After back-to-back hurricanes ravaged our region last fall, our community was left to pick up the pieces, with businesses in ruins and livelihoods uncertain. But as the storm clouds cleared, a resilient spirit began to rise from the wreckage. Shop owners, employees and volunteers came together, each determined to rebuild not just their businesses, but the heart of the town itself. With every hour spent rebuilding, they are reminded that while nature may tear down a structure, a resilient community will always rise again. WRITTEN BY BARBIE HEIT, KATE WIGHT AND SOLYMAR ESTRELLA
PHOTOGRAPHY BY WYATT KOSTYGAN AND WES ROBERTS
This page: Sherman Baldwin of Hart’s Landing, photo by Wes Roberts.
31 WOMEN WHO ROAR AWARDS SHOWCASE FEATURING THE HONOREES OF THE 2024 WOMEN WHO ROAR PROGRAM
65 ELITE TOP ATTORNEYS LEGAL GUIDE FEATURING HONOREES FROM THE 2024 ELITE TOP ATTORNEYS PEER REVIEW PROGRAM
srqist 12
From a runaway teen to a runaway success, culinary expert and nationally recognized restaurateur Cameron Mitchell brings his passion for dining to the Quay Sarasota. With a new lifestyle brand and book, Tatyana Sharoubim-Stewart is living her dream life. Bradenton-based Rizome is dedicated to saving trees by using bamboo. Entrepreneur Ronnie Shugar is ready to make his mark on downtown Sarasota. Recently recognized by the American
Institute of Architects, renowned architect Gary Hoyt has left a lasting impression on downtown Sarasota.
culture city 53
As Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe brings Fences to the stage, founder Nate Jacobs looks back on 25 years in Sarasota and the fateful meeting that stayed the course. A new show at Florida Studio Theatre, The Heart Sellers, gives an intimate look at an immigrant experience.
cargo 61
Sweets and jewelry are the perfect pairing for Valentine’s Day.
forage 78
Drew Adams, chef/owner of Adeline, on finding an identity in the Sarasota culinary landscape. It’s a hands-on adventure at Bulgogi House, where the grill is hot and meat is endless.
giving coast 85
The unwavering commitment of Marla and Jim Doss to their community is an inspiration to all.
Cover: The iconic Rod and Reel Pier Restaurant at the Northern tip of Anna Maria suffered damage from the back to back storms, photography by Wyatt Kostygan.. This page, clockwise: Gnocci in parmesan cream sauce by Adeline, photo by Wyatt Kostygan, Rizome bamboo planks, jewelry and sweets for this month’s Cargo, photography by Wyatt Kostygan.
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ORIGINS OF “SRQ”
The “SRQ” in SRQ magazine originates from the designated call letters for the local Sarasota Bradenton International Airport. “SR” was the original abbreviation for the airport before the growth in total number of airports required the use of a three-letter code. Letters like “X” and “Q” were used as filler, thus the original “SR” was revised to “SRQ,” much as the Los Angeles airport became “LAX.” As a regional publication committed to the residents of and visitors to both Sarasota and Manatee counties, SRQ captures the place that we call home.
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This page: From teenage runaway to mega-successful restaurateur, Cameron Mitchell has built an empire with his businesses.
srqist
CULINARY PASSION
nationally recognized restaurateur Cameron Mitchell brings his passion for fine dining to the Quay Sarasota. Barbie Heit
PHOTOGRAPHY BY WES ROBERTS.
WITH A STRING OF SUCCESSFUL RESTAURANTS NATIONWIDE, A FLOURISHING FAMILY AND ACCOLADES FROM TOP BUSINESS PUBLICATIONS,
Cameron Mitchell seems to have it all. But his journey to success was far from easy. Born and raised in Columbus, Ohio, Mitchell struggled as a teen as his parents endured a long, bitter divorce. “I was ranked 592 out of a class of 597 in high school, so there were only five people behind me and my GP was a 1.05,” he recalls. “I still got voted senior class president and most likely to succeed and become president but I was also the most absent. I always said I had the can do but I didn’t have the will do.”
After dropping out of high school and living on the streets for five months as a runaway, he came back to school in his junior year and got a job washing dishes in a steakhouse. One Friday in February, Mitchell recalls the restaurant being filled with about 1,000 people between lunch and dinner. “The bar was just packed, there was crazy, crazy music and I was a cook earning $4.50 an hour. It was 4pm and there was complete pandemonium in the kitchen. I looked across the kitchen, and I thought to myself, ‘I just love this.’” he remembers. “I always knew I would be going to college and I always thought I would be successful, but I didn't know what I wanted to do. But that night, it hit me like a ton of bricks and I knew I wanted to be in the restaurant business for the rest of my life.”
He went home and wrote out his goals—which included becoming an executive chef by age 23, a general manager by 24, a regional manager by 26, a vice president of operations by 30 and the president of a restaurant company by age 35. “I woke my mom up at 1am and told her my goals,” he shares. “Suddenly I was no longer working for the man I was working for myself and my career and my future.” Mitchell applied to the prestigious Culinary Institute of America in New York (CIA) and was turned away initially because of his grades, but he finally got in and succeeded, becoming the youngest ever alumni board chair and the second largest alumni donor
at the school. And perhaps the greatest irony of all—is that the boy who failed English three times in high school ended up marrying a high school English teacher.
With a giving heart today, Mitchell is very philanthropic with his time, talent and treasure, supporting the United Way, various hospitals and educational institutions, most recently partnering with the Community Foundation of Sarasota to support Hurricane Milton recovery efforts. “People don't give much away, or they wait to do it when they die. I want to do it today because I just love taking care of people,” he says. “I want to make as much money as I possibly can. The more money I make the more money I can give away. And that really sums it up.”
Here in Sarasota, the Cameron Mitchell Restaurant group (CMR) is pleased to announce its first local restaurant and 19th location for its Ocean Prime brand located in the heart of The Quay Sarasota—a 14-acre waterfront development that merges the scenic marina setting with luxury residences, upscale shopping and premier culinary experiences.
"We are thrilled to bring our extraordinary Ocean Prime dining experience to Sarasota," says Mitchell. “With our exceptional menu, vibrant atmosphere, and dedication to genuine hospitality, Ocean Prime Sarasota promises to be a premier dining destination for residents and visitors of The Quay." SRQ
Below, clockwise: True Blue
is the latest offering from local business owner,
GOOD VIBES
With a new lifestyle brand and book, Tatyana Sharoubim-Stewart is living her dream life. Barbie Heit
INTRODUCING TRUE BLUE VIBES™, A NEW LIFESTYLE BRAND CELEBRATING AUTHENTIC LIVING AND THE ISLAND SPIRIT. The official launch took place on November 13 at T. Georgiano’s in Sarasota, featuring mocktails, light bites, activities for kids, music by DJ Rossy and refreshments from Tsunami and Beauty Booze. Founded by Sarasota business owner Tatyana Sharoubim-Stewart, True Blue Vibes embodies the beach-centric lifestyle she cherishes.
Vibes
Tatyana Sharoubim-Stewart.
ORIGINALLY FROM NEW YORK, Sharoubim-Stewart moved to Sarasota in 2005 and opened T. Georgiano’s, a fashion boutique that recently celebrated 19 years. The store was named and modeled after her father’s store in Raleigh, NC, a business he owned and operated for about 20 years. The Sarasota store will now feature True Blue Vibes, a curated collection of handcrafted items inspired by surf, sun and soulful connections. As a mother of two, Sharoubim-Stewart sees the brand as a family legacy. “True Blue Vibes is inspired by our love for water, nature and the small moments that make life beautiful,” she says. Traveling the world, she has always wanted to bring a piece of her vacation’s paradise home (although she believes she lives in paradise here) which led to the idea of curating a collection that honors artisans from around the world and Sarasota’s beach culture. SharoubimStewart explains, “Through this collection, I want
to remind our community that, while Sarasota is growing rapidly, we are still a little beach town.” True Blue Vibes celebrates coastal life, family and the value of being true to yourself. In addition to the brand, Sharoubim-Stewart recently released Living Authentic, a book filled with inspirational insights from her life. “This book means everything to me,” she shares. “I want readers to feel seen, loved and empowered to embrace their truest selves.” The book, which grew out of her personal journaling during the pandemic, offers guidance and encouragement, reflecting on her journey of self-discovery.
Sharoubim-Stewart’s brand and book launch signify the culmination of years of hard work. “To see everything come together for my family and the Sarasota community is truly a dream come true,” she says, as she invites others to slow down, connect and live authentically. SRQ
Above, clockwise: With her True Blue Vibes brand, Sharoubim-Stewart celebrates the surf, sun and connections that are part of Sarasota’s culture. True Blue, 1409-B 1st St, Sarasota, tgeorgianos.com.
Right: Entrepreneur Ronnie Shugar is investing in downtown Sarasota through projects like the dazzling Sugar Champagne Bar. Sugar Champagne Bar, 127 South Pineapple Avenue, Sarasota, 941-2339133, sugarbarsrq.com.
SWEET AS SHUGAR
Entrepreneur Ronnie Shugar is ready to make his mark in downtown Sarasota. Kate Wight
“MY FATHER WAS AN ENTREPRENEUR HIS WHOLE LIFE,” “says Ronnie Shugar. “He was originally from Montreal, Canada and he only had an eighth-grade education. He’s where I really learned the discipline of what hard work means.” Shugar, who grew up in Los Angeles, California, followed in his father’s footsteps, becoming an entrepreneur in his own right. He spent much of his career dabbling in the cosmetics and personal care industry, and ten years ago he and his thengirlfriend Donda Mullis started Raw Sugar Living, a wildly successful lifestyle brand producing eco-friendly personal care products. Mullis had family in Longboat Key, so the LA-based couple bought a home there in 2015 and moved to the area full-time in 2019. The pair has since sold the company and parted ways romantically, but Shugar has adopted Sarasota as his own.
"When I first moved downtown I’d get up at five o’clock in the morning because I was going through a breakup and I didn’t sleep a lot,” says Ronnie Shugar. “I’d get a large coffee and I’d walk around the city just looking at the different architecture and buildings. I saw this beautiful, quaint city. It’s not big, the people are lovely. I told my family and friends, ‘This is the Palm Springs of the East Coast’.” Shugar saw the beauty and charm in downtown Sarasota, but he felt the area was underutilized and underappreciated. He made it a personal mission to invest his time and money into revitalizing downtown Sarasota. He serves in a volunteer capacity as Vice Chair of the Downtown Improvement District (DID), a taxing district created to enhance the functionality and appeal of downtown Sarasota. Funded by property taxes from commercial properties within the district, the DID takes on an array of projects that benefit businesses and visitors, including transportation solutions and beautification efforts. He has also invested more than $15 million of his own money into properties in downtown Sarasota with the mission to bring more foot traffic to Palm Avenue. One of Shugar’s proudest accomplishments is his new venture the Sugar Champagne Bar—a sophisticated bar with champagne-based cocktails, elevated small plates and an extravagantly-designed interior that is unlike anything else Sarasota has to offer. “My goal is that for people who visit Sarasota, they’ll want to see the Ringling Museum, they’ll want to see St. Armand’s Circle and they’ll want to see the Sugar Champagne Bar,” Shugar says. “It’s a piece of art and it’s really going to be a landmark for the city.” SRQ
MIRACLE TIMBER
Bradenton-based Rizome is dedicated to saving trees by using bamboo. Barbie Heit
BRADENTON-BASED RIZOME IS DEDICATED TO SAVING TREES BY USING BAMBOO—THE GRASS THAT ACTS LIKE A TREE. Strong as steel and as beautiful as hardwood, bamboo matures in just 3 to 5 years, compared to the 20 to 60 years required for traditional trees. Plus, you can harvest bamboo annually for 70 to 100 years, whereas a tree is gone forever once it's cut down. The company is growing bamboo to serve the construction industry. They started shipping from the Philippines, where giant bamboo flourishes, and are now partnering with citrus farmers in Florida to cultivate giant bamboo as a replacement for citrus trees lost to insect damage. Their goal is to create the world’s most reliable bamboo supply chain. With each acre they plant, they are also capturing carbon and contributing to the healing of the planet. Fred Murrell, chairman of Rizome and chief legal counsel, has a background as both an attorney and coal procurement expert. Together with longtime family friend David Sands—an architect and founder of Bamboo Living, an architecture firm specializing in bamboo buildings and home furnishings for over three decades—Murell became a major investor in Rizome where he currently holds the roles of Chairman and Chief Legal Officer. Both men grew up in Winter Haven, Florida and their families vacationed together for years on Anna Maria Island, making Bradenton an ideal location for their office. This year, Rizome became the recipient of the US Secretary of State Award for Corporate Excellence in the Area of Climate Resilience, being one of only six winners. “We’re proud of the impactful work we do with indigenous peoples in the Philippines, which I believe caught the State Department's attention,” says Murrell. “They recognize that we’re creating income opportunities for these communities and providing education, including financial literacy. It’s crucial for us to not just give them money, but to equip them with the knowledge to manage it effectively.” With about 10,000 employees overseas, Rizome has plans to expand in Florida. “We’re looking to establish a 2,500-acre facility east of Fort Myers,” shares Murrell. “We will hire local Floridians, while also bringing in some experienced staff from our existing factory to help get everything up and running.” SRQ
BIGGER PICTURE
Architect and urban designer Gary Hoyt has quietly been shaping downtown Sarasota.
Kate Wight
Photo by Wyatt Kostygan
LAST SEPTEMBER, LOCAL ARCHITECT GARY HOYT was elevated to the American Institute of Architects’ (AIA) 2024 College of Fellows. Established in 1857, the AIA is an esteemed professional organization for architects that also advocates for the value of architecture in society. The AIA College of Fellows was developed to recognize architects who have achieved a standard of excellence in the profession and who have made significant contributions to architecture and society on a national level. Only three percent of AIA members have achieved this distinction, and Hoyt was the only Florida-based architect to receive this honor last year. The average Sarasota resident may not know Gary Hoyt’s name, but odds are you know his work—over the course of his remarkable career, Hoyt has left an indelible imprint on the city.
Left: Gary Hoyt started Hoyt Architects with a goal of creating vibrant, walkable, cities. Sarasota is one of them. Hoyt Architects, 1527 2nd Street, Sarasota, 941-366-6066, hoytarchitects.com.
“I can’t say our whole family was into architecture, but when I look back at it I was always drawing,” Hoyt says. “When I was in school, back in the old days, you used to have to do shop and mechanical drawing. I’d done a lot of artwork before that in school, but once I started doing mechanical drawing the structured part of it really did attract me.”
Hoyt went on to attend the University of Florida where he got his degree in architecture with a minor in environmental engineering. After leaving school, he spent four years working for Tim Siebert, one of the founders of the modern movement known as the Sarasota School of Architecture. During Hoyt’s time there, Siebert's office was working with renowned design firm SWA Group on the master plan for Longboat Key. Hoyt had the opportunity to participate in a project charrette (a type of intensive collaboration sometimes used in planning) at SWA’s downtown Boston office where he connected with Moshe Safdie. At the time, Safdie was the head of the Urban Design program at Harvard’s Graduate School of Design. Hoyt went on to relocate to Boston and to join Moshe Safdie & Associates where he worked closely with Safdie—the two remain in touch to this day.
During his time in Boston, Hoyt deepened his knowledge of urban design by working on projects including the National Gallery of Canada, the Cambridge Center in Massachusetts and Columbus Circle in New York. He eventually left Safdie’s office and started Design Options, one of the first third-party software products dedicated to using computer-aided drafting as a design tool. Hoyt reached a point where wanted to combine his experience with architecture, urban design and technology in one studio, and saw Sarasota as the ideal location to start a design firm. He founded Hoyt Architects in 1993 as an architecture and urban design firm committed to creating vibrant walkable cities. Urban design is the process of shaping the physical features of cities, towns and public spaces to create environments that are cohesive, functional and sustainable. It focuses on enhancing the overall quality of urban life through the arrangement and design of buildings, streets, parks and other public areas. While architecture deals with the design of individual buildings, urban design ensures that the structures integrate harmoniously into the larger urban landscape. Not every architect is an urban planner and not every urban planner is an architect, but at Hoyt Architects they have always looked at the bigger picture.
Spread, clockwise: The Mark, exterior rendering; Bayside, interior rendering; Sarasota Modern, interior rendering; Pearl, exterior rendering; Longobat Key Pavilion, exterior rendering; Peninsula Sarasota, exterior rendering; and, SOTA Hotel Residences, interior rendering. Images courtesy of Hoyt Architects
“Historically, if you go back to the fifties and sixties, zoning was inherently exclusionary. Everything was isolated. We think everything should be integrated. When you can look at a building not just as a single sculpture, but as part of a more complex whole, that sort of gets our juices going. Even a really great hotel is like a small city,” Hoyt explains. “If you know our office, we blend a lot of pieces in the architecture field. We deal not just with buildings, but we deal with sites and master planning. We love the craft of architecture, we love getting things built. And so it’s always been about bringing everything together.”
In recent years, downtown Sarasota has become known as a thriving, walkable metropolis and Hoyt has played a significant role in the area’s evolution. It’s not just that he has designed buildings that are culturally significant, though he has: Hoyt has literally helped redefine the landscape of the downtown area. One significant example of this is the Selby Public Library, an early and significant part of Sarasota’s revitalization, that Hoyt collaborated closely on with late architect Eugene Aubry. When the library opened in November 1998, it became a cultural and architectural landmark that set the tone for downtown’s transformation.
