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  • Bradenton’s Best 2025 – Nominees

    Lakewood Ranch:

    • Acapulco Mexican Restaurant – Bradenton’s Best…
      • – All Around Restaurant
      • – Mexican Restaurant
    • Linger Lounge – Bradenton’s Best…
      • – All Around Restaurant
    • B&B Chophouse & Market – Bradenton’s Best…
      • – All Around Restaurant
      • – Bar
      • – Brunch
      • – Butcher
      • – Date Night Spot
      • – Dessert
      • – Fine Dining Restaurant
      • – Happy Hour
      • – Lunch Spot
      • – Steakhouse
      • – Wine Selection
    • PDQ Chicken – Bradenton’s Best…
      • – All Around Restaurant
      • – Catering
      • – Wings
      • – Lunch Spot
    • Urban Taco – Bradenton’s Best…
      • – All Around Restaurant
      • – Catering
      • – Salad
      • – Tacos
    • MOD Pizza – Bradenton’s Best…
      • – All Around Restaurant
      • – Pizza
      • – Salad
    • Speaks Clam Bar – Bradenton’s Best…
      • – All Around Restaurant
      • – Seafood Restaurant
    • The Greyson – Bradenton’s Best…
      • – Bar
      • – Burger
      • – Wings
      • – Happy Hour
      • – Lunch Spot
      • – Sports Bar
    • The Granary Breakfast & Lunch Restaurant – Bradenton’s Best…
      • – Breakfast
      • – Brunch
    • Fuego Comida & Tequila – Bradenton’s Best…
      • – Catering
      • – Date Night Spot
      • – Margaritas
      • – Outdoor Dining
      • – Specialty Cocktails
    • SoFresh – Bradenton’s Best…
      • – Catering
    • Taste of China – Bradenton’s Best…
      • – Chinese Restaurant
    • Jeremiah’s Italian Ice – Bradenton’s Best…
      • – Frozen Treat
    • Bar Italia – Bradenton’s Best…
      • – Italian Restaurant
    • Tsunami Sushi, Cocktails & Grill – Bradenton’s Best…
      • – Japanese Restaurant
      • – Seafood Restaurant
      • – Specialty Cocktails
      • – Sushi
    • Lakewood Ranch Preparatory Academy – Bradenton’s Best…
      • – Charter School
      • – Elementary School
      • – High School
      • – Middle School
    • Primrose School at Lakewood Ranch – Bradenton’s Best…
      • – Daycare
      • – Pre-school
      • – Private School
    • Lakewood Ranch High School – Bradenton’s Best…
      • – High School
    • Lakewood Ranch Acupuncture & Wellness – Bradenton’s Best…
      • – Acupuncture
    • The Windsor of Lakewood Ranch – Bradenton’s Best…
      • – Assisted Living
      • – Retirement Community
    • Lakewood Ranch Chiropractic – Bradenton’s Best…
      • – Chiropractor
      • – Pain Management Clinic
      • – Physical Therapist
    • Rose Dental at Lakewood Ranch – Bradenton’s Best…
      • – Cosmetic Dentistry
      • – Dentist
    • Sirius Day Spa, Salon & Med Spa – Bradenton’s Best…
      • – Day Spa
      • – Hair Salon
      • – Massage
      • – Med-Spa
      • – Nail Salon
      • – Waxing
      • – Weight-Loss Center
    • Lakewood Ranch Med Spa – Bradenton’s Best…
      • – Day Spa
      • – Massage
      • – Med-Spa
      • – Weight-Loss Center
    • Lakewood Ranch Medical Center – Bradenton’s Best…
      • – Doctor (Katarzyna Zolkos, MD)
      • – Hospital
    • The Yoga Barre – Bradenton’s Best…
      • – Fitness Center / Gym
      • – Yoga / Pilates
    • Lindsay Dinant’s Hair Creations – Bradenton’s Best…
      • – Hair Salon
    • Cutting Loose Salon Lakewood Ranch – Bradenton’s Best…
      • – Hair Salon
    • DT Nails – Bradenton’s Best…
      • – Nail Salon
    • Tanaholics – Bradenton’s Best…
      • – Tanning Salon
    • South Beach Tanning Company – Bradenton’s Best…
      • – Tanning Salon
    • Magnolia Estates – Bradenton’s Best…
      • – Apartment Complex
    • Lakewood Ranch Golf & Country Club – Bradenton’s Best…
      • – Golf Course Community
      • – Golf Course
    • Legacy Golf at Lakewood Ranch – Bradenton’s Best…
      • – Golf Course Community
      • – Golf Course
    • Homes by Westbay – Bradenton’s Best…
      • – Home Builder
    • Taylor Morrison – Bradenton’s Best…
      • – Home Builder
    • John Cannon Homes – Bradenton’s Best…
      • – Home Builder
    • Ryan Homes – Bradenton’s Best…
      • – Home Builder
    • D.R. Horton – Bradenton’s Best…
      • – Home Builder
    • Pulte Homes – Bradenton’s Best…
      • – Home Builder
    • Palm Grove at Lakewood Ranch by Neal Communities – Bradenton’s Best…
      • – New Home Community
    • The Salt Caves & Spa at LWR – Bradenton’s Best…
      • – Attraction 
    • Even Hotel Sarasota-Lakewood Ranch – Bradenton’s Best…
      • – Hotel / Resort
    • Goldfish Swim School – Bradenton’s Best…
      • – Swim Lessons / School

