Sarasota FL

Did you ever wonder what the restaurant, grocery store, department store or bank that you shop or patronize while in Sarasota, FL used to be?  Maybe not, but if you have, here are some of them listed by street name and street number (the list will be continuously expanded and updated).  To search for a particular business or street, hit the "Ctrl" key (lower left area of your keyboard) AND the letter "F" key at the same time.  Credit for much of the information goes to the Sarasota County History Center and the archives of the Sarasota Herald-Tribune and Sarasota Journal. 
Cover Photo: Collage of Sarasota restaurants of the past. Credit to If you grew up in Sarasota, FL... then you remember for many of the photos.

Below: Sarasota signs of the past. 

Note: The names of the current business establishments listed below may have changed for any given address since the post was written, although I try to update them as often as possible.

1st Street
1287 - The Bijou Café Restaurant (since October 1982) used to be a Texaco service station from the 1920's-30's era to the mid-to-late 60's.  In between, it was an art studio in the mid-to-late 70's.
1296 - Azul Steak & Sushi Lounge (since April 2022 and was called Flirt Sushi Lounge until January 2023) used to be Sherwin's Stork Club children's furniture and clothing store from about 1953 to 1958. By the end of 1958, it became the City Collections Office until about 1967. By 1970, it was The Conversation Piece antiques store until 1976. It then became Gourmet Catering until the late 80's as well as Roz's Restaurant for much of that time.  By 1990, it was Limerick Junction Pub & Club and was later Munroe's Restaurant (1995 to 2004), DJ's Restaurant (opened in 2005), Arosa (opened in early 2008) 1st Street Chop House (opened about 2009), Maximo's Pub and Restaurant (opened about early 2012), Roast Restaurant (2013 to 2016) and Umbrellas 1296 restaurant (February 2019 to August 2020). Built in 1925, the early history of the building can be found here (credit Sarasota History Alive): The I.R. Burns & H.H. Bell Building   Photo: Munroe's Restaurant in 1998.

1331 (was 310 W. 7th St. before 1953)- Selby Public Library (since 1998) was built at the former location of a long-time Goodyear Service Store (late 1952 to 1996).  The building was torn down in October 1996 to construct the library while Goodyear moved to a brand new building at 401 N. Lemon Ave. several weeks later. Before Goodyear in the early 50's, a Table Supply grocery store operated at this location.
1426 - This was the location of the Plaza Restaurant (shown below) from August 1928 to August 1974 (it had been renamed as Plaza De Continental Restaurant earlier in 1974).   In early January of 1977, it re-opened as Mr. Roberts Beefeater Restaurant, but changed to Brokerage House Restaurant by the fall of that year until 1979. It then became Merlin's Restaurant until the early 90's and was torn down a few years later in 1997 to make way for new development. 

1544 - Campbell Cabinetry Designs used to be Raul's Spanish Restaurant from 1968 to 1997. It was later Oswald Trippe And Company Insurance.

4th Street
1492 - This used to be Farm and Garden Supply Store (Wayne Hibbs' Farm & Garden by 1964) from at least 1949 all the way until moving to 735 S. Beneva Rd. in 2004.

1525 (A) - The former Nancy's Bar-B-Q (opened in August 2023) used to be Mad Crow Brewery & Grill in 2011 and then became Darwin's on 4th Brewpub from early 2012 until the middle of 2015.  After that it was Sevandos from December 2015 to January 2017, Salsas & Boogaloo Restaurant & Lounge (opened in late 2017), Catrina's Tacos and Tequila, which opened in 2018 until early 2019 and Oasis Restaurant & Bar (September 2020 until May 2023). 

1525 (B) - Food + Beer (since early 2023) used to be Blue Rooster Restaurant from January 2013 to April 2022. Before that it was Rustic Grill.

1558 - Built around the 1940's, this two-story former residence became Alley Cat Café from December 1993 until closing in June 2003. The building was torn down in 2004. 
9th Street
1406 - Before being torn down, this used to be Capricorn II Restaurant and Lounge from about 1983 to at least 1993. It had earlier been Savoy Bar from the mid 50's (previously at 736 Central Ave.) to about the mid-to-late 70's.


12th Street
2031 - AAA Tint Stop LLC (former Tint Pros) used to be a sub and sandwich shop for over 25 years, beginning with Betty Lee's Sandwich Shop in 1971.  It later became Don Quizote's Sandwiches (mid-to-late 70's), Rudolph's Sandwiches (late 70's), Yum Yum Tree (late 70's to early 80's), Subs, Sandwiches & Such (early-to-mid 80's) and Em & Nan's Sub Shop from the mid-to-late 80's to mid-to-late 90's.  After that, it was turned into a Scott Paint store.
2571 - This used to be Stardust Skate Center from the early 80's until closing in 2018. It was originally called Starlight Skating Center and listed at 2535 12th Street.

2594 - Located next to Ed Smith Stadium across Euclid Ave., Tortas Locas & Bakery Mexican Restaurant (since late 2022) used to be 12th St. Cafe from about 1992 to 2016. It then became Bianca's Mexican Restaurant by early 2017 and Angel's Taqueria from 2018 to 2022. Before becoming a restaurant, businesses here included Mc Cormack Auto Paint Shop for at least 20 years starting about 1960 and Suncoast Bakery.

15th Street E.

6301 - Located at the Sarasota-Bradenton line in Manatee County (listed in Sarasota on the KFC website), this has been a KFC restaurant since about 1995.

17th Street
2530 - Hap's Cycle Sales was called Puckett's Cycles and Service at this location from April 1963 (moved from 1467 4th Street) until changing to Hap's in June 1965.
3250 - Princess Nails used to be a Little Caesar's Pizza, which opened in 1989.

3251 (unit 10) - Pizza Hut (since the mid-to-late 80's) in the Northeast Plaza Shopping Center
used to be T.V. Engineers of Kensington Park from the late 70's to mid 80's.
3251 (unit 60) - Jack's Discount Store (since about 1983) used to be Fireplaces Unlimited in the early 80's.
3251 (100) - Look At Me Now Urban Wear and Beauty Supply at the Northeast Shopping Plaza used to be Eckerd Drugs from late 1965 and operating well into the 90's. Eckerd was listed at unit 170 until the early 70's.
3251 (160) - Fat Daddio's Pizza (since 2017) in the Northeast Plaza Shopping Center used to be Honey Crust Pizzeria from about 1983 until 2010.  In between, it was Rico's Pizzeria & Pasta House from 2010 to 2017.  Honey Bees Ladies Apparel was here prior to Honey Crust.
3251 (220) - The former Big Lots (1993 to early 2019 before moving to Town & Country Plaza) in the Northeast Plaza Shopping Center used to be a Sears Surplus Store from the mid 80's to 1993.
3251 (411) - This used to be Phil's Steak & Hoagie Shop from about 1973 until becoming Benny's Steak & Hoagie Shop by 1982. By 1986, it changed to Grace's Steak & Hoagie Shop.

3301 - Key Food Fresh Supermarket (since January 2020) used to be a Winn Dixie Supermarket at this location in the Northeast Plaza Shopping Center from June 1983 to April 2018. It was originally here at unit 200 from April 1963 (as Kwik Chek) to June 1983.
3482 - Maemi's Peruvian Restaurant (since late 2012) in Tallywood Centre used to be Papa Joe's Subs from 1985 to the early 00's.  It then became Springwater Café in 2003 and was later Peruvian Grill II.
3564 - Wet Pets SRQ (since late 2016) used to be a Pizza Hut restaurant from 1979 to about the mid 00's.
3572 - The current Barra Cevichera Peruvian Food (opened in December 2022) and former Hungry Howie's (moved to 3251 17th St. in February 2020 after about 20 years here) used to be a KFC restaurant from May 1977 until the mid 90's.
3590 - Realty Services used to be a 7-Eleven store from about the mid 70's to early 90's.

84th Ave. Cir. E

3704 - Located off of University Parkway. the former Sonic Drive-In Restaurant (2017 to 2023) started as a DQ Chill & Grill in about 2005 and then became Bank of North Florida (later Florida Bank) from 2008 to about 2014.

Avenida Messina (Siesta Key)

140 - Another Broken Egg Cafe started as The Broken Egg Restaurant in 1985. It then moved into a new location at this same address in 2008 in the former Gelato Ice Cream Shop. It later became Another Broken Egg Cafe (not affiliated with The Broken Egg) in 2014.

Bahia Vista Street
2045 - Hot Chikn Kitchn (since October 2022) and the former Traphouse Seafood and BBQ, Blue Moon Grill (June 2018 until late 2020) and former Roadside Rib Shack (2006 to 2018) used to be a Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurant from 1962 to 1984 (address was listed as 2031 Bahia Vista from 1962 to 1968). For the remainder of the 80's, it was Yvonne's Fashions, Just For Fun amusement center and Cosmo's Game House in 1989 until the late 90's. Before Roadside Rib Shack in the 00's, it was Leon's Kosher Kitchen, Bahama John's Rib Shack and then Jamaica Me Rib.

2253 - Rebuilt into a residential area in the early 00's, this used to be Taylor's Grocery from the mid 50's until becoming Breeze In Market in January 1971. It then became a Quick Stop Food Store from the early-to-mid 70's to the mid-to-late 80's. Photo: Breeze-In Market from 1971.

2750 - Sarasota Orthopedic Associates used to be Doctors Hospital from February 1967 until moving to 5731 Bee Ridge Rd. in 1995.  Photo: Doctors Hospital in 1980.

3330 - This used to be Pinecraft Eat 'n House from about 1955 to 1971. After that, it was located at 3434 Bahia Vista.
3350 - Big Olaf Creamery used to be Pinecraft IGA grocery store from at least 1955 until becoming Yoder's Citgo in 1967. After later being renamed to Hurst's Citgo and Pinecraft Citgo, it became Troyer's Citrus & Produce starting in May 1977 and operating well into the 90's.
3434 - Yoder's Restaurant used to be known as Blue Gate Restaurant from about 1975 to the early-to-mid 80's.  For a short time before Blue Gate in the early-to mid 70's, it was called Pinecraft Eat 'n House (previously at 3330 Bahia Vista).  Before becoming a restaurant, a casket dealer (Plank Enterprises) was at this location in the late 60's and early 70's. Photos: Blue Gate Restaurant in 1978,  1977 and 1982.

