Business briefs

+Off the Handle, an indoor cycling studio, opened on Clark Road with a launch party May 2.

The business is the first venture for owners Bianca Ventura and Aimee Howe. The studio offers a variety of workout and exercise options, including classes that involve free weights, core strengthening, stationary cycling and creative choreography, all set to music.

The two co-founders came together with a vision of providing an empowering environment with fun but challenging workouts to members of the Sarasota community and beyond.  

Off the Handle is located at 4061 Clark Road. Learn more at offthehandlesrq.org

+Business celebrates 30-year anniversary

Amelia and Doug Manning recently celebrated 30 years of Discount Computers, on South Tamiami Trail. 

"Doug and I started the business when we were 21 years old," said Amelia Manning. "When we started, there was no internet or even Windows, we started out in the era of the home computer."

Discount Computers fixed PCs, but no Apple products. After 30 years, the Mannings still aren't tired of computers and fixing them.

"The industry of computers is always changing. There’s always a new operating system," Manning said. "It’s something you don’t get bored with. Every day you come to work and it's something different."

+Hotel occupancy up over 2018

March tourism statistics released by Visit Sarasota this week show a year over year increase in occupancy rates and room nights.

March occupancy was measured at 89.6%, 1.7 percentage points over March 2018.

Room night sold in March rose 6.3% in 2019 to 392,200.

The average room rate fell 3.1% to $241.79.