The VOICE of the Downtown Merchants - April 2016 by Candace Botha

T h e VOICE

of the

Downtown Merchants

www.SarasotaDowntownMerchants.com

Community Spotlight Discover Your Zen, Become Inspired at Get Loose Tea & Art

April 2016

Exclusive Profile Fred E. Soto, Sr.â&#x20AC;&#x201D; The Man, His Community Service & His Legacy

Luxury

T H E

C O L L E C T I O N SarasotaCondoChannel.com

Listing and Selling Luxury Condos in Downtown Sarasota

Our FlexList TM Program Can Sell Your Condo for 4%

Ron & Bozena Suponcic 941.350.2453

RE/MAX Alliance Group ron@suponcic.com bozena@suponcic.com

• 29 Years Real Estate Experience • Multi-year RE/MAX Platinum Club Award • Top 6% of all RE/MAX Agents Worldwide • 16x Awarded 5 Star Best Real Estate Agents • CLHMS - Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist

RE/MAX

100,000 AGENTS

6,841 OFFICES

Salon Forty-One Hair • Skin • Nails

97 COUNTRIES

Palm Avenue Express Convenience Store Beer & Wine • Salads & Sandwiches Snacks - Chips - Candy • Soda & Water Florida Lottery • Health & Beauty Aids Greeting Cards • Coffee • Pet Supplies Tobacco • Household Products Milk • Eggs • Bread • Pastries Beach Essentials • Packaged Foods

Locally Owned & Operated Thank You for All of Your Support!

Protein Bars • Ice Cream Newspapers • Postcard Stamps

— Jim Reese & Neil Jennings

41 S. Palm Avenue • 941-906-9468 Walk-Ins Welcome Open Six Days a Week • Evenings by Appointment

43 S. Palm Avenue • 941-906-9469 Hours: Mon - Wed: 7:30 A.M. TO 6:00 P.M. Thurs - Sat: 7:30 A.M. to 7:00 p.m.

The of the

VOICE

D owntown Merchants

A Publication of The Sarasota Downtown Merchants Association

Volume 3 • Issue 4

Ron Soto, Publisher Candace T. Botha, Associate Publisher Christine Baer, Editorial/Creative Director DM Parr, Features Writer Anthony J. Vento, Graphic Design Associate Betty Berg, Photographer/Editorial Assistant The SDMA works to enhance downtown Sarasota as a premier retail destination with a vibrant merchant community. Volunteers work together to create a rewarding shopping, dining and entertainment experience in Sarasota, Florida. SPECIAL DATE FOR THE SDMA MEETING IN APRIL!

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 6 • 5:30 - 7:00 P.M. Cafe Amici • 1371 Main Street • Sarasota All SDMA members are encouraged to attend!

Read The VOICE online at www.sarasotadowntownmerchants.com;

click on “The VOICE”

P.O. Box 1423 • Sarasota, FL 34230 Phone: 727-542-3000 www.sarasotadowntownmerchants.com E-mail article ideas and announcements to:

sdmavoice@gmail.com

To advertise in The VOICE, please send an e-mail to: sdmavoice@gmail.com

Cover Photo by Candace T. Botha www.facebook.com/SRQSDMA

A Message from the Chairman

vagrancy on our streets continues to be one of downtown's most critical and controversial issues, a new strategy to discourage visitors, residents and merchants from giving money on the streets is now in place. It's called "Your Kindness Can Kill," and the new campaign will redirect donations to local agencies that are not only in place in Sarasota, but ready and willing to provide the food, clothing and shelter Ron Soto, needed to keep people off of our streets. SDMA’s Chairman Let me reiterate: The money we are giving to people on our streets is not feeding the hungry, but feeding their addictions. The statistics first cited by Robert G. Marbut Jr., Ph.D., in his study of the homeless and vagrant populations in Sarasota County three years ago still hold true: 93 percent of all the money that is The money you give out of kindness given to people on the streets is not used may actually keep people on the streets and addicted. to pay for food, clothing or shelter. The sad truth is that these "donations" are, instead, used to pay for drugs, alcohol and prostitution. The new "Your Kindness Can Kill" campaign will include the printing of 4 x 6-inch cards, pictured at left, that warn residents and visitors of the potentially fatal dangers of giving money on the streets. On the back of the cards, the names, addresses and contact information for local agencies in Sarasota that are willing to help will be printed so that ALL donations can be redirected. Keep in mind—money handed out on the street is not tax deductible; donations made directly to our local agencies, however, are legitimate tax deductions. Our strategy is to recruit volunteers to stand near the "hot spots" in downtown where the vagrants post their signs. Volunteers will hand out these cards to residents and visitors to encourage them to make their donations directly to local agencies. It is important to, once again, differentiate between Sarasota's homeless population and the vagrants who are sitting on our street corners begging for money. It is the "vagrants" or "vagabonds" that are disrupting business and annoying—even frightening— downtown shoppers, diners and theater-goers. The definition of donation is "giving to a worthy cause or charity," and giving money on the streets is neither; it is nothing more than a handout. If you, as downtown merchants, would like to join in the effort to end vagrancy on our streets once and for all, please consider volunteering for an hour or two to hand out our new cards. We are counting on your help to make a difference. After all, it takes a village...