    Main Street:

    • GROVE – Bradenton’s Best…
      • – All Around Restaurant
      • – Bar
      • – Brunch
      • – Burger
      • – Catering
      • – Date Night Spot
      • – Dessert
      • – Fine Dining Restaurant
      • – Happy Hour
      • – Lunch Spot
      • – Margaritas
      • – Outdoor Dining
      • – Salad
      • – Sandwiches
      • – Specialty Cocktails
      • – Sushi
      • – Wine Selection
      • – Wedding Venue
    • Paris Bistrot – Bradenton’s Best…
      • – All Around Restaurant
      • – Breakfast
      • – Diner
      • – Fine Dining Restaurant
      • – Lunch Spot
      • – Outdoor Dining
    • Ed’s Tavern – Bradenton’s Best…
      • – All Around Restaurant
      • – Bar
      • – Wings
      • – Lunch Spot
      • – Outdoor Dining
      • – Salad
      • – Sandwiches
      • – Sports Bar
      • – Live Music
    • McGrath’s Kitchen & Cocktails – Bradenton’s Best…
      • – All Around Restaurant
      • – Diner
      • – Happy Hour
      • – Irish Pub
      • – Lunch Spot
      • – Outdoor Dining
    • Inkawasi – Bradenton’s Best…
      • – All Around Restaurant
      • – Fine Dining Restaurant
      • – Lunch Spot
      • – Outdoor Dining
    • Remy’s on Main – Bradenton’s Best…
      • – All Around Restaurant
      • – Bar
      • – Breakfast
      • – Brunch
      • – Burger
      • – Diner
      • – Lunch Spot
      • – Outdoor Dining
      • – Sandwiches
      • – Specialty Cocktails
    • Station 400 – Bradenton’s Best…
      • – Breakfast
      • – Brunch
      • – Lunch Spot
      • – Outdoor Dining
      • – Salad
      • – Sandwiches
    • Percoco’s Pizza & Pasta – Bradenton’s Best…
      • – Date Night Spot
      • – Italian Restaurant
      • – Lunch Spot
      • – Outdoor Dining
      • – Pizza
      • – Salad
      • – Wine Selection
    • Ice Cream Shoppe – Bradenton’s Best…
      • – Dessert
      • – Frozen Treat
    • Pincher’s – Bradenton’s Best…
      • – Diner
      • – Lunch Spot
      • – Seafood Restaurant
    • Fine Wine & Tastings on Main – Bradenton’s Best…
      • – Happy Hour
      • – Wine Selection
    • Peculiar Pub – Bradenton’s Best…
      • – Happy Hour
      • – Lunch Spot
      • – Outdoor Dining
      • – Pizza
      • – Specialty Cocktails
    • Casa Maya Mexican Restaurant – Bradenton’s Best…
      • – Margaritas
      • – Mexican Restaurant
      • – Outdoor Dining
    • Arts A Blaze Studio – Bradenton’s Best…
      • – Summer Camp
      • – Children’s Birthday Party Venue
    • Modern Gents – Bradenton’s Best…
      • – Barbershop
    • Barre3 – Bradenton’s Best…
      • – Yoga / Pilates
    • Fairfax Floors – Bradenton’s Best…
      • – Carpet & Flooring Store
    • Charlene Neal PureStyle – Bradenton’s Best…
      • – Interior Design Firm
    • Steiner Law Offices – Bradenton’s Best…
      • – Estate Law
      • – Law Firm
    • Neal Signature Homes – Bradenton’s Best…
      • – Custom Home Builder
    • Neal Communities – Bradenton’s Best…
      • – Home Builder
    • Fantasy Flowers – Bradenton’s Best…
      • – Florist
    • Village Bikes – Bradenton’s Best…
      • – Bicycle Shop
    • Wish Boutique – Bradenton’s Best…
      • – Boutique Shop
      • – Jewelry Store
      • – Place to Buy a Gift
      • – Women’s Clothing Store
    • Naples Soap Company – Bradenton’s Best…
      • – Boutique Shop
      • – Place to Buy a Gift
      • – Specialty Store
    • Vanessa Fine Jewelry – Bradenton’s Best…
      • – Jewelry Store
    • Knot Awl Beads – Bradenton’s Best…
      • – Place to Buy a Gift
      • – Specialty Store
    • Epic Home Decor – Bradenton’s Best…
      • – Place to Buy a Gift
      • – Specialty Store
    • The Fish Hole at Lakewood Ranch – Bradenton’s Best…
      • – Attraction
    • Lakewood Ranch Cinema – Bradenton’s Best…
      • – Attraction

