Category: Waterside Place
Lakewood Ranch Businesses Shine at SRQ Magazine’s “Best Of” 2025 Awards
Lakewood Ranch, FL – The vibrant business community of Lakewood Ranch has been recognized at the prestigious Best Of 2025 awards by SRQ Magazine, with numerous local businesses receiving top honors across various categories. This year’s awards honor the excellence of local businesses in Main Street, Waterside Place, and the greater Lakewood Ranch area, recognizing their success and strong connection with the community.
The Best Of awards highlight businesses that have made significant impacts in their respective industries, from dining and fitness to design and real estate. Congratulations to all the winners, whose dedication to excellence and community engagement have earned them these esteemed accolades.
Main Street Lakewood Ranch Winners:
- Station 400 – Best Local Breakfast: Gold
- Village Bikes – Best Local Bike Shop: Platinum
- Neal Communities – Best Local Builder: Gold
- Charlene Neal Purestyle – Best Local Designer: Gold
Waterside Place Winners:
- Waterside Place – Best Local Place: Gold
- KORE – Best Local Korean: Platinum
- Osteria 500 – Best Local Italian: Silver (Tied with Mediterraneo Italian American)
- O&A Coffee and Supply – Best Local Coffee Shop: Silver
- Farmers’ Market at LWR – Best Local Farmers’ Market: Gold & Silver
- SHACK Yoga + Fitness – Best Yoga Studio: Platinum
- Wellness IV Therapy & Spa – Best Local IV Drip: Silver
- Modish – Best Local Hair Stylist / Hair Salon: Platinum
- PAINT Nail Bar – Best Mani/Pedi: Gold
- ManCave for Men – Best Local Barber: Platinum
Lakewood Ranch Winners:
- Owen’s Fish Camp
Best Local Oysters: Gold
Best Outdoor Dining: Platinum
Best Local Seafood: Platinum (Tied with Walt’s Fish Market)
Best Local Fish Market: Silver
- ATRIA Cafe
Best Local Tea: Silver
Best Post-Storm Café or Restaurant: Silver
- John Cannon Homes
Best Local Builder: Platinum
Best Contractor, Residential Homes: Platinum
- Lakewood Ranch Preparatory School
Best Charter School: Gold
- Children’s Dentistry of Lakewood Ranch
Best Dentist for Kids: Bronze
- Sirius Day Spa & Med Spa (Multiple Awards)
Best Anti-Aging Clinic: Platinum
Best Aesthetician: Platinum
Best Weight-Loss Clinic: Platinum
Best Medical Aesthetics: Platinum
Best Massage: Platinum
Best Local Hair Stylist / Hair Salon: Gold
Best Mani/Pedi: Platinum
Best Eyebrows / Eyelashes: Platinum
Best Day Spa: Platinum
Best Nurse Practitioner (Nikki Blazer): Platinum
Best Business Leader (Karen Medford): Silver
- Lakewood Ranch Med Spa
Best Anti-Aging Clinic: Silver
Best Aesthetician: Silver (Tied with Lavender Moon Aesthetics)
Best Local IV Drip: Gold
Best Weight-Loss Clinic: Gold
Best Medical Aesthetics: Silver
Best Massage: Silver
Best Day Spa: Gold (Tied with Lavender Moon Aesthetics)
Best Nurse Practitioner: Silver
- The Salt Caves & Spa at Lakewood Ranch
Best Local Salt Therapy: Platinum
- Jazzercise Lakewood Ranch
Best Fitness Coach / Studio: Platinum
- Lakewood Ranch Medical Center
Best Hospital: Gold
- Rose Dental at Lakewood Ranch
Best Dentist: Platinum
Best Cosmetic Dentistry: Platinum
- Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance
Best Networking Group: Bronze
Best Local Chamber: Silver
- Lakewood Ranch Golf & Country Club
Best Private Golf Course: Bronze
- The Ritz-Carlton Members Golf Club
Best Private Golf Course: Silver
- Grace Community Church, LWR Campus
Best Faith Leader: Gold
Vendors Participating in Lakewood Ranch Events:
- The Maine Line
Best Local Seafood: Gold
Best Local Food Truck: Platinum
Best Local Caterer: Gold
Best Local Sandwich: Silver
- Purple Bol
Best Local Food Truck: Silver
Best Local Acai Bowl: Silver
- Cornerstone & Co
Best Local Food Truck: Bronze (Tied with Smokin Momma Lora’s BBQ Mobile)
Best Local Caterer: Bronze
- Modern Luxe
Best Local Jeweler: Bronze
- Bread Bandits
Best Local Bagel: Bronze
Best Local Bread: Platinum
Best Local Bakery: Platinum
- Peachy’s
Best Local Donuts: Gold
These prestigious recognitions underscore the high quality and diverse offerings found in Lakewood Ranch, making it a standout destination for residents and visitors alike. The Best Of awards are a testament to the hard work, dedication, and passion that these local businesses bring to the community.