One on One with Former Mayor Fred E. Soto, Sr. His Contribution to—and His Legacy for—the City of Sarasota

here are few “gentle” men in our community who now, in their eighth decade of life, can reflect on a highly successful career that not only spanned more than 30 years in Sarasota and Southwest Florida, but also includes 12 years spent in service as a city commissioner and another 3 years of service as the mayor of Sarasota. Fred E. Soto, Sr., is at the top of the list of Sarasota’s careeroriented and civic-minded men. As the original founder of Soto Opticians here in Sarasota, Mr. Soto will long be remembered as one of our city officials who was instrumental in revitalizing Sarasota at a time in downtown’s history when there was a mass exodus of key retail establishments to new malls that were being developed on the outskirts of the city. During the late 1960s and early- to mid-1970s, downtown Sarasota became virtually desolate, and business and pedestrian traffic nearly was non-existent. What once was a bustling community was on the verge of becoming an East-coast version of an Old West ghost town. Paul Thorpe, “Mr. Downtown,” described the climate in downtown Sarasota during that era best when he said, “You could shoot a cannon down Main Street, and you wouldn’t hit a soul.” It would take a team of innovative, like-minded individuals to develop new strategies to reignite the city and re-establish downtown as an enviable Suncoast destination, and Mr. Soto was an integral member of that team. Born in Tampa, Mr. Soto was raised in a middle class family with a strong work ethic. From the time he entered high school, he participated in the Diversified Cooperative Training (DCT) program that enabled him to spend mornings studying and afternoons gaining practical experience in the workplace. It was because of this work-study experience that Mr. Soto was first introduced to optical work in his employment in the laboratory at Bausch & Lomb, a company that had locations throughout the United States and was once known not only for its nationwide retail establishments, but also for cutting lenses and manufacturing eyeglasses. Mr. Soto’s experience at Bausch and Lomb laid the groundwork for a successful career as an optician. Once out of high school, Mr. Soto continued to work for Bausch & Lomb in Tampa. He met and married his wife, Sylvia. Together, the couple—now married 63 years—raised two sons, Fred and Ron. It was an advertisement in a regional newspaper that led the Sotos to leave their hometown of Tampa and move to Sarasota. “Oscar Loewe, owner of Loewe Optical in Sarasota, had placed an ad in the newspaper, searching for a husband-and-wife team 4

Fred E. Soto, Sr., during his term as mayor of Sarasota, circa 1980 to manage his business,” Mr. Soto remembers. “At the time, Loewe Optical was the only independently owned optical business in the city. “So,” Mr. Soto continues, “we made the move to Sarasota in the mid 1950s. I worked as the optician, and my wife was taught to handle all the bookkeeping for the business.” In the years that followed, the Sotos eventually purchased the business and changed the name to “Soto Opticians.” That name soon would become a leader in the eyewear/optical industry in Southwest Florida as the Sotos’ holdings ultimately included nine locations, from as far south as Punta Gorda and as far north as Bradenton. “I was a big businessman back then,” Mr. Soto says with a smile. “And, after 30 years in the industry, I retired at the age of 51.” During the 1980s and prior to his retirement, however, Mr. Soto had an opportunity to sell his entire business to Eckerd Corporation, owner of both Eckerd Optical, a chain of optical centers, and Visionworks. At the time, the company, which also owned Eckerd Drug Stores, claimed to “do well” with all of its optical locations throughout the state of Florida—except from Bradenton to Punta Gorda, where Soto Opticians had maintained its commanding presence for more than three decades. Bypassing the corporate offer, Mr. Soto chose instead to honor the hard work and dedication of each of the managers of his nine locations, The VOICE of the Downtown Merchants