    Waterside Place:

    • Osteria 500 – Bradenton’s Best…
      • – All Around Restaurant
      • – Date Night Spot
      • – Dessert
      • – Fine Dining Restaurant
      • – Italian Restaurant
      • – Outdoor Dining
      • – Pizza
      • – Salad
      • – Specialty Cocktails
      • – Waterfront Dining
    • Good Liquid Brewing Co – Bradenton’s Best…
      • – All Around Restaurant
      • – Bar
      • – Brewery
      • – Lunch Spot
      • – Waterfront Dining
    • Good Liquid Distilling Co – Bradenton’s Best…
      • – Bar
      • – Happy Hour
      • – Specialty Cocktails
    • Deep Lagoon – Bradenton’s Best…
      • – All Around Restaurant
      • – Happy Hour
      • – Seafood Restaurant
      • – Waterfront Dining
    • Forked at Waterside – Bradenton’s Best…
      • – Breakfast
      • – Lunch Spot
      • – Salad
      • – Sandwiches
    • O & A Coffee and Supply – Bradenton’s Best…
      • – Coffee Shop
      • – Waterfront Dining
    • KORE Steakhouse – Bradenton’s Best…
      • – Date Night Spot
      • – Happy Hour
      • – Outdoor Dining
      • – Steakhouse
    • Kilwin’s – Bradenton’s Best…
      • – Dessert
      • – Frozen Treat
    • Duck Donuts – Bradenton’s Best…
      • – Donut
    • Agave Bandido – Bradenton’s Best…
      • – Lunch Spot
      • – Margaritas
      • – Mexican Restaurant
      • – Tacos
      • – Waterfront Dining
    • ManCave for Men – Bradenton’s Best…
      • – Barbershop
    • La Chic Boheme – Bradenton’s Best…
      • – Day Spa
    • 3 Form Fitness – Bradenton’s Best…
      • – Fitness Center / Gym
    • Modish – Bradenton’s Best…
      • – Hair Salon
    • Bay Area Aesthetics – Bradenton’s Best…
      • – Med-Spa
    • PAINT Nail Bar – Bradenton’s Best…
      • – Nail Salon
    • Bodybar Pilates – Bradenton’s Best…
      • – Yoga / Pilates
    • SHACK – Bradenton’s Best…
      • – Yoga / Pilates
    • Williams Parker Attorney at Law – Bradenton’s Best…
      • – Estate Law
      • – Law Firm
    • M/I Homes – Bradenton’s Best…
      • – Home Builder
      • – Title Company
    • The Wellness Space – Bradenton’s Best…
      • – Customer Service
    • PRAXIS S-10 – Bradenton’s Best…
      • – Customer Service
    • Marmalade – Bradenton’s Best…
      • – Boutique Shop
      • – Women’s Clothing Store
    • Cileone Jewelers – Bradenton’s Best…
      • – Jewelry Store
    • The Black Dog General Store – Bradenton’s Best…
      • – Men’s Clothing Store
      • – Place to Buy a Gift
      • – Women’s Clothing Store
    • Florida Provisions Co. – Bradenton’s Best…
      • – Place to Buy a Gift

