and a rich array of amenities, is on schedule for completion in fall 2026.  The Edge Sarasota offers residences ranging from 3,154 sq ft to 3,532 sq ft, with a limited number of two- and three-bedroom residences still available priced from $2,995,000. To learn more, visit TheEdgeSarasota.com or call 941.866.3068 to schedule a private presentation. For more information, visit TheEdgeSarasota.com.
 

Sarasota County Schools proudly announces that Superintendent Terry Connor has been named the Outstanding Superintendent Communicator of the Year by the Sunshine State School Public Relations Association (SUNSPRA)! The award was recently presented during the 80th Joint Conference of the Florida School Boards Association (FSBA) and the Florida Association of District School Superintendents (FADSS). This award honors a Florida superintendent who demonstrates exceptional leadership in communication and transparency. Since taking the helm, Superintendent of Schools Terry Connor has implemented innovative strategies that strengthen trust and engagement across Sarasota County.  Superintendent Terry Connor’s efforts have earned national recognition, including being named a National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA) “Superintendent to Watch” in 2024. Superintendent Connor’s commitment to proactive, transparent communication reflects a deep dedication to public education and community trust. For more information about Sarasota County Schools, please visit www.sarasotacountyschools.net. 

Safe Place and Rape Crisis Center (SPARCC) hosted another unforgettable SPARCCling Holiday Luncheon on Monday, December 8, where more than 300 guests gathered at Michael’s On East to celebrate the spirit of the season and support survivors of domestic and sexual violence. The festive event sparkled from start to finish. Attendees arrived with generous donations of unwrapped toys, gifts, and gift cards for SPARCC’s annual Holiday Toy Store, ensuring that children, teens, and moms served by SPARCC will experience extra joy this holiday season. Guests enjoyed a gourmet lunch at Michael’s On East, entertainment by the Pop Orchestra, and lively bidding on an array of holiday-themed auction items. Organized by SPARCC Auxiliary members and led by co-chairs Melissa Silva, Cator Hartley, and Tina McGovern, the luncheon offered a warm and festive experience for all who attended. SPARCC also expresses gratitude to its Presenting Sponsor, First Horizon Bank, along with many generous sponsors, donors, and attendees who helped make the luncheon a wonderful success.  

Gulf Coast Community Foundation (Gulf Coast) is excited to announce that the organization has surpassed $625 million in grants awarded since its founding in 1995 – marking another milestone in the foundation’s three-decade history of bold and proactive philanthropy. Established with an $85 million endowment from the sale of the Venice Hospital, Gulf Coast now stewards nearly 1,000 charitable funds that support a wide range of causes – from education to the arts to environmental preservation, workforce development, and health and human services. This, in turn, has catalyzed transformational initiatives across the region – from expanding access to mental health care and workforce training to preserving the beauty and vitality of our coastal environment.