3637 - Circle A Food Place used to be a Circle K convenience store from the mid 80's to about the late 00's. Earlier, it had been Three Suns Food Store in the mid-to-late 60's and a Li'l General Store from the late 60's to mid 80's.
3713 - Der Dutchman Restaurant used to be the location of Yoder's Giant Burger from 1974 to 1976, before becoming Dutch Kitchen from 1976 to 1978 and Wagon Wheel Restaurant from 1978 to 1985. It became Der Dutchman in 1985 (original building was torn down to become a parking lot and a much larger building was built next door in 1999) until changing to Dutch Heritage in 2002.  It changed back to Der Dutchman in 2012.
3737 (11) - Alma Sue's Quilts used to be the popular Fifty's Diner from about 1994 to 2002. It then became Kreamy Kustard Frozen Delights.  Below: Fifty's Diner

Bay Road
1800 - Sunset Chevrolet (since 1979) used to be Altman Chevrolet from 1965 (moved from Central Ave.) to 1979.  Below: Altman Chevrolet

1902 - Rico's Pizzeria & Pasta House (since 1998) used to be Bagel Inn from January 1978 to 1998.

Bay Shore Road
3701 - Sarasota Jungle Gardens has been a popular Sarasota tourist attraction since 1939.  Below: Entrance sign to Sarasota Jungle Gardens from North Tamiami Trail in the 70's.

Beach Road (Siesta Key)
431 - Condominiums now exist on the site that was the location of the Blue Gentian Restaurant from about the mid-to-late 50's to 1970 when the name was changed to The Inn Between Restaurant until the mid 90's.  It then became the Beach Café.

Bee Ridge Road
2010 - Before being torn down in 1998 to make way for Walgreens, a KFC restaurant was here from late 1974 to the mid-to-late 90's.  Photo: Kentucky Fried Chicken shortly before it's opening in 1974.


2020 -Also torn down in 1998, this was the home of the Pizza Shanty restaurant from 1975 to about 1986.  Previously, from October 1955 to 1975, it had been Don & Eunice's Restaurant and was later American Sun Out from the late 80's to mid-to-late 90's. Photo: Pizza Shanty as seen through a car window it appears.


2030 - Now containing multiple offices (law, sports medicine, orthopedic), this used to be Dixie Lee's Liquors (see below: Credit Sarasota Magazine) from 1987 to 1997 after moving from 3909 S. Tamiami Trail. It was also used as a temporary clearance center for Neiman-Marcus in 1998.

2042 - Medical and law offices now occupy the location that used to be Bohannon's Power Motors from 1961 to about 1988.  It then became Al Havener's Keyboards from late 1988 to about the late 90's.
2043 - Sarasota Radiator Service has operated at this same location since November 1955.  Photo: Sarasota Radiator Service shown 63 years apart at the same location (1955 and 2018). 

2049 - Before becoming Jiffy Lube as it operates as today, this used to be Short Stop Lube & Oil from 1987 until about 1989.
2058 - Red Barn Bar (since 1968) used to be Dewitt Motor Sales from 1958 to 1960 before moving to 2820 Bee Ridge Rd.  After that, it was Marlow Motor Sales (1960 to 1962), Calvert's Nursery (1963 to 1964), Southside Motors (1965) and Julian's Red Barn Tavern from about 1966 to 1968.
2108 - Pritchards Pianos (since October 1967) was known as Hammond Studios until the mid 80's. Before that. it was Edwards Equipment and an office for Burger Queen from about 1961 to 1963 and Mae Fabrics from 1963 to 1967.
2111 - The Eye Associates (since 1992, was also Kantor Eye Associates) used to be a European Health Spa fitness center (1973 to 1981), then Sarasota All-American Fitness Centers from 1981 to about 1989.  Below: Sarasota All-American Fitness Center in 1981 flanked by the "Atlas" statue that was left over from the European Health Spa.


2200 - Sunset Cadillac of Sarasota used to be Cooke Motor Co. (later Cooke Cadillac) from September 1967 until about 1986 when it became Coast Cadillac.

2201 - Speedy Mart (Citgo) used to be Grant's Texaco Service from 1957 to 1972 and Jim's Texaco Service from 1972 to 1983. It then became Ready Stores in April 1988 as a Payless station and switching to Citgo by 1994. It later operated as Sarasota Citgo during the 00's.
2223 - Iverson's Furniture (since December 1959 and called Iverson's Bee Ridge Thrift House in its early years until July 1966) used to be Taylor Furniture from December 1956 to October 1959.

2243 - Rocketstar Records and the former Video Renaissance (from about the early 90's to September 2018) used to be Betty's What Not Shop, as well as Central Bait & Tackle and Life's A Party novelty shop during the 80's.
2245 (A) - The former Pop Craft (opened in 2012) used to be Read All Over Newsstand from the early 90's to the early 00's.  Prior to that, it was Crescent Printing and following it was Pittsburgh Mattress.

2300 (103) - Total Tennis at The Colonnade (since 2012) used to be the Persnickety Cat gift shop from about the mid 80's to 2012.
2407 - The Parrot X-Press Grill (since January 2021) used to be an Amoco service station (Bee Ridge Amoco) from about 1956 all the way into the early-to-mid 00's.  The station was rebuilt in the early 70's. After a long period of vacancy, it became S' macks Burgers & Shakes from 2013 until September 2020. 
2738 -  Bitco Ben's Crypto Club (since March 2023) used to be Fred Astaire Dance Studio for 44 years from October 1978 until moving up the street to 4414 Bee Ridge Rd. in late 2022. In an earlier time, this used to be the location of Brookside Grocery (see below from 1957) from at least the late 40's until 1974.  The store was then torn down and rebuilt as Drury's Hardware in late 1974.

2773 - Island House Taqueria (formerly named Tacos - To Go until 2021) in Frankie's Plaza used to be Frankie's Pizza (home of the "Big Frankie" sub) from 1973 into the early-to-mid 00's.  It later became Aioli Grill Italian Express in 2005, Viva Sarasota Café and San Diego Tacos To Go.
2791 - This Marathon service station at the northwest corner of Bee Ridge Rd. and Tuttle Ave. used to be the location of Bee Ridge Gulf service station, which opened in February 1964. It remained as Gulf until about 1988, when it changed to Mobil. The station was then rebuilt into a convenience store and car wash and remained as Mobil until being converted to BP in the early 00's (as did many other stations in Sarasota).  It then became Save-On around 2010 and Marathon by 2015. Photo: Bee Ridge Gulf upon opening in 1964. Note all the trees in the background where Zayre Plaza (now Tuttle Bee) would be built in 1969.

2800 - The former Swift Shell used to be John Hawk's Sunoco from 1962 to the mid 70's (built in 1960 as Bergreen Sunoco). It continued under various names until switching from Sunoco to Mobil in 1984 into the 90's, becoming a Mobil Quick Lube (see photo below from 1996).  It later became a BP station in the early 00's (as did the station diagonally across the street at 2791 Bee Ridge and many other stations in Sarasota) and then Save-On around 2010 before becoming a Shell station.  The station was torn down in 2024

2811 - Scotti's Auto Sales used to be the location of Bee Ridge Phillips 66 service station beginning in November 1958. It became Scotti's Service Station by 1979 still as Phillips 66 and then became an Exxon station by 1982 for the rest of the 80's. By 1990, it was Scotti's Automotive and continued into the 00's. The building that housed the service station was torn down about 2010.  Photo: Bee Ridge Phillips 66 upon opening in late 1958.