    Vendors:

    • Bread Bandits (Farmers’ Market) – Bradenton’s Best…
      • – Bakery
    • Rendez-Vous French Bakery (Farmers’ Market) – Bradenton’s Best…
      • – Bakery
    • Roma Rosa (Farmers’ Market) – Bradenton’s Best…
      • – Catering
    • Bradentrucky – Bradenton’s Best…
      • – Catering
    • The Surfing Coconut (Farmers’ Market) – Bradenton’s Best…
      • – Catering
      • – Vegan / Vegetarian
    • Carousel’s Soft Serve Icery – Bradenton’s Best…
      • – Dessert
    • Kona Ice – Bradenton’s Best…
      • – Frozen Treat
    • Stella Rose Events / Lets Jump Events – Bradenton’s Best…
      • – Event Services
    • Kinspoke (Farmers’ Market) – Bradenton’s Best…
      • – Florist
      • – Specialty Store

    The Winners of the 2025 Parade of Homes for the Suncoast Builders Association

    Single Family Homes:

    • Applause by Neal Communities at Windward (also available at Palm Grove)
    • Juniper by M/I Homes at Sweetwater
    • Bahia with Bonus by Kolter Homes at Cresswind
    • Lazio by Taylor Morrison at Esplanade at Azario
    • Birchwood III by Stock Development at Wild at Waterside
    • The Pindari by John Cannon at Wild Blue at Waterside (also available at Star Farms)

    Multi Family Less than or Equal to 4:

    • Topaz by M/I Homes at Sweetwater Villas

    Multi Family More than 4:

    • Marigold by Taylor Morrison at The Townhomes at Azario
    • The Coastline by David Weekly Homes at Emerald Landing at Waterside

    Custom Home:

    • Taura by AR Homes by Arthur Rutenberg at Wild Blue at Waterside
    • The Martinique II by Anchor Builders of Southwest Florida at Wild Blue at Waterside

    Communities:

    • Esplanade at Azario by Taylor Morrison

    Landscapes:

    • Chandler by Stock Luxury Homes at Wild Blue at Waterside (Landscaping by Trent Culleny)
    • The Martinique II by Anchor Builders of Southwest Florida at Wild Blue at Waterside (Landscaping by Artis Tree)

    Pools:

    • Applause by Neal Communities at Windward (Pool by Waterscapes)
    • Vilano by Kolter Homes at Cresswind (Pool by Coast to Coast pools)
    • Halyard by Homes by Towne at Shellstone (Pool by Coast to Coast pools)
    • Aviso by Homes by Towne at Shellstone (Pool by Coast to Coast Pools)
    • Key West II by Homes by WestBay at Star Farms (Pool by Coast to Coast Pools)

    Hurricane Information

    We hope this message finds you safe and well after Hurricane Milton. While Lakewood Ranch was fortunate to escape the worst of the storm, our hearts go out to those most severely affected on the barrier islands, coastal areas, and in major flood zones. These families face a long and difficult recovery. Links to relief organizations and volunteer opportunities are provided below.