offering them an opportunity to buy their own stores with exceptionally generous terms—a 20-year buyout plan. Then, once the business was paid in full, the managers could purchase the buildings that housed their optical businesses. Two of Mr. Soto’s original locations are now, in fact, owned by his sons. Fred Soto, O.D., is the owner of Soto Eye Center, located at 2650 South Tamiami Trail in Sarasota, and Ron Soto is the owner of Soto’s Optical Boutique, located at 1383 Main Street in downtown Sarasota. “I never had one iota of a problem with any of the store managers fulfilling their ends of the agreement,” Mr. Soto says. “After I am gone, they will long remember the opportunity I offered them.” “Most of the managers would never have had an opportunity to own a store of their own if it wasn’t for my dad,” Ron Soto adds. If creating an optical “empire” isn’t enough of an achievement for a man who humbly got his start in a workstudy program in high school, Mr. Soto also became a compelling leader in local politics. From the time he first arrived in the City of Sarasota, Mr. Soto became very involved in the community. Not only did he serve as the chairman of the chamber of commerce in Sarasota, but he also was an active member of many area organizations. “My father belonged to all the ‘critter clubs,’” Ron says with a laugh. “He was involved with the Lions and the Elks, and he also was in the Jaycees, King Neptune and the Knights of Columbus.” It was Mr. Soto’s work with the chamber of commerce that served as the stepping stone into the local political arena. “My friends and peers in the business community encouraged me to run for public office,” Mr. Soto remembers. “I served on the city commission for 12 years, and I also was the mayor of Sarasota for three years, although those terms were not served consecutively.” Elected to the city commission in 1969, Mr. Soto remembers receiving a check in the mail for $50.00 after his first month of service. When a second check arrived in the mail the following month, he spoke with Ken Thompson, who was city manager at the time. “I asked Ken what the money was for,” Mr. Soto says. “He told me that it was my monthly ‘salary’ as a city commissioner. “I told Ken that I didn’t want to be paid to serve my community,” Mr. Soto continues. “Ken told me I had to send him a letter to that effect, and, once I did, the checks stopped. “I didn’t want any money from the city; I always paid my own way,” Mr. Soto adds. “When I received money from a trip that the city commissioners took together, I donated the money to the Boys Club of Sarasota.” Continued on Page 6 Top photo, at right: Fred E. Soto, Sr. (second from left), during his term as one of the city commissioners of Sarasota, circa 1972 Center photo: S ylvia Soto, Fred E. Soto's wife of 63 years, with the late President Ronald Reagan at his inauguration on June 20, 1981 Bottom photo: Mr. Soto (at right) with "Bob" Graham, the 38th governor of the state of F lorida. Photos courtesy of Fred E. Soto, Sr.

SDMA • www.sarasotadowntownmerchants.com

Mr. Soto, is, in fact, one of the original founders of the Boys Club in Sarasota. “As a young boy, I was a member of the Boy’s Club in Tampa,” Mr. Soto says. “To get involved and help build a branch of the organization here was personally very rewarding for me.” To this day, Mr. Soto’s name appears on the founders’ plaque at the Lee Wetherington Club, a branch of the Boys and Girls Club of Sarasota County located at 3100 Fruitville Road. Looking back on his years of service as a city commissioner and mayor, Mr. Soto recalls troubled times in Sarasota. “Downtown Sarasota was losing its market when I was in office,” Mr. Soto says. “At one time, we had all of the department stores downtown, including Maas Brothers, along with Kress, McCrory's and Woolworth’s. These stores that brought business to downtown were leaving and relocating to the new mall that was being built in South Gate, or they eventually went out of business. “Growth was our biggest problem,” Mr. Soto continues. “I talked all the time with Ken Thompson, who served as Sarasota’s city manager for more than three decades. More often than not, our conversations focused on losing more and more businesses downtown and the strategies we needed to develop to revive downtown.” The solution—rezoning properties that had been sold or torn down to accommodate condominiums, thus encouraging more area residents to move downtown, which, in turn, would revitalize the downtown economy that would be needed to service the city’s new residents. “Much of the growth you see in downtown Sarasota today was inspired by the seeds originally planted by Ken Thompson,” Mr. Soto says. “We have about a billion dollars’

worth of new projects in development in downtown Sarasota right now.” It was during Mr. Soto’s tenure as a city commissioner in 1979 that Paul Thorpe, who headed the Merchants Association in downtown Sarasota, organized the very first farmers market in the city. “I was all for the farmers market,” Mr. Soto says; “it was part of our master plan to revitalize downtown Sarasota.” It also was during Mr. Soto’s tenure as commissioner that the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall in Sarasota initially was conceived, then constructed. Although unofficially dubbed “The Purple Cow” by its critics, the former mayor knew that the hall would have a lasting impact on the City of Sarasota. “It was evident back in 1969, when the Van Wezel was built, that the hall would change the scope of our city by bringing top acts and entertainers to Sarasota for the very first time,” Mr. Soto says. Of his three years of service as mayor of Sarasota, Mr. Soto says, “I practically lived in that office when I was mayor; it was a demanding responsibility. Back in the day, the mayor and the city commissioners set the policies, and Ken Thompson ran the city.” When not spending time with his family or managing his optical stores in Southwest Florida, Mr. Soto enjoyed boating in the Gulf of Mexico and actively pursuing his passion for golf, a sport he relished playing until just recently. But clearly it is Mr. Soto’s role in the renaissance of the City of Sarasota that is his true legacy. “My father selflessly served the City of Sarasota,” Ron says with unbridled admiration. “He was not in it for personal gain; he just wanted to improve the city he proudly called home.”

P ixie

Dust

METAPHYSICAL BOUTIQUE Unique Gifts • Psychic Readings • Crystals Jewelry • Spiritual Items & Joie de Vivre!

1476 Main Street • Sarasota, FL 34236 Pixie Dust is proud to offer the LOVE TUNER, a single tone flute that aligns our beings with the 528 HZ frequency that is known as the “Love Frequency.”