“It sounds hard to believe now, but it was somewhat controversial that we were putting a library downtown. People said we didn’t need one there,” Hoyt says. “People also said no one would walk that far. At that time, between first and second, there was really nothing out there besides an old bank parking lot. It was a pretty sketchy area.”
Left: Architect and urban planner Gary Hoyt has helped shape downtown Sarasota into what it is today.
It was also an area that was poorly-defined, an issue that Hoyt and Aubry solved through the design of the library itself. In architecture and urban planning, there is a concept called building to the edge, which is when a structure is designed so that it extends all the way to the boundary of the property line or the edge of the sidewalk. Not only does this maximize space, it delineates the streetscape more clearly by creating a defined street wall that gives the area a sense of enclosure and continuity. Building to the edge also enhances walkability by placing display windows and entrances to shops and cafes directly along the sidewalk, encouraging pedestrian activity. It’s a strategy Hoyt has used in other downtown projects like Aloft, One Palm, The Desota, The Jewel, The Mark and many more.
“Sarasota has very high walkability scores compared to other cities, and I think it’s been by basically curating a city building by building and always keeping an eye on the larger planning issues that you’re having to confront to solve problems,” Hoyt says. “Design issues like making sure you have clear glass at the ground floor so there’s a transparency to the street.”
Hoyt’s influence in Sarasota extends far beyond the boundaries of downtown. His lengthy portfolio includes impressive projects like the Ed Smith Stadium, the redesign of Bayfront Park, the master plan and buildings of Main Street at Lakewood Ranch and the master plan for the Patriot Plaza at the Sarasota National Cemetery. Hoyt has also done work on national and global platforms. He cofounded Imerza, a software that facilitates interactive, realtime modeling for design teams. This technology has been used to develop digital twin design models for the redevelopment of Washington DC's Walter Reed Medical Center, a new city in Saudi Arabia called Qiddiya and the new SM Smart City development in Manila Bay in the Philippines. It is the totality of his achievements that earned him deserved recognition as a member of the AIA College of Fellows. Here in Sarasota, we’ve been quietly benefiting from his unique vision for decades.
“I think the idea here in Sarasota was, let’s just create this really great city and let’s do it with buildings for live, work and play that engage and enliven the street,” Hoyt says. ”Whether we’re doing urban projects or environmental projects, we believe a project isn’t only the structure, but it’s also the context that the structure is in. And I think that’s really been the passion of our office overall was to create a studio that integrated architectural buildings into the intricate tapestry of uses that make up a city.” SRQ
WOMEN
AWARDS SUPPLEMENT
RECOGNIZING WOMEN LEADERS IN SARASOTA AND BRADENTON WHO HAVE MADE MEANINGFUL AND SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTIONS IN THE AREAS OF BUSINESS, HEALTH, EDUCATION, ENTREPRENEURSHIP, SCIENCE, SPORTS, PHILANTHROPY AND THE ARTS.
PROGRAM PRODUCED BY SRQ MEDIA | LISL LIANG, ASHLEY GRANT PHOTOGRAPHY BY WYATT KOSTYGAN
SRQ WOMEN WHO ROAR COMPETITON OVERVIEW
Meet Our 2024 Competition Judges
Jo Watson Hackl ATTORNEY, WYCHE, P.A.
Each year SRQ Magazine invites the community to nominate women they feel exemplify the personal integrity, expertise and community engagement qualities recognized by the Women Who Roar (WWR) platform in our regional change makers. Nominees are asked to share their insights with our judges in nine key areas via a written application. Judges from the national arena spend time with and score each nominee’s application to render the selection of the honorees who are then inducted into the WWR Leadership Circle at the Annual Togther We Roar Leadership and Awards Luncheon hosted each year at Michael’s On East.
Jo Watson Hackl is an attorney with Wyche, P.A., in Greenville, SC, where she concentrates her practice in corporate and securities law and has helped register over $1 billion in securities. Hackl is past President of the Greenville County Bar Association and was selected by the Best Lawyers in America listing as the 2015 Greenville Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships) Lawyer of the Year. She is a Liberty Fellow and Riley Fellow and has been recognized as a Woman of Achievement by the YWCA. She was the first woman to serve as Chair of the Greenville Area Development Corporation. She also serves on the Boards of the United Way of Greenville County, EMRYS and Camperdown Academy. She holds a BA from Millsaps College and a JD from Yale Law School. Hackl is also a writer and outdoors enthusiast. She is the founder of Outdoorosity.org, a website devoted to providing inspiration and information about the outdoors.
Kellee M. Johnson PRINCIPAL, THE BALLAST GROUP
In 2005, Kellee Johnson founded the Ballast Group, an integrated communications strategy firm, after serving as director of corporate marketing for Abbott Laboratories, where she managed 25 global teams. She then spent five years managing corporate communications for Tropicana, a multi-billion dollar division of PepsiCo, based in Bradenton at the time. Johnson has built and refined domestic brands of global companies and provided lead generation and growth for startup companies. She and her team build better relationships with stakeholders through storytelling that leverages qualified third parties in multiple integrated LISA App, communication channels. Johnson serves as a partner and advisor to the first open marketplace for on-demand beauty that connects artists and clients, based in Chicago. Focusing on all aspects of consumer products, healthcare and high-tech, Johnson has helped companies such as Hyatt, Kaiser Permanente, Stericycle, Safeway, Target, Cisco and Ultimate Software think differently about their relationships.
Ria Persad FOUNDER, STATWEATHER
Ria Persad was born on June 18, 1974, in Trinidad and Tobago, is of East Indian descent, and moved to the United States of America as a small child. She is both a mathematician and a classical musician and was a child prodigy. She currently mentors technology companies and is signed as a fashion model. Persad is the author of the book All Things are Possible: Unleashing the Superhuman Within, available on Amazon. She was the founding CEO of StatWeather, recognized as the 2015 Top Data Provider Globally through Energy Risk Awards, Top U.S. Weather Company in Energy Risk Software Rankings 2013, Best Newcomer of the Year 2013, a 2014 Platts Global Energy Awards "Rising Star", and in the Top 5 Most Innovative Companies in America in 2015 through MeetAdvisor.
Samantha Bond Richman PRESIDENT/FOUNDER, SAM BOND BENEFIT GROUP
Samantha has provided guidance to business owners seeking solutions for employee benefits, payroll administration, workers’ compensation, liability reduction, and multiple employer 401(k) plans for over thirty years. Initially hired as an hourly employee, Samantha developed her career into a commission only sales representative position, company shareholder, and with the sale of her former employer, into an independent broker of PEO services in 2006. Her company holds Life, Health & Annuity (2-15) licenses in Florida and Virginia. She is a member of the National Association of Benefits and Insurance Professionals (NABIP) and the National Association of Professional Employer Organizations (NAPEO). Sam Bond Benefit Group is a certified Disadvantaged Woman Owned Business Enterprise (DWBE) and certified Small Business Enterprise (SBE). A resident of the Tampa Bay area since 1986, Samantha graduated in 1988 with a B.A. in Mass Communications from University of South Florida
Meet the Trailblazer and Illuminator Award Honorees
Kate Wight TRAILBLAZER AWARD HONOREE
Kate White is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of eighteen novels of suspense: ten standalone psychological thrillers, including The Last Time She Saw Him (2024), and eight Bailey Weggins mysteries. A former Glamour magazine cover girl, Kate spent the first part of her career in the magazine business, eventually running several different magazines. For fourteen years she was the editor-in-chief of Cosmopolitan, which under her became the most successful magazine in single copy sales in the U.S. Though she loved her magazine career, she decided to leave ten years ago to concentrate full-time on another passion: writing suspense fiction. Kate’s first mystery, If Looks Could Kill, was a Kelly Ripa Book Club pick, a #1 bestseller on Amazon, and an instant New York Times bestseller. She is also the author of several bestselling career books, including I Shouldn’t Be Telling You This and the ground-breaking Wall Street Journal bestseller, Why Good Girls Don’t Get Ahead but Gutsy Girls Do. Kate is an avid traveler and enjoys spending each winter with her husband at their home in Uruguay. She holds an honorary doctorate of letters from her alma mater, Union College, where she gave the 2022 commencement address.
Elyse Delucci ILLUMINATOR AWARD HONOREE
Elyse Delucci is a New York-based standup comedian and writer. Her comedy material focuses on growing up in a middle class, Italian-American family, her former Wall Street career, intercultural marriage, divorce, food, exhaustion, co-parenting, motherhood and being a fish out of water on Manahattan’s Upper East Side. Elyse is a social media influencer with over 330,000 followers and over 60 million views on TikTok and Instagram. She’s the creator of the fan-favorite podcast New York Tawk, where she speaks off-the-cuff about recent experiences, current events and her life. The podcast has over 20,000 monthly listeners, 5 star reviews and is available on Apple an Spotify. In 2021, she was named one of New York’s Funniest in the New York Comedy Festival. Elyse is a graudate of St. John’s University with graduate programs from Harvard Business School in digital strategy and University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Business in managerial economics and leadership. She’s refreshing, smart, relatable and the best friend you always wanted. She lives in Manhattan, New York with her two daughters.
THANK YOU 2024 TOGETHER WE ROAR SPONSORS
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Meet Our 2024 Women Who Roar Honorees
Amanda Ballard
Manatee County Commissioner Amanda Ballard grew up in upstate South Carolina and moved to Manatee County just after graduating law school in 2014. Amanda has spent her career as an attorney in the local child welfare system and has a passion for helping children and underserved communities. She is on the Board of Directors with Feeding Empty Little Tummies (F.E.L.T.) in Palmetto and volunteers with Junior League of Manatee County.
Jill Bowen , Esq
Attorney, Berlin Patten Ebling Jill Bowen primarily practices in the areas of residential real property and commercial transactions. Jill grew up in Englewood, Florida, and obtained her undergraduate degree from the University of South Florida in 2015 and her Juris Doctor, with honors, from Florida State University College of Law in 2019. In law school, she received multiple Book Awards for academic performance in Evidence, Land Use Regulation, Coastal & Ocean Law and Legal Writing.
Barbara Ford-Coates
Former Sarasota County Tax Collector Ford-Coates has been honored numerous times for her dedication and accomplishments. Governor Lawton Chiles appointed her to the 1998 Constitution Revision Commission. In 2008, she was named the Outstanding Tax Collector in the United States. When the Girl Scouts celebrated their centennial, Ford-Coates was named one of 100 Girl Scout Greats, and in 2016, she was named by Thomson Reuters as a Public Sector Champion for Excellence in Office Leadership.
Robyn Faucy
CEO/Co-Owner, Result 1st Robyn Faucy is a speaker, change agent and the CEO and Co-owner of Results 1st where she is an expert at guiding individuals and organizations to achieve aggressive and transformative results. Robyn has a successful track record in non-profit and for-profit organizations where her leadership resulted in significant financial growth and increased community engagement and client achievement.
Kelly M. Harb, CMP
Vice President of Marketing & Communications, Visit Sarasota County Kelly Harb’s career began at Visit Sarasota County 16 years ago as the Meeting Sales Manager. Shortly after earning her CMP certification, she moved into the Director of Sales role and began working with the International market. Harb is now the Vice President of Marketing & Communications. In this role, she tries each day to lead with passion, leveraging her expertise to enhance Visit Sarasota’s brand’s reach and impact.
Tanna Horner
CEO/Executive Director, Peace River Botanical & Sculpture Gardens After being an educator for more than 20 years, Tanna Horner decided to share her profound passion for nature and art at the Peace River Botanical and Sculpture Gardens where the mission is to provide a natural setting along the Peace River showcasing world class sculpture and unique botanicals to inspire creativity throughout the community and the opportunity for education and research.
Lienna May, MS, CNS, LND
Owner, Lucky Avocado Nutrition Lienna May is a Certified Nutrition Specialist who is board certified by the American Nutrition Association and licensed by the State of Florida as a Dietician/Nutritionist. Along with a master’s degree in nutrition from one of the most advanced scientific and evidence-based nutrition programs in the country, she is certified in the Science of Well Being by Yale University.
Mercedes Soler-Martinez
President, Solmart Media LLC Mercedes Soler-Martinez currently works with her husband, Tom Martínez, at Solmart Media, LLC. Solmart Media, LLC is their radio and digital media company. As President of the company, she oversees editorial content, community outreach, advocacy and marketing. Mercedes has been awarded 5 Emmys from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, as well as 1 Peabody and 1 GLAAD award, for her contributions to Spanish television in the U.S.
Angie Stringer
President and CEO, Girls Inc. Angie Stringer has been president & CEO of Girls Inc. of Sarasota County since August 2015. Prior to joining Girls Inc., she was director of major gifts at Children First. Stringer has more than 20 years of experience in the non-profit sector, including direct program supervision, program development, strategic planning, staff management, fiscal planning, fundraising, and marketing.
Victoria Stultz
License Partner/Broker Owner, Engel & Völkers Originally from Boston, Victoria has been working in the real estate industry for over 22 years. She began her career in Cincinnati, where she worked in sales for a Fortune 500 company for several years before transitioning into real estate with a prominent brokerage. After selling her business in 2001, Victoria and her family relocated to Sarasota, where she continued her real estate career. Her negotiating skills, business experience and vibrant personality have resulted in a proven track record.
Michael Tollerton
Corporate Risk Control, FCCI Insurance Group Michael Tollerton is a Sarasota native and graduate of the United States Military Academy in West Point, NY. She currently works with FCCI Insurance Group Corporate Underwriting as Corporate Risk Control. Michael resides in Parrish, FL with her husband, Elvis Downs and daughter, Evelyn.
Cheyenne Williams
Owner, Shiney Day Specialized Pet Care From the time she was just five years old, Cheyenne has been passionate about animals. While she had an early interest in becoming a marine biologist, she chose instead to pursue training as a veterinary technician. She earned her certification in veterinary assisting while she was still in high school from the program at SCTI (now Suncoast Technical College). She has been working in veterinary practices and veterinary emergency hospitals in Sarasota county since she was just 16 years of age.
CHEYENNE WILLIAMS , OWNER | SHINEY DAY SPECIALIZED PET CARE
“Just as every life is worth saving, Every soul—human or animal— deserves care, compassion, and unconditional love.”
HOW HAVE YOU DRAWN FROM THE EXPERIENCES OF YOUR PERSONAL LIFE TO TRANSFORM THE WORK YOU DO IN YOUR CAREER?
Losing my mom to suicide was a pivotal moment that changed everything for me. It taught me the fragility of life, the importance of connection, and the power of showing up for others, even in small ways. I’ve brought those lessons into both my professional and personal life. In my business, I strive to create a sense of trust and care with my clients, treating every animal and owner as if they’re family. In my work with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, I channel my grief into action, building programs and fostering conversations that save lives. My personal experiences have given me a depth of understanding and empathy that I carry into every aspect of my work.
WHAT HAS BEEN THE BIGGEST SURPRISE ABOUT SUCCESS THAT YOU’VE REALIZED? The biggest surprise about success has been realizing that it’s not about accolades, numbers or external recognition. Success, for me, is about the lives I’ve touched, the relationships I’ve built, and the positive impact I’ve been able to make. It’s the small moments—seeing a pet thrive under my care, hearing someone share their story of hope after a conversation we had, or witnessing the ripple effect of a community coming together for a cause. Those are the moments that truly define success.
RISING FROM THE STORM
After back-to-back hurricanes ravaged our region last fall, our community was left to pick up the pieces, with businesses in ruins and livelihoods uncertain. But as the storm clouds cleared, a resilient spirit began to rise from the wreckage. Shop owners, employees and volunteers came together, each determined to rebuild not just their businesses, but the heart of the town itself. With every hour spent rebuilding, they are reminded that while nature may tear down a structure, a resilient community will always rise again.
WRITTEN BY BARBIE HEIT, KATE WIGHT AND
PHOTOGRAPHY BY WYATT KOSTYGAN | WES ROBERTS.
This spread, left to right: Ringling Bridge Causeway and Fishing Pier. The Original Sand Dollar in Holmes Beach in the wake of the storms.
ANNA MARIA + HOLMES BEACH
VISITORS ARE DRAWN TO ANNA MARIA ISLAND BY THE WARM, INVITING WATERS OF THE GULF OF MEXICO AND THE PRISTINE STRETCHES OF WHITE SAND BEACHES. But the same qualities that make the Island so enticing also leave it particularly vulnerable to storm surges and flooding. The sandy soil quickly becomes saturated, leaving excess water to pool in low-lying areas. Meanwhile, the Island’s flat topography limits the natural flow of water and exacerbates flood risks. Even a thunderstorm can cause temporary but significant flooding on Anna Maria Island. The one-two punch of Hurricanes Helene and Milton brought devastation that was unlike anything its residents had ever experienced.