2819 (C) - Plush Pup Pet Grooming has operated here in this three-to-four unit plaza since the building was constructed in 1976.
2820 - Also Scotti's Auto Sales, this used to be DeWitt Motor Sales for over 50 years from April 1960 until moving to 3416 S. Osprey Ave. in the early-to-mid 2010's.  In between, it was Asanka Cars.
2833 - The former Roni's Café (2016 to 2019) and now remodeled as Tela's Bistro (as of January 2020) used to be a Chicken Unlimited Restaurant from June 1973 until 1984. The Buttery Restaurant opened in 1985 for well over ten years and it then became Dina's Family Restaurant in the late 90's.  Pegusas Greek Restaurant and Fiona's Too were here between the mid 00's and 2016.
3090 - Appliance Max (since about 2020) used to be a 7-Eleven convenience store from 1968 until closing 50 years later in 2018.
3156 - All Appliance Parts of Sarasota (since about 1993) used to be Palmer Realty of Florida from 1979 to about 1983, when it became Joyce's Consignment Shop. By 1985, it was Pool Care, which appeared to have moved next door two years later. After a couple of years of vacant listings, it was Good As New Clothing from about 1989 to 1993.
3160 - Now part of Value Pawn and Jewelry, this started as Huff's Music World in March 1979 after moving from 2819 Bee Ridge Road.  It became Thoroughbred Music by early 1981 and then Pool Care from about 1987 to 2013.
3164 - Also now part of Value Pawn and Jewelry, this used to be Salumeria Pizza starting in 1979.  It then became Café Campestre from July 1983 to about 1999 (moved to 3589 Webber St. until 2004.).
3170 - Ace Hardware opened in November 1965 as Bee Ridge Hardware & Lumber. By 1974, it was known as Ace Bee Ridge Hardware.
3190 - Sunoco (since the early 2010's after converting from Speedway) is at the location that started as Super-Test Oil Co. service station in June 1965.  It was then Poor Ole Mac by 1978 and Starvin' Marvin from 1980 until converting to Speedway in the mid 90's.
3480 - Gettel Genesis of Sarasota used to be Lindell Suburu starting in 1989.
3530 - Gettel Nissan (since 1998) used to be Campbell Motors from May 1981 to the early 90's.  After that, it was Sarasota Nissan-Jeep.
3571 - Starbucks (since 2001) was a Texaco service station for over 35 years.
Addresses 3606 - 3690 Bee Ridge Rd. listed below are/were all located at Village Plaza Shopping Center.
3606 - Asia Pro Nails (since 1996) used to be Bay View Cleaners & Laundry from about 1974 to 1988. It was later Mailboxes CSI and Pro Cleaners in the early-to-mid 90's.
3610 - China 1 Restaurant (since about the early-to-mid 00's) started as JD's Restaurant from about 1974 to 1980. After that, it was Red Fox Restaurant, Beauty Salon (mid-to-late 80's), Village Coiffures (late 80's to early 90's) and Celebrity Travel in the mid-to-late 90's.
3620 - Now part of Fantastic Sam's, this used to be the second location of Denner Dogs Restaurant from September 1978 to the early 80's after being Lady Madonna Maternity Boutique (opened in 1973) and then I Am Men clothing in the mid 70's.  It became The Pit Stop Restaurant shortly after Denner Dogs and then Loomer's Pub tavern from about 1983 to 1989. In the 90's, it was Little Manatees and then Mojave Tan from about the late 90's to the late 00's.
3640 - Fantastic Sam's hair salon (since about the mid 00's) used to be Piggy's Old Fashioned Ice Cream in the early-to-mid 00's. It was earlier Just Jeans in 1974 and The Big Apple clothing from about 1975 to 1982.
3650 - Subway Restaurant (since about the early-to-mid 00's) used to be Ruby Cosmetic Isle from 1973 to about 1982, when it became Amerifirst Savings & Loan bank until the early 90's. It then changed to Great Western Bank until closing in 1994 after being acquired by First Union and was later a bagel shop, South Beach Café and Pizza World.
3660 - GNC used to be 60 Minute Photo Magic from about 1983 until the mid 00's (also as R & P Photography starting in the mid 90's). It started as The Obvious Choice women's clothing in 1973 and then became The Sun Tree women's clothing by 1975 and Greenbriar Sports and Fashions from about 1976 to 1983.
3670 - Party City used to be a Walgreens Pharmacy from March 1973 until moving to a new location across the street in the mid 90's.  It later became Big Party Gift Shop and then IParty.
3676 - This used to be a Jenny Craig Weight Loss Center from about 1998 until shortly before being torn down in 2010 to rebuild Publix.
3680 -  This used to be a Radio Shack electronics store from March 1973 all the way until shortly before being torn down in 2010 to rebuild Publix.
3690 - Publix Supermarket has been located here since 1973. The store was rebuilt starting in late 2010 and reopened in October 2011.
3701 - Denny's restaurant (since 1994) used to be the Cypress Inn restaurant (1976 to 1993). In between, it was a Peg Leg Pete's Restaurant.
3740 - A bank was built in 2011 on the location that used to be Wag's Restaurant from October 1986 to about early 1994 and Mel's Diner from 1994 to 2008.
3748A - AutoZone used to be a Blockbuster Video store from about 1988 to 2000 when it became Hollywood Video until the mid-to-late 00's.
3748B - HomeGoods has been at this location since the early 00's. It was originally listed at 3750 Bee Ridge (same as Service Merchandise).
3750 - Big Lots (since about 2003) used to be a Woolco department store (1974 to early 1983). It then became a House Works store (1983 to 1987) and Service Merchandise catalog store from late 1988 until 2002. In addition, it was briefly Shoe Warehouse from late 2002 to mid 2003.  Below: The parking lot is full at Woolco on Bee Ridge Rd. in March 1974 for opening day.

3756 - Jessups Appliances (since early 2006) in Village Plaza used to be a Bass Shoe Factory Outlet store from late 1983 until about 1997. In 1998, it became Shoe Warehouse and then Computer Room by 2003.

3762 -Crunch Fitness (since 2012) in Village Plaza used to be a Rhodes Furniture store from late 1984 to early January 1994. It then became a Gold's Gym until 2012.
3780 - KFC (since 1995 and remodeled in 2016) used to be Clearwater National Bank starting in September 1980.  It then changed to Pioneer Federal Savings by 1982, Naples Federal Savings by 1985 and Banc Florida by 1990.
3828 - McDonald's has been here since July 1977 and was rebuilt in the mid 00's.
3900 - Residential property now occupies the area that was the site of the Bee Ridge Drive-In Theater from April 16, 1969 until closing in 1981. Steve McQueen's "The Bullitt" was the feature attraction on opening night.

3953 - Sunoco (since the early 2010's) near the corner of Bee Ridge Rd. and Sawyer Rd. started as the location of Paul's Pure Service Station from 1962 to about 1965. After being used for auto sales, it became Poor Old Mac mini-mart and Bay Station from 1968 to about 1982. It then became a Globe Oil Station until becoming Starvin' Marvin about 1986.  By the mid 90's, it was a Speedway station and convenience store until the conversion to Sunoco.
4000 - Goldmark Auto Group used to be Olsen's Union Service Station, which opened in May 1960. It then became Bee Ridge Esso (later Enco) from about 1962 to the early 70's.  It was later McCloud Enco/Exxon (early 70's to late 70's), Alec's Exxon (late 70's to 1980) and Bee Ridge Phillips 66 (1980 to 1983). Since then, it has primarily been used for auto and truck sales under several names, starting with Town & Country Auto Sales from 1983 to about 1989.
4020 - This used to be a Wendy's Restaurant from 1986 to early 2017.
4050 - Public Storage (since 2015) used to be a Scotty's Hardware store from 1968 to 2003 and later Bee Ridge Self Storage.  Photo: Scotty's Hardware closing sale in 2003.
4084 - Southern Steer Butcher (since 2017) used to be Sarasota Bicycle Center from the late 80's to 2016. Earlier, it was Handy Dandy Grocery (late 50's to mid 60's), Lil' General Store (mid 60's to early 70's) and Bee Ridge Meats (early 70's to mid-to-late 80's).
4086 - Bee Ridge Pharmacy used to be Bee Ridge Sub Shop from about 1983 into the 00's.  From the mid 70's until then for about 2-3 years each, it had been Fabiano Steaks and Hoagies, Verna's Steaks and Hoagies, and Seagraves Sub Shop.
4116 - Cracker Jack's Pub (since mid-to-late 90's) used to be a Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurant from 1980 to about 1995. It then became Mr. Bones Grill & Bar until about 1997. 
4118 - Signs In One Day used to be The Loft Bar & Lounge from October 1964 to 1977, when it became The Country Club.  It changed to Fireside Lounge in 1979 and then Just For Fun (video games) by 1982.  It was later ABC Liquors from May 1984 to 1998 before moving down the street and then became Frisky Business Pet Daycare.
4131 - Sunoco (since the mid 00's) used to be Eastern Oil from 1972 to about 1986, when it became Joy Food Store.  From 1988 to 2001, it was a Coastal Mart convenience store.
4214 - Pinch A Penny Pool-Patio-Spa (since 1985) used to be National Furniture from about 1982 to 1984.
4230 - Located in the Southeast Shopping Plaza, Winn Dixie Supermarket (since 2014) used to be a Kwik Chek Supermarket (renamed as Winn Dixie in the 70's) from late 1965 to the late 90's.  It then became a Kash N' Karry Supermarket in 2001 before being converted to Sweetbay in 2005 until becoming Winn Dixie (again) in 2014.  Photo:  The lineup at the Southeast Shopping Center in April 1979.