Through tuning, you can harmonize your emotional and physical self with your environment and: • Reduce stress • Find inner peace • Boost your immune system • Alleviate anxiety • Increase concentration • Discover balance

941-366-6325 www.dustypixie.com

The VOICE of the Downtown Merchants

Florida Studio Theatre's Dialogues on Diversity

Upcoming Events in April & May

ince December, Florida Studio Theatre has provided an innovative forum for community leaders, area residents and high school students to engage in the discussion of important issues raised during several of the theatre's most recent productions. You, too, can be a part of the "dialogue" by supporting Florida Studio Theatre's efforts to both educate and entertain our community.

— April 2016 —

Wednesday, April 6—Alabama Story: Final Dress Rehearsal for Invited Guests | 8 PM | Gompertz Theatre Friday, April 8—Alabama Story: Opening Night | 8 PM | Gompertz Theatre Sunday, April 10—Alabama Story: Post-Show Discussion With Special Guests Kenneth Jones, Playwright, and Jack Reed Immediately Following Matinee | Gompertz Theatre (Show begins at 3 PM) Thursday, April 14—Alabama Story: Post-Show Discussion Immediately Following Show | Gompertz Theatre (Show begins at 3 PM) Thursday, April 21—Alabama Story: Post-Show Discussion Facilitated by Chief Judge Williams Immediately Following Show | Gompertz Theatre (Show begins at 8 PM) Thursday, April 28—Hot Topics of Today: Banned Books and Other Literature: Alabama Story Panel Discussion: Moderated by OpinionEditor Tom Tryon with Guests Sarabeth Kalajian, Director of Sarasota County Libraries & Historical Resources; Edward James III, Political Strategist; Georgia Court, Owner of Bookstore 1 Sarasota; and Dr. April Flakne, Associate Professor of Philosophy | 5 - 6 PM | Gompertz Theatre

— May 2016 —

Sunday, May 1: • Beaches, Benches, and Boycotts: Civil Rights Movement in Sarasota and Tampa Bay Sponsored by The Florida Holocaust Museum & The Sarasota County Public Libraries, Exhibited at Selby and North Sarasota Libraries Through the Month of May • Sarasota Stories: Panel Discussion led by Mayor Willie Charles Shaw Following the Launch of Beaches, Benches, and Boycotts (Please call the theatre at 941-366-9017 for panel discussion details.) • A Call to Citizenship: WWSB ABC7 Launches Public Service Announcements Across Their Full Coverage Area for Dialogues on Diversity • Mayoral Proclamation of Diversity Day Week of May 2—METV Broadcast on Panel Discussion Thursday, May 5—Alabama Story: Post-Show Discussion Facilitated by Chief Judge Williams Immediately Following Show | Gompertz Theatre (Show begins at 8 PM) Thursday, May 19—Moral Citizenship: A Call to Conscience: Alabama Story Panel Discussion Moderated by Chief Judge Williams with Guest Dr. Robert M. Franklin, Director of the Religion Department at The Chautauqua Institution | 5 - 6 PM | Gompertz Theatre Week of May 23: • METV Broadcast on Panel Discussion • Sarasota Celebrates Diversity: Sharing Our Stories • Dialogues on Diversity Closing Event 5:30 - 7:30 PM • Mayoral Proclamation of Diversity Day Presentation Thursday, May 26—Alabama Story: Post-show discussion Immediately Following Show | Gompertz Theatre (Show begins at 8 PM) Saturday, May 28—Closing night: Alabama Story | 8 PM | Gompertz Theatre SDMA • www.sarasotadowntownmerchants.com

Sarasota - Now Open! 1413 1st Street | 941.955.2170 sarasota.scoutandmollys.com follow us on for exclusive offers!

The Lifetime Candle is a glass cylinder filled with liquid paraffin, containing natural elements from the earth and sea. These candles, available in a array of sizes, add warmth and light to any occasion. Stop by Write-On Sarasota “Celebrating 16 Years” of community friendship

1423 First Street

941-953-2800

• Gourmet Cookies & Brownies • Muffins, Oat Bars & Granola • Scones, Biscotti & Rustic Occasion Cakes

We Bake everything From Scratch... ...BecauSe that’S hoW We roll. 1383 McAnsh Square Sarasota, FL 34236

941-552-8079

www.siftbakehouse.com Open Monday - Friday: 7:30 am to 5 pm Saturday: 9 am to 3 pm • Closed Sunday