“You’re not meeting anyone that hasn’t been affected by this to some extent,” says Darcie Duncan. “Every single property, every single business except maybe a small handful. Everybody’s in the same boat.” Duncan, an Island native, is the owner of Duncan Real Estate. In addition to selling properties, her firm offers property management services and manages many of the vacation rentals that have proliferated in recent years. While Duncan was able to reopen her Holmes Beach office fairly quickly, her office on Pine Avenue in Anna Maria took on substantially more damage and required a lengthier closure. Duncan’s focus isn’t on herself, though: since day one, she has spearheaded community-driven relief efforts. In the immediate aftermath of Helene, when roads to the Island were closed, Duncan had supplies including food and water delivered by boat to her dock and distributed them to people who needed them. She started a Facebook group called Anna Maria Island Hurricane Relief to open up lines of communication which currently boasts over 8,000 members. In November she realized that many islanders still wouldn’t have access to working kitchens so she decided to organize a community Thanksgiving meal at The Center of Anna Maria Island, an event that was attended by over 400 people with much of the food provided by local restaurants and expenses covered by private donations. “If I have to say one thing about myself, I’m a good connector of people,” Duncan says. The Center of Anna Maria Island (or The Center as it is more colloquially known) is a nonprofit community center that has served the Island’s population for decades. After Helene, it became a sort of de facto emergency operations center. “We were able to use The Center as a hub of community resources. We immediately started a volunteer database for people who needed help at their houses which was probably 80 percent of the Island,” says executive director Chris Culhane. “We had well over 1,000 volunteers over the couple of weeks of hurricane chaos and I think we went to over 500 houses.”
The Center also became a distribution center for the truckloads of donations that rolled in from places as far away as Pittsburgh, Oklahoma and Wisconsin, as well as Sanibel Island which has its own harrowing hurricane history in the recent past. The kitchen at The Center was used to prepare meals for volunteers and for residents without functioning kitchens. Culhane wasn’t just thinking about the immediate impact of the storms—he was worried about the long-term financial ramifications for local hospitality workers who were out of work while the businesses they worked for were rebuilding. The Center puts on several concert events every year, so Culhane used his expertise to pull together a massive benefit concert in just three weeks. The Rock ‘N’ Support Concert was held at the Bradenton Area Convention Center on November 15, 2024 and featured headliners Lynyrd Skynyrd and special guest Marcus King. All proceeds went to two local nonprofit organizations (Shuckin’ Good Cause and The Center of Anna Maria Island’s Hurricane Relief Fund) who funded grants for displaced hospitality workers. “I went from hurricane chaos to concert chaos. Very different kinds of chaos,” Culhane says. “But we probably raised close to $400,000 to support all of the hospitality workers.”
Many of these hospitality workers are restaurant workers. For some restaurants, the future remains uncertain. For over 75 years, The Rod & Reel Pier has been an Anna Maria landmark. The pier sustained significant damage during Helene, but the two-story restaurant at the end was still intact. When Islanders woke up the morning after Milton though, they were greeted by a strange and sobering sight. Milton had completely destroyed The Rod & Reel, leaving behind only the pilings and the iconic sign. Owner Oliver “Oli” Lemke has been outspoken about his plans to rebuild, but zoning issues and the difficulties of insuring a new structure may make that a challenge.
The Waterfront Restaurant is another eatery at the north end of the Island that suffered through severe damages. Owner Jason Suzor has experience rebuilding after a disaster. In 2004, just two years after his family purchased it, the original Waterfront building was almost completely destroyed in a fire and took almost nine months to reopen. Twenty years later, The Waterfront was flooded with as much as 4 1/2 feet of water in the back-to-back hurricanes, and clean-up was complicated by residue from the restaurant’s grease traps. Many of Suzor’s employees helped with the physical work of cleanup and assisted the contractors in an effort to hasten the reopening. Ultimately, The Waterfront was able to open its doors on December 3.
This spread, clockwise: One local resident designed AMI Strong car magnets, with proceeds being donated to The Center of Anna Maria Island. Captain Ben Webb of Anna Maria Island Dolphin Tours interviewed residents about their personal recovery stories. Resilient restaurant owner Jason Suzor stands in front of The Waterfront Restaurant.
“I appreciate everyone’s support in the community,” Suzor says. “I’ve had so many people come by volunteering their time, just wanting to help out.”
Suzor is one of several local business owners who shared their story of rebuilding with Island native Ben Webb. Webb started a YouTube channel in the aftermath of the hurricanes to give storm survivors a platform to give their personal accounts of recovery. It’s a topic that hits close to home for Webb—he is the owner of Anna Maria Island Dolphin Tours, a tour boat company that takes groups out to see dolphins and other natural wonders around Anna Maria Island and Egmont Key.
“We’ve never been hit, and so you kind of live in denial,” Webb says. “And when it happens it’s just like, ‘Okay, what do I do to continue on?’”
Webb has a house and two offices, and all three were destroyed by the hurricanes. But his biggest concern is the people who work for him who have now lost their way of making a living. In the weeks after the storm, the business was flooded with cancellations by visitors who were changing their vacation plans. The amount of refunds that had to be issued were crushing for a small business. Fortunately, Webb began to see a rebound in bookings in advance of Christmas and New Year’s and is optimistic that trend will continue.
“Hopefully in March a lot more places are going to be open and we’ll be in good shape,” he says.
One of the first businesses to open on the Island was the Original Sand Dollar, a beach-themed boutique and gift shop that has been an Island staple since the 1960s. But just because it reopened relatively quickly, it doesn’t mean it didn’t take on its share of damage.
“It was awful,” says owner Julia Duytschaver. “We probably had almost four feet of water through the whole store. We had floors that had actually bubbled up. It was bizarre. There were three broken windows from the water pressure. Things were floating everywhere.”
Duytschaver, her husband, some employees and even some volunteers rolled up their sleeves and got to work, spending ten hours a day cleaning up the store. They took out the wood floors and left the concrete exposed. Duytschaver’s husband put starfish on the floor and spray painted around them, creating a kind of negative space pattern. She took advantage of what she calls a forced remodel to make some big changes she had been thinking about anyway, like building new fitting rooms and changing the store’s layout. It’s a sweet reward after a lot of hard work. But that work isn’t done.
“In a lot of ways this has pulled people together, especially business owners,” Duytschaver says. “We’ve been so purposeful about getting lunch or patronizing the local places that are open. We always want to shop local anyway, but now we’ve all really banded together. It’s not a competition. We all help each other.”
BRADENTON BEACH + BRIDGE STREET
page,
became a hub for storm recovery efforts. With a lot of effort and the help
This
clockwise: Chris Culhane is executive director of The Center of Anna Maria Island, which
of her community, Julia Duytschaver was able to reopen the Original Sand Dollar in Holmes Beach. Rejane Monetti of Monetti Apparel feels fortunate in the wake of the storms.
BRADENTON BEACH IS ONE OF THREE CITIES ON ANNA MARIA ISLAND, AND IT HAS ITS OWN DISTINCT VIBE. The city’s identity has been carefully cultivated by many area businesses under the umbrella of the Bradenton Beach Merchants Association (BBMA), a nonprofit organization devoted to promoting economic vitality in Bradenton Beach while preserving the unique character of the city’s historic Bridge Street area. The business community in Bradenton Beach is a close-knit one, and those bonds have grown even tighter in the wake of Hurricanes Helene and Milton.
Derek Williams is the president of the BBMA and the owner of Drift-In AMI. Affectionately known as The Drift, this historic bar on Bridge Street has been a favorite among locals and visitors alike since 1925. This local landmark has a storied past, but perhaps its biggest claim to fame is that for a few years in the late 1930s it was owned by baseball great Babe Ruth. With over four feet of water flooding the building, The Drift had to go through an extensive remediation process on the interior. The exterior was also affected, with the outdoor tiki-style seating area taking on a substantial amount of damage. Williams has used the rebuilding process as an opportunity to make some improvements by creating a larger outdoor venue. Renovations are always challenging, and that’s amplified during a natural disaster when construction requirements are under scrutiny from FEMA and resources are spread thin.
“I want to make sure to give some accolades to Darin Cushing who is the building official in Bradenton Beach and Evan Harbus who is the code enforcement officer,” Williams says. “They’ve been out here working extra hours every day for weeks, doing everything they can to meet all these rules and criteria and help with all of the people who have been displaced. They went above and beyond to try to do their best.”
This sentiment is echoed by Amanda Escobio, the owner of Sea-renity Beach Spa & Bou-Tiki, the only spa on the Island that offers a beachfront massage which takes place in a private tiki hut. The boutique also offers a selection of clothing, jewelry, wellness items and beachy gifts—many by local artists and designers. Businesses in Bradenton Beach are accustomed to pulling together, and in the aftermath of the storm many business owners feel supported by their city.
“The mayor, the chief of police and the city attorney have all gone above and beyond to get Bradenton Beach open for business,” Escobio says. “We’re a very motivated group and we’re lucky enough to have the city support.
With a lot of hard work and elbow grease, Escobio was able to reopen Sea-renity the day before Thanksgiving. Though her beachfront hut
did blow away, she was able to offer beachside massages again in time for the Christmas holidays. She owns another business that didn’t fare as well. Body & Sol Spa and Wellness in Anna Maria sustained significant damage—though the structure held, the roof failed entirely. However, Escobio is optimistic that Body & Sol will be able to reopen by March 1, 2025.
Adrienne Cardinale is the co-owner of Shore Thing Tiki Cruises and she’s another person who is vocal in appreciating the efforts of the city, specifically the speed and efficiency with which they approached cleanup after the storms. Not only was there debris strewn everywhere from the hurricane-speed winds, sections of the city were virtually buried under piles of sand. As of December, Cardinale estimated the vast majority had already been cleaned up.
“I think the city realized the importance of looking normal,” she says. “We have tourism coming back and nobody wants to be on vacation and see heartbreak.”
Shore Thing is a locally-owned and operated tour boat business with a twist. On a Shore Thing cruise, guests can enjoy a tour of the local waterways, typically spotting dolphins and other wildlife. But the boat itself is just
but the storms threatened to not only delay those plans but to imperil her existing store. Fortunately, she was able to escape relatively unscathed. Her building sits a little higher on the streets and has floodgates, so while the water got to her door, it didn’t encroach on her space. As a result, Monetti Apparel was the first business in the area to reopen on October 19, 2024. Monetti was also able to open her new store on schedule on November 21. Lourdes Boutique is named after her late mother and features a private line of handcrafted items including apparel and home accessories. Monetti is keenly aware of her good fortune, and wants to help support her neighbors who weren’t so lucky. She has created a collection of items including tote bags, sweaters, hoodies and more, all featuring one of her custom art pieces. Proceeds from these sales will go back to the Bridge Street community.
Steve Bishop also owns multiple businesses in Bradenton Beach both impacted by the hurricanes. Island Time Bar and Grill is a casual, open-air bar and patio located on the ground floor that’s open for lunch and dinner. Bridge Street Bistro is in the same building, on the third floor, and offers upscale-casual seafoodcentric bistro fare. You might think that the
“One day I woke up and I said, ‘I have to express how grateful I am,’” Monetti says. “I created this art which is Noah’s Ark with the Island inside. I felt that we, all of us, were put inside Noah’s Ark and protected by God.” — Rejane Monetti, Monetti Apparel
as much of an experience as the ride. The tiki-themed boats have comfortable couches, a covered bar and bathrooms. The boats at Shore Thing made it through the hurricanes relatively unscathed, but that doesn’t mean the business was unaffected. During Milton, a tree toppled over the canal the boats use to access the marina, making it inaccessible. Another marina they use also sustained extensive damage. Their storefront also took on some flooding, though it was minimal at about six inches. But Cardinale hasn’t let her own struggles stop her from bolstering the rest of the community. She was a very active participant in the annual Christmas on Bridge Street event on December 7, an event that brought the community together and recognized local hurricane heroes.
In the same complex where Shore Thing has a storefront, you can also find Monetti Apparel, a clothing store specializing in fresh and fun beach-ready apparel. Owner and designer Rejane Monetti grew up in Brazil wearing her swimsuit all the time, and creates clothing in swimmable fabric. Monetti was in the process of opening a second store upstairs from her flagship location,
ground floor restaurant would have been hit the hardest, but that wasn’t necessarily the case.
“Our first floor was originally built as a parking garage and so it wasn’t built as a normal first floor,” Bishop explains. “There’s no drywall, there’s no flooring. It’s concrete floors. The electric and plumbing come from the top down and not the bottom up.” Something that did get damaged was the elevator which goes to the third floor, making the bistro upstairs inaccessible to many patrons that are older or mobility challenged. With restaurant attendance down already in the wake of the storm, Bishop decided to focus his efforts on reopening Island Time first, and it was back up and running seven days a week by the first week of November. While the Bistro was closed, Bishop took the opportunity to do some remodeling and lean into a retro vibe reminiscent of the Rat Packera. It’s one more example of how Bradenton Beach business owners took a positive approach to rebuilding after the storms.
REGIONAL ARTS
SOME OF OUR REGION’S MOST CHERISHED MUSEUMS, THEATERS AND ARTS ORGANIZATIONS FACED SIGNIFICANT CHALLENGES IN THE WAKE OF THE HURRICANES. Several were still recovering from the devastation caused by Helene less than two weeks earlier, only to be struck even harder by Milton in some cases. Dedicated staff, volunteers and supporters rallied together to assist in the cleanup, ensuring that “the show must go on.” The Ringling Museum campus fared relatively well through the recent hurricanes, especially considering the widespread devastation in the surrounding area. The Historic Circus Museum sustained roof damage, which is currently being repaired, leading to a temporary closure for a few weeks. Meanwhile, the Museum of Art galleries and the Tibbals Learning Center remain open, and the collections are unharmed. The storm’s most significant impact was on the grounds, where several trees were lost, the banyan trees sustained heavy damage and Ca’d Zan was severely affected, leaving it closed to the public for the foreseeable future. As a campus of Florida State University, The Ringling Museum has benefited from substantial support from the university’s leadership throughout the storm. Their assistance has been essential in securing the campus and supporting recovery efforts. “FSU has been an incredible support, offering immediate attention and care to the grounds the morning after Hurricane Milton hit the area and assisting us in putting structures in place for the ongoing care of our grounds and collections,” says Executive Director Steven High.
The storm’s surge reached a peak of six feet, causing significant damage to the boat dock below the terrace and severely flooding the mansion’s basement. “The basement, which houses the building’s mechanical systems, was inundated with water, so we had to close the building,” says Bethany Ritz, Public Relations Manager for The Ringling. “Additionally, the surge brought in two large boats during high tide, which caused further damage to the terrace. Those repairs will take time.”
Currently, the Bayfront Garden Tour is the only outdoor tour available, aside from the usual art museum tours. Ritz notes that the tour offers a unique opportunity to observe the resilience of nature as it recovers from the storm. “We’re viewing this as a rebirth or reimagining,” she explains. “The concept of resilience fascinates me— how, as individuals and as a community, we adapt to change. That process makes us stronger, more resilient.” The storm also impacted the walkway along the bay.
“Normally, we’d have walking tours through Ca’d Zan several times a day, and tours extending up to The Belvedere Tower,” Ritz says. “But we’re introducing a new tour called the Ringling Legacy Tour. It will combine a walk through the grounds with a visit to the Museum of Art, offering insights into the legacies of John and Mabel Ringling and their influence on Sarasota.”
While the damages are expected to be repairable, a thorough assessment is still needed to evaluate the condition, conservation needs and financial resources required. According to a press release, The Ringling looks forward to welcoming guests back to Ca’ d’Zan as soon as it is fully restored.
The morning after Hurricane Milton, Mary Bensel, executive director of Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall reached out to her facilities manager to check on the status of the iconic theater. “You’re not going to be happy,” he reported. “It’s really bad.” For those who worked within the walls of the theater, it was a disaster unlike anything they had ever faced.
“I actually found it to be worse than COVID,” said Bensel. “During COVID, we were all in it together—the whole theater community, we all supported each other. But with this, despite all the offers of help, we felt a little bit alone. Still, we had the city of Sarasota behind us, and that made a world of difference.”
The Van Wezel had weathered floods before but this hurricane was different. When Bensel arrived at the theater later that afternoon, she found the doors that led down to the kitchen were pushed open, the interior flooded with debris and muck. “It was so slippery, I couldn’t even walk in there,” she recalls. “But the maintenance crew and the tech guys, they went right in. It was heartbreaking. You could see the damage everywhere.”
The fire department had already shut off power to the building and turned off the backup generator for safety, but the theater’s recovery was just beginning. Saltwater had reached the electrical panels, sparking fears of a fire. The kitchen was unrecognizable; appliances floated in the standing water. The rugs in the grand foyer, normally dry, had absorbed the brunt of the water. The surge even made its way up ramps, flooding actor dressing rooms and the orchestra pit below. As the team began to assess the damage, the extent became clear. About four feet of water had entered the building. The orchestra pit had been flooded. The kitchen was gone. The saltwater had corroded drywall, soaked through the carpets and compromised everything electrical.
Opposite page: Executive Director Mary Bensel is grateful for the community’s continued support of Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall.
This spread: Executive Director Steven High of The Ringling stands at the Cad Z’an restoration site.
The shows that had been planned for the holiday season, the heart of Van Wezel’s calendar, were all canceled. “It’s been heartbreaking for me,” Bensel said. “I’m a huge Christmas person, and we had to cancel every Christmas show, which was just so upsetting.”
The staff offered customers the choice between a full refund, a credit for future performance or a donation to support the theater’s recovery. Many patrons chose to donate. One generous woman even wrote a check for $2,500. Despite the devastation, the community support was palpable. But the reality was harsh. “It’s going to take millions to fix this,” Bensel said, estimating the damage at between $7 million and $10 million, though it is still too soon to know for sure. The theater staff and volunteers, led by the facility manager Jerry Sheffer and technical director Nathaniel Myers, have worked around the clock to get the Van Wezel back on its feet. The focus has always been clear: get the theater open in time for the January shows.