4282 - Sherwin Williams Paint Store in the Southeast Shopping Plaza used to be Rose Auto Stores from 1979 to about 1999, when it became Duron Paints.
4286 - The former Universal Travel (1999 to the early 2010's) in the Southeast Shopping Plaza used to be Plaza Barber Shop from 1966 to about 1983.  It later became Steve's Jewelry from about 1985 to 1993 and Rock 'N' Roll Rick's record store from about late 1994 until closing in September 1998..
4290 - The former Dino's Pizza (operated from late 1978 until August 2019) in the Southeast Shopping Plaza and now Five Star Pizza used to be Southern States Restaurant in the early-to-mid 70's and Restaurant Monaco (opened in July 1976).
4292 - Peach's Restaurant (since March 2001) in the Southeast Shopping Plaza used to be American TV and Appliance Rental from 1983 to about 1996. It was earlier Anchor Office Supplies from 1971 to the early 80's, when it became The Downtown Store Office Supplies.
4294 - Aaron's (since 2009) in the Southeast Shopping Plaza used to be Eckerd Drugs from December 1965 until moving to a brand new location across the street in 2000. In between, it was Anthony's Clothing.
4298 - OneMain Financial in the Southeast Shopping Plaza used to be Polly Flinders Factory Outlet Clothing from March 1976 to the early 90's. It became Trend Setters later in the decade until the mid 00's.
4300 - Basil's Flame Broiled Chicken restaurant (since 1990) in the Southeast Shopping Plaza used to be United First Federal Savings & Loan from the mid 70's to the mid 80's, when it became Barnett Bank of Southeast Florida until the late 80's.
4301 - CVS Pharmacy (since 2000 - converted from Eckerd Drugs in 2004) was built in the former location of a Pizza Hut Restaurant (mid 70's to late 90's and torn down in 2000). A Tee Pee Drive-In Restaurant was here in the early-to-mid 70's (opened in 1973).
4346 - Located at the Southeast Shopping Plaza, Burger King reached the 40-year mark at this location in 2019.
4400 - Firehouse Subs (since January 2004) used to be the location of Coast Federal Savings & Loan (later Coast Bank) from September 1980 until converting to SunBank in 1993 until 1995.
4401 - Batteries Plus (since 1997) used to be a 7-Eleven store from the late 70's to mid 90's.
4404 - The former Save-A-Lot (2003 to 2018) in Palm Plaza and now One-Eyed Jacks Poker Room (since late 2020) used to be a Grand Union supermarket (1982 to 1984), then converted into a Kash N Karry supermarket (1984 to early 00's) when Grand Union closed their Florida stores.
4411 - The UPS Store is located at the former address of Young's Standard Service (Young & Burdette's by 1970), which operated at the northeast corner of Bee Ridge Rd. and McIntosh Rd. from 1958 to 1972, when it became Loria's Standard Service until 1975. It then became Bee Ridge Bikes in 1977. It was torn down in 1978 to allow for parking for a new adjacent building, which contained 7-Eleven (4401 Bee Ridge-see above) and Bee Ridge Bikes (4411 Bee Ridge) from July 1978 to about 1983, when it became Mail Boxes Etc.
4417 - Medical Arts Pharmacy used to be a 7-Eleven convenience store from February 1962 until becoming a U-Totem Store by 1968 and a Quickie Food Store by 1977.  It then became First Presidential Savings Bank in the mid-to-late 80's (changing from 4419 Bee Ridge in 1984) until changing to State Street Bank in the early 90's.
4419 - Classic Printing (since 1987) used to be JR's Fasprint Printing starting about 1984.
4428 - The former Kabs Pharmacy used to be Anthony's Pizza from 1982 to about 1988.  It then became Chicago Street Eatery for a couple of years and then Oregano's Pizzeria from 1992 to about 1996. For the rest of the 90's, it was Mr. Vic's New York Pizza and then Bella Pizzeria into the 00's.  From there in the 00's, it was Bistro-Bistro, Thyme For Dinner (opened in 2006), Veggie Magic and Vibe Cuisine.
4434 -Rent-A-Center (since the early-to-mid 00's) in Palm Plaza used to be Larry's Famous Olde Fashioned Ice Cream Parlour from December 1983 until 1987. It then became Big Olaf Creamery from about 1988 to 1993 and Funtastics Gymnastics from 1995 to 2000.
4436 - Mi Pueblo Restaurant (since 1999) in Palm Plaza used to be Shanghai Restaurant from about 1985 to 1996. In between, it was a Wings N Weenies Restaurant.
4444 - Dollar General (since the mid 80's) in Palm Plaza used to be an Eagle Army-Navy Discount Store from late 1965 to the mid 80's.
4456 - The former Woodcraft (2008 to 2010) in Palm Plaza used to be a Video Library store from 1991 to about 1999.
4458 - The future Buffet City (as of November 2023) and former Oriental Buffet (1999 to early 2018) in Palm Plaza used to be Pictures and Pitchers movie and dinner theatre from March 1983 to December 1984.  It was also Mrs. Appleton's restaurant from August 1986 to 1996 and Maggie's Buffet from December 1996 to 1998. 
4460 - Before being rebuilt into multiple stores in Palm Plaza, this used to be a Food Fair (converted to Pantry Pride in 1969) Supermarket from late 1965 to early 1979. It was later Carpet Remnant World in the early 80's.
4462 - The current Tonique Liquor (since late 2022) and former Payless ShoeSource (operated from the mid 90's until closing in June 2019) in Palm Plaza used to be Crossland Savings Bank in the mid 80's. It then changed to Meritor Savings from the mid-to-late 80's to mid 90's.
4511 - PPG Paints (previously Porter Paints until being rebranded in 2015) has operated at this location since being built in 1982.
4555 - Money Pro Pawn in Ridge Center Plaza used to be a Subway Sandwich Shop from about 1987 to 1999 when it became Lovely Nail.
4563 - Goichi's Sushi Café (since 2008) in Ridge Center Plaza used to be a Little Caesar's Pizza from July 1983 to about 1998. It between, it has been CBQ Grill and Galaxy Pizza & Wings.
4599 - Little Caesar's Pizza (since late 2009) in Ridge Center Plaza used to be Taco Casa Restaurant from 1991 to about 1994.  It started as CJ's Flowers from 1983 to 1987 and then became Little Waters Spas until about 1990.
5804 - Publix Supermarket has been operating at this location in Centergate Plaza since 1988.
5828 - This has been Shangri-La Chinese Restaurant in Centergate Plaza since 1988.
5844 - Island Fin Poke Co. Restaurant used to be Tobacco Depot.

5864 - Panera Bread (since 2008) in Centergate Plaza used to be Woody's B-B-Q (opened in 1993). Prior to that, it was Pepper's Bar and Grill from 1988 to about 1992.
5876 - Later integrated into other stores in Centergate Plaza, this used to be Turtles Music from 1988 to about 1993.
8300 - This has been a Publix Supermarket since June 2009.

Benjamin Franklin Drive
233 - Holiday Inn Sarasota - Lido Beach has been in operation since June 1970.

Boulevard of the Arts
1001 - This used to be Selby Public Library from 1976 until moving to 1331 1st Street in 1998. It then became GWIZ (Gulfcoast Wonder and Imagination Zone) from 2000 to 2013. Demolition of the building began in May 2019.

Brookhill Boulevard
5903 - Located at the corner of Fruitville Rd. and Cattlemen Rd, this has been a Bob Evans Restaurant since late 2003.

Burns Court
506 - Burns Court Cinemas opened here in August 1993.

Cattlemen Road
903 - Palmer's Easy Stop Citgo used to be a Quick Stop convenience store from about 1984 to 2014 (shown below from 2006).

999 (H) - Fresco's Italian Restaurant & Pizza (since early 2018) used to be Vandy's Steak & Hoagie Shop from about 1994 to the late 90's.  It later became Hoagie Heaven and Cattlemen Cafe, Grill & Pizzeria.
1010 - This has been Stockyard Feed & Western Wear (earlier Stockyard Feed & Supply Co.) going all the way back to 1956.

1451 - This Sarasota County Building used to be the location of J & A Building Specialties in the early 70's. It then became Alice's Restaurant in 1974 and Barnard's Blue Crab Restaurant from about 1976 to 1980. After that it was Cox Lumber Co., which operated into the 90's.
3930 - Bank of America (since the early 00's) used to be United First Federal Bank starting in July 1984. It then became Barnett Bank by 1987 and NationsBank by the late 90's.
3941 - Burlington Coat Factory (since October 2001) used to be a Kmart department store from 1982 to 2000.
4000 - The former Sommers Dutch Family Restaurant (2016 to 2022) used to be Sugar & Spice Family Restaurant from 1997 to late 2011. It started as a Bill Knapp Restaurant from 1991 to 1994 and has also been Elaine's Restaurant (opened in 2012) and Fred's Market Restaurant.
4013 - Angel Nails & Spa used to be a Petland pet store from July 1983 until 1992. It then became Garden Creations until the early 00's.
4031 - Kiev Deli used to be a Radio Shack store from about 1984 to 1999. It then became Comfort Care.
4041 - Regions Bank (since 2007) used to be Stockyard Steakhouse (1992 to 2001), Reggiano's Brick Oven Grill (opened in 2002) and then Auntie Pasta Restaurant. Prior to that, it was a Ponderosa Steakhouse (1988 to 1991) and Walkabout Steak Station (1991 to 1992).  Below: Stockyard Steakhouse.

4053 - The former Richard's Foodporium (opened in 2012) and Sarasota Wine & Spirits used to be a Walgreens Pharmacy from about 1983 until moving to 5800 Bee Ridge Rd. in 2002.  In between, it was Cattlemen Liquors.
4057 - LA Fitness (since 2012) used to be a Kash & Karry supermarket from about 1983 until converting to Sweetbay in 2005. Sweetbay then closed this store in August 2008.
4059 - Madfish Grill Restaurant (since 1999) used to be a bank (Barnett Bank and later SouthTrust Bank) from the mid 80's to late 90's.

4084 - This has been a Bealls Outlet store in Centergate Plaza since August 2003. 
4088 - Tile Outlets of America in Centergate Plaza (since 2013) used to be a Home Depot from about the mid-to-late 80's until moving to their current location across the street in September 1994.  It was later a Waccamaw's HomePlace store from 1996 to 2001, Book Market (2002) and Picture Factory.
4092 - Ollie’s Bargain Outlet (opened in November 2017) used to be a Sports Authority from 1996 to 2016.
4111 - Home Depot moved here to their present location from across the street at 4088 Cattlemen in September 1994.
4297 - Steak 'n Shake Restaurant has operated at this location since September 1997.
4381 - Walmart opened its doors here in April 1997 and was expanded into a Walmart Supercenter in 2009.

Central Avenue
1 - Originally listed at 2 N. Pineapple, White Tower Restaurant (not to be confused with White Castle or Royal Castle) located at Five Points was here from October 1959 to the mid-to-late 80's.  For a brief time in the late 50's before White Tower, it was Barnes Sandwich Shop.  Below: White Tower Restaurant


37 - This used to be Froz-Kone ice cream from about 1972 to 1978.  Earlier here were Sarasota Project Alert and Creative Designs.

600 - The former Bob's Place used to be Rose's Lunch Room from the early 50's to the mid-to-late 60's, when it became Thomas Restaurant until the early-to-mid 70's.  From there, it was Rose's Restaurant until the early 90's (listed as 602 Central Ave. until 1980).

Central Sarasota Parkway
4840 - Kohl's Department Store (since 2011) used to be an Albertsons Market from 1999 to 2006.
4860 - Torn down in 2014 and replaced by a Walgreens built nearby, this used to be a Toys 'R' Us store from 1998 to 2006 and Babies 'R' Us from 2006 to early 2014.