Sarasota Farmers Market Spotlight

Kinsey’s Produce A Family Tradition of Farm-Fresh Fruits & Vegetables

very Saturday morning at 3:00 a.m., when most downtown residents are still sound asleep, the city quietly begins to stir as Sarasota Farmers Market vendors arrive to start their day. For the past seven years—since the market became a nonprofit organization that is managed by the vendors— Kinsey’s Produce has been a mainstay at the market, offering nearly 1,500 square feet of the freshest, finest fruits and vegetables you can find. Co-owned and managed by Travis Kinsey, and his parents, Philip and Debbie—all born and raised in Sarasota—the fresh-picked produce emporium anchors the rain-or-shine market every week at the corner of Lemon Avenue and First Street, opposite Whole Foods. With a weekly selection of more than 100, hand-selected and mostly locally grown fruits and vegetables, Kinsey’s Produce has earned a stellar reputation for offering an extensive array of nutrient-rich and premium-quality menu staples, including appetizing varieties of tomatoes, potatoes and peppers; eggplant; onions; Brussels sprouts and beets. Here, you’ll also discover the freshest broccoli, fennel, kale, squash, cabbage, cucumbers, lettuces, parsley and other herbs and so much more. Fruits also abound at Kinsey’s Produce, with mouthwatering melons, apples, bananas, plums and grapes, as well as seasonal favorites, including peaches, strawberries, blueberries and pumpkins. Of special interest are the tropical and exotic fruits not often found in Sarasota that Kinsey’s Produce brings to the market. When in season, you’ll discover Star fruit, Dragon fruit, Jack fruit, Mamey, Rambutan and other varieties, all deliciously ripe and ready to eat. But, by far, it is the pineapples and coconuts—as well as strawberries, when in season—that, week after week, are Kinsey’s Produce’s best sellers. “Customers often are standing in line for our pineapples and coconuts,” Travis says. “About five years ago, we took a gamble on coring fresh pineapples right at the market; we wanted to do something that had never been done before. “We started with about three cases of pineapples,” Travis

Above, from left to right, Philip and D ebbie Kinsey and their son, Travis, of Kinsey’s Produce adds. “Now, we bring as many as 50 cases almost every week.” Locally, Travis’ father, Philip, has become known as “The Pineapple Man,” because he often heads the table, beneath the tiki umbrella where the pineapples are skinned, then cored on the spot for each customer. “Several years ago, a young boy approached the table with his mom and dad, holding money to pay for the pineapple,” Travis recalls. “My dad, who always takes time to talk to every customer, gave the boy the pineapple and told him to put the money in his piggy bank. The boy came back a couple of weeks later with a magazine article about Kinsey’s Produce and presented the article to my father, saying, ‘I want the autograph of ‘The Pineapple Man!’ And that’s what everyone has called my father ever since.” The Kinseys have had similar success with selling fresh coconuts in which they cut holes, using a tool Philip custom-designed from an oyster shucker knife, so customers can sip the delicious water found inside from a straw. “We only use young, white coconuts that have more of the sweet water and meat inside,” Travis comments. “It was a strategy that certainly paid off; we now sell hundreds of coconuts every Saturday.” Of the team of about eight or nine people with whom the Kinseys work each Saturday, Travis says, “I never ask anyone to do something I will not do myself. When our team arrives Saturday mornings at 3:00 a.m., I am right there, working alongside them, even in the rain. “The hardest thing about being a team leader,” Travis continues, “is finding others that care about the business as much as you do. When you do find them, you take care

The VOICE of the Downtown Merchants

of them, because they are the people that make you successful.” When asked what his favorite part of working at the market every Saturday morning is, Travis replies, “It is the relationships that I have developed through the years that are most rewarding. Many of our customers, as well as the people on our team, have become a part of our family. Each time they stop by, it’s almost like a reunion of great friends I never otherwise would have had an opportunity to meet.” While interacting with people at the market is high on Travis’ list, having an “absolutely beautiful” display of produce each week is equally important. “You only have one day a week to make a good impression on your customers, so presentation—along with optimal quality—is everything,” Travis explains. In addition to working at the market every Saturday, Travis has served on the board of directors of the Sarasota Farmers Market for the past several years and is now fulfilling his second year as chairman. “My goal, as chairman, is to lead by example by being fair to everyone and acting with integrity and honesty,” Travis says. “I always strive to make a positive impact on the board that, in turn, makes an equally positive impact on the vendors, which then trickles down to the customers. “I am proud to be a part of such a well-run organization,” Travis adds. “As an entity, the Sarasota Farmers Market is

such a great service to our community. Not only do we support local agriculture, but the market definitely is an asset for the City of Sarasota, drawing both area residents and visitors downtown every Saturday morning. “Many people make coming to the market a weekly social event; they meet with friends and grab a cup of coffee before shopping,” Travis continues. “Or they come downtown to share a meal prepared by one of our food vendors. “All of the food is delicious and freshly prepared by local chefs and bakers who are the very best at their craft,” Travis adds. While other produce vendors have ventured into markets in other cities, Kinsey’s Produce has no intention of following their lead. “My goal is to continually increase the quality of the offerings we have here in Sarasota,” Travis says. “I would rather do an excellent job at one location rather than try to successfully manage several markets. “And,” he adds, “as long as the Sarasota Farmers Market is in downtown Sarasota, I plan to enjoy being a part of it for years to come.” You can find Kinsey’s Produce every Saturday morning, rain or shine, from 7:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the corner of Lemon Avenue and First Street, opposite Whole Foods, at the Sarasota Farmers Market.