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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 72,000 residents and features top-rated schools, the Lakewood Ranch Medical Center, the Sarasota Polo Club, the 75-acre Premier Sports Campus, and three town centers that include theaters, shopping and dining. For more information, visit lakewoodranch.com.
The Wellness Space
The Wellness Space Opens in Waterside at Lakewood Ranch
A new sanctuary for holistic wellness, connection, and personal transformation
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | SARASOTA, FL — Our local wellness community is about to
welcome a beautiful new addition. The Wellness Space, a boutique self-care studio
co-founded by internationally experienced practitioners Maria Luedeke and Kyle
Schauenberg, is preparing to open its doors in the next two weeks in Waterside at
Lakewood Ranch. Located at 1561 Lakefront Dr, Unit 208, the studio offers a thoughtfully
curated menu of services designed to nourish the body, calm the mind, and empower the
spirit.
With offerings that include:
● Emotional Wellness & Cognitive Behavior Coaching
● Meditation
● Emotional Wellness Classes
● Breathwork
● Yoga
● Nutrition Support
● Corporate Wellness Programs
● State-of-the-Art Red Light Bed
● Individualized Coaching
● Educational Group Classes
● Community-Oriented Events
The Wellness Space provides both group and individual experiences, guiding clients through
a journey of nourishment, exploration, restoration, and transformation.
A Vision Rooted in Global Experience and Deep Connection
After living abroad in Italy and Singapore, respectively, co-founders Kyle and Maria
relocated to Sarasota, inspired by the opportunity to build something meaningful and
community-centered. Their shared vision: to create a peaceful, supportive environment
where people can reconnect with themselves and one another.
“We wanted this space to have connection at its core,” says Schauenberg. “We had a
vision of bringing together a range of impassioned wellness experts and wellness
seekers to offer support, learning, and community in their quest for mind/body/soul
connection.”
With deep experience supporting clients across cultures and industries, both founders
bring global perspective and grounded, personalized care to every session. Kyle is a
meditation teacher, yoga educator, and embodiment guide who works with leaders
worldwide. Maria is a former psychotherapist, an ICF-certified executive coach, and a
meditation teacher specializing in anxiety, relationships, leadership, and major life
transitions. Their work is rooted in evidence-based practices and a belief in each person’s
intuitive ability to heal and grow.
“As practitioners, we treasure the cross-pollination of different wellness modalities,”
adds Luedeke. “And we crave collaborations with other vibrant experts and the
professional support and inspiration that comes with that.”
A Studio Designed for Belonging and Growth
Located in the heart of Waterside at Lakewood Ranch, The Wellness Space was designed to
offer more than just services—it’s a sanctuary where community, learning, and healing
unfold naturally.
Studio features include:
● A collaborative studio for group practices and gatherings
● A warm, welcoming lounge for relaxation and conversation
● A red light therapy room for healing and renewal
● Private consultation rooms for one-on-one sessions
● A curated boutique and wellness library for continued learning
The studio’s holistic approach integrates mind, body, and soul. Services are personalized,
community-focused, and grounded in both scientific research and real-world application.
Experience the Space – First Class Free
To celebrate its opening, The Wellness Space is offering a free first group class with promo
code FIRSTCLASS—inviting new guests to try a session and experience the calm,
connection, and clarity firsthand.
Memberships and individual sessions are now available for pre-sale. The team is also
accepting inquiries from local businesses interested in corporate wellness programming.
To learn more or claim your first free class and/or learn more about The Wellness Space,
visit www.thewellness-space.com or follow along on Instagram at @thewellnessspaceglobal.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Kristi Finigan
Ryderwild
kristi@ryderwild.com
(571) 999-4363
Family values, commitment to quality on the menu at Phelan Family Brands
Market Magic
The Farmers Market at Lakewood Ranch has grown into one of the area’s premier attractions.
New Restaurant opens at Regional Dining Destination Waterside Place
Deep Lagoon Seafood and Oyster House is the most recent addition to Waterside Place, a lakeside destination that showcases a range of international dining experiences. The “upscale casual” restaurant features inside and outside dining and bars, with boundless lake views.
Begin with a morning cup of coffee, join colleagues for a leisurely business lunch, gather friends and family for a carefree dinner, and stay to watch a brilliant sunset or for one of the numerous programmed activities while grabbing a drink and strolling the street. Combined with the abundance of shops, self-care and beauty options, you can spend a few hours or an entire day at Waterside Place.
This regional destination is also home to the weekly Farmers’ Market, recently ranked No. 1 in Florida for the second year in a row; the world’s largest recreational cornhole league, the monthly Sights and Sounds arts series and Movies in the Park, and Music on the Plaza on Friday and Saturday nights.
Waterside Place takes the best of dining, shopping and arts districts and combines them into one inviting gathering place for the community that’s never the same place twice. Bring your dogs and your kids and let them enjoy the abundance of green space, playground and splash pad, and park, all connected by trails and nestled around beautiful Kingfisher Lake.
Opening soon will be Allswell brew pub, Italian market Eatalia, and Carved, a gourmet sandwich shop offering crafted sandwiches, salads, soups, bowls, and more, which will give diners even more choices for a bite on the go or a leisurely meal.
For more information about Waterside Place, visit watersideplace.com and keep up with Waterside Place’s social life on Facebook and Instagram.
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About Waterside Place
Waterside Place town center 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 unique retail shops; diverse dining options; an eight-acre park; miles of nature trails; communal “pop-up” spaces, and more.
Lakewood Ranch Farmers’ Market Named No. 1 in Florida for the Second Year
The Farmers’ Market at Lakewood Ranch was recently named No. 1 in Florida for the second year running, 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 1 to July 31, during which the public voted on their favorite markets. The Market was also ranked No. 3 in the Southeast. 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 seventh 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 dynamic lakefront 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.
“We are deeply grateful to have been voted the #1 market in Florida once again,” said Nicole Hackel, the Market’s manager. “Our commitment to enhancing the experience for our attendees drives us to continuously seek out new vendors, activities, and experiences for the Farmers’ Market.”
The Market also works with Community Harvest SRQ 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. Other activities on Market Sundays include yoga at the adjacent Waterside Park, weekly live music, Kids’ Corner crafts, facepainting and balloon twisting, among others.
Before or after enjoying the Farmers’ Market, Waterside Place visitors can immerse themselves in an engaging experience that offers more waterfront dining and shopping than any other locale in Manatee and Sarasota counties, including more than 30 carefully curated retailers and restaurants.
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 unique commercial, retail and office space; diverse international dining options; an eight-acre park with splash pad; 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 72,000 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.
Help Keep Lakewood Ranch Farmers’ Market No. 1 in Florida!
Last year, the Farmers’ Market at Lakewood Ranch was named No. 1 in Florida as part of the 16th annual America’s Farmers Market Celebration (AFMC), sponsored by the American Farmland Trust and the Farmers Market Coalition. This year, voting runs from June 1 to July 31, during which the public is invited to vote on their favorite markets. “We are deeply honored to have been voted the #1 farmers’ market in Florida last year,” said Nicole Hackel, events and resident experience manager for Lakewood Ranch Communities. “This recognition is a testament to the dedication and passion of our vendors, the hard work of our Market team, and the unwavering support of our visitors. As we look ahead, we are eager to retain our top position in Florida and are excited about the opportunity to become the #1 farmers’ market in the nation this year.”
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 seventh 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 is a favorite weekly tradition for people from all over the region seeking farm-fresh produce, prepared foods, 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 and games, and a Community Supported Agriculture program each fall and winter in partnership with Honeyside Farms.
The Market also works with Community Harvest SRQ 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.
“The Farmers’ Market has become the heart of our community, serving as a cherished weekly gathering space,” Hackel said. “It’s where we come together to connect with friends and neighbors, bring our families and furry friends, and enjoy live music set against the stunning backdrop of Kingfisher Lake. This vibrant atmosphere embodies the spirit of Lakewood Ranch, fostering connections and celebrating local talent and vendors. We are deeply grateful for the continued support and enthusiasm that makes our market a special place for everyone.”
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 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 70,000 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.
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
New music festival in Lakewood Ranch aims to ‘keep the legacy’ of Bradenton Blues Festival
Disappointed Bradenton Blues Festival won’t return this year? A new Lakewood Ranch music festival will feature “blues artists from around the world.”
Sarasota Herald-Tribune
Soon after the announcement that one of Sarasota-Manatee’s largest annual music festivals will not return this year, a new event featuring the former festival’s artistic director has been announced.
The inaugural Lakewood Ranch Blues Festival will take place 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Dec. 7 at Waterside Park in Lakewood Ranch’s Sarasota County development Waterside Place, according to a press release. The new event comes after last month’s announcement that the Bradenton Blues Festival, which took place for 12 years at Bradenton’s Riverwalk (and, during the pandemic, LECOM Park) would be canceled.
Entertainment company Independent Jones, whose president is Morgan Bettes Angell, and Paul E. Benjamin will partner on the Lakewood Ranch Blues Festival. Benjamin was the artistic director of the Bradenton Blues Festival that was produced by nonprofit organization Realize Bradenton, whose founding director Johnette Isham died last year.
“It was important to us to keep the legacy that was created by Johnette and Realize Bradenton alive,” Benjamin said in a statement. “Morgan Bettes Angell and I have teamed up to create a new festival: The Lakewood Ranch Blues Festival. After looking at a number of places we decided that Lakewood Ranch was the best place to host the event, which will draw in blues fans from across the world.”
“The blues are like coming home for me,” Bettes Angell said in a statement. “The Bradenton Blues Festival was the first festival I was a part of producing. Now we’re excited to bring a world-class festival to Lakewood Ranch.”

Over a decade, Bradenton Blues Festival expanded to an event that stretched as long as three days and attracted attendees not only from throughout Florida, but other states and countries as well. It also featured a lineup of internationally touring blues acts ranging from established veterans to rising stars such as Christone “Kingfish” Ingram, who played the 2018 festival and visited Manatee High School as part of the Blues in the Schools program before winning a Grammy and opening for The Rolling Stones and Vampire Weekend.
Lakewood Ranch Blues Festival’s own lineup of acclaimed blues musicians, including Grammy-nominated and Blues Music Award-winning artists, will feature Danielle Nicole, Vanessa Collier, Kat Riggins, Monster Mike Welch, Mitch Woods & His Rocket 88’s, Dylan Triplett and Melody Angel. The festival will also offer food and craft vendors, interactive activities and an outdoor setting, with Kingfisher Lake next to the festival.
Tickets will go on sale soon and cost $75 advance and $90 day of, with a limited number of VIP tickets, according to the press release. Tickets will be sold online at lakewoodranchbluesfestival.com, where those interested can also sign up to receive updates including lineup announcements, exclusive food and drink releases, and more.