Clark Road
2820 - Now a dentist office, this used to be Caribbean Pie Company from the late 90's before becoming Latitude 23.5°  Coffee & Tea in 2004.  Earlier, it had been Sicard Boat Mfg. from the early-to-late 60's, Dahlberg Gifts & Handicraft through the entire 70's and early 80's, Beer Depot (also early 80's), Drive Through Beverage Center from about 1983 through the rest of the 80's and Valentino's Pizza & Beverage from the early to mid 90's.  Photo: Caribbean Pie Company

2864 - The former Sparkle-Brite Pool Supplies and current BayView Dental Associates used to be a Chicken Unlimited restaurant from early 1974 to 1980. It was briefly listed as becoming Moon's Landing, then became a Dairy Queen from 1981 to about 1982.  In late 1983, the restaurant was turned into First Presidential Savings Bank through the early 90's.
2881 (unit 7) - Detwiler's Farm Market (opened in November 2019) at Merchants Pointe Shopping Center started out as a Winn Dixie Supermarket from 1977 until late 1998. It later became a Kash N' Karry Supermarket in 2001 before being converted to Sweetbay in 2005.  It then converted back into a Winn Dixie in 2014 until closing in April 2018.
2881 (10) - Dollar General (since the mid 80's) used to be an Eagle Army-Navy Surplus Store from 1977 to the mid 80's.
2881 (25) - Rita's Italian Ice (since late 2023) used to be a Long John Silver's restaurant from 1977 to the early 00's. It then became SweetBerries for over 20 years (from 2002 until closing in August 2023).
2881 -  A torn-down small free-standing building on Clark Rd. in front of Merchants Pointe Shopping Center in an area that is now fenced (possibly used for drainage) used to be Burger Inn of America (opened in 1978) and then became Benders Inn restaurant by early 1979 until about 1988.
2951 - Ashton Lake Condominiums (since mid-to-late 80's) are in the location that used to be Tommy Bolt's Golden T Golf Club from April 1964 to the mid 80's.

3131 (103) - The Peruvian Grill (since 2021) used to be DeMarco's Italian Grill from about 2002 to 2013. After being an insurance agency upon being built in 1986, it became an Piccolo Mondo Ristorante from about 1993 to 1997 and then Polpo Mario.  After DeMarco's, it was Isabella's Italian Grill, Lazy Fork Restaurant and HH & DD NYC Deli.

3155 - The current Evie's On The Run (since 2022) and former Too Quick Food Store used to be Sun Haven Service Station (Standard, then Enco/Exxon after 1971) from 1960 to 1983. It then became Sun Haven Mini Mart and has also been called Sun Haven U-Save convenience store. Photo: Sun Haven Mini Mart in 2004.

3156 - This has been a 7-Eleven convenience store since about 1986. Photo: 7-Eleven also as a Citgo station in 2004 (was Citgo until 2006). In the background is a billboard advertisement for the short-lived Friendly's Restaurant at 6606 S. Tamiami Tr.

3206 - Tony's Used Appliances in Sun Haven Plaza used to be Little Star Bantam Market (late 1961 to mid 60's) and then a U-Totem Food Store from the mid 60's to mid-to-late 70's.  It later became a Quickie Food Store (late 70's to early 80's), Gulf Coast One Stop Food Store (early 80's to mid-to-late 80's) and Danny's Deli (opened in 1987) before becoming Certified Reconditioned Appliances in the mid 90's.
3218 - El Toro Bravo Restaurant (since 2016-moved from Stickney Point Rd.) in Sun Haven Plaza has been several restaurant/lounge business establishments over the years, starting with Crazy Corky's Warehouse in March 1975 (changed to Corky's Rustic Inn in 1976). Later in the 70's, it was The Coach Inn from 1977 to 1978 and White Horse Inn, which opened in 1978.  Tin Lizzy Café opened here in mid 1980, followed in the 80's by Rock-N-R from October 1981 to July 1982, Picasso and Miss Kittie's Restaurant, Tuxedo Junction Restaurant in 1983, Gilley's Surf & Turf by 1985, Alfredo's Restaurant and OP's Restaurant & Lounge. In the 90's, it was Kelly's Saloon for most of the decade before changing to Rum Shack by early 1999. It later became Therapy Nightclub by 2001, Club Escapes in October 2004 and Jake's Tavern in the early-to-mid 2010's.
3246 - Bohemios Wine & Beer (since January 2019) used to be a Dairy Queen restaurant at Clark Road Square plaza from 2001 until closing in 2018, leaving Sarasota without a Dairy Queen for the first time in almost 70 years!  Photo: Dairy Queen, Dollar King and French Twist interior design from about the mid 00's.

3404 - Tijuana Flats Restaurant (since 2009) used to be a Boogie Woogie record store from December 1989 to April 2008.

3414 - Jersey Mike's Subs (since 2016) used to be a Subway Restaurant from late 1987 to late 2014 or early 2015.
3416 - Papa John's Pizza (since mid-90's) used to be a Zack's Famous Frozen Yogurt store from the late 80's to early-to-mid 90's.
3428 - Publix Supermarket has been operating at this location at Beneva Village Shoppes since 1987. The original store closed in December 2018 for a rebuild and reopened in November 2019.
3506 - Walgreens Pharmacy operated at this location at Beneva Village Shoppes from 1987 until closing in 2022.
3530 - Gym SRQ at Beneva Village Shoppes used to be a Ross Dress for Less clothing store from about 1988 until moving to Sarasota Pavilion in the early 00's. It then became a Bealls Outlet store and was later a YouFit Health Club.
3550 - Curry Station Restaurant (since 2015) at Beneva Village Shops used to be YaYa's Flame Broiled Chicken in the early 90's. It later became Alday's BBQ & Steakhouse by 1992, Trolley Station Restaurant (moved from Stickney Point Rd.) by 1997, Serving Spoon Restaurant by 2003 and Eggstyle Breakfast & Lunch Restaurant by early 2012.
3555 - GrowHealthy Sarasota (since 2020) used to be ABC Fine Wine & Spirits from June 1993 until 2017.  Before that it used to be a Lil' General food store (mid 70's to 1984) and then Circle K (1984 to 1992).
3558 - China Star Restaurant (since 2015) at Beneva Village Shops started as Judie's Needlecraft & Framing in about 1988. It then became Dream Baby children's clothing store by 1993 before being turned into a chinese restaurant (China Garden) by 1996. It was later China Palace Express by 1999 until 2015.
3577 - Verizon Wireless (since 2014) used to be a Shamrock Service Station in the 70's before becoming Safeway Oil by the decade's end. It would become a bank in 1980 (Naples Federal Savings) until about 2012 while changing its name a few more times (Banc Florida, First Union and Liberty Savings Bank).
3578 - Phenix Salon Suites (since 2020) and the former Beef O'Brady's (2012 to 2019) at Beneva Village Shops used to be Shaner's Restaurant from about the early 00's to 2011 after previously being in the plaza at 3440 Clark Rd. beginning in 1991. Earlier, it was Ernie's Restaurant (late 80's to early 90's), East End Bar & Grill and Dakota Bar & Grill.
3580 - 7-Eleven and Mobil used to be a Standard (later Chevron-shown below) service station from about 1974 to the late 90's.

3821 -The former Nationwide Insurance used to be a restaurant, starting with La Casita deli in the early-to-mid 80's. It then became Daily Doubles Restaurant by 1985 and Alday's Cracker Style Bar-B-Q (see below) from about 1988 to 1992. After that, it was Hubcap & Wheel of Sarasota and was later Classic Floors and Pack Ship Crate & Freight.

3855 - Patio Factory Supercenter used to be Design World Furniture Galleries from about 1983 until moving to Osprey in early 1988.
3877 - Paddy Wagon Irish Pub used to be Johnny's Hardware and Grocery Store (also sold Citgo gas at one time) from at least the early 60's into the 70's.  It later became The Swamp bar and lounge (was also The Office Bar) from at least the early 80's to early 00's and Mr. Big's 19th Hole from 2001 to the early 2010's.
3900 (M) - Chianti Ristorante Italiano (since 2013) used to be Tokyo Bay Japanese Steak Restaurant from 1985 to about 1990 before becoming Arigato Japanese Steak House in early 1991.  It later became Jimmy Dimitri's Restaurant in early 1996 and then Big Kitchen Restaurant & Bar from 1997 to 2005.  It was also El Paso Mexican Grill in the early 2010's.
3900 (N) - Millie's Restaurant has operated at this location since 1988.
3901 - This used to be Bar 3 Feed & Supply from early 1977 until about the early-to-mid 90's and later torn down.  Before that, Sarasota Figure Salon was here starting in January 1974.
3951 - Sunoco (since the early 2010's) used to be a Farm Stores convenience store from 1988 to 1991. It then became Lucky Stop (with BP gas) until changing to Petro Stop in the early 00's. Earlier at this location before being rebuilt, Melton's Garden World was here from 1974 to about 1984.
4001 -Meshugana Deli (since early 2023) started as Wireless Toyz in 2006. It then became a Verizon Wireless store by 2011 and later a Dickey's Barbecue Pit from late 2015 to 2019. After that it was The Farm House doughnut/luncheon shop from 2019 to about the start of 2023.
4003 - Nori Thai & Sushi Restaurant (since late 2016) used to be Thai Wasabi Thai & Sushi Restaurant from about 2010 to 2016. Earlier here starting about 2006 was Pan Asian Wok Restaurant.
4005 - This has been a Moe's Southwest Grill location since 2006.
4031 - The Original Egg Restaurant (since 2010 and formerly The Broken Egg) at Expo on Clark Plaza used to be Atlanta Bread Company from the mid-to-late 00's.
4045 - This has been Valentino Pizzeria Trattoria at Expo on Clark Plaza since July 2006.
4067 - Oak & Stone restaurant (opened in the spring of 2019) at Expo on Clark Plaza used to be Buffalo Wild Wings from the spring of 2006 to August 2018.
4221 - Big Finish Car Wash (since the mid-to-late 00's) used to be Tire Kingdom from May 1982 to the mid 00's. It was earlier a Goodyear Tire Center in the late 70's and early 80's..
5304 - Jimmy Johns (since 2014) adjacent to the Palmer Market store used to be a combination A&W Root Beer and Long John Silver's Restaurant from about 2003 to 2005. It would then become an Arby's Restaurant (Arby's sign below from 2006) and later a Just Pizza Restaurant.  The restaurant opened in early 2001 as a Hardee's.

