New businesses boom on St. Armands Circle

Surf Shack
Coastal Kitchen/the Terrace at Surf Shack
326 John Ringling Blvd.
960-1122

Hours: Surf Shack is open from 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday; 11:30 a.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday. The Terrace is open daily from noon to 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. to close.

Surf Shack Coastal Kitchen opened its second location Dec. 28, on St. Armands Circle. The original location is in Tampa.

“We felt that St. Armands Circle was missing a beach-style concept with moderate pricing and scratch-made, creative food,” CEO and co-principal owner Steve Bishop said. “Things have been going great. We’re very happy to be there.”

The Surf Shack is known for the 11 gourmet tacos on its menu. Upstairs, the Terrace, which also opened Dec. 28, has a menu that changes weekly, but you’ll find more than just food there: The Terrace is a New York-style piano bar.

Just/Because
7 S. Blvd. of the Presidents
388-1939

Hours: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday; noon to 5 p.m. Sundays

Need unique, “just because” gifts for the home? Just/Because can help you. Open since Nov. 1, the owners, sisters Marie Cohen and Barbara Pugliese, wanted to give customers unique, handmade products. The store’s selection includes jewelry, pottery, kitchen supplies and other home goods.

“A lot of our pieces are truly one-of-a-kind pieces that are handmade and crafted,” Cohen said. “My sister and I got tired of going in to a store and seeing everything mass produced and everything the same. There are a lot of people like us looking for unique, one-of-a-kind products.”

The Perfect Find
3 S. Blvd. of the Presidents
388-5200

Hours: 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday

This store can be a perfect find for those who are interested in fossils, minerals and artifacts. The Perfect Find opened its doors in August, and co-owners Joe and Victoria Aaronson are pleased with its development.

The products available are authentic and come from all over the world. Joe Aaronson, who is also a wholesaler, travels to different countries to find these products.

“It’s unique, natural products,” Joe Aaronson said. “Most are one-of-a-kind pieces. No two are alike. It’s different from what’s out there. Many of these products have an exotic mystique to them. People seem to really like that sort of thing.”

St. Armands Art Gallery
411A St. Armands Circle
879-4969

Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday; 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday through Sunday
If you’re wanting to buy art pieces from local artists, look no further than St. Armands Art Gallery, which opened Dec. 1.

“This particular location I’m in has the best view of the Circle, and it’s right over the Columbia Restaurant, so there’s a lot of traffic here,” owner Judy Oliver-Ellis said. “Artists in the area want to be featured in the Circle.”

All of the gallery’s art is local and includes paintings, jewelry, pottery and glass, among other works of art. The gallery’s most-sold art is of local scenes of Sarasota.

“The area just has a big demand for artists,” owner Judy Oliver-Ellis said. “There’s so many here in the area that want to be a part of this and a part of the Circle.”

Tropical Sarasota Realty
421A St. Armands Circle
706-5835

Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday

Although there are many Realtors in the area and several on the Circle, Robert Eric Snyder believes he can distinguish himself.

“Some of my contemporaries, I just adore,” Snyder said. “While some are working on $2.5 billion, I’m working on my first $10 million. I may not be the biggest, but I can provide a lot of personal attention.”

Snyder has been a licensed Florida Realtor since 1994 and is a certified luxury home marketing specialist. He opened Tropical Sarasota Realty Jan. 1, on St. Armands.

“Everyone in the world wants to live here,” Snyder said. “It’s just wonderful here. You get up in the morning and feel like a million dollars.”

Summer’s Jewelry and Accessories
17 S. Blvd. of the Presidents
388-0900

Hours: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday through Tuesday; 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday
Those familiar with St. Armands noticed when Zinnia changed to Summer’s Jewelry and Accessories Nov. 10.

“The old store had more costume jewelry, and we still have jewelry, but it’s more trendy jewelry,” owner Summer Lee said. “We’re also branching out into all kinds of things like patio furniture, gifts and food. The goal is to make it a fun place to shop where you can find just about anything.”

Although the store is mostly female-oriented, men are welcome: The store has a “man cave” section for men to relax in while their female companions shop.

Naples Soap Co.
466 John Ringling Blvd.
388-9700

Hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday

Those with sensitive and dry skin will rejoice with Naples Soap Co. Founded in 2009 in Naples, the company now has seven stores across Florida.

“Most of our stores are in historic areas that typically become high tourist traffic areas,” CEO and founder Deanna Renda said. “St. Armands is elegant and fun and has a really great energy to it.”

The most popular product is the unscented sea salt soap, which the company sold more than 40,000 of last year. Other products include body butters, natural sponges and accessory and home décor items.

“I created every product to have benefits to the body,” Rena said. “Our company is founded on products for sensitive skin, and our products are made right here in Florida.”