EXCLUSIVELY at

1383 Main Street • Sarasota, FL 34236

941-953-3788

www.sotosoptical.com

SDMA • www.sarasotadowntownmerchants.com

941.388.3700 www.theartfulgiraffe.com 9

Get Loose Tea & Art—Downtown's Newest Treasure

or both Lisa Feistel and Doreen Birdsell, proprietors of Get Loose Tea & Art, located at 136 South Pineapple Avenue in Sarasota, the act of drinking tea is an art, a personal journey that ventures far beyond what is poured in the physical cup. “Drinking tea should be considered an event or an experience, either shared time together or even just alone time with your tea,” Lisa explains. “At Get Loose Tea & Art, we are inspiring people to a life of tea. “A cup or glass of tea has such a beautiful way of energizing us,” Lisa continues. “It keeps us balanced, in contrast to the ‘hype’ experienced at a coffeehouse.” Perhaps an equally important consideration is the ever-growing body of research that chronicles many of the amazing health benefits of tea that range from lowered cholesterol levels and reduced stress hormones to improved memory and decreased risk of stroke and dementia. Recent studies also reveal that tea, which is naturally rich in antioxidants, even may play a pivotal role in preventing cancer. According to Lisa, “People who drink four or five cups of green or white tea each day are less likely to get certain types of cancer.” What inspired two women with independent careers in commercial photography and automotive sales and, together, a partnership as innkeepers in Cape Cod, to begin their own journey as tea connoisseurs? It is, indeed, a fascinating story that began nearly 23 years ago. Born in Florida and raised in Queens, New York, Doreen landed a job in Manhattan at the age of 21 and moved to New York City. While there, her interest in photography was ignited when she first saw “beautiful vistas of Manhattan and magnificent river views, bridges and cityscapes” that

had been photographed by a young man that worked in the mail room of the company where she was employed. This budding photographer became Doreen’s mentor, and, together, they opened a studio in the city. Business took off very quickly, Doreen says, and, in the years that followed, she developed an impressive resume that included numerous Fortune 500 companies and c elebrities. Her expertise included fashion, e ditorial, product and family pet images, as well as wedding photography. Through the years, Doreen’s work has been featured in Modern Bride, New York Magazine, Westport Magazine, Golf World, Wedding Pages and numerous other publications and annual reports. It was after parting ways with her mentor that Doreen met a film editor with whom she expanded her career behind the camera to include videography and video post production. In addition to co-ownership at Get Loose Tea & Art, Doreen has continued her work with Doreen Birdsell Studios, Photography & Video, for more than 25 years. Originally from Connecticut, Lisa has a diverse background that not only includes owning a car dealership at one time, but also working in the field of videography, after meeting Doreen in a home bible study group in New York City. With a shared p assion for life and a deep-rooted faith and spirituality, the two women have been partners in both life and business for more than 23 years. Calling Westport, Connecticut, home for 15-plus years, Doreen and Lisa’s lives changed when they a ttended the funeral of a friend in Cape Cod and decided to plant roots there. Together, they purchased the Inn at Cook Street, an award-winning bed and breakfast in P rovincetown, Massachusetts, which they operated for eight years. It was while living in Provincetown that Lisa’s interest in tea began to flourish. “I began dabbling in tea a short time before my mother passed away unexpectedly,” Lisa remembers. “While I was grieving, tea seemed to be one of my only friends—the one thing that kept me going.” As Lisa continued to nurture an expertise in tea, exploring its health benefits to remedy some of her own digestive

The VOICE of the Downtown Merchants

issues, her journey began to include her friends at the inn. Through extensive research, Triangle Tea Life, Doreen and Lisa’s first line of teas, was developed, then introduced. “We used various high-quality purveyors to create our own collection of pure teas that do not contain any sugar or flavorings; all of our ingredients are real,” Lisa says. “Many of our herbal varieties are, in fact, privately blended.” The name itself—Triangle Tea Life—had special significance for the young entrepreneurs. “The Greeks saw the triangle as the doorway to the soul, offering incredible strength,” Lisa reveals. “The three sides have equal value—health, wealth and spirituality. The purple symbol at the top of the triangle in our logo is the color of enlightenment and embodies the doorway into your being.” As Doreen and Lisa began to share their teas with their guests, who helped name the different blends, an online tea business was launched to reach a worldwide market. The innkeepers also created a Triangle Tea Room at the bed and breakfast they owned, and they also converted one of the rooms into an art gallery to showcase Doreen’s captivating photography. It was at the recommendation of one of their guests at the Inn at Cook Street that Lisa and Doreen first visited Sarasota. “While we owned the inn, we spent one winter in Sarasota, and we never stopped coming back,” Doreen recalls. “We always knew that, one day, after we sold the inn, we would live here.” That dream became a reality just last year when the women left the Northeast and made Sarasota their new home. As their online tea business flourished, Doreen and Lisa c reated a second line of teas. Called “Where Elephants Roam,” this new collection of high-quality, organic blends was the realization of Lisa’s passion for endangered elephants. It was an article Lisa read about six years ago about an orphaned baby elephant named Moses that, she says, dramatically changed her life. “Moses became orphaned because his mother and father had been poached,” Lisa recalls. “At the time, I had no idea that such horrific cruelty existed in the animal kingdom. After reading the article, I experienced such grief that was, I am sure, heightened by the grief I also felt by the passing of my mother. “It was then that Doreen and I made a commitment to help elephants, which conservationists predict will likely become extinct in the next decade if current poaching practices continue,” Lisa adds. So, with the vision to create a company that “blended” their love of tea and their passion for the plight of elephants, along with Doreen’s captivating fine art photography, the women opened the doors of Get Loose Tea & Art. Step over the threshold, and you’ll instantly be mesmerized by the array of teas that line the shelves in the brightly painted shop with touches of welcoming mint green accents throughout. Linger inside, inspired by the exquisite photography that lines the walls, or sit with friends at one of the indoor or o utdoor tables, all while sipping some of the finest tea you ever will taste.