5336 - Rendez-Vous French Bakery (since October 2015) used to be a Quizno Subs shop from 2004 to 2015.
5641- This has been a Dunkin' Donuts location since about 2007.
5643- Go2Dental (since about 2013) started as a Firehouse Subs in 2007 and then became The Bar Out Back in 2009.
5710 - Subway Restaurant has operated here at Sunrise Plaza since about the start of 1988.  It was originally listed at 5708 Clark Rd.
5733 - Tap 72 (since 2016) used to be a Popeye's Chicken restaurant (April 1990 to about 1994).  In between, it was a Wings N Weenies restaurant from the mid 90's until 2015.
5737 - Waffle House Restaurant has operated here since about 1987.
5741 - Wendy's has operated at this location just off the Interstate 75 exit to Clark Rd. since July 1988.
5745 - A 7-Eleven convenience store also just off the Interstate 75 exit to Clark Rd. has operated at this location since 1980, which about coincides with the opening of the interstate in Sarasota.
5748 - Burger King has operated here also just off the Interstate 75 exit to Clark Rd. since August 1986.
5754 - This Mobil and 7-Eleven convenience store started as a Gulf service station in 1986. It then switched to Mobil about 1988 for several years and was later closed and then rebuilt in 2005 as a Mobil On-The-Run convenience store. It became 7-Eleven still with Mobil products in 2011.

Clark Center Avenue (buildings appear to be on Clark Road)
5947 - Livingston's Amusement Center (since 2005) used to be a Lowe's Home Improvement Center from June 1986 to October 1989. After being used as a temporary office for Sarasota County, it became Albritton Grove Market from 1995 until 2004.

Cocoanut Avenue

1001 - Turmeric Indian Bar & Grill (since October 2022) used to be Broadway Bar & Restaurant starting in 2009. It then became The Starlite Room in 2014, El Mandilon in April 2019 and Rivera Maya Bar & Grill in December 2019.

Constitution Boulevard
2080 - This had been Casa Italia International Specialty Market from December 1984 until closing after about 39 years in business.  Previously here beginning in 1977 was Ernest Rita Construction.

Cooper Creek Boulevard

8085 - BJ's Wholesale Club opened here in September 2001.

8101 - This has been a Bonefish Grill Restaurant since about the start of 2003.

8203 - Valentino Pizzeria Trattoria (since 2013) used to be Cantina Toscana Ristorante Italiano, which opened in 2007.

8447 - Tandoor Fine Indian Cuisine (since February 2023 after moving from 8453 Cooper Creek Blvd.) used to be a Five Guys Burgers and Fries from late 2007 until also making a short move (to 8435 Cooper Creek Blvd.) in 2020. This was previously a Window Decor & Designs store from 1994 to about 2006.

8453 - This used to be Benvenuti Cafe & Deli in 2006 and then became Mamma Onesti's Italian Restaurant from 2008 to about 2012.  After that it was Tandoor Fine Indian Cuisine from 2013 until moving a couple of doors down to 8447 Cooper Creek Blvd. in early 2023.  Back in the Sarasota Outlet Center days in the 90's, it was American Tourister Factory Outlet.

Derek Avenue (buildings appear to be on Clark Road)

5821 - This has been a McDonald's restaurant since about 1997.
5825 - Starbucks Coffee (since early 2014) used to be a KFC Restaurant from the early 00's to 2012.
Below: KFC on Derek Ave. before closing in 2012.

Dr. Martin Luther King Way (previously 33rd St. and then 27th St. from 1953 until the early 90's)
1126 - This used to be Barnes Hamburger Shop from September 1950 to 1959. It briefly became Follmer's Hamburger Shop and then Sherlock's Hamburgers until the early-to-mid 60's.
1238 - This used to be Three Suns Food Store from 1965 until becoming a Lil' General Food Store by 1968 and then a Circle K convenience store from 1984 into the early 90's and then torn down.
1238 (2) - Located next to the store was U-Do-It Car Wash from 1965 until becoming Kwik Car Wash by 1974. It then became Rainbow Car Wash in the late 80's until being torn down early into the 90's.
1751 - This used to be Jenkins Grocery Store from the late 40's to the early-to-mid 80's.  It then became Solomon's Grocery Store in the mid 80's, The Game Room in the late 80's and CJ Place Pool Hall in the early 90's.
1810 - Kings Meat & Deli used to be Foodland Supermarket. Before that it was Humphrey's Sundries.
1993 - Booth's Grocery has operated here since 1976.
2222 - Purple Store convenience store used to be Geech's Barbecue from the mid 70's to the mid-to-late 80's (see photo from 1983). Prior to that, it was Tillery's Old Fashioned B-B-Q from the early 70's to the mid 70's.

Dream Island Road (Longboat Key)
595 - Torn down in 2005 to build Grand Mariner condominiums, this used to be Buccaneer Inn Restaurant & Marina from 1957 to 2001.

Fruitville Road
1515 - Formerly known as 1515 3rd Street, this retail center was once the site of a Margaret Ann (later converted to Kwik Chek and Winn Dixie) grocery store from December 1951 until 1985. when it became a Food Way Market for about a year until closing in June 1986.  Later businesses at this site included House Of Golf (opened in 1987) and Empire Gallery.
1534 - Todburn Antiques used to be Miner's Patio & Casual Furniture from about 1952 to 2006.
1555 - Parker-Walker Group used to be Privett Drugs (moved from 1605 3rd St.) from about 1963 to 1977. It then became B & C's Portion Pak Meats.
1605 - 1st Class Cleaners used to be Privett Drugs from the early 50's until moving to 1555 3rd Street by 1963. It then became Aldrich Cleaners & Laundry until the mid 70's when it changed to Bay View Cleaners & Laundry.  By the early 80's, It was the Trash Barrell thrift store and then Martin Interiors from the mid 80's into the 90's.
1613 - The H.O. Cheney Building (renovated into an office building in 2007) used to be Cheney's Grocery & Market from about the early-to-mid 1930's until the early 80's.  Later in the 80's and into the 00's, it was Presstock (paper stock warehouse).
1947 - Walgreens (since late 1996) is at the location previously occupied by the Old Heidelberg Castle restaurant from October 1972 to June 1995. It was previously the American Legion Coliseum from January 1931 to the early 70's and originally said to be a Studebaker dealership. Below: Old Heidelberg Castle

2211 - Bob's Train and Vengroff Williams used to be Stottlemeyer and Shoemaker Lumber Co. from 1954 to about 1996, when it became Cox Lumber.

2250 - Sarasota Lanes opened its doors in August 1958 and is still operating at the same location today.
2290 - Albrecht Service used to be Southard's Pure Station beginning in August 1958 (see photo). By 1961, it was Albrecht Pure Oil until before switching to Union 76 in 1970 until the early-to-mid 90's, when it became Albrecht Service.

2788 - Dash In Dash Out Texaco (since the mid 00's) used to be Summerall Esso/Enco/Exxon from 1966 to about 1980, when it became Johnston's Exxon and then Tuttle Exxon just after the mid 80's. In the early 90's, the station changed branding to Union 76 (Unocal Service Station) until becoming Dash In Dash Out Citgo by the mid 90's.
2812 - Non Stop Auto (previously Gerald's Auto Service (U-Haul)) started as a Standard Service Station in March 1957.  It became Gerald's Standard Service in the late 60's, converting to Gerald's Chevron Service in the 70's and continuing until the late 00's.
2851 - At the corner of Fruitville Rd. and Tuttle Ave. used to be Texas Jim's Animal Land & Zoo, which operated from 1935 to about 1962, although was still listed in street directories as late as 1965.  The building that housed the reptile farm and zoo burned down in December 1966.
3137 - Before being torn down, this used to be Weldon's Grocery from about 1959 to 1972. Earlier, it was Ocie Hawkins Grocery from the late 40's to early-to-mid 50's. It then became Joe Rizzo's Meat Market and Italian Grocery until the late 50's.
3192 - A real estate office built in 2001 now occupies the area that used to be the location of The Ranch House tavern from at least the mid 50's until about the late 70's.
3511 - McDonald's has been at this location since September 1979.
3550 - Walgreens (since 2005) is at the location previously occupied by a Burger King from 1984 until 2004. Restaurants previously in this spot included Ronnick's (February 1958 to 1965), N.E. Oyster House (September 1966 to late 1967), Smoke House (1968 to May 1970), Raw Oyster House (January 1971 to June 1972), Corky's (late 1972 until a fire in May 1973 forced it to close), The Place (remodeled after the fire and operated from January 1974 to 1979) and The Meating Place (opened in 1980 until about 1983). Photo 1: New England Oyster House in 1966. Photo 2: Corky's Restaurant in early 1973. Photo 3. The sign for The Place can be seen on Fruitville Rd. in 1974.

3554 - Before being knocked down to make way for Walgreens, a Grandy's Country Cookin' Restaurant stood here from 1984 to late 1996 or early 1997, then China Star restaurant from 1997 to 2004. A 7-Eleven store preceded Grandy's in this location in the 70's and early 80's.
3577 - SunTrust (now Truist) Bank (since the mid 90's) used to be Coast Federal Savings & Loan from 1974 to about 1993.
3580 - Now a Citgo Service Station, this used to be a Sinclair Service Station under various names (most of the time as Tucker's) from 1958 to 1968.  From about 1971 to 2015, the station was operated by Park Oil Co. as a Savings Service Station for several years and listed as Dodge Store beginning in 1992 until 2015.  Photos: The large price sign in front of the Savings Service Station in 1976 and Dodge Store in 2007.

4652 - CJ Autos of Sarasota used to be Waters Gulf Service from 1958 into the 80's, when it would become Waters Seventy-Six.  It later became Waters Citgo in the 90's.

4933 - Before being rebuilt in the mid to late 00's while a BP station (was earlier Phillips 66 and also rebuilt in the mid-to-late 80's.), this Marathon station used to be Joe's Handi Stop from the mid 70's to 1992.  The station was operated by Joe Shively, who was known as "Peanut Joe" and fondly remembered for selling roasted peanuts at the station. Earlier, the station was known as Fruitville 66 Service Station (opened in June 1966).