While the kitchen was still being rebuilt and new appliances were still being ordered, the staff made a decision to refrain from offering dinners to their patrons. For now, they would offer a full liquor bar and some simple, quick snacks—french fries and other guilty pleasures. “We just want to get the shows on the stage,” Bensel said. “That’s what we’re about. Bringing joy to people.” On January 2nd, the theater reopened with a performance by the National Ballet of Ukraine. Menopause the Musical 2 followed and from January 14-19, they presented the much anticipated Broadway show, Funny Girl.
Both campuses of Marie Selby Botanical Gardens were badly affected by Hurricanes Helene and Milton. Damages included downed power lines, broken glass in the greenhouse, large amounts of debris from fallen trees and destruction of docks and decks. “It’s been incredible how quickly we’ve been able to turn around and reopen and that’s really a testament to our team and the community support,” shares Selby President and CEO, Jennifer Rominiecki. While Selby did have to cancel Lights at Spooky Point, the annual Halloween event at the Historic Spanish Point Campus, they were able to pull off Lights in Bloom®2024 in time for the holidays at the Downtown campus. “Our team worked closely with our lighting partners at Fairs in the Air so that as debris was being cleared, the holiday lights were installed. They basically followed each other through the process of installing two million lights so that all was aglow at Selby Gardens once again.” Although repairs are still taking place, both campuses are open and exhibits like the Orchid Show at the Downtown campus and the Patti Smith exhibit at Historic Spanish Point were able to open as planned. “I think these storms really underscore why we undertook the master plan for our Downtown campus, which is all about resiliency for the long term,” adds Rominiecki, encouraging visitors to attend exhibits and show support of the beautiful bayfront sanctuaries.
Opposite page: Debris had to be cleared away from the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens from the storm. New tile was installed at Columbia Restaurant to replace damaged floors following the storms.
ST. ARMANDS CIRCLE
ST.
ARMANDS CIRCLE
TOOK
A BIG BLOW FROM
BOTH
HURRICANE HELENE AND HURRICANE MILTON. Storm surges and flooding destroyed most of the first floor businesses, leaving little untouched. The vulnerable area had certainly struggled with flooding in the past, but most long-standing tenants report that they had never seen anything of this magnitude before. While some shop and restaurant owners have made the difficult decision to not reopen, several went right to work, striving to come back in time for the bustling holiday season.
Since 1959, Columbia Restaurant has stood as a beloved landmark in St. Armands Circle, drawing in locals and visitors with its timeless Spanish-Cuban flavors and old-word charm. Casey Gonzmart, fifth generation owner and operator, shared the intense recovery process after Helene and the damage to his restaurants, Columbia and Cha Cha Coconuts. Initially, with power and cameras down, they had no idea how bad the damage was. The next day, a team member managed to assess the flood, revealing over 4 feet of water inside both restaurants. The team quickly pivoted from shock to action, bringing in a restoration company to remove saturated drywall and mitigate further damage. Despite the destruction, they made a plan: dry out the buildings, replace materials with more durable options like cement board and start rebuilding. But just as they were nearing completion, Hurricane Milton approached. The team quickly moved materials to higher ground, boarded up windows, and braced for more flooding. Fortunately, the second storm brought only minor flooding (18–22 inches), but debris from surrounding homes piled up in front of the restaurants. Within days, the team got to work cleaning, rebuilding and replacing kitchen equipment. Thanks to a dedicated crew and a strong support system, they managed to reopen both restaurants in just five weeks. Despite the challenges, Gonzmart believes the experience strengthened their team, and when the doors reopened, it was hard to tell anything had ever happened. While rumours circulated that the restaurant was closing for good, Gonzmart maintained that it was always their plan to reopen. “Not only are we the oldest restaurant in Sarasota and a family business, we’re a community restaurant. People rely on us to be open and to be able to celebrate all these amazing life achievements and celebrations,” he says. “We are blessed to have the community that we have that rallies around us and supports us and we felt it was necessary to do everything within our power to get those doors open to not only get our teammates back to work so they could provide for their families but to give the community a sense of hope when everything around us was devastated.”
Cariloha Sarasota , the St. Armands store, known for carrying some of the softest and most sustainable products on the planet, had nearly three feet of water
in the store from Hurricane Helene. “We lost most of our major fixtures, electronics, office equipment, store supplies, marketing materials and about two thirds of our inventory,” says store owner, Jeff Snell. “The lower part of the walls were damaged and the raised wood floor was also destroyed.”
In the two weeks before Hurricane Milton, Snell had removed all of the damaged items. Milton resulted in about the same amount of water in the store but since everything was already removed, this basically just delayed the cleanup and restoration process. Luckily, the glass windows and door were not damaged at all. As for the inside of the store, the owner of the building had all of the damaged drywall and flooring removed.
Since the storm, the damaged drywall has been replaced, the store has been repainted and a new tile floor has been installed. “Unfortunately for us, during the process of painting, the contractors literally removed everything else that was in the store, even what was not damaged by the hurricanes. We were not expecting to have to do a completely new buildout, replacing or reinstalling everything, but that’s where we are now,” adds Snell. “Amazingly, all of our employees are coming back. They worked very hard helping us get all of the damaged items out of the store initially and are helping us get everything put back together.”
Snell had applied for an SBA Loan as soon as the store opened up after Hurricane Helene. “We were actually working with the SBA on our application while we were evacuated during Hurricane Milton. Unfortunately our application was put on hold when the SBA ran out of funds,” he shares. “Losing two and half months of income has been financially devastating and it is because of receiving the Emergency Bridge Loan funds that we were able to keep going and can now reopen. Over the years we have grown a large and loyal customer base. We have been communicating with them by email while we have been closed and they have been calling us to place orders, which we have shipped to them from the main warehouse. This of course hasn’t made up for the revenue lost from being closed, but it will help us replace some of the inventory that was damaged.”
Coming back from over three feet of water from Helene and about a foot of water from Milton in their St. Armands location, Le Macaron French Pastries has reopened and is more beautiful than ever, according to Rosalie Guillem, Founder and CEO. Although grateful to be safe from both storms, Buillem reports that the team was initially quite sad and in shock. “Now is a perfect time to pick up macarons for Valentine’s Day and support the businesses impacted by the storm,” she shares. “We have two new flavors—flavors of orient and cookie butter!”
CITY ISLAND
THE TROPICAL PARADISE KNOWN AS CITY ISLAND, HOME TO KEN THOMPSON PARK, MOTE MARINE LABORATORY AND AQUARIUM AND THE SARASOTA SAILING SQUADRON experienced devastating effects from the storms. With true grit and resilience, these beloved organizations are slowly rebuilding and planning to come back as destinations for picnics, sailing trips and marine education to name a few.
The team at Mote Marine closely monitors weather forecasts to stay prepared for potential storms, but even with careful planning, the organization suffered damage from both Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton. Helene caused significant water damage, while Milton primarily resulted in wind damage.
When a storm is predicted, Mote staff enters full preparation mode to protect both animals and employees. “Though we were saddened by the damage from Hurricanes Helene and Milton, it wasn’t unexpected,” says Public Relations Coordinator Kathryn Gentile. “After Hurricane Helene, the road to City Island was initially blocked, so Mote’s first-response team accessed the aquarium by boat to assess the situation.” Located on a barrier island, Mote serves as the first line of defense against storms. The storm surge and heavy rainfall from Helene led to extensive flooding, damaging ground-floor research labs. One of Mote’s top priorities was maintaining its research operations. To minimize disruptions, affected labs were relocated to other Mote facilities, ensuring scientists could continue their work. As Mote staff worked to address the damage from Helene, Hurricane Milton rapidly approached. Initially predicted to be a Category 5 storm, Milton prompted Mote to take swift action to protect its animals and staff. Many animals were moved to the Mote Aquaculture Research Park (MAP), located 13 miles inland. The facility’s two resident manatees were sent to a partner AZA institution. Though Milton weakened to a Category 3 hurricane before making landfall, it still caused significant wind damage. Once the storm passed, Mote staff immediately resumed recovery efforts. From September 24 to November 22, Mote worked tirelessly to repair the damage and restore operations, despite the challenges of a two-month aquarium closure.
“Our mission is all about continuing to serve Sarasota in the best ways possible by bringing back the family fun, educational programs, formal practices and competitive regattas for our 2,000 members and their families after Hurricanes Helene and Milton,” says Bob Twinem, Commodore. “Due to the devastating damage this season we must immediately prioritize at least $300,000 to restore Sarasota Sailing Squadron operations. We are exploring grants from West Coast Inland Navigation District for the wave fence and junior sailors’ dock replacements and with FEMA to help repair some of the grounds lost
“Mote is deeply grateful for the unwavering support of our 300+ staff, 1,300+ volunteers, 10,000+ members and the Southwest Florida community,” Gentile concludes. “Their generosity and encouragement helped us recover.”
— Kathryn Gentile, Mote Marine
to erosion. Docks and the seawall are uninsurable but critical to our members and our mission. Yet long-range funds for grounds and seawall projects are projected to be more than $1,000,000. We are speaking with the City of Sarasota about funds to replace lost shell and sand over time which is estimated to be up to $200,000.”
Founded in 1949, Sarasota Sailing Squadron is a performance sailing club made up of 600 voting members and thousands of sailor members and their families. “The Squadron is 100 percent volunteer driven,” says general manager Eduardo Sylvestre. “The women’s sailing group, the Luffing Lassies, immediately jumped in with others to clean up and restore our club after Hurricane Milton. “The irony is that even after a terrible hurricane season, we still believe that a rising tide lifts all boats,” sas Sylvestre. “Thank you Sarasota for continuing to support our restoration goals and for donating your time, money, vessels and equipment through Sail Sarasota.”
It’s been all-hands on deck with the help of several volunteers from among the more than 2,000 people who make up the Sarasota Sailing Squadron (SSS) community since Hurricane Milton wreaked havoc. After taking in nearly three feet of water with Helene, Milton’s heavy winds overturned many of the 250 boats kept in the yard, destroying around 30. Efforts have been underway since the storm to help fix all the damage to the property and put things back in order so that youth sailing and other programs can continue.
Hart’s Landing sits at the foot of the John Ringling Causeway and enjoys a beautiful view of all of Sarasota Bay. The local gem and must-see historical landmark established in 1934 is a favorite of residents and tourists alike, partly due to its accessibility by car or boat but unfortunately, they are now closed until further notice due to damages sustained from Hurricane Milton. They are promising to rebuild, but for now, there is no information on timing. “The city paused our lease and for that, I really couldn’t be more appreciative,” says Sarah Baldwin, who co-owns the restaurant with her dad, Sherman Baldwin. “The captains of Sarasota are in my opinion the heart of our economy. They are like sole proprietors and the hardest working people. We definitely want to come back for them.” Fans of the establishment can follow the Facebook page where Baldwin plans to share progress reports and updates.
This spread, left to right: All hands on deck were needed to repair damages at Sarasota Sailing Squadron, image courtesy of Sarasota Sailing Squadron. Mother Nature opened Midnight Pass.
MIDNIGHT PASS
BEFORE 1984, LITTLE SARASOTA BAY WAS DIRECTLY CONNECTED TO THE GULF OF MEXICO through a natural waterway known as Midnight Pass
This “saltwater doorway” separated the barrier islands of Casey Key and Siesta Key, allowing fresh water to flow freely into the bay. This exchange helped flush out debris and supported a healthy, thriving ecosystem with clean, blue waters. In 1984, the Army Corps of Engineers closed off Midnight Pass as part of the construction of the Intracoastal Waterway, cutting off the bay’s direct link to the Gulf. Since then, the closure has sparked ongoing controversy, particularly due to its negative impact on the local ecosystem and water quality. Residents have tried to reopen Midnight Pass for decades without success but when Mother Nature stepped in with back to back hurricanes, their goal of reopening Midnight Pass was achieved. Locals are now hoping the county can figure out how to keep it that way. According to the nonprofit group Restore Midnight Pass, “The new hydrology would improve water circulation, reduce pollution, and increase the viable breeding areas for shrimp, clam, and oysters, all of which are now gone due to the stagnation of the waterways. Restoring the Pass would revitalize the sea grasses, permitting new fish varieties and birds in the immediate vicinity, and restore the crystal blue of the Gulf waters.”
SIESTA KEY VILLAGE
NESTLED IN BETWEEN THE SEA AND THE LAND IS SIESTA KEY VILLAGE. A prominent part of what makes Siesta Key such a desired travel destination is its beautiful beaches and the businesses that surround it. This barrier island is home to businesses that reside on the streets of Ocean Boulevard or Beach Road. Getting back to normalcy and rebuilding after these two storms has been a journey of strength for both the residents and business owners. Siesta Key, and its surrounding areas encountered several feet of storm surge and strong winds during Hurricane Helene and then experienced a head-on hit by the eye of the hurricane during Hurricane Milton several days later. The spirit of the Siesta Key community has been evident as residents and business owners work tirelessly to restore the charm of their beloved island.
One of these businesses that closed their doors for 38 days, Sun Garden Café been a prominent location on the island for 16 years. With a combination of hippy and beachy vibes, Sun Garden Cafe is home to good food that can be enjoyed in a place that promotes happiness. From Bikini
Bagels to Surfer Tacos there is something for everyone to enjoy. Rick and Suzanne Munroe, owners of Sun Garden Cafe, closed their doors for a week in mid-September for a refresh, not knowing what was waiting ahead. Wanting to add a new mural, new pavers, a new refrigerator and other changes was then shifted to having to respond to having eight inches of water inside of their restaurant after Hurricane Helene. The team at Sun Garden Cafe redrywalled where the water seeped through, repainted and put new baseboard down. As news of Hurricane Milton came around, they made extensive preparations. “I like to say that Helene did the damage and then Milton extended the misery,” says Rick Munroe. “Don’t get me wrong, I am a cup-half-full guy. We look better than new after the refresh and the clean-up after the two storms. Being shut for 38 days brings perspective but we are in a bright spot. We’re as clean as ever, brand-new paint, and a new mural in the blue room. The revamp, in part because of the hurricanes, ended up being exactly what we wanted.” As Sun Garden Cafe opened its doors on a sunny day in late October they
welcomed back their regulars along with new customers. “I believed everything was going to be okay. The staff, the customers and even Suzanne and I experienced storm fatigue. Ultimately, it was a healing experience to reopen and get back to normalcy”
A couple of doors down on Ocean Boulevard is Foxy Lady. Lorry Eible, co-owner of Foxy Lady Siesta Key, has been there from the very beginning 52 years ago. Creating a spot that brought high-end fashion to Sarasota, Foxy Lady brought a new demand to the region. In the 1970s when Siesta Key lacked the popularity it has now, Eible worked with others in the area on the beautification of Siesta Key. “We were planting every tree that is in the village and trying to make it a place that people would like to come and visit. Back in the ‘70s, there were not a lot of people visiting because there were not a lot of stores. Slowly but surely we started attracting more and more businesses leading to Siesta Key becoming a destination for tourists,” says Eible. Foxy Lady has seen and undergone every hurricane that has visited Siesta Key for the last half a century. Foxy Lady’s second location on St. Armands Circle bore the brunt of the storm. “The inside of the store was covered in sludge, sand and water. In two weeks we replaced all of the walls and fixed electrical and plumbing. It was like starting from scratch,” says Eible. With Foxy Lady on Siesta Key being located higher up, the flooding associated with Hurricane Helene affected what was in the storage, important documents disappearing as the water filled the building. As Eible and her team restored their location in Anna Maria Island to its former glory, the location in Siesta Key Island was open and ready for business. “Everybody was supporting one another, by sharing information, volunteering their time to clean up and just the overall positivity,” says Eible.
RobinHood Rentals, a one-stop destination for fun activities to help visitors enjoy the area, had no expectations for experiencing the devastation of the storms. In 2009, Mark Toomey decided to start RobinHood Rentals as a nod to where he is from in the UK—Nottingham, England. Since then, the company has flourished due to the influx of tourism that came to the area. One of the first businesses to start renting golf carts on the island, RobinHood Rentals has become a staple within Siesta Key Village. Toomey and his family run the operations at their multiple locations on Siesta Key and Anna Maria Island. As Hurricane Helene approached and RobinHood Rentals boarded up their doors in preparation for what was to come, the team only hoped for the best. Two days later, when travel on the barrier island was deemed safe, Toomey and his family went to check up on their rentals and the building itself. As they arrived they were met with floodwaters that had found their way into their storefront. “To be honest, that feeling when you are first hit with the image of everything is bewildering. All of the scooters, bikes and golf carts were sitting in two feet of water. A lot of the Siesta Key merchandise that tourists love was ruined. It was devastating on all fronts,” says Toomey. Hurricane Milton brought more debris and sludge to the businesses right as they finished cleaning up from Helene.
“It was a feeling of ‘Here we go again . . .’ with Hurricane Milton. With Helene no one expected it to be as bad as it was so we made sure to take extra precautions when Milton passed through,” says Toomey. To give back to the community they loaded up two truckloads of Siesta Key merchandise and transported them to donation centers for the Salvation Army and Florida Youth Ranch. They gave away the 100 bikes and 12 scooters to staff that worked in the village.“We stood out there and asked ‘Anyone want free bikes?,’ and let me tell you those bikes were gone in about 20 minutes,” says Toomey. As the island continues to rebuild, Robinhood Rentals proves that even in the face of nature’s fury, Siesta Key’s spirit endures. “All you can do is take it one day at a time. That’s the secret. Just keep putting one foot forward and deal with it daily.”