    In Lakewood Ranch, county services, the Stewardship District, Town Hall, HOAs, and other entities responsible for community assets and services are actively assessing the impact of Milton on their areas of responsibility. Safety hazards are being prioritized, but we ask for patience. Many of the people working behind the scenes to restore services have been personally affected, with some living in areas harder hit than Lakewood Ranch. Despite these challenges, rest assured that no one is standing still; efforts are ongoing to restore normalcy.

    Overall, Lakewood Ranch held up well against this major storm. Services are being reinstated, and many businesses are reopening. The resilience of the Ranch can be attributed in part to Florida’s strong building codes and stormwater management rules, which Lakewood Ranch follows and have evolved over the years to help communities like ours better withstand the impacts of hurricanes like Milton.

    The Lakewood Ranch Information Center will be open on Saturday, October 11th. We will share more information about affected areas and planned activities in our town centers in the forthcoming days. Some businesses have reopened, but community members should contact individual businesses to check on their status.

    If you notice any specific safety concerns in your neighborhood or home, please reach out directly to your HOA, Town Hall, or the Stewardship District. If you are unaware of who to contact, MyLWR.com is the best resource to find specific information.

    Let’s continue to come together as a community, supporting one another and those who were impacted the most.

    INFORMATION RESOURCES

    www.mymanatee.org/storm or call 311

    www.scgov.net or call 211

    www.myLWR.com

    For Assistance, here a few resources to get you started:

    Florida’s State Assistance Information Line: (800)342-3557 or www.floridadisaster.org

    FEMA – Meals, water, disaster aid & unemployment relief: www.disasterassistance.gov  or www.fema.gov/drc

    United Wayrelief resources & daily events

    Disaster Legal Hotline – #833-514-2940

    Disater Distress Helpline – Call or text 1-800-985-5990

    National hotline dedicated to providing year-round disaster crisis counseling

    Samaritan’s Purse Hotline – #833-747-1234

    Free assistance for homeowners affected by the disaster. Volunteers may be able to assist with removal of personal property and furniture, flood cleanup, sanitizing, chainsaw work, debris cleanup and temporary roof tarping.

    Red Cross Hotline – #800-733-2767

    Financial, sheltering, reunification and transitional suppor

    Florida Baptists Disaster Relief Public Assistance – #904-253-0502

    Free Assistance for homeowners affected by the disaster. Volunteers may be able to assist with Storm Debris Cleanup, Temporary Roof Tarping, Chainsaw work and Muck outs

    Crisis Cleanup number: 844-965-1386

    Assistance is always free and may include: Debris removal, Tree removal, flooded home, mold remediation & more cleanup assistance

    Resources for Business Owners:

    Manatee Chamber of Commerce: https://www.manateechamber.com/stormrecovery/

    Sarasota Chamber of Commerce: https://www.sarasotachamber.com/post-hurricane-resources.html

    Volunteer & Donation Opportunities:

    Lakewood Ranch Community Fund: list of local volunteering needs from a variety of nonprofits

    Manatee Community Foundation Disaster Relief Fund – accepting donations for hurricane relief

    Keep Manatee Beautiful – debris clean-up daily from 9 am to 2 pm . Sign up for shifts.

    Convoy of Hope at Grace Community Church: Volunteer days at various locations impacted with storm damage.

    Bayside Community Church: Disaster Relief Fund

    The Center of Anna Maria is collecting supplies, organizing volunteer services and accepting donations for the community. There is also a fund for Gulf Barrier Island Hospitality workers who are out of work due to storm damage.

    Meals on Wheels donate to their food pantries. Volunteer opportunities available.

    Healthy Start Coalition of Sarasota County: Donations of diapers, baby wipes, formula, gift cards and new & lightly used children’s clothing for pregnant women, new families and their babies.

    Kids Comfort Buckets Donation Drive: To help the children of families who have lost everything from Hurricane Helene & Milton. Collecting hygiene and comfort items. Drop off locations at Influence Style and Barre3 (during business hours), or at Main Street Market on Saturday, 10/19 . Alternative donation options; venmo and amazon wishlist. Details here: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/itn2aDvB6dYVBKXf/

    Manatee County Government is looking for any and all post-storm recovery services. This includes but is not limited to, debris clean up and hauling, services for clearing roads, temporary housing, utility restoration, mental health services, financial assistance programs, public health services, building inspection services, and community engagement programs. You can find all Vendor Disaster Recovery Services information requirements and forms HERE. Once you have completed all forms, they can be emailed to recovermanatee@mymanatee.org for review and processing. You will be contacted if your services are required. We appreciate your support through this unprecedented time.