4940 - Djonisi’s Restaurant (since August 2023) used to be Papa Nick's Pasta & Pizza from about 2008 until closing in July 2023.

5020 - Inkawasi Peruvian Restaurant (since 2016) used to be a KFC Restaurant from 1988 to 2011.  It then became Antoine's Restaurant (2013 to 2015 before moving to N. Tuttle Ave.) and Maemi's Chicken.
5039 - This used to be Cleo's Beauty Salon (later Cleo's Cuts & Curls) from 1952 until about 1984 when it became Coast To Coast Communications.
5040 - Allied Insurance used to be a U-Tote-M Food Store from the late 60's to the mid 70's.  It then became a Quickie Food Store until the early 80's. After being J's Food Mart for a short time in the early-to-mid 80's, it then became F & D Market from about 1983 to the early 00's before becoming an insurance agency.
5041 - This used to be Fruitville Barber Shop (aka Clyde Simmons' Barber Shop until the early 70's) from possibly the 1930's until about 1987.
5045 - This used to be Seymour Music Co. from 1960 to about 1977. It had earlier been Community Foods and was later Junction City.
5100 - Shell Service Station (since 2014) used to be the location of an Amoco Service Station under various names from about 1956 all the way until the early 00's.  It was then converted into a BP station.
5114 - This used to be Giuseppie's Pizzeria in the mid-to-late 80's. By 1990, it was Luigi's Pizza and then Kay's BBQ & Liquors by 1995 before being torn down by the early 00's.  Earlier at this location from the late 60's to early 80's was Joe Gould Tree Service.
5116 - This used to be Café Raul Restaurant from late 1978 to about the late 90's.
5205 - This Comcast Cable building started as Storer Cable TV in July 1974. Photo: Storer Cable TV from the late 70's.

5329 - Starbucks Coffee (since 2004) in the Sarasota Crossings Plaza used to be Video Library (changed to Movie Gallery in the late 90's) from 1992 to 2003.
5331 - A standalone building at Sarasota Crossings Plaza, Smoothie King (since 2021) used to be a Checkers drive-in restaurant from 1992 to about early 2020.
5349 - This has been a Subway Restaurant in the Sarasota Crossings Plaza since late 1990.
5350 - Target Department Store has operated here since opening in July 1997.
5380 - Pet Supplies Plus (since February 2020) used to be a Petland pet store from June 1999 until June 2019.
5384 - This has been a Chick-Fil-A-Restaurant since 1997.
5400 - At the corner of Fruitville Rd. and Honore Ave. was Sandi's Short Stop from at least the late 70's through the 80's. Also here were Andy's Quality Meats (listed at 101 Honore Ave.) and Triple K Farm Market. Photo: Triple K Farms in 1973.

5406 - Best Nails (since June 2013) used to be Cafe Italia restaurant from 2002 to about late 2012. It had earlier been Computer Renaissance starting in 1998.
5416 - Firehouse Subs (since October 2003) used to be Supervalue Nutrition (opened in 1998).
5440 - This has been a Longhorn Steakhouse since 1997.
5445 - The Royal Peacock Indian Kitchen (opened in March 2023) in the Sarasota Crossings Plaza used to be Ping's Chinese Cuisine from 1991 to 2020. Ping's was originally briefly listed at 5401 Fruitville Rd.  It then became L & L Hawaiian Barbecue (opened in June 2021).
5451 - Shapes Fitness for Women (since late 2016) in the Sarasota Crossings Plaza used to be Santa Fe Steakhouse from 1991 until changing its name to Durango Steak House in early 1999 and operating until 2007. In between, this was an LTM Party Store from 2012 to 2016.
5495 - This had been Wings N Weenies restaurant from about 1992 until closing over 30 years later in February 2023.
5507 - This used to be Forget Me Nots Ice Cream Parlour from about 1989 to 2002.  It then became Cone Zone in 2003 until shortly before being torn down to build H.H. Gregg in Sarasota Crossings Plaza in 2009.
5521 - Before being torn down in 2009, this used to be Cobb Cinema 10 (later changed to Regal Cinema 10 in 1997) from late 1990 until February 2001 at Sarasota Crossings Plaza. It then became SunStar Theaters from 2002 until December 2008.
5557 - This has been a Taco Bell restaurant since about 1992.
5901 - Starbucks (since February 2024 after extensive renovations) used to be a Burger King restaurant from 2000 to 2021. 

5911 - Rodizio Grill Brazilian Restaurant (since 2017) used to be Don Pablo's Mexican Restaurant from 1998 to 2007 and then again from 2012 to 2015.  Also here in between the two stints as Don Pablo's were La Tropicana de Havana and The Loft Ristobar.
5921 - The former Perkins Restaurant and Bakery operated here from 1998 until closing in May 2024.

Gateway Avenue
6518 - Piccolo Italian Market & Deli (since early 2014) used to be Dutch Oven restaurant from about 1986 to 1998.  It was later Marion's Restaurant, The Irish Rover Pub (2006 to 2011) and The Angry Pickle Pub & Grill. Before Dutch Oven, it was a real estate office in the early-to-mid 70's, and then Phil's Steak & Hoagie from about 1975 to 1977, Jeanine's Hoagie Shop from about 1977 to 1979 and Koffee Haus restaurant.
6538 - The former Veg restaurant (August 2020 to June 2023) and former Heavenly Cupcakes (from about 2008 until 2019) and Fork My Life restaurant (2019 to 2020) started as Astounding Sounds (see photo) stereo and hi-fi from about 1977 to 1980.

6547 - This has been Rico's Pizzeria since about 1997. Before Rico's, this was Shaner's Pizza starting in 1992.

6566 - Screaming Goat Taqueria (opened in May 2022) used to be Mickey's Meat Market from about the early-to-mid 60's into the 90's. It was later Kazu's 2.0 Sushi and Asian Bistro from about 2013 to 2021. Restaurants here earlier included Fish Tales (opened in 1999), Something Fishy (opened in 2000), Greer's Grille (opened by early 2003). The Grille (by early 2007) and Voocaray Cajun Cuisine and Bar (opened about 2010),

6582 - Sal's Pizzeria & Pasta House (since 2009) used to be The Dairy Parlor restaurant from about 1971 to 1979. In the early 80's, it was C & M Sandwich Shop and then Café Continental before becoming Ornaments Unlimited from the mid 80's through the 90's. It would later become G Spot Bar in the 00's.
6604 - Word of Mouth Restaurant (since 2000 after moving from 2164 Gulf Gate Dr.) started as Nu You Nutrition Center from 1976 to 1979. It then became Chez Sylvie Restaurant (early 80's), The Dumpling House (early-to-mid 80's - also at 6590 Gateway), Carol's Café (mid 80's to early 90's), Tex Mex Café (opened in 1991), Portofino's restaurant (opened in 1993), Truffle's of Gulf Gate (opened in 1996) and again Portofino (about 1999 to 2000) .

6607 - Sarasota Brewing Company (from September 1989 until closing in June 2022 after a fire) used to be Pour House Tavern (opened in December 1969) and then Gateway Pub from about 1974 to 1978 and Gingerbread Man tavern from about 1979 to 1988.

6630 - This used to be Off the Hook Seafood Restaurant from late 2013 until early 2021. It was then used as additional space for Opus SRQ until 2023. It was originally Piatti Italian Bistro & Bar from 2011 to 2013.

6644 - Kolucan Mexican Bar and Grill (since September 2023) used to be IL Panificio from 2010 to 2018. After that it became Off The Hook Seafood Market and then Opus SRQ (2021 to 2023).

Goodrich Avenue
225 - Stonegate Bank on the corner of Fruitville and Goodrich used to be the location of the Nehi Bottling Company (see photo) from about the late 1920's to 1977.  The building was destroyed after a fire in 1983.

Gulf Gate Drive
2164 - Veg Restaurant (2010 until moving in July 2020 to a new location) has been the home of many restaurants and delicatessens over the years. These include (dates are approximate): Zito's Deli & Sandwich Shop (1972), Keelan's Kitchen Deli (1973-1974), Gulf Gate Delicatessen (1974-1977), The Hungry Monk Restaurant (1977-1980) Americasia Restaurant (1980-1986), Kettle Deli (1986-1987), Magda's Sandwich Shop (1987-1988), Gulf Gate Luncheonette (1989-1991), Sub Heaven (1991-1995), Word of Mouth Restaurant (1996 until moving to its present location at 6604 Gateway Ave. about 2000), Going Bistro (opened by early 2001), and Deja Vu (opened in 2006).
2184 - Fashion Focus Hair Academy (since 2000) used to be Gulf Gate Liggett Rexall Drugs from 1971 to 1998.  Photo credit: If you grew up in Sarasota, FL...then you remember.

2215 - Torn down around 2010, this used to be Gulf Gate Standard (later converted to Chevron) Service Station from 1965 to the early 90's, when it became Gulf Gate Unocal (Union 76). From the mid 90's to the late 00's, it was a U-Save Service Station.  Photos: The station as Chevron in the early-to-mid 70's and U-Save from 2007.

2222 - Tangerine Salon used to be Gulf Gate Bookshop from the early 80's to the early 90's.  In the 70's, it was A-One Custom Interiors.
2224 - Taste of Hong Kong Restaurant used to be Mak's Chinese Restaurant for about 30 years from the mid 80's to mid 2010's. It had previously been Lucky Inn Restaurant for a short time in the early-to-mid 80's.

Gulf Gate Mall
See 6503 South Tamiami Trail below.

Gulf Of Mexico Drive (Longboat Key)
412 - Dry Dock Waterfront Grill (since 1989) used to be Charthouse Pub Restaurant & Lounge from about 1979 to 1987.
1620 - Torn down starting in July 2018 to make way for redevelopment of the property, this used to be Colony Beach and Tennis Resort from 1954 until August 2010.
3454 - Now residential property, this used to be the location of Shenkel's Restaurant (originally Shenkel's Coffee Shop) from 1959 to 1994.  It later became Poseidon Restaurant from 1997 to 2003.