This spread, left to right: Mark Toomey invites readers to support the community as they rebuild and rent a street legal golf cart, scooter, scoot coupe or bike at RoginHood Rentals. Lorry Eible, co-owner of Foxy Lady appreciates the hardworking volunteers who helped revive the highend fashion stores after the hurricanes.
Below: Nate Jacobs, founder and artistic director of Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe. Currently onstage at Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe, Fences runs through Feb. 23.
culture city
THE DAY I MET AUGUST WILSON
How a chance meeting with the groundbreaking playwright saved Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe. Phil Lederer
PHOTOGRAPHY BY WES ROBERTS.
culture city
AS WESTCOAST BLACK THEATRE TROUPE BRINGS FENCES TO THE STAGE, FOUNDER NATE JACOBS LOOKS BACK ON 25 YEARS IN SARASOTA AND THE FATEFUL MEETING THAT STAYED THE COURSE. “Don’t you strike out!” It’s a warning. It’s a threat. It’s perhaps the closest Troy Maxson can get to fatherly wisdom when the audience meets him in August Wilson’s Fences. Once a promising baseball player, at 53, Troy’s glory days are long gone and he spends his Monday to Friday riding a garbage truck, piling trash in the back and with bitterness on his soul. He laughs too loud. He drinks from the bottle. He harbors resentment like it could pay the bills. And when Troy tells his son that he better not strike out, it’s not just a father telling a child to shape up and hit curfew; it’s a man warning his son that there are only so many chances in life—even fewer for a black man in 1957— and the choices he makes will define the shape of his life in ways he may not yet understand.
This is all true, though perhaps not in exactly the way Troy intends. Written in 1985 and the sixth in Wilson’s celebrated “Pittsburgh Cycle,” Fences won the Pulitzer, four Tonys, and more when it hit Broadway two years later, introducing the wide world to the complex inner life of the Maxson family, gradually laid bare in a complicated criss-crossing of responsibilities and obligations, promises made and broken, dreams deferred and dreams denied. See the rebellious son, torn between obedience to his father and walking his own path. See the dutiful wife, putting on a brave smile to hold the house together. See the great patriarch himself, the provider putupon, casting a shadow over it all.
“August Wilson was giving America a flyon-the-wall look into the black community, the black family, and the black man,” says WBTT Founder and Artistic Director Nate Jacobs. “It’s a beautiful brown and black story that opens our eyes to the black man’s plight in America at that time.” It’s a plight all-consuming for Troy, looking back on a life misshapen by hostile forces outside his control. The damage becomes generational, and even a world that offers opportunity to his son only widens the gulf between them. And it’s a cruel paradox when progress creates such separation.
But shadows are like ghosts—everyone makes their own. And as the play unfolds, Troy’s inner narrative will be tested. The world is the world but everyone ultimately decides for themselves how to live in it. That is their choice alone. That doesn’t mean it isn’t easier for some than others. But it also doesn’t mean Troy was wrong. He just didn’t always know when he was at bat. It was 2005 when Jacobs met August Wilson. It was at the National Black Theatre Festival (now the International Black Theatre Festival) in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. More accurately, it was in the hallway of a hotel nearby, and, inside his head, Jacobs is screaming, “OH MY GOD! AUGUST WILSON!” To the rest of the world, he calmly walks over and introduces himself as “Nathaniel Jacobs, from Sarasota, Florida.” He tells Wilson about WBTT. He tells him that they’re really struggling. He admits what his heart is afraid might be true. “I don’t know if Sarasota is the place for me,” he says. “The community is not supporting me, and I really don’t know if Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe is going to last.” Maybe he should move to New York City. Try again there.
Wilson studies Jacobs for a moment. Jacobs dares to hope he may receive permission to quit. Instead, Wilson asks a question.
“Why are we in Winston-Salem, North Carolina?”
“For the festival.”
And if Winston-Salem, North Carolina, is good enough for a national theater festival that brings in the best from Hollywood and Broadway, Wilson says, why can’t Jacobs build his theater in Sarasota? “Don’t go to New York,” Wilson says. “You stay in Sarasota because Sarasota is where you’re supposed to be.”
Don’t you strike out.
Wilson would pass two months later.
“He was right,” Jacobs says today, with WBTT well into its 25th anniversary season. A lot has changed since he met August Wilson. A lot accomplished. He still refers to that chance meeting as one of the defining moments of his life. “That was integral to who I am today and that my 25-year-journey is what it is,” he says. “It sunk deep in my soul and my spirit. I was able to set my feet solidly on my path and remain steadfast in the direction I was supposed to go.” And no matter what life throws, he’ll swing for the fences. SRQ
PUT YOUR HEART INTO IT
The cast and crew of The Heart Sellers at Florida Studio Theatre were personally invested in bringing the story to life. Kate Wight
ALMOST SIXTY YEARS AGO, PRESIDENT LYNDON B. JOHNSON SIGNED THE IMMIGRATION AND NATIONALITY ACT OF 1965 INTO LAW. Also known as the Hart-Celler Act, this law eliminated previous immigration policies that were heavily biased in favor of European immigrants and opened the doors for people from Asia, Latin America and other parts of the world to immigrate to the United States. In the play The Heart Sellers, two Asian immigrants named Jane and Luna forge a friendship over the course of a single evening on Thanksgiving in 1973. This heartwarming comedy will be wrapping up its run at Florida Studio Theatre (FST) on February 16, 2025.
Right: Michelle Heera Kim (left) and Rona Figueroa (right) were cast in FST’s production of The Heart Sellers after a nationwide search.
culture city
Below, left to right: The cast brought lived experiences to their roles in the play. The costumes and set meticulously capture the 1973 setting. Florida Studio Theatre, 1241 North Palm Avenue, Sarasota, 941-366-9000, floridastudiotheatre.org.
“The play takes place in the early seventies, not long after the Hart-Celler act. These two young women are in Toledo, Ohio where their husbands are residents in medical school, and they are some of the first immigrants to come over. So they are isolated— isolated in America and isolated in the resident community,” explains director Kate Alexander. “They meet each other in their matching puffer Kmart jackets in a store on Thanksgiving Day. And what unfolds with these two women is the most beautiful story, I think, of how they had to sell their hearts to come here.”
Jane and Luna are the only two characters in the play, which gives the production a sense of intimacy. Much of the conflict is internal instead of external. The two don’t become instant friends—when Jane arrives at Luna’s apartment she spends a long time lingering in the doorway in her puffer jacket, hesitant to cross the threshold. But as the evening unfolds, they get to know each other as the audience gets to know them.
“For me, it’s a story of how we’re alone until we forge something new and find that thing we can hold onto. They don’t know that they’re so hungry for connection. They feel fortunate that they’re married, that they got out of war, that they escaped, so they don’t feel they have the right to express discontent,” Alexander says. “After drinking wine and trying to cook a turkey they have no idea how to cook, what unfolds is them gently expressing what they need. It’s so funny and tender and heartbreaking and poignant. But it’s ultimately about the resiliency of the human spirit.” Language of origin is a critical component to the play, so playwright
Lloyd Suh has specified that the characters must be played by characters of Asian or Pacific Island descent with lived or inherited experience with the characters’ respective dialects. Jane, portrayed by Michelle Heera Kim is Korean; Luna, portrayed by Rona Figueroa is Filipina. FST engaged in an exhaustive national search to find the best actresses for the roles. The production also utilizes a dialect coach.
“Dialects are hard on stage. Accents need to have a light touch to make sure certain words are heard,” Alexander explains. “Also, someone who comes over as a direct immigrant usually has a very heavy accent. These women grew up in bilingual households but they are assimilated Americans who grew up here, so the accent will be clearer.”
Authenticity and connection has run through every facet of the production. FST hired costume designer Anthony Tran, who did the costumes for the original production of The Heart Sellers. In addition to making sure the costumes are congruous to the era while also having the appropriate regional influences, he worked closely with the cast to find colors they felt good in. They also did days of table reads to dive deep into the script and draw parallels between the play and the actors’ own family stories.
“I think this production is even more collaborative than usual because of the cultural influences,” Alexander says. “As a director, it’s a different culture for me. It was imperative that I gave space to listen to the cultural influences and reactions instead of imposing my own viewpoint.” SRQ
SWEET ELEGANCE
Sweets and jewelry are the perfect pairing.
TAKE ME TO THE OPERA: Yellow Gold Baguette and Round Beaded Band, 18KT with 0.43ctw Diamonds, G/H-VS2/S11, 18 qty, $2,275, Yellow Gold Hinged Eternity Bangle with 1.37ctw Round Diamonds, H/1-S1 83 qty, $3,780 , Yellow Gold Station Necklace, 14KT, with 2.09ctw Marquise diamonds, H/1-VS2/S11, 10 qty, 16/18 inch adjustable, $7,500, Diamond Vault Jewelers, 3979 S Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, 941-921-4016; Opera - Almond Sponge soaked with espresso and filled with ganache and butter coffee cream, Mademoiselle ParisFrench Restaurant and Bakery, 8527 Cooper Creek Blvd, Sarasota, 941-355-2323.
Megan Mitchell and Jennifer Villagomez
SWEET TART Sterling Silver Crossover Band Ring with Diamonds $695, Petite Cable Ring with Center Diamond $550, Cable Flew Bracelet with Pearls $495, Starburst
Cable Bracelet in Sterling Silver and Diamonds $1,300, David Yurman at Saks, 120 University Town Center Dr, Sarasota, 941-724-4273; Lemon Tart - Pure butter short dough with lemon curd, topped with caramelized meringue, Mademoiselle Paris - French Restaurant and Bakery, 8527 Cooper Creek Blvd, Sarasota, 941-355-2323.
BE MINE Initial
Charm Necklace in 18K Yellow Gold with Pave Set Diamonds $795, Chatelaine Heart Ring
18K Yellow Gold $895, Renaissance Ring in 18K Gold with Rubies $895, Calespira Flex Bracelet in 18K Yellow Gold with Rubies $2,350, Cable Flex Bracelet in 18K Gold
$1,850, Cablespira Flex Bracelet in 18K Yellow Gold with Rubies and Diamonds $2,400, David Yurman at Saks, 120 University Town Center Dr, Sarasota, 941-7244273; Love in ParisVanilla biscuit, raspberry coulis, White Chocolate mousse, crunchy hazelnut, raspberry glaze, Red Velvet, Opus - silky chocolate praline sabayon with two layers of sprinkled hazelnut chocolate dacquoise, Mademoiselle ParisFrench Restaurant and Bakery, 8527 Cooper Creek Blvd, Sarasota, 941-355-2323.
MACARON ME CRAZY White Gold Fern Leaf Pendant (14KT) with 0.57ctw of Round Diamonds, G/H-SI (172 qty) $2,425, White Gold Round Cable Chain (14KT) 1.0 mm, 16/18 inch adjustable $230, Yellow gold Oval Pendant (14KT) with 0.19ctw Round Diamonds, H/I SI (31 qty) on an 18 inch Cable Chain, $1,405, Yellow Gold Inside Out Hoop Earrings (14KT) with 0.65ctw Round Diamonds, G/H SI (38 qty) $1,970, Yellow Gold Station Necklace (14KT) with 2.09ctw Marquise Diamonds, H/I-VS2/S11 (10 qty), 16/18 inch adjustable $7,500, Diamond Vault Jewelers, 3979 S Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, 941921-4016; Pave Huggie Hoop Earrings in 18K Yellow Gold with Diamonds $1,600, David Yurman at Saks, 120 University Town Center Dr, Sarasota, 941-724-4273; Assorted Macarons, Mademoiselle Paris - French Restaurant and Bakery, 8527 Cooper Creek Blvd, Sarasota, 941-355-2323.
SEPTEMBER 2024
SARASOTA VENICE
NORTH PORT
ELITE TOP ATTORNEYS LEGAL GUIDE | SECOND PRINTING
LAKEWOOD RANCH
2024 ELITE TOP
LEGAL GUIDE | SECOND PRINTING
WELCOME
The Sarasota and Bradenton Area region is home to a robust cadre of legal minds. As part of the annual SRQ Magazine Elite Top Attorneys program, we invited attorneys from Anna Maria and Lakewood Ranch down through Downtown Sarasota, Venice and North Port to nominate the peers who had garnered their utmost respect—whether on the same or opposite side of the negotiating table—and they answered. The respect of one’s peers, especially in the discerning legal profession, reflects a defining level of great achievement. We are humbled by the overwhelming number of thoughtful nominations we received from this community of professionals this year and are pleased to share the results with you, our readers.
In SRQ Magazine’s 2024 Elite Top Attorneys Legal Guide and awards section you will meet this year’s honorees whose skills have helped their clients realize their goals. Many of our honorees share their expertise with the community as noted by their philanthropic and leadership contributions. The legal profession is part of a proud and long lineage that has been vital in establishing our modern world. The quality of a society can be judged in part by the measure of fairness manifested in how individuals are treated by our system of laws.
Conscientious and skilled litigators are the reliable engines of our legal system, and the smart, skilled men and women represented in this peer-review program ensure the inevitable conflicts of human life can be dealt with in a manner that is equitable and honest. We hope you enjoy meeting SRQ Magazine’s 2024 Elite Top Attorneys—congratulations are in order.
FEATURED HONOREES
ATTORNEYS FOR NON PROFITS
Betsy Pennewill Community Foundation of Sarasota County 2635 Fruitville Rd. Sarasota, FL 34237
941-556-7152
BANKING AND FINANCIAL
Stephen G. Perry
Blalock Walters PA 802 11th St W. Bradenton, FL 34205
941-748-0100
BUSINESS LAW
Michael E. Siegel
Shutts & Bowen LLP
1858 Ringling Blvd. | Ste 300 Sarasota, FL 34236
941-552-3775
CIVIL LAW LITIGATION
Michael Schuchat
Lutz, Bobo & Telfair PA 2 N. Tamiami Trail | 5th Fl Sarasota, FL 34236 941-951-1800
SECOND PRINTING Recognizing the attorneys in the region who garnered the respect of their professional peers as honorees for the 2024 Elite Top Attorneys Legal Guide.
Fred E. Moore
Blalock Walters PA 802 11th St. W. Bradenton, FL 34205
941-748-0100
Daniel P. VanEtten
Blalock Walters PA 802 11th St. W. Bradenton, FL 34205
941-748-0100
CONSTRUCTION
Erik M. Hanson
Shutts & Bowen LLP
1858 Ringling Blvd. | Ste 300 Sarasota, FL 34236
941-552-3774
E. Zachary Rans
Shutts & Bowen LLP
1858 Ringling Blvd. | Ste 300 Sarasota, FL 34236
941-552-3787
CRIMINAL DEFENSE
James A. Fowler Jr.
Fowler Law Group PA
2075 Main St. | Ste 38 Sarasota, FL 34237
941-900-3100
CIVIL LAW TRANSACTIONAL
Jonathan P. Whitney
Lutz, Bobo & Telfair PA 2 N. Tamiami Trail | 5th Fl Sarasota, FL 34236 941-951-1800
COMMERCIAL LITIGATION
Charles F. Johnson III
Blalock Walters PA 802 11th St. W. Bradenton, FL 34205
941-748-0100
Andrew Pouget
Fowler Law Group PA 2075 Main St. | Ste 38 Sarasota, FL 34237
941-900-3100
GOVERNMENT AND ADMINISTRATIVE
Mark P. Barnebey
Blalock Walters PA 802 11th St. W. Bradenton, FL 34205
941-748-0100
Marisa J. Powers
Blalock Walters PA 802 11th St. W. Bradenton, FL 34205 941-748-0100
HEALTH CARE LAW
Matthew J. Lapointe
Blalock Walters PA 802 11th St. W. Bradenton, FL 34205 941-748-0100
INSURANCE
Vanessa Ross
Ross Legal Group 2501 S. Tamiami Trail Sarasota, FL 34236 941-275-1998
Over the last 25 years, attorney Barbara H. Gormley has proudly represented only individuals that have been injured as a result of the negligence of another. Ms. Gormley is rated “AV Preeminent” which is the highest level of peer rating and means that her peers, lawyers and judges, have ranked her at the highest level of professional excellence for her legal knowledge, communication skills and ethical standards. Ms. Gormley has provided the highest quality of legal services both inside and out of the courtroom since 1999 and is known for treating every case as if it is going to trial. She represents clients throughout the State of Florida.
Her practice involves personal injury, including serious and catastrophic injuries, wrongful death as a result of automobile and trucking accidents, pedestrians and bicyclists hit by a motor vehicle, motorcycle accidents, trip/slip and fall cases on commercial and residential properties, negligent security resulting in injury cases, as well as nursing home and assisted living facility abuse cases.
Tell us about yourself.
Juris Doctor Nova Southeastern University, Shepard Broad Law Center, Davie, Florida, Deans List Member of the Nova Southeastern University’s Moot Court Honor Society State Bar of Florida, Admitted 1999 U.S. District Court Middle District of Florida Florida Bar Association, Trial Lawyers Section Member Eagle Member of the Florida Justice Association Sarasota County Bar Association Martindale-Hubbell® AV Preeminent® since 2014.