    Best of SRQ Award Winners

    SRQ magazine recently announced its 2023 “Best of SRQ” winners. SRQ readers set records, with 104,395 votes for their hometown favorites. Voting for the 15th annual competition took place over the course of four weeks, covering numerous categories such as favorite local eats, shopping, and hotspots. More than 40 Lakewood Ranch businesses or partners were honored, including those from Waterside Place, Lakewood Ranch Main Street, Ranch Nites’ food trucks, and Farmers’ Market vendors!

    Waterside Place Tenants:

    Best Local Burger – Forked at Waterside

    Best Local French Fries – Forked at Waterside

    Best New Local Restaurant – Forked at Waterside

    Best Local Breakfast – Forked at Waterside

    Best Local Brunch – Forked at Waterside

    Best Local Salad – Forked at Waterside

    Best Local Alfresco Dining – Good Liquid Brewing Company

    Best Local Korean – Kore Steakhouse

    Best Local Brewery – Good Liquid Brewing Company

    Best Local Coffee Shop – O & A Coffee and Supply

    Best Local Juices + Smoothies – Crop Juice

    Best Fitness Coach/ Studio – BODYBAR Pilates – Lakewood Ranch

    Best Mani/Pedi – PAINT Nail Bar

    Best New Business in 2023 – Forked at Waterside

    Best Legal Firm – Williams Parker Attorneys at Law

    Main Street Tenants:

    Best Local Happy Hour – Grove

    Best Wine Shop – Fine Wine & Tastings on Main

    Best Local Bike Shop – Village Bikes

    Best Fitness Coach/ Studio – Barre3, Main Street Lakewood Ranch

    Best Eyecare Practice – InFocus Family Eyecare

    Best Pool Contractor – Waterscapes Pools and Spas

    Regular Food Trucks:

    Best Local Food Truck – The Maine Line Food Truck

    Best Local Food Truck – Mouthole Bbq

    Best Local Food Truck – Big Blue Grilled Cheese

    Best Local Food – Clean Plate SRQ

    Best Local Pizza – Cornerstone and Company

    Farmers Market Vendors:

    Best Local Bread – Bread Bandits

    Best Local Bread – Rendez-Vous French Bakery

    Other Affiliations/ Miscellaneous:

    Best Local Farmers’ Market – The Farmer’s Market at Lakewood Ranch

    Best Local Farm – Honeyside Farms

    Best Local Florist – Mindful Blooms Farm 

    Best Hospital – Lakewood Ranch Medical Center

    Best Nursing Home – Grand Living At Lakewood Ranch

    Best Local Arts Organization – West Coast Black Theatre Troupe

    Best Performing Arts Organization – West Coast Black Theatre Troupe

    Best Performing Arts Organization – Asolo Repertory Theatre

    Best Local Festival – Bradenton Blues Fest

    Best Private School – Out of Door Academy

    Best Private Golf Course – Lakewood Ranch Golf & Country Club

    Best Local Home Builder – Neal Communities, John Cannon Homes, Lee Wetherington Homes, Arthur Rutenberg Homes

    Best Local Chamber – Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance

    Best New Home Community – Windward by Neal Communities

    Lakewood Ranch Farmers’ Market Named No. 1 in Florida

    The Farmers’ Market at Lakewood Ranch was recently named No. 1 in Florida as part of the 15th annual America’s Farmers Market Celebration (AFMC), sponsored by the American Farmland Trust and the Farmers Market Coalition. The event ran from June 19 to Sept. 18, during which the public voted on their favorite markets. The Market was also ranked 22nd in the nation. The AFMC is the only annual ranking of the top farmers markets in the U.S. as voted on by the public.