Above, from left to right, Lisa Fiestel and Doreen Birdsell, owners of Get Loose Tea & Art

In addition to countless quality blends of its own loose tea, Get Loose Tea & Art also offers a wide array of tea accessories, including paper and permanent tea filters, tea infusers, teapots, mugs, iced tea jugs and pitchers, travel t umblers and more. With the focus exclusively on tea at the shop, Get Loose Tea & Art does not sell baked goods on site. However, customers are encouraged to come in, place an order for a tea of their choice and, while the tea is being prepared, go around the corner to Sift Bakehouse on McAnsh Square to buy a delicious treat to enjoy back at the tea shop. Since opening Get Loose Tea & Art in November 2015, the cornerstone of every stride taken to nurture Continued on Page 12

Photos at right and above left, opposite page, by Doreen Birdsell

SDMA • www.sarasotadowntownmerchants.com

the business has been in keeping with Lisa and D oreen’s personal and professional commitment to give back. In fact, 10 percent of the net profits of each sale is donated to nonprofit organizations on both a local and global scale. Most notably, Lisa and Doreen support two o rganizations in particular—Sheldrick Wildlife Trust in Kenya, a nonprofit organization dedicated to stopping the killing of elephants for ivory trade, and Boon Lott’s Elephant Sanctuary in Thailand, a nonprofit organization that offers a safe haven for retired and rescued elephants. For every $50 they donate to Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, Lisa and Doreen “adopt” an elephant and proudly post photographs of each adopted "family member" on their website: www.getloosetea.com. “Philanthrophy is the foundation of our company,” Lisa says. “From the outset, we made a commitment to make a

donation with every sale. Even though we are just a p ebble in the ocean, our hope is that we inspire our customers to do the same.” Educating customers about the many benefits of tea also is a priority for Lisa and Doreen. Next season, in fact, they plan to launch “Tea Talk,” a series of informal, everyone-is-welcome seminars that will include tea teachings, as well as discussions of current social issues over, of course, a comforting cup of tea. “At Get Loose Tea & Art, our vision is for everyone who walks through our front door to share an experience here and begin their own personal journey with tea,” Lisa says. “Savoring a sample of one of our freshly brewed teas is an opportunity to not only reconnect, but also enjoy the social, emotional and health benefits of a cup or a glass of tea. And then there’s an ‘inspirational’ benefit that evolves from spending moments looking at the exquisite fine art photography that lines the shop's walls. “We welcome you to stop by,” Lisa adds. “Sip a sample of our tea, and become steeped in inspiration.” Get Loose Tea & Art is located at 136 South Pineapple Avenue in Sarasota. The shop is open Monday through Saturday, from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. For more information, please call 941-953-2444 or visit www.getloosetea.com. To view Doreen's portfolio of fine art photography, visit www.doreenbirdsellstudios.com.

Because we work harder. We don’t mind rolling up our sleeves. For 27 years, we’ve been serving the Downtown Business Community with all things printed. Whether it’s a sales sheet, menu, stationery, postcard, store signage, vinyl banner, or complete mailing campaign, call the team at Spotlight to get YOUR project rolling. 1 to 6 Color Offset Digital Printing Dedicated Prepress Full Bindery Mailing Services Creative Design

print@SpotlightGraphics.com • 941-929-1500 • SpotlightGraphics.com 12

The VOICE of the Downtown Merchants

RAFFLE • PRIZES SILENT AUCTION WIN A $5,000 RAFFLE BASKET with a suggested $10 donation benefitting More Too Life

• Beauty & Wellness Products • Clothing & Accessories Presented By • Home & Interior Design vuvatech.com & validatedating.com Products & Services WIN A $5000 RAFFLE BASKET • Transportation a suggested $10 donation benefiting • TravelMore Too Life • Health Beauty & Wellness Products, Clothing & Accessories, andServices, SO MUCH MORE! Home & Interior Design Products• &

RAFFLE • PRIZES • SILENT AUCTION with

Transportation, Travel, Health and SO MUCH MORE! YNOT Productions

941-921-0518 sarasotaexpo.com YNOT Productions • 941-921-0518 • sarasotaexpo.com

Photo by Polo Rios Photography

RAFFLE • PRIZES • SILENT AUCTION

WIN A $5000 RAFFLE BASKET with a suggested $10 donation benefiting More Too Life

The Colors of Spring... Beauty & Wellness Products, Clothing & Accessories, Home & Interior Design Products & Services, Transportation, Travel, Health and SO MUCH MORE!