FLORIDA BAR
DATE OF ADMISSION
April 16, 1999
All Florida State Courts and the Federal Middle District of Florida
PRACTICE AREAS
Motor Vehicle Accidents
Trucking Accidents
Motorcycle, Bicycle and Pedestrian Accidents
Negligent Security resulting in injury
Slip/Trip and Fall Accidents
Nursing Home and ALF abuse
DEGREES
Juris Doctor, Nova Southeastern Shepard Broad Law Center
YEARS OF EXPERIENCE 25 Years
AV Rated Eagle Member of the Florida Justice Association
LAW FIRM
Law Office of Barbara H. Gormley, P.A.
of Law and Miami University
BETSY PENNEWILL
Concerning Foundations
and Planned Giving Techniques Compliance with Regulations of Sarasota County
HONOREE | Estate Planning, Trusts, Real Estate
CONTACT 2635 Fruitville Rd | Sarasota, FL 34237
941.556.7152 | cfsarasota.org
BIO
Betsy Pennewill serves as General Counsel at the Community Foundation of Sarasota County, working with donors and professional advisors to craft planned giving agreements and ensuring compliance with IRC regulations for foundations. She is also skilled in real estate transactions and estate planning matters. Pennewill is a member of the Public Policy Committee of Philanthropy Southeast and the past board chair of Charitable Gift Planners of Southwest Florida.
Tell us about yourself and your firm. Community Impact Powered by Philanthropy: The Community Foundation of Sarasota County unites people and organizations to create opportunities across generations to improve lives. Each one of us has the potential to impact a person, cause, community. Be The One.
Bernard F. Walsh
Goldman Babboni
Fernandez Murphy & Walsh 2822 University Pkwy Sarasota, FL 342433
941-954-1234
Matthew R. Plummer
Elizete Velado Mallard Perez PLLC 889 N. Washington Blvd. Sarasota, FL 34236
941-952-1682
REAL ESTATE
Ryan T. Harris
Blalock Walters PA 802 11th St. W. Bradenton, FL 34205
941-748-0100
Blalock Walters PA 802 11th St. W. Bradenton, FL 34205
A fifth generation Sarasota attorney with more than 40 years of experience, Bill Robertson has a lengthy and robust background focusing on personal injury and wrongful death claims throughout Florida. He spent much of his career at one of Sarasota’s oldest law firms –including a decade-long tenure as CEO – before establishing his own legal practice in 2020. His extensive experience in handling auto and motorcycle accidents, bicycle and pedestrian accidents, plane crashes, trucking accidents, slip and fall, propane and natural gas explosions and defective products, he has recovered over $250 Million for his clients throughout his career.
Bill is a community-based lawyer being recognized both locally and nationally, for his dedication to helping our national heroes and veterans, and his e orts in fi ghting against the opioid crisis which brought him national attention including a feature and a report by Fox News journalist, Geraldo Rivera. Additionally, Bill previously hosted a local call-in radio show called Let’s Talk Law with Bill Robertson on WSRQ.
A member of the Florida Justice Association, he dedicates countless hours to help people navigate the legal system on a pro bono basis. He has been recognized by his peers in the industry for his excellent legal skills and accomplishments, including receiving an AV preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell magazine for the highest level of professional excellence for 20 years, has received recognition from America’s Top High Stakes Litigators, National Lawyers of Distinction and America’s Most Honored Lawyers, Super Lawyer in Florida, Top Lawyers in Florida, Top Attorneys in Florida, Top Attorneys in Tampa Bay.
Testimonial
When my son was hit by a car last year while sitting at an intersection on his bicycle, I knew we would need legal help. I felt dealing with someone who had been involved with Personal Injury law in this area for over 30 years was a better option for us than some of the big box law firms. It proved to be a good decision. Bill, his sta , and associates did a masterful job of getting my son a healthy settlement. I don’t think you could have a better representative fighting for your well being than the Robertson Law Firm, P.A.
FLORIDA BAR
DATE OF ADMISSION
October 18, 1984
PRACTICE AREAS
Motor Vehicle Accidents
Wrongful Death, Traumatic Brain Injury
DEGREES
Stetson University College of Law, St. Petersburg, FL; Juris Doctorate
Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL; Bachelor of Science, Government
LAW FIRM
The Robertson Law Firm PA
FLORIDA BARADMISSION
September 26, 2008
DEGREES
Bachelor of Science, Ferrum College, 2002
Juris Doctorate, Coastal School of Law, 2008
PRACTICE AREAS
Criminal Defense
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
Forty Carrots
Key to the Cure
Lakewood Ranch Young Leaders Alliance
Americans Inn of Court
Sarasota County Bar Association
Manatee County Bar Association
Florida Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys
JAMES FOWLER
HONOREE | Criminal Defense
CONTACT 2075 Main Street | Suite #38 | Sarasota, FL 34237
James Fowler is the founding partner of Fowler Law Group, P.A. James draws upon his diverse criminal law experiences to defend adults and juveniles involved in all types of criminal law matters, including federal and state crimes, DUI o enses, driver’s license suspensions and tra c cases. He is a 4th generation native of Sarasota County with strong ties to the local community. James served as a prosecutor with the O ce of the State Attorney in both Sarasota and Manatee Counties. As a prosecuting attorney he handled numerous DUI, misdemeanor, felony and juvenile cases and received specialized training from the Florida Tra c Safety Resource Prosecution Program in the areas of drugged drivers and DUI refusal cases and Motion Practice. He has been recognized as a “Top 100 Trial Lawyer” and “Top 40 Under 40” by the National Trial Lawyers Association from 2014 – 2020. He has been named to Super Lawyers Magazine list of “Rising Stars” from 2014 – 2020. James has also been nominated for Judicial Appointment by the 12th Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission three times in as many years. James has been featured in numerous publications throughout his career; most notably Forbes, Entrepreneur, Hu Post, and Business Insider.
FLORIDA BAR
DATE OF ADMISSION
April 15, 2020
DEGREES
Juris Doctorate
PRACTICE AREAS
Estate Planning
Wills, Trusts, Power of Attorney
Probate and Trust Administration
Adversarial Matters
LAW FIRM
Hensley Law Offices, LLC
JENNIFER J. HENSLEY
HONOREE | Wills & Trusts
BIO
My passion for serving others ignited at an early age, inspired by personal struggles which often mirror those of my clients. I’m committed to empathy and unwavering dedication. Estate Planning holds a special place, valuing everyone’s voice and protecting what matters most. Advocacy defines my practice, putting client needs fi rst. Together, we build lasting legacies founded on trust and steadfast support, bridging professional excellence and heartfelt compassion.
ANDREW POUGET
HONOREE | Criminal Defense
CONTACT 2075 Main Street | Suite #38 | Sarasota, FL 34237 941-404-8909 | andrew@teamflg.com | thefowlerlawgroup.com
BIO
Andrew Pouget is a lifelong student of the law and vigilant advocate for justice. He understands that success is earned by hard work, determination, quality legal research, and framing arguments with precision and articulation. His passion for law is the driving force that compels him to take the extra step, and he does not quit until he achieves the best possible result for his clients. Since matriculating in 2018, Andrew has continued the firm’s legacy of providing high-quality criminal defense to Sarasota, Bradenton and Tampa. Andrew’s depth of legal knowledge and proficiency in legal writing provides an essential element to FLG’s comprehensive approach to criminal defense, and his aptitude for appellate practice sets FLG apart as a full-service criminal defense fi rm in the SRQ area.
CHARLES W. TELFAIR, IV
HONOREE | Personal Injury
CONTACT 2 North Tamiami Trail, Fifth Floor, Sarasota, FL 34236
Charles W. Telfair IV is a Personal Injury Attorney. Telfair began his career at Holland and Knight back in 1989. Holland and Knight chose to relocate to Tampa and Lutz, Bobo and Telfair opened its doors in April of 1992. Through his career Telfair has had the privilege of working with some of the biggest corporations in the world: Tropicana, Volvo Penta, Stanely Bostich, to name a few. Telfair believes accessibility and honesty are what his clients appreciate the most. Personal Injury law is personal. Telfair puts forth his energy, knowledge and time to ensure the best possible outcome for his clients.
MISSION Telfair and Lutz, Bobo and Telfair are rated AV by Martindale Hubbell. This means that our peers have given us the highest rating for both ethics and legal ability. Here at Lutz, Bobo & Telfair we are privileged to work with you, and we are honored to share our experience with you. At Lutz, Bobo and Telfair we treat our clients the way we prefer to be treated.
17 years
DEGREES
Suma Cum Laude, Majors in philosophy, political science, and pre-law
Detroit College of Law, Magna Cum Laude, Juris Doctorate
Certificates in Trial Practice and Criminal Law
DUI Defense, Criminal Appeals Criminal Law
RECOGNITION
4rd year SRQ ‘Elite Top Attorneys’
FLORIDA BAR ADMISSION May 10, 1991
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Science, University of Tampa on a full ROTC scholarship, in 1987
Attended Officer Basic School at Fort McClellan 1988
Juris Doctorate, Stetson University College of Law in 1990, Stanley Milledge Award
Retired from the US Army
Reserves as Captain in 2000
YEARS OF EXPERIENCE
34 years
LAW FIRM
Lutz, Bobo & Telfair, Trial Lawyers
FLORIDA BAR ADMISSION
September 17, 2003
Also licensed in Pennsylvania
PRACTICE AREAS
Zoning | Land Use
Environmental | Real Estate
Sustainability | Due Diligence
FEMA | Development
Permitting | Wetlands
Green Building | Waterfront
Permitting | Conservation
Riparian Rights | Docks
Contaminated Site Remediation
Redevelopment | Code
Enforcement | Ethics | Copyright
Shopping Center Law
LAW FIRM
The Colburn Firm, PL
CASEY COLBURN
HONOREE | Land Use, Environmental Law
BIO
FLORIDA BAR ADMISSION
February 22, 1996
DEGREES
University of South Florida, B.A., B.A., 1988, and MLA 1992
University of Florida
Levin College of Law, J.D. 1995
RECOGNITION
Florida Trend Magazine
Legal Elite, 2009-2024
SuperLawyer, 2015-2024
University of South Florida
Alumni Leader of the Year, 2009, AV Rated by Martindale Hubbell
LAW FIRM
Sensenig Law Firm
Mr. Colburn’s Florida-based boutique law practice is devoted to the acquisition, disposition, development and redevelopment of real estate. Casey assists landowners with zoning and permitting of retail shopping centers, waterfront, hospitality and residential projects. He helps property owners and governments to properly apply FEMA’s “50% Rule” as well as other environmental, wetland, protected species, dock and navigation regulations. He leads due diligence teams for investor and portfolio deals. Casey also participates in the development and implementation of zoning and environmental rules, cleanup actions, renewable energy technologies, ethical practices, conservation and sustainable strategies. He has lectured about his experience with these topics. A significant part of his practice now involves co-counsel relationships with other lawyers and law fi rms from across the country and helping individuals and businesses relocate to the free state of Florida. “Assisting a colleague’s valued client is a high honor, much like being recognized again this year by my talented local peers. Thank you, SRQ.”
Christine Sensenig is the managing partner of The Sensenig Law Firm, P.A. She provides human resources and employment law advice as well as litigation defense to employers of all sizes in all aspects of the employment relationship. To build strong long-term relationships with clients, the Firm explores the “why” behind a client’s concerns. In employment law, clients have needs in “real time” and the Firm believes in being an accessible resource to our clients. Christine Sensenig is grateful to have been recognized in her community by colleagues that she respects and admires as a member of SRQ Magazine’s Elite Top Attorneys.
“I do my best because I am counting on you counting on me.”
— Maya Angelou
VANESSA ROSS
HONOREE | Insurance Litigation
CONTACT 1800 Second Street | Suite 892 | Sarasota, FL 34236 941-275-1998 | vross@rosslegalfl.com | rosslegalfl.com
BIO
Vanessa Ross has spent her legal career handling insurance claims, resolving questions of coverage and getting insurance companies to pay the money that her clients deserve. For 20 years, she and her team have recovered proceeds relating to homeowner's claims, catastrophic building damage, fi re loss, windstorm and hurricane losses, construction defects, water damage, and personal injury. She handles complex litigation all the way through jury trial. Ms. Ross attended Law School at the Florida State University College of Law, and was member of the Mock Trial Team. Ms. Ross also graduated cum laude from the University of Florida. She resides full time in Sarasota, Florida.
FLORIDA BAR
DATE OF ADMISSION September 21, 2006
DEGREES
Florida State University College of Law
This spread, left to right: There’s nothing little about the sandwiches at Little A; these hearty handhelds are packed with flavor.
forage
ADELINE ASCENDING
Drew Adams, chef/owner of Adeline, on finding an identity in the Sarasota culinary scene. Kate Wight
“THERE ARE SOME GREAT RESTAURANTS IN SARASOTA that people are always going to go visit and I want to know, ‘How do we become one of those restaurants?’” This is the question that is constantly at the forefront of Drew Adams’ mind. Adams is the chef/owner of Adeline, a New American restaurant in Sarasota that is known for its playful and creative menu. An award-winning chef, Adams first made a name for himself in Washington DC where he worked in Michelin-starred restaurants. Adams is undeniably talented and has an impressive pedigree, but the restaurant industry is harsh and unforgiving—approximately sixty percent of new restaurants fail within their first year. Adams got candid about the unique challenges he continues to navigate as he strives to establish Adeline as a mainstay on the Sarasota dining scene. One of the early obstacles was the name. See, Adeline wasn’t always called Adeline— when the restaurant first opened in March of 2022 it was known as Meliora.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY WYATT KOSTYGAN.
Below, left to right: Drew Adams is the award-winning chef/owner of Adeline and Little A. At night, Little A transforms into Adeline where diners can enjoy inventive yet heartfelt dishes, like gnocchi in parmesan cream sauce with a dehydrated brown butter crunch
“People were having a very hard time pronouncing Meliora. I’m guessing maybe fifty percent of people couldn’t pronounce it,” Adams says. “We heard the word ‘malaria’ a lot.” Adams originally started the venture with a friend, but that partner left the business in July of 2024. Adams brought in new partners, and they decided the partnership change presented the perfect opportunity for a rebranding. They settled on Adeline, which is also the name of Adams’ daughter. The eatery closed down for two weeks at the end of September for some minor renovations and reopened refreshed and with a new name. But the name isn’t the only identity challenge that Adams has grappled with.
“We moved here from Washington DC and I think dining is slightly different here,” Adams says. “A lot of people refer to us as high-end or upscale dining when that’s never been the intent. I’ve always thought of Adeline as more casual.”
That disconnect between the kind of restaurant Adeline is (or aspires to be) and the kind of restaurant diners believe it to be creates its own cascade of complications. Pricing is probably the most critical challenge. High operating costs have always been an issue in the restaurant business and food costs are a significant part of the
operating budget. Individuals and families know food costs are currently high because we’ve felt the impact on grocery bills. Restaurants are also seeing higher food costs, which means they have to either raise their menu prices to compensate and risk pricing themselves too high, or keep prices the same and reduce their already slim profit margins. When people perceive a restaurant as fine dining, they typically associate it with higher prices. Adams works hard to keep his prices accessible, but he worries that because people see Adeline as upscale, they’ll assume it’s out of their price range.
“Our biggest challenge is that people think Adeline is only a special occasion restaurant and we don’t feel that it is,” Adams says. “So we’re trying to come up with more creative ways to bring the pricing down without harming the business while adjusting people’s perceptions.”In pursuit of this goal, Adams launched a lunch concept in midOctober called Little A that operates out of the Adeline space. In the evening, Adeline is a sitdown restaurant with a diverse menu. In the afternoon, Little A offers strictly sandwiches for pickup and delivery only. But Adams’ creative flavors and commitment to highquality ingredients create a bridge between the two concepts. If you enjoy a gourmet sandwich
from Little A, the dinner menu at Adeline should also hold appeal. “With the sandwiches we have, we’re able to cross-utilize a lot of products from our dinner menu. There are a few of our dishes that we’ve been able to reinterpret as sandwiches,” Adams says. “Our jerk chicken is a pretty big seller at dinner, so we make a jerk chicken salad sandwich with all the same ingredients.” In addition to showcasing his food in a more accessible way, Adams hopes that Little A will help attract a new audience, simultaneously helping with another struggle—a challenging location on Hillview without a lot of foot traffic.
“A lot of people that live downtown, they’re able to walk out of their apartments and right into a restaurant,” Adams says. “But we have a busy hospital across the street. We’re hoping to capture a little bit of a lunch crowd and hopefully draw people to come back for dinner as well. For enthusiastic epicureans, living in a foodie destination like Sarasota is a dream come true. With a mix of established favorites and buzzworthy new hotspots, there’s always something fresh and exciting on the menu. Narrowing down your options is usually the hardest part of dining out, but being part of a vibrant culinary scene can put an added weight on restaurant owners like Adams who need to stand out in an exemplary field. SRQ
Below, left to right: The interiors at Adeline are warm and inviting. Adams pays attention to every detail at Adeline as he works to make it one of Sarasota’s most beloved restaurants. Adeline/Little A, 1920 Hillview Street, Sarasota, 941-444-7692,
(To the carnivorously disinclined: Beware! For the following text will recount, in painstaking detail, the sublime yet simple joy of sizzling meat.)