    The Farmers’ Market at Lakewood Ranch, which is about to enter its sixth season, is home to more than 100 curated vendors of the region’s best food and flavors, and is located at Waterside Place – Lakewood Ranch’s newest town center. Open on Sundays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. year-round, The Market has become a favorite weekly tradition for people from all over the region seeking farm-fresh produce, prepared foods, and specialty items and gifts.

    Other activities on Market Sundays include yoga at 9 a.m. at the adjacent Waterside Park, weekly live music, Kids’ Corner crafts, games, and storytelling; and a Community Supported Agriculture program each fall and winter in partnership with Honeyside Farms.

    The Market also works with Transition Sarasota as part of the Suncoast Gleaning Project. Among other efforts, volunteers pick up leftover vegetables from the farmers weekly and take them to food banks to make meals for those in need, thereby helping diminish food waste while providing nutritious produce to diverse populations.

    For more information about The Market, contact Nicole Hackel at 941-757-1520 or visit lakewoodranch.com/life-on-the-ranch/themarket/.

    # # #

    About Waterside Place

    Waterside Place serves as the heart of Waterside – Lakewood Ranch’s first Sarasota village – and offers an elevated community experience that extends beyond that of a traditional town center. Situated on a 36-acre peninsula overlooking the mile-long Kingfisher Lake, the development blends entertainment with 112,000 square feet of unique in-line and freestanding commercial, retail and office space; diverse dining options; an eight-acre park; miles of nature trails; communal “pop-up” spaces, and more.

    About Lakewood Ranch

    Lakewood Ranch is the 33,000+-acre award-winning master-planned community in Sarasota and Manatee counties on the West Coast of Florida. Just minutes from the Gulf Coast beaches and cultural assets in Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch is already home to more than 64,000 residents and features top-rated schools, the Lakewood Ranch Medical Center, the Sarasota Polo Club, the 75-acre Premier Sports Campus, three town centers, and countless shopping and dining experiences. For more information visit www.lakewoodranch.com.

    Lakewood Ranch accounts for a quarter of all new home construction in Sarasota-Manatee

    Lakewood Ranch accounts for a quarter of all new home construction in Sarasota-Manatee

    Derek Gilliam

    Sarasota Herald-Tribune

    Lakewood Ranch has never had construction start on more homes in a 12-month period than the year ending this spring, with the developer of the master-planned community reporting 2,638 housing starts through March.

    That was a 55% increase over the comparable period a year earlier and represented one-fourth of all housing starts in Sarasota and Manatee counties, Lakewood Ranch said in a news release.

    Laura Cole, senior vice president at Lakewood Ranch, said that before COVID-19 the Sarasota-Manatee area was overlooked and undervalued as a primary home location.

    “The pandemic blew the doors off that notion and accelerated relocations to our area from across the U.S,” she said.

    Data from Zonda, a national housing research firm, shows North Port-Sarasota-Manatee statistical metropolitan area had 6,982 home starts in 2020. That increased to 10,622 in 2021.

    Quarterly data from Zonda for more than 40 metropolitan areas in the U.S. shows the Sarasota-Bradenton area tops in housing starts growth year-over-year, “and now ranks in the top 20 markets nationally in terms of total annual housing starts,” the news release from LWR Communities LLC stated.

    So far this year, home starts are up 46% for the metro area as a residential building boom continues throughout the area, said Kristine Smale, a senior vice president at Zonda.

    Smale said Lakewood Ranch had positioned itself well to capitalize on the drastic swing in migration seen over the past two years by providing a wide range of homes attractive to retirees as well as people starting families.

    “The Sarasota region’s desirable quality of life coupled with highly-ranked schools and a growing job market combine to offer a compelling location for households in all life stages, including young professionals, growing families, empty nesters and retirees,” Smale said.

    Lakewood Ranch’s housing starts were “more than triple the new home production volume of runner-up Wellen Park” in North Port, the news release stated.

    The master-planned community that stretches across southern Manatee County into northern Sarasota has been named the best selling master-planned community for all ages several years in a row.

    Last year, it was the second fastest selling master-planned community in the country behind the age-restricted The Villages in Central Florida.