YNOT Productions • 941-921-0518 • sarasotaexpo.com

www.eleganzaleatheronline.com SDMA • www.sarasotadowntownmerchants.com

Happy Trails...Happy Tails! Dos & Don'ts for Safe Auto Travel with Your Pets

raveling with your pet is so much fun, but pet safety is a critical part of planning the trip. Here are some very important "DOs" and "DON'Ts" that will make your road travels stress free and safe for you and your furry loved one! • For pets that are skittish about traveling by car, DO take frequent "practice runs" around your neighborhood to acclimate your pet to feeling at ease in the car. • DO assemble a pet travel kit to keep in your car. Important items to include: A pet first-aid kit; current vaccination records; medications; food bowls; extra food and treats; extra, sturdy leashes; poop bags; a travel water dish; and plenty of cool, fresh water. • DO be sure to bring a recent photo of your pet with you, just in case you and your pet become separated. • DO take the time to exercise your dog before hitting the highway. Chances are your dog will snooze until it's time to take a potty break. • DON'T feed your dog before leaving home. Traveling on an empty stomach lessens the chances that your pet will suffer car sickness. • DO make sure your pet is micro-chipped and wearing an engraved tag with your name and cell phone number. Also, attach a temporary tag that includes the phone number of your final destination. • DON'T take any road trip

Serving Downtown Sarasota & Beyond! medical clinic of Rosemary

650 Central Avenue • #2 Sarasota, FL 34236

Integrating Holistic & Conventional Medicine

Wm. Steve Koch, DVM

Nationally Recognized for Expertise in the Medical Care of English Bulldogs

Offering the Best in Also Specializing in Contemporary Boston Terriers, Greyhounds & Pugs Pet Care, including: General Health & Wellness Care Internal Medicine • Surgery & Radiology In-House Lab Services • Dental Care Allergy Testing • Microchipping Pet Food & Supplies

Open Monday - Friday: 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. • 941-955-0136 14

without buckling in or crating your dog. Not only can it be distracting for the driver, but it can prove to be very dangerous for you and your pup if you have to stop unexpectedly. According to experts at the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), a dog that weighs 50 pounds can be "projected forward like a cannonball with 1,500 pounds of force in a 35 mph collision!" Restraining your dog also will ensure your dog cannot jump out of the vehicle and run away if you are involved in an accident. • DON'T let your dog ride with his or her head out the window. Not only can debris, dirt or rocks puncture his or her eyes, but the intense wind can cause painful swelling of your pup's ears. • DON'T ever leave your pet alone in a vehicle, even with the windows cracked open. According to People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), the temperature inside a parked car can reach between 100 and 120 degrees within minutes when the temperature outdoors is only 78 degrees. PETA also reports that animals can suffer brain damage and die from heatstroke in as little as 15 minutes! Another reason not to leave your dog in the car: The Humane Society of the United States reports that numerous animals are stolen from unattended cars every year! Downtown Wag is brought to Watch for airtravel tips for your you by PetLoversMarket.com & pets in our next Suncoast Pet (SuncoastPet.com) issue of The VOICE!

downtown wag’ s 1st cover photo contest! PICTURE THIS— Your Dog’s Photo on the Cover of The VOICE! Contest Open to Companion Dogs of: • • • •

Downtown Merchants Downtown Residents Merchant Employees Sarasota City Officials/ Employees

Submit Your Pup’s Photo Online at sdmavoice@gmail.com by Friday, May 6, 2016 for a Chance for Your Dog to be Featured on the Cover of Our Summer Issue! New Name.. New Location..

. .Same Exceptional Care!

The VOICE of the Downtown Merchants

New ways To Live DowNTowN Leap iNTo Luxury wiTh The Mark & saNsara Rising to the top of Sarasota’s dynamic downtown renaissance is THE MARK, a new destination for those seeking to live, work, walk and play in the center of it all. This 12-story, beautifully designed, value-priced condominium building on State Street will include 157 residential units and 35,000 square feet of ground floor retail and office space, including “The Promenade,” an engaging alfresco shopping and dining experience.

The Mark SANSARA is an exclusive, 10-story boutique building with 17 deluxe units, located on the corner of Ringling and Pineapple at the entrance to the Burns Court neighborhood. Completion date is Summer 2016, with only 3 units remaining to be sold. This iconic building blends Zen-like aesthetics with luxurious urban appeal by using natural elements, such as rich woods, bamboo, water features, stone and a selection of native plant species.

saNsara

For a Private Presentation, Call the Downtown Experts... Nancy Lindeman

Robert Lindeman

941-400-2656

941-504-2123

nancy@lindeman.com

robert@lindeman.com

Michael Saunders & Company