SIZZLE AND SEAR
It’s a hands-on adventure at Bulgogi House, where the grill is hot and meat is endless. Andrew Fabian
AT BULGOGI HOUSE —THE NEWLY-OPENED, GRILL-AT-THE-TABLE KOREAN SPOT THAT OPENED LAST YEAR ON MAIN STREET —a persistent white noise permeates. It’s beneath the low hum of appliances, the light clattering of metal utensils and the indistinguished murmur of human voices. It’s more of a sizzle. You hear it as you walk by the booths, each with their own grill grate embedded in the table. You see it in the upturned corners of thinly sliced brisket. And you smell it. That the concept is already firing on all cylinders should come as no surprise. It’s grilled meat, after all. But it’s also the third location for owner and general manager Parker Piao, who cofounded the concept that has two Orlando locations. The booths are thoughtfully arranged, the buildout considered the specialized needs of the embedded grills and the menu includes a no-nonsense assortment of single plates, a la carte selections, all-you-can-eat options and sides.
Below, left to right: A delicious spread of grill-friendly meat and savory sides. Parker Piao helms Bulgogi House’s third location; a short rib steak gets flips for some sizzle and sear on the other side. Bulgogi House, 1472 Main Street, Sarasota, 941-559-5678, bulgogihousefl.com, @ bulgogihouse.sarasota
Because the all-you-can-eat experience is the most adventurous option, here’s how it works. You take a seat at your table, order drinks and the server fires up the grill. Meat and vegetable selections are made and they’re deposited at your table a few minutes later along with some grilling implements like tongs, scissors and a chunk of beef fat to coat the grill.
Included with every all-you-can-eat meal are plenty of appetizers—spicy soybean soup, steamed egg, white rice, macaroni, cheese corn (cooked on the grill), kimchi, tomato salad, broccoli and a house salad lovingly doused in a sesame oil chili dressing.
There are eight bottomless options in the Basic offering, including: beef brisket, marinated beef bulgogi, beef belly, marinated chicken breast, pork thin belly, marinated pork shoulder, pork belly, marinated pork belly and marinated veggies. The Prime offering adds LA galbi, beef top blade, beef tongue, NY steak, short rib steak, pork jowl, shrimp and salmon.
Please note: it’s not required to order one of everything—but it is an option.
All of the included appetizers are delicious, though the soybean soup, cheese corn and salad stand out. The cuts of beef, many of which are unique to Korean
cuisine, come from Korean suppliers. The LA galbi— galbi for rib, LA for the LAteral cut—is wonderfully marbled, as is the marinated pork belly.
But really, anything with the word “marinated” is a musttry. That’s because the restaurant must, first and foremost, nail the magic in its very name (bulgogi). The word translates into “fire meat,” but more commonly refers to the savory blend of soy sauce, sesame oil, garlic, ginger and other spices that vary from wok to wok. Just don’t ask Piao what’s in his unless the word “no” excites you. The bulgogi marinade is a fantastic complement to the abundant meat options. It’s sweet, it’s savory and it adds to the mouthwatering experience of meat off the grill. It’s also the single biggest contributor to the sound of sizzle.
However, the marinade does tend to hide another secret-ish ingredient at Bulgogi House, which is the small lumps of charcoal placed inside the grill. To truly capture that flavor, one of the thicker cuts of meat is recommended. Let the short rib or NY steak linger and they’ll absorb a bit more of that smoky essence. And try the soju—a Korean rice wine with about the same alcohol content as a boozy wine. It goes down easy and won’t take up much space—an important attribute when the meal is all about the sizzle and sear. SRQ
giving coast
HAPPIEST WHEN GIVING BACK
The unwavering commitment of Marla and Jim Doss to their community is an inspiration.
Barbie Heit
PHOTOGRAPHY BY WYATT KOSTYGAN.
MARLA AND JIM DOSS, A DYNAMIC AND PHILANTHROPIC
COUPLE, have made a lasting impact on organizations across Florida and right here in their own community. Their generosity and commitment to service have touched countless lives. Marla, originally from East Grand Rapids, Michigan, earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and a Master of Arts in Counseling and Personnel from Western Michigan University. After relocating to Florida in 1985 for a position with a nonprofit organization, she settled into her new home and began her long-standing work in the community.
Jim, a lifelong resident of Bradenton, attended Westminster College, the College of Central Florida, and ultimately graduated from the University of South Florida with a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice.
The couple married 36 years ago and have one daughter, who was born and raised in Bradenton. Currently, they are working on an exciting remodeling project at their Tidy Island home, which they’ve lived in for the past four years. Jim enjoys golf, travel, working out, reading books on business trends and cheering on his beloved Florida State Seminoles. Marla’s passions include swimming, cooking, fitness and serving on multiple local boards.
Marla’s interest in helping children, particularly those with special needs, began during her college practicum, where she worked with young people facing physical and developmental challenges. For more than 30 years, she dedicated herself to supporting organizations that serve individuals with disabilities. Both she and Jim have always been strong advocates for children, particularly in the areas of education and health.
Each raised by parents who instilled a deep sense of responsibility to help others, Jim and Marla learned the value of hard work, generosity and service early in life. “Without a doubt, my father, James M. Doss Sr., shaped our philanthropic spirit,” shares Jim. “The James M. Doss Charitable Foundation, which honors his legacy, has been a profound way for us to give back to our community. We never imagined it would grow into something so impactful.”
Through their foundation, the couple has supported numerous organizations with donations of educational equipment, technology like iPads and computers and grants for STEM and STEAM programs. “The most meaningful part of our philanthropy is the opportunity to visit the organizations we support,” Marla explains. “There’s nothing more rewarding than seeing the programs in action and meeting the people whose lives are touched by these efforts.”
The James M. Doss Charitable Foundation has made direct grants to 44 organizations, supporting causes such as Catholic faithbased initiatives, college athletics and children’s health and human services. Marla and Jim stay actively involved, with quarterly grant reviews and frequent site visits to the agencies they support.
Jim’s father lived by the motto “Work hard; play hard,” and Jim and Marla have adopted it as their own. “For us, service to others and selflessness make the world a better place,” they say. “We are happiest when we’re giving back.”
A particular focus of the couples’ giving has been matching grant programs, which they believe are an excellent way to encourage other donors to become engaged. “We’ve seen incredible results with matching grants. They inspire donors to come together, creating excitement and momentum to surpass fundraising goals,” Jim notes. “Some of our most meaningful matching grants have helped upgrade equipment used in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer, making a lasting difference for patients of all ages.”
With nearly 800 nonprofits in Sarasota, Bradenton, Charlotte and DeSoto counties, the couple advises others to identify causes they care about and get involved. “Volunteer, donate, network—there are so many ways to make an impact,” Marla says. “Local organizations like United Way and the Chamber of Commerce are great resources to help you find your place in the community.”
“We are truly honored by the recognition of our work with Suncoast Charities for Children,” Marla continues. “The Good Hero Award inspires us to keep investing in our community. Our ultimate goal is to set an example for others, showing the importance of supporting those in need and encouraging a spirit of giving.” SRQ Jim and Marla Doss were honored as Good Heroes by SRQ Magazine in December 2023.
In the heart of Florida’s Suncoast, a culinary revolution is underway. Sarasota-Manatee Originals (SMO) is a dynamic alliance of independent restaurants, united by a passion for exceptional food and a commitment to preserving the region’s unique culinary heritage. SARASOTA-MANATEE
TRIBUTE TO BUSINESS ON THE CREATIVE COAST
SARASOTA-MANATEE ORIGINALS: JOIN OUR CULINARY MOVEMENT Born in 2003, SMO emerged as a counterbalance to the growing influence of national chains. A group of visionary restaurateurs recognized the need to safeguard the distinctive character of our area’s local eateries, each with its own story and culinary style. By joining forces, they sought to elevate the Sarasota-Manatee dining scene to new heights. Michael Klauber (Owner, Sarasota’s Michaels on East, est 1987) remembers. “We realized that Sarasota was changing, and we were starting to see the big guys coming in. None of us had the budgets to battle these highly subsidized corporations.” Klauber discovered that dozens of other local restaurateurs were lying awake at night with similar worries. D’Arcy Arpke (Co-owner, Longboat Key’s Euphemia Haye, est 1980) helped Klauber to “circle the wagons,” encouraging other independently-owned restaurateurs to join forces and work cooperatively to develop and launch a neighborhood initiative called the “Sarasota-Manatee Originals.” Today, SMO represents nearly 70 restaurants, offering a diverse range of dining experiences, from casual beachfront cafes to fine-dining establishments. Members are dedicated to sourcing fresh, local ingredients and crafting innovative dishes that reflect the area’s rich cultural heritage. Beyond their culinary offerings, SMO fosters a strong sense of community. Members collaborate on signature events like Forks & Corks Food and Wine Festival, Set The Bar Cocktail Competition, and Taste of The Bay, showcasing the region’s culinary talents to a wider audience. Through initiatives such as ABC7’s Wine Down Wednesday and various charitable endeavors, SMO strengthens its bond with the community and enriches the local dining scene. By choosing to “Eat Like a Local,” you support the heart and soul of Sarasota-Manatee. You contribute to the preservation of independent businesses and the vibrant culinary landscape that makes this region a true foodie’s paradise. Together, we’re shaping the future of dining, one delicious bite at a time.
SARASOTA
TROPHY
“We’re So Much More Than Just Trophies! So many times, our customers have said, “I didn’t know you do that!” Every day we try to show and explain what we can do. Standard awards and engraving sustain our business, but custom and innovative awards ignite our souls! We pride ourselves and have built a reputation on providing unusual solutions to meet customer’s needs as well as pushing the envelope of technology in our industry.”
— Ken Levanti, Owner
TRIBUTE TO BUSINESS ON THE CREATIVE COAST
In Loving Memory of Sheree Levanti Oct. 14, 1957 – Dec. 6, 2023
IF YOU WEAR A NAMETAG FOR YOUR JOB EVERY DAY THAT WAS PURCHASED LOCALLY, CHANCES ARE THAT IT WAS PRINTED OR ENGRAVED WITH YOUR NAME BY THE FRIENDLY PEOPLE AT SARASOTA TROPHY. Since opening his custom engraving and trophy business in 1984 with his father, Ken Levanti and his loyal employees have delivered smiles to everyone from thousands of little league athletes commemorating ballpark victories to corporate employees in recognition of their service and achievements. Located in Gulf Gate, Sarasota Trophy was the first company in Sarasota to adopt laser engraving. While trophies will always be a major portion of Sarasota Trophy’s business, they also use cutting-edge technology and custom designs to deliver large-scale projects and detailed engraving. Sarasota Trophy has a heightened focus on major corporate projects like a custom display on Main Street at Walt Disney World in Orlando and has provided high-volume orders for major sporting events like The Tournament Players Club with The Professional Golfers’ Association of America. With each project, Sarasota Trophy provides a level of service expected from a local business and professionalism on par with that of a major corporation, which Ken attributes to the business’ roots and employees, some of whom have been on his team for over 20 years. Sarasota Trophy is an active member of three local business chamber organizations and has been consistently recognized for small business excellence since 2004 by the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce and Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce. Ken believes that the quality of his business is largely thanks to the experience of his dedicated team and their contribution to an atmosphere that clients trust. As Sarasota Trophy continues to serve local businesses and corporations, Ken and his team stay involved with the community through various board participation and volunteerism.
Sarasota Trophy, established in 1984 is a premier supplier of engraved awards, plaques, trophies and imprinted products. However, their passion is delivering custom, high quality solutions using cutting edge technology and ideas. From sandblasting, deep metal routing and even jewelry engraving, the Sarasota Trophy team can accommodate projects large and incredibly small. Located in Gulf Gate, owner Ken Levanti and his team of designers and customer service representatives are dedicated to providing the utmost in service.
VERSATILE INTERIORS
CARRIE RILEY ANSWERS THE CALL HOLMES SWEET HOME
4WALLS
CONTENTS H & D
Home design stories, inspiration and thoughtful architecture on the West Coast of Florida—from Anna Maria Island and Lakewood Ranch to Sarasota, Venice and the Barrier Islands.
10 HOLMES SWEET HOME
There are three cities that comprise Anna Maria Island: Anna Maria, Bradenton Beach and Holmes Beach. Holmes Beach was named for John E. Holmes Sr., a property developer who purchased a large portion of the island in the 1940s and began developing it, introducing streets, homes and businesses before the city incorporated in 1950. More than 70 years later, his great-granddaughter Jessica Holmes Holiday is making her own mark on the Island as the founder and principal interior designer at HSH Collective.
18 KEEP CALM AND CARRIE ON
For some people, a career is just a job, while for others it is a calling. In the case of Carrie Riley, interior design is a true calling and a passion that shapes every project she touches. Her love for design started at an early age, fostered in large part by her parents who owned a company in the Midwest selling countertops and flooring.
25 4WALLS BUILDING OF THE YEAR
Announcing the winners of this year’s 4WALLS Building of the Year Design Competition recognizing multi-unit and multi-story commercial, mixed use, residential projects as well as public spaces.
COVER Interior designed by Carrie Riley of Riley Interior Design, turn to page 18 more the full story. THIS PAGE Foyer interior designed by Carrie Riley of Riley Interior Design; and, Coastal Cottage by HSH Collective, photography courtesy of Jessica Holmes Holiday.
This spread, left to right: The Coastal Cottage isn’t located on the water, but Holmes and her team transformed the backyard into a lush, resort-like retreat with adjoining bedrooms. Blue-washed kitchen tiles enhance the home’s coastal vibes, while their hexagonal shape adds a touch of modernity.
Jessica Holmes Holiday of HSH Collective is carrying on a legacy in her own special way.
HOLMES SWEET HOME
THERE ARE THREE CITIES THAT COMPRISE ANNA MARIA ISLAND: ANNA MARIA, BRADENTON BEACH AND HOLMES BEACH. Holmes Beach was named for John E. Holmes Sr., a property developer who purchased a large portion of the island in the 1940s and began developing it, introducing streets, homes and businesses before the city incorporated in 1950. More than 70 years later, his great-granddaughter Jessica Holmes Holiday is making her own mark on the Island as the founder and principal interior designer at HSH Collective.
“I was born and raised on Anna Maria Island. I’m fourth generation,” Holiday says. “I’m grateful to have been able to move back to the Island about 16 years ago and buy a house out here and raise a family with my husband Adam, who’s an antique dealer. We have a son, Sterling, who just turned 15 and I have a stepdaughter who’s married now. It was nice to bring her back here around her high school years and then raise Sterling on the Island very much the way we were raised.”
Holiday started her business 25 years ago as a one-woman show. Now, HSH Collective is a team of nine, primarily working in Sarasota, Bradenton, Longboat Key and Anna Maria Island. Holiday’s office was in Sarasota until two years ago when she made the Island her home base. At that time, she rebranded her business, changing the name from HSH Designs to HSH Collective. “I have this beautiful team and I’m supportive of each of them being the best of themselves. Collectively, we are all better together,” Holiday says. “Our goal is that the majority of new builds that come
through the door are collectively in-house, meaning all of us are weighing in on the project from start to finish.”
That spirit of collaboration results in homes that are not only beautifully-designed, but that also have a real sense of warmth and character to them. There is a personal touch to HSH Collective’s work that radiates even in photographs. Holiday shared some insights into two of the Collective’s recent projects.
COASTAL COTTAGE
As a writer, I try not to inject myself into my stories. But I feel compelled to break the fourth wall for just a moment to mention that I am an architecture and design enthusiast who was raised on the Island and I have a deep appreciation and nostalgia for the place where I come from. I express this so you know I have some modicum of authority when I say that the Coastal Cottage is quintessentially Anna Maria. While the design does have an elevated, resort-like quality, none of the classic Island charm was sacrificed. In
fact, many historical touches were reintroduced through the design. This is a truly remarkable piece of work.
The clients for this house were a couple from Chicago who planned to use it as a vacation home. They purchased a home that had already been built, and enlisted HSH Collective to do a full redesign and renovation. Holiday saw the potential in the project right away.
“It’s not on the water, so it was kind of an underrated house,” Holiday says. “But it’s a classic Anna Maria home on a double-lot with a beautiful yard.”
Capturing the vintage Anna Maria vibe started with the exterior. The home was wrapped with board and batten to capture the look of the old, original homesteaded homes on the Island, and the color palette was inspired by cabbage palms. The homeowner sourced old bricks from Chicago for the driveway which served multiple purposes. In addition to adding some patina, it was a personal connection to the homeowners and also a thoughtful nod to the brick roads on Egmont Key.
This page: Holmes created this niche wall to add some character and a sense of history to the home.
This page, clockwise: The vintage botanical print echoes the retro vibes found throughout the home. Dark wood floors with multiple hues have a rustic character that gives this house an old-Florida feel. The Coastal Cottage looks like one of the older original Island homes thanks to its board and batten exterior. The L-shaped pool and furniture arrangement on the downstairs patio were intended to maximize the view.
Older homes on the Island tend to be small, so much of the remodeling consisted of reimagining the footprint and making it more effective for modern living. Holiday borrowed some space from the garage to make the kitchen larger, which created enough space for a floating kitchen island. She also enlarged the window over the sink and added a linear window over the stove to let in more natural light and allow a glimpse of the green space out back. Details like simple Shaker-style cabinets and apron sink add to the classic feel, while hexagonal blue-washed tiles add a coastal contemporary twist. Probably the most eye-catching feature of the house though, is the niche wall behind the dining nook. “I had the idea to do a built-in banquette and then create this elevation with the wall so it looked like we peeled back the drywall and found this niche wall underneath even though we didn’t,” Holiday says. “We built it and kind of shabbied it up and filled it up with bits and bobs like they did with the old houses here on Anna Maria.”
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BAY BREEZE
Bay Breeze is an entirely different kind of project from Coastal Cottage. While Coastal Cottage was designed for the end-user, Bay Breeze was a spec home, which means it was a new build designed without a specific buyer in mind. The client on this project was someone Holiday had done some work for in the past who found a unique piece of property in Longboat Key across the street from the water. Holiday worked on the project with Mason Martin Home Builders.
“I always like to look at where a house is situated and what the view is reflecting,” Holiday says. “And really, it’s all about the view in this house. We wanted to honor the bay and honor that view.”
In Longboat Key, houses can’t be built directly on the water, so the objectively incredible view should remain unobstructed. Holiday and Mason Martin ensured that views were maximized from virtually every possible vantage point in the house, from the living and dining areas, to the
bedroom sites, to the spacious rooftop deck. Even the flow of the pool and yard draws your eye out towards the bay.
With new builds, it can be challenging to give a space a unique character. Holiday addressed this from the ground up by selecting rustic-looking darker wood floors with multiple tones for the living and kitchen areas upstairs. “We wanted to infuse the history of Longboat Key into this modern home by bringing in floors that looked like they had been preserved from an older home,” Holiday says.
Because Bay Breeze was a spec house, Holiday and her team didn’t get to do a lot of customization. However, the property has now been sold to the people who will be the end users, and they have hired HSH Collective to add personal touches to suit their needs, something that Holiday is appreciative of. “I love it when I can create a house that also has a story,” she says. SRQH&D
HSH Collective Home and Design, 5602 Marina Drive C, Holmes Beach, 941-718-9178, hshcollective.com.
WRITTEN BY KATE WIGHT, PHOTOGRAPHY
BY WES ROBERTS + COURTESY OF RILEY INTERIOR
For some people, a career is just a job, while for others it is a calling. In the case of Carrie Riley, interior design is a true calling and a passion that shapes every project she touches. Her love for design started at an early age, fostered in large part by her parents who owned a company in the Midwest selling countertops and flooring. “I had this Barbie world that my parents made this whole entire room for,” Riley recalls. “I had multiple houses in there and I made my own five-story condominium. My parents would bring me home samples of flooring and countertops and wallpaper and I would redesign that condo all day, every day. I would not come up from that room. They would have to bring me lunch in there.”
KEEP CALM + CARRIE ON
For Carrie Riley, interior design is a calling.
Clockwise: Carrie Riley has built a reputation as one of Sarasota’s premier interior designers. Riley used modern lounge chairs to create a cozy conversation corner. Riley designed this blissful bedroom for a private residence on Bird Key.
“I HAD THIS BARBIE WORLD THAT MY PARENTS MADE THIS WHOLE ENTIRE ROOM FOR,” Riley recalls. “I had multiple houses in there and I made my own five-story condominium. My parents would bring me home samples of flooring and countertops and wallpaper and I would redesign that condo all day, every day. I would not come up from that room. They would have to bring me lunch in there.” As soon as Riley turned sixteen and was able to get a driver’s license, she got her first job at an interior design firm where she soaked up knowledge like a sponge.
“I did anything they asked me to do—I would organize fabric, alphabetize furniture books, return samples, go get lattes,” she says. “I really started from the ground up and learned all the idiosyncrasies of being in the design world.” That education continued in college. Riley knew she wanted to focus on architectural interior design, a discipline that combines architectural principles like spatial planning and structural capabilities with the aesthetic and functional elements of interior design. After careful research, she attended the University of Nebraska where she would graduate with a BA in Architectural Interior Design. The program was rewarding but intense.
“We basically slept at the architecture college,” Riley laughs. “We had cots, we had coffee pots, we lived off Mountain Dew. We’d get two hours of sleep if we were lucky. At the time I thought, ‘What have I gotten myself into?’ but it absolutely prepared me for what I do today.”
Riley’s now-husband was offered a job at IMG Academy right around the time she was graduating from college, so the young couple packed everything up and relocated to Sarasota. Riley got a job working for a large interior design firm with five locations throughout Florida. After a few years, she was approached by an architect to head up the interior design department within his firm, an experience which proved invaluable. In 2004, Riley passed the test for the NCIDQ certification, a professional credential that signifies a high level of expertise in the interior design field. With that prestigious qualification under her belt she felt like she was ready to strike out on her own, and at the age of 27 she launched Riley Interior Design.“I was really blessed with getting some fantastic clients and some fantastic projects right away,” Riley says. “I already knew some builders and architects and lots of subcontractors who referred me. Even now, twenty years later, 99.9 percent of my jobs are from referrals, which is fantastic.”
As a designer, Riley is incredibly versatile, working in a variety of styles from coastal to Mediterranean to chic farmhouse and more. She occasionally takes on small commercial projects like boutiques—Riley designed the first three showrooms for Tweeds, a custom suit shop that started in Sarasota and now has locations throughout Florida. Riley has even worked on some larger-scale projects, including the Baltimore Orioles Training Center at Ed Smith Stadium. But high-end residential projects are her specialty and her ultimate passion. That includes single-family residences as well as condominiums like The Owen on Golden Gate Point, where she has recently been tapped to design the common space and help select the finishes. It’s a point of pride for Riley that they selected her small local firm over a larger hospitality design firm from New York or Miami, and she believes it’s because of the personal touch she offers.
“I have another designer who works for me full-time, I have a bookkeeper, I have someone who handles logistics,” Riley says. “But at the end of the day, I keep my design firm small because I’m very hands-on.” SRQH&D
Below, top to bottom: Riley is hands on with all of her clients, bringing a personal touch to her projects.
Riley Interior Design, 1929 South Osprey, Sarasota, 941-955-5522, riley-id.com.
Four adjoining walls may make a space inhabitable, but after evolving through the design process realized buildings become activated with purpose and narrative. Celebrating the year’s most impressive multi-unit and multi-story projects, the 4WALLS Building of the Year Design Competition recognizes the region’s built portfolio with the 4WALLS Platinum, Gold, Silver and Bronze Awards. PRODUCED BY SRQ MEDIA
4WALLS JUDGE
Stephen Charles Smith
Stephen Charles Smith Architects, Principal, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP
Stephen was a Designer, Architect, and Project Manager at several leading architecture firms for over 10 years, including Rafael Vinoly Architects (RVA) in NYC. While at RVA, Stephen led the 277 Fifth Avenue project which was awarded the “Best Tall Building of 2019” from CTBUH.
Keith Nelson
TruexCullins Principal, LEED AP BD+C
Keith Nelson brings to TruexCullins a keen understanding of the design, project management and construction process with a focus on hospitality and single-family residential.
4WALLS JUDGE
MARIE SELBY BOTANICAL GARDENS MASTER PLAN
PHASE ONE WILLIS A. SMITH CONSTRUCTION, INC.
Architect
Overland Partners
Architecture
Urban Design/Sweet Sparkman
Architecture & Interiors
Contractor
Willis A. Smith Construction
Mechanical Engineer/ Structural Engineer
ARUP
Civil Engineer
Kimley-Horn and Associates
Landscape Design
The Olin Studio
Interior Design
Overland Partners, ArchitectureUrban Design
Landscape Design
The Olin Studio
Photography
Ryan Gamma Photography
Photo Renderer
Overland Partners, ArchitectureUrban Design
The placement of a large parking garage amid a beautiful neighborhood and on the grounds of a much-loved attraction like Selby Gardens, was not without controversy. Selby Gardens, its designers and the Willis Smith Construction team met with neighbors and city officials on multiple occasions to agree on a design to give Selby Gardens the much-needed parking, visually complement the site and to further propel Selby Gardens to become a world-class botanical garden. The results of this effort include the 180,858 SF, four-story, Morganroth Living Energy Access Facility (LEAF) parking garage, gift shop and a garden-to-plate restaurant The Green Orchid, with a 50,000 SF solar array on the roof. The 450-parking space garage is screened by vines, growing from stainless steel cables from the ground floor to the fourth floor. The LEAF includes a rooftop garden growing herbs, vegetables and fruits for use in the Green Orchid Restaurant located on the first level. The edible garden is maintained by military veterans. The project includes the two-story, 32,682 SF Steinwachs Family Plant Research Center, housing an Herbarium and Molecular Lab, a library with a rare books section, theater, offices, staff lounges and conference rooms. The Jean Goldstein Welcome Center is the epicenter of Phase One and consists of two stand-alone buildings, one for ticketing operations along with a gallery exhibit building. A major challenge and accomplishment for the team was the construction phasing in a facility open to the public seven days a week and almost 365 days a year. The goal to meet the Living Building Challenge was met with the solar array and other innovations making this facility one of the most sustainable buildings of its type in the world. Selby Gardens was selected for TIME Magazine’s Annual List of the World’s Greatest Places.
PALM AVENUE DELI
BLOK DESIGN GROUP
The Palm Avenue Deli is situated on a pedestrian-friendly street within the city’s urban core. Designed to replace an existing retail showroom, construction was a challenge because this location had never served as a restaurant; all the infrastructure would have to be developed within an existing poured-in-place concrete structure. The vision was to create a destination space that offered a heightened visual experience for guests. The open layout reinforces the social nature of the design with the goal of crafting that “third place” within the community. Space planning was crucial to the design process. To create a “buzzy” New York-style atmosphere, an open kitchen layout embraces pedestrians. Guests enter and are immediately greeted by the host or may choose to visit the bakery, self-serve kiosks, or be seated in one of two dining areas. Solo diners are made to feel special with a view of the kitchen or Palm Ave. To accommodate the new restaurant, much of the existing interior was demolished while care was taken to preserve back-of-house spaces and re-purpose interior components. All the existing mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and fire suppression systems had to be redesigned or significantly repaired. The interior design creates a feeling of the classic Jewish deli, but with a modern, Florida vibe. Dark green, teal, weathered brass, gold paint, and black finishes create an immersive atmosphere. The flooring is an updated version of familiar black and white checkerboard, mixing 24x24” with 12-by-24” tiles to create a non-traditional pattern. Sleek black subway tiles are mixed with penny-tile wallcovering. The ceiling, which looks like vintage tin, is acoustic tile. Tabletops are edged in brass banding and feature vintage comic-strip artwork with Sarasota references. The result delivers beauty and function, transporting guests with a multi-sensory experience of familiar comfort and daily inspiration.
Architect
Solstice Planning & Architecture |
Jonathan Parks
Contractor
R.E. Crawford Construction
Interior Design
Blok Design Group
Mechanical Engineer
Infinity Engineering
Developer
ML Real Estate
Photographer
Dylan Jon Wade Cox -DJWC Photo
Renderer
Blok Design Group
LAKEWOOD RANCH LIBRARY
FAWLEY BRYANT ARCHITECTURE
The Lakewood Ranch Library design concept began with a treehouse. Treehouses are impactful, built not to be symmetrical but to integrate into the natural inconsistencies of nature. A stairway to the roof models the experience of climbing up a tree, with vignettes of views out into the neighboring community and sports complex, walls gaining transparency as you climb. The tree also ties into the library’s function, tying into that quest for knowledge and the comfort found beneath a tree’s shade. Simple geometry maximizes the square footage within budgetary constraints, and during design development, the county expanded the program to two stories and added a roof terrace. The first floor of the library houses primary library functions, innovative makerspaces, and classrooms encouraging creativity and learning, supporting a variety of activities. The second floor was designed to be flexible to needs not yet assigned, adaptable to future office space or expanded library functions. The unknown future use of the second floor was a challenge that we addressed by increasing structural load capacity so that if it is used for library functions, the weight will be supported. Another challenge arose in offering a traditionally quiet library for a population with growing numbers of families with children. Sound level concerns were addressed by implementing a dedicated children’s space, acoustically separated from quieter spaces of the library. Accessible spaces allow the community to utilize meeting spaces outside regular library hours, and accessibility is extended via drive-throughs for book pickup and dropoff. Flexibility was a key element of design, with the library proposed to become a hub not just for traditional library functions, but also for events like Zumba on the rooftop and open sewing and robotics classes. Library stacks are on wheels, and furniture is all transitional to accommodate different needs within the space.
Architect Fawley Bryant Architecture; Developer Manatee Count; Contractor Willis A. Smith Construction; Interior Design Fawley Bryant Architecture;
GULF COAST COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
PLUNKETT RAYSICH ARCHITECTS, LLP
The Gulf Coast Community Foundation, headquartered in Venice, Florida, envisioned a modern and sophisticated space for their new Philanthropic Center in downtown Sarasota. The foundation drives regional philanthropy and community development through impactful charitable initiatives and investment in local causes across Florida’s Gulf Coast. This renovation embodies the organization’s core values, aspirations, and its significant commitment to Sarasota. Spanning a mere 4,600 square feet on the ground floor of a 10,000 square foot historic building along State Street, the project breathes new life into a structure with a storied past. Originally constructed as a bank in 1955, the building has had many lives including a furniture gallery and an art gallery. The interior layout was entirely reimagined to fulfill the client’s programmatic requirements.
The renovation transforms the once dim and outdated space into a luminous, contemporary office. Expansive storefront openings on the west facade flood the interior with natural light, enhancing its inviting atmosphere. The new design includes two intimate private meeting rooms, a spacious boardroom, a divisible community room, and an elegantly appointed donor lounge. The welcoming entry foyer seamlessly connects to a reception area and refreshment space, setting a warm tone for visitors. At the corridor’s end, open office workstations cater to visiting employees, complemented by a large catering kitchen for community events and essential restrooms. A notable discovery during the renovation were two old bank vaults. While one could not be incorporated, the other was preserved as a distinctive feature of the office space. Additionally, original brickwork, once hidden beneath plaster, was exposed to highlight the building’s historical character. The boardroom features wood meticulously reclaimed from the historic John Ringling Hotel, infusing the space with a rich sense of Sarasota heritage. This design stands as a testament to the foundation’s dedication to fostering community growth. It promises to be a pivotal space for over 1,000 families who have established charitable funds, reinforcing the Foundation’s commitment to its visionary and mission-driven goals.
Architect Plunkett Raysich Architects, LLP; Contractor Willis A. Smith Construction; Mechanical Engineer Genesis Engineering Group; Interior Design Plunkett Raysich Architects, LLP; Structural Engineer Snell Engineering Consultants; Photographer Ryan Gamma Photography.
TROPICAL INTERIORS FLORIST
“Our success so far is reflective of all the hearts—mine and our staff members’—and, perhaps most importantly, the enthusiasm and support of the community. We’re really excited to be able to continue the memory of Tropical Interiors Florist because we’ll get more facetime with the community that has already lifted us up so much in the last two years. We’re excited to be more present in more areas locally in Manatee and Sarasota County.”
— Chante’ DeMoustes, Owner
TRIBUTE TO BUSINESS ON THE CREATIVE COAST
TROPICAL INTERIORS FLORIST IS CONTINUING ITS LONG-STANDING 50 YEARS IN BUSINESS IN MANATEE AND SARASOTA AREA SINCE 1975. The owner Chante’ DeMoustes wanted to keep the life of the floral industry going and introduce the newly designed shop by creating a unique showroom that invites you in to the rustic and French flower market with products and floral arrangements that are unique to area. Tropical Interiors Florist is located at 1303 53rd Ave West Bradenton, FL 34207. Come on in and meet the Tropical team and check out the beautiful store. We offer a wide selection of arrangements to unique wrapped bouquets that are made to order. Chante’ DeMoustes is excited to have a local storefront in Bradenton for the business she took over in 2020. “We can offer so many things that you could never find in traditional retail stores,” she says. “I’m looking forward to letting people see the real floral beauty that is possible to generate from our bouquets with classic staples to trending artistic arrangements. We are excited to connect with the community in a way that we have yet to have the opportunity to do. We’re looking forward to seeing many new daily faces in the community and being able to talk to people about our work and showcase how abundant our products are to help cater to any customer needs.” Tropical Interiors Florist offers yearround flower subscriptions for weekly or monthly services, daily everyday arrangements, botanical décor, tropical flowers, fresh cut flowers, houseplants, dried flowers, centerpieces, sympathy funeral arrangements for services, office arrangements, and business house accounts to create custom arrangements. Services also include wedding and event design consultations. Tropical Interiors Florist offers specialty cut flowers that are straight from farms internationally. “In the floral industry it is hard to compete with all 1-800 online stores and Grocery store offers, but we promise the flowers last and speak for themselves. The floral industry needs all local continue support as it is a chain of businesses working together to keep the floral artistry alive. There is so much that goes into each flower arrangement from the time it is grown to get to the customers hand to enjoy. It is a living piece of art, and each flower has its own unique beauty. We can’t encourage more to call your local flower shop and avoid online order taking companies. Your local florist can cater to customers’ needs faster and with better quality. We focus on customer care, quality, and our rapport with each client.”Through Tropical website www.tropicalinteriorsflorist.com, customers can buy bouquets or schedule pickup of flowers to design their own arrangements at home. As for the flower subscriptions, these are great gift givers or just for oneself to enjoy. Subscribers can select different packages available from monthly, quarterly, to yearly. If you are thinking ahead for special occasions or holidays this is great gift idea.
