Longboat Key retail center is all about making connections

Longboat Key native Julia Yesler started working for Michael Garey, co-owner of the Lazy Lobster, three years ago in the midst of a career change.

“When you work for Michael, he has a way of getting you involved in everything,” said Yesler. “That's really how it is out here on Longboat and definitely here in the Centre Shops.”

Yesler said it's hard to work at the Centre Shops of Longboat Key without getting to know everybody. She met Lisa Baskfield, who owns Natures Gem CBD Health and Wellness located next door to the Lazy Lobster. 

The two connected over their passion for fitness and Pilates. Last year, Baskfield asked Yesler if she wanted to start teaching Pilates part-time at her shop. Garey saw how much Yesler loved working with Baskfield, so he encouraged her to pursue it as a full-time career.

Yesler now works full-time as a personal trainer and Pilates instructor at Pilates Longboat Key. She said she wouldn’t be doing her dream job if it wasn’t for the connections she made in the Centre Shops.

The Lazy Lobster and Pilates Longboat Key are only two of the businesses of the Centre Shops. Located at 5370 Gulf of Mexico Drive, the shopping plaza houses many well-known Longboat spots, including the Blue Dolphin Cafe, Steff’s Stuff Antiques, Club Leaf and Bean, the Longboat Key Flower Shop, the UPS Store and the Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce. 

Photo by Petra Rivera

As one of a handful of retail centers on the island, it's rare for plazas on Longboat to have openings because of the longevity of the businesses. Currently, the Centre Shops has three available office spaces for rent on the second floor. 

The Centre Shops was built in 1986. ICORR Properties International purchased the property in December 2014 and performed a $540,000 renovation in 2015. The property was sold to the current owner, Thomas Mohr, this year, but ICORR still manages the site. 

The second floor above the Blue Dolphin Cafe was the original home of Longboat Key Education Center, according to program manager Susan Goldfarb. She said it was a major pull for people to visit the plaza. 

Goldfarb said the Education Center almost closed in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Relocating after this struggle, it reopened as The Education Center at Temple Beth Israel.

After The Education Center relocated, smaller businesses started to rent the second-floor units. These upstairs suites usually appeal to Longboaters who work from home and need a change of scenery or people who want to start new businesses on the island. 

The turnover of businesses may be due to the season ending and people departing for the season. Susan Wells from ICORR Properties said that the lack of knowledge of the upstairs offices is also a reason for the vacancies. 

Photo by Petra Rivera

“This plaza is really neighbors helping neighbors and friends helping friends,” said Kim Verreault, president of the Longboat Key Chamber. “Everyone always makes sure to pop their head in whenever they are walking by. We all also refer each other’s businesses to our customers. ICORR is also great. They are very responsive when we need something.”

Right next door to the Chamber is Longboat’s new, exclusive cigar club, Club Leaf and Bean. As a new business in the plaza, co-owner Mark Zini said the variety of shops in the plaza created a perfect atmosphere for their members. 

Many Club Leaf and Bean members go to dinner at the neighboring restaurants, shop and then enjoy the cigar club. The numerous options and welcoming atmosphere proved the plaza to be a prime spot for its members to understand the culture of Longboat Key.

“All businesses have an open-door policy,” said Wells. “They're just all very accommodating and very active in the community, always participating in different Longboat events and giving back to the community. It is just perfect for new business owners or people who want to be more involved on the island.”