Hansen Street
1902 - Located diagonally across from Best Buy on South Tamiami Tr., this has been Sleep King since about 1981.                                      

Hillview Street
1859 - Pacific Rim Restaurant (since 1999) used to be the location of Walpole Pharmacy from 1955 to 1997.

1920 - Meliora Restaurant (since March 2022) used to be Hillview Grill from 1986 to 2016. It became Taverna Grill in early 2017 and then Blase Southern Style Restaurant (opened in November 2019 as Blase Bistro Hillview and closed in June 2021).  Earlier in the 80's, it was Mel's Hoagie Diner, Phil's Steak and Café Seville.

1930 - Built in 1955 as Barnes Southside Sandwich Shop (opened in May 1955), Five O'Clock Club (since March 1964) was Hillview Liquors for over seven years beginning in October 1956.  As of June 2020, it is now called Brady's Neighborhood Bar. Photo: Five O'Clock club in its early days in the mid 60's. 

1936 - The former Pazzo Southside and Giorgio's on Hillview Restaurant used to be Great Western House of Meats from 1967 to about 1988. It then became Scott's Meat & Delicatessen.  It started as Syd Johnston, Inc. television sales in August 1955, becoming Carl's TV and Radio one year later until 1965.
1944 - Figaro Bistro Restaurant and Wine Bar (since April 2021) used to be Chutney's Etc. Restaurant (1993 to 2017). It was known as Fandango Café Restaurant from 1987 to 1993 before changing its name. Ater Chutney's, it became Café Roma (opened in January 2019).

Honore Avenue
705 - 7-Eleven (since about the early 70's) used to be Gant's Grocery, which opened in 1964 after moving from 709 Honore Ave. Below: Gant's Grocery (now 7-Eleven) from 1964.

817 - Alvis Heating & Cooling and Asia's Eclectics (previously Muse Emporium) used to be the very popular Trevino's Mexican Restaurant from 1977 to about 1986 before moving to N. Beneva Rd..  Even before that, it was Sisters Sundries' store and gas station (Esso at one time) from October 1955 to the mid 70's. Below: Trevino's Mexican Restaurant

Another view of Trevino's Mexican Restaurant as seen in 1980. Credit: Bradenton Herald

Another great view of Trevino's Mexican Restaurant as seen in 1983 with 7-Eleven in the background. Credit: EMR Telemetry

John Ringling Boulevard

302 - Now part of Tommy Bahama (since 1997 and listed at 300 John Ringling), this used to be The French Hearth bakery (also included the Le Rendez-Vous restaurant) from January 1977 until about the mid 90's.
325 - Daiquiri Deck (since 2011) used to be Hemingway's Retreat Restaurant from 1986 to 2010. Photo: Hemingway's from the late 1980's. Credit: Sarasota Magazine.

462 - Alvin's Island used to be G & S Food Market from about 1950 to May 1981. It then became Le Bistro St. Armand Restaurant.
465 - Shore Clothing and Restaurant was the location of Ruby Tuesday's Lounge from 1977 to about the early 90''s.  It was earlier Explorer Bar tavern from 1961 to about 1971 and then became Big Daddy's Liquors from 1972 to 1977.
470 - Blue Dolphin Café (since about 1998) was previously the Buttery Coffee Shop for over 25 years from December 1969 to the mid-to-late 90's.  Before that it was Jack's Sandwich Shop from 1955 to 1959 and Matterhorn Swiss Restaurant and Delicatessen from 1959 to 1969.

Lowe Drive (formerly Lowe Lane)
1753 - Located on Whitaker Bayou, this used to be Lowe Boat Ways from at least 1932 (needed to be rebuilt after a fire) until June 1973 when it became Marlow Marine.

Main Street
1319 - Torn down in 2013 to make way for The Jewel condominiums, this used to be Sports Page Bar & Grille from the late 80's to 2013.  It had been a travel agency and art studio before becoming Ziggy's Main Street Grill in the mid 80's.
1335 - This used to be Hotel Sarasota from 1925 to 1971. By 1974, it had become the Palm Building (now Palm Tower) and renumbered to 1341 and 1343 Main St. 
1341 - Clasico Italian Chophouse (opened as Clasico Cafe And Bar in 2013) used to be Charlie's News from 1974 to 1997 and Sarasota News & Books from 1997 to 2009. Before 1974, it was Club Tavern (late 60's) and Landchess Lounge (early 70's) and after 2009, it was Café Palm.  Below:Charlie's News in 1974.

1345 - An office center since the late 80's, this used to be Foley's Follies lounge from the early-to-mid 70's to the early 80's.  From the 50's to the early 70's, it was primarily a coffee shop under various names (White Wing, Russo's and Esquire).
1355 - El Melvin Cocina Mexicana (was known as Two Senoritas from 1994 to 2019) used to be Coley's Restaurant from the early-to-mid 80's to about 1993.

1359 1/2 - The former Fire Fresh Grill (2021 to 2022) and Coolinary Restaurant and Bar (2016 to 2019) used to be Misguided Mariner Restaurant from 1977 until becoming T.J.'s Upper Deck Restaurant in about 1980. It then became Celebrity's Restaurant from about 1986 until the early-to-mid 90's.  Other restaurants that passed through here after that included:  Bwana Bob's, Upper Crust of Sarasota aka Francoise et Henri (opened in 1997), Taste of Tokyo (opened in 2000), Bayou Bleu (opened in 2004) and Irish Pub & Grille.
1364 (was 230 to 234 before 1953) -Sears, Roebuck & Co. Department Store was here from September 1937 until moving to Sears Shopping Plaza (now Midtown Plaza) in July 1960.
1367 (was 233 to 235) - Art Uptown Gallery (since the mid 80's) used to be Fred Walden Shoes from 1959 until moving next door to 1359 Main in 1974.  It was then mostly vacant from the mid 70's to the mid 80's. Photo: Fred Walden Shoes from about 1960.

1369 (was 239 1/2) - Located on the second floor above 1367 and 1371 Main, this used to be Blue Grass Hotel from the mid 30's to the mid-to-late 40's.  It then became a suite of offices.
1371 (was 237 to 239) - Café Amici (since 2001) used to be Johnny's Coffee Shop and Restaurant from 1940 to 1962 after being Mayfair Restaurant from the mid to late 30's.  It then became Charlie's News from 1963 until moving to 1341 Main in 1974. After that, it was The Place on Main Street amusement center (mid 70's to early 80's), New York Original Deli (early-to-mid 80's to early-to mid 90's), Back Stage Café (opened by early 1994) and Sage Restaurant from about 1997 to 2000.
1377 - Green Zebra Café (since September 2019) used to be MoZaic Restaurant from late 2008 to September 2018.  It was earlier Monique's Artist Palette Cafe and Gallery from about 1988 to 1992.  It later became The Cornerstone Tavern by the mid 90's and Blue Parrot Restaurant and Tavern by 1999.
1378 (was 248) - This used to be Archibald Hardware & Furniture Co. in the 1930's until 1938, when it became Ernest Sears Hardware for the next 17 years. It then became Townsend's Housewares in 1955 and Kerr's Tradition House furniture by the end of 1960.  Before being torn down by 1965, it became Main Street Shoe Mart in 1963 until moving to 1454 Main St. in late 1964..
1386 (was 252) - This used to be Harmon's men's clothing store from 1937 until moving to 1448 Main St. in 1962 and then torn down by 1965. It had earlier been Turners men's clothing in the mid 1930's.
1395 (was 259-261) -First Watch Restaurant (since early 1992) used to be The Sport Shop dress and clothing store from early 1933 to 1991 after three years at 356 (later renumbered 1464) Main St.. Levy's department and clothing store was earlier at this location from 1921 until moving to the new Kress Building in November 1932. Photo: The Sport Shop from about 1960.

1396 (was 260) - Badger Drugs operated here from 1905 until moving to 1437 Main in 1963 until 1968. It did move within the building at one point from the right side to the corner location (see below from 1963) previously occupied by First National Bank.

1400 (was 300 to 308) - Located at Five Points (the intersection of Main, Pineapple and Central), the location of Fit2Run used to be a bank in the 1910's until 1933.  It would then become Liggett Drugs from about 1938 to 1948 until moving up the street to 400 Main (renumbered to 1500 Main in 1953). Madison Drugs would take over this location until the late 50's when it was reacquired and became Liggett-Rexall Drugs until a fire badly damaged the building on April 1, 1979.  The building was rebuilt in 1985 and was then called Kress International Plaza, consisting of several businesses.  A major tenant here was Patrick's Restaurant on the first floor until moving to 1481 Main in 2011.
1401 - Plaza At Five Points occupies the area that used to be Palmer First National Bank and Trust Company of Sarasota from 1929 until acquired by Southeast Bank in 1976.  Southeast became First Union in 1991 and the building was torn down in 1999 after being vacant for a few years.  Before becoming Palmer Bank, it was First Bank & Trust Co, in the 1920's until 1929.
1424 (was 314) - This used to be National Shirt Shops from November 1956 until 1973. Earlier, it was John Ringling Estates from 1926 to 1928, The Ann Shop from 1928 to 1934, The Bon Ton from 1934 to 1935, Baccus Liquor Store from 1935 to 1938 and Lerner Shops from about 1939 to 1955 (moved to 1428 Main St.).
1428 (was 318) - This used to be Cheap Clothes denim resale shop from about 1977 to 1983.  It had previously been Lerner Shops from 1955 to about 1974 after moving from 1424 Main and replacing Nathan's Clothing, which had operated here since 1929.
1435 (was 333) - Duval's Seafood Restaurant (since November 2011) used to be The Excel Studios from about 1935 to 1962. It then became Hanna's Cards & Gifts in 1963, Palmer Bank temporary quarters in 1965, House Of Golf in 1966, Snuffy's Shanty Restