Businesses on Sarasota’s famed St. Armands Circle are back at full capacity on one of its most storm-battered blocks.
Now fully leased, a three-unit retail building at 28 S. Boulevard of the Presidents, which took on significant flood damage during hurricanes Helene and Milton in 2024, has reached full occupancy after a renovation and a careful effort to rebuild the right tenant mix.
The landlord, South Ft Myers Properties, LLC, worked with Amy MacDougall, CCIM, and Heidi Haber of Ian Black Real Estate to fill all three units in the 4,221-square-foot building.
Their approach was deliberate.
“We focused on securing tenants capable of long-term success in the area,” said Thomas Lee, the landlord’s authorized representative.
“The tenant mix includes a blend of food, beverage and specialty retail concepts that are already contributing to renewed activity just off the Circle.
Earlier this year, the first of the handful of storefonts opened and the section has been bustling ever since.
Le Shop, the European-inspired coffee shop, wine bar and petit market that opened in late 2025, has already established itself as one of the Circle’s most popular new stops, drawing regulars with its espresso-forward drinks, small-vineyard wines, weekend Spritz socials and curated provisions.
Acadia Jewels Fine Jewelry & Design, a luxury retailer out of Bar Harbor, Maine, opened its Florida debut in the building on New Year’s Day, offering rare gems and custom designs in gold, platinum and silver.
The building has one final tenant, Chocolate Emporium, which is expected to open in June. The shop will be bringing handcrafted chocolates, confections and saltwater taffy to the Circle after much success on Anna Maria Island.
Just next to the building, Flambo Island Cuisine recently opened next door, bringing Caribbean cooking to the Circle. Most recently, Nōnno Umberto Italian Seafood & Steakhouse – a longtime Sarasota favorite – recently reopened at 22 S. Boulevard of the Presidents after its own storm-related closure.
“St. Armands Circle has come back strong,” Haber said.
“This fully leased building is a great example of that momentum continuing.”
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This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Sarasota’s St. Armands Circle sees big comeback after hurricane damage
Reporting by Samantha Gholar, Sarasota Herald-Tribune / Sarasota Herald-Tribune
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
