Longboaters get taste of what Whitney Plaza has to offer

Whitney Plaza was buzzing with residents for the first Summer Night Out of the year.

The businesses of Whitney Plaza partnered together to offer a fun night for Longboat residents to explore new businesses, meet new friends and get involved in the community. 

People started by getting free cheesecake samples from Elegant Lady Cheesecake Parlor before moving to Design 2000 Salon for mingling and pizza from Ventura's Italian Kitchen and Wine Bar. Next door at Driftwood Beach Home and Garden, people drank prosecco while browsing through trinkets and colorful clothes. 

People ended their tour of Whitney Plaza at Sips for free samples at their new gelato shop with Sips hosts Mike and Lorenzo Condensa playing music for the plaza. Ventura’s also extended its happy hour for people to enjoy more food and drinks after shopping and mingling. 

Owner of Driftwood Beach Home and Garden Heather Rippy and co-owner of Design 2000 Irina Bronstein started this event last year. The event has grown since the first one last summer with the addition of Sips Coffee and Gelato, music for the plaza and more attendees. 

“We have such a great turnout this year,” said Rippy. "June is usually well-attended but it is great to see so many people out mingling and making community. My favorite part is that it gives people a chance to meet their neighbors when they wouldn’t otherwise and support small businesses at the same time.”