Martha’s Vineyard’s Black Dog to open on St. Armands Circle

The Black Dog, a Martha’s Vineyard-based brand, will open its first Florida storefront on St. Armands Circle in Sarasota this season.

The tavern-turned-retailer, which harbors a maritime theme, will move into the 1,850-square-foot former Patchington’s space in October, according to Michael Saunders & Co. Realtor Lee DeLieto Jr., who brokered the lease. 

According to a news release, representatives from The Black Dog were shooting photos for a catalogue last winter and “fell in love with the scenery and charm of the south.” 

“They told me when they were doing the photo shoot, they were taking photos on the sidewalk right in front of this space and had no idea at the time,” DeLieto Jr. said. 

The 386 St. Armands Circle location will become the second of the retailer’s stores south of Maryland, and one of the only locations not near a historic harbor. The retailer sells apparel for men, women, children and canines featuring the iconic black dog logo.

The Black Dog will fill one of the more than four storefronts that have been vacated over the last four months.

“The interesting thing is the number of spaces vacated this summer are extraordinary for the market,” DeLieto Jr. said. “I haven’t seen this many spaces become available since 2008, and that was because of the recession.”

Tube Dude this month moved off of the Circle and into downtown Sarasota. Jolie’s Boutique, which was open on St. Armands for 13 years, also vacated its space due to pressure from competing with national retailers, DeLieto Jr. said.

Patchington’s closed this year after filing for bankruptcy.

“The good thing is it’s all happening now, giving people time to lock in their spaces so they can be open for our season,” DeLieto Jr. said.