    Lakewood Ranch said 16 builders are operating in the development.

    “People are chasing a better quality of life in Florida and looking for a community that delivers a cohesive living experience today,” Cole said. “We are constantly working on how best to accommodate our current and future residents’ interests, needs, and lifestyles.”

    Lakewood Ranch’s Dick Vitale to receive the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance

    Lakewood Ranch’s Dick Vitale to receive the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance

    Over the last seven months, the 82-year-old has been successfully treated for melanoma, lymphoma, and underwent vocal cord surgery

    Doug Fernandes

    Sarasota Herald-Tribune

    LAKEWOOD RANCH — Lakewood Ranch resident and ESPN college basketball analyst Dick Vitale will receive the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance at The 2022 ESPYS, to be broadcast live on July 20 at 8 p.m. on ABC.

    The award, named after the late Jimmy Valvanvo, is given to a deserving member of the sporting world who has overcome great obstacles through perseverance and determination. Over the last seven months, the 82-year-old has been successfully treated for melanoma, lymphoma, and underwent vocal cord surgery.

    “When I received the call from Jimmy Pitaro (ESPN president) about receiving this award, I was absolutely blown away,” Vitale said. “I remember that day almost 30 years ago, when I stood on the stage at the first ESPYS, introduced Jimmy V and witnessed him give that incredible speech we all remember. I reflected on his speech many times during my seven-month battle — ‘don’t give up, don’t ever give up’ — and I remembered my mother and father, who taught me never to believe in ‘can’t.’

    “Jimmy V was special and his legacy lives on. I am so grateful to receive this tremendous award in his honor.”

    The Jimmy V Award was first handed out at the 2007 ESPYS. The show brings attention to the V Foundation for Cancer Research, named for Valvano, who appeared on the first ESPYS in 1993 and died less than two months later of cancer at age 47.

    The 17th Annual Dick Vitale Gala raised a record $11.1 million for pediatric cancer research. It brought the total raised over the 17 galas to nearly $55 million.

    Sarasota makes top 10 list of best places to live in U.S.

    For its desirability, quality of life and cost of living, Sarasota was named one of the best places to live in the country by U.S. News & World Report.

    The annual rankings, released this week by the media company, put Sarasota at No. 9 on a list of the 150 best places to live in the country, making it the only Florida city to land in the top 10. 

    U.S. News & World Report describes Sarasota as having “a distinct vibe that’s different from Florida’s relative coastal cities, with its own vibrant arts scene, beachy atmosphere, and burgeoning food culture.”

    “This metro area of just over 800,000 people has a renowned opera house, a number of rooftop bars and the popular beach of Siesta Key,” the magazine wrote. “What makes the region special is its duality – downtown Sarasota boasts resorts and fine dining, but strolling Siesta Key Village or St. Armands Circle offers a more intimate, seaside ambience.”

    The rankings are determined based on several factors developed by the media company – quality of life; job market; desirability, which asks if people want to move to a place; net migration, which determines if people are actually already moving somewhere and value, which includes cost of living. 

    Home affordability and quality of life were also more important than ever this year in the rankings because of the voracity of the national housing market, according to U.S. News. 

    That did have some impact on the ratings overall, moving Huntsville, Alabama, from No. 3 to No. 1 on the list, despite it having a lower desirability ranking on the lower side of the 150 places ranked. 

    Despite Sarasota’s skyrocketing housing costs, it stayed in the same spot – ninth place – as last year.

    Other Florida cities on the list included Naples (No. 12), Melbourne (No. 20), Jacksonville (No. 24), Tampa (No. 39), Pensacola (No. 44), Daytona Beach (No. 68), Port St. Lucie (No. 78), Ocala (No. 91), Fort Myers (No. 100), Tallahassee (No. 110), Lakeland (No. 113), Orlando (No. 118) and Miami (No. 137).

    Just last month, Sarasota was also ranked by the magazine as the No. 1 place to retire in the U.S. for the second year in a row. It’s also the third fastest-growing place in the country, according to the magazine. 

     

    Laura Finaldi

    Sarasota Herald-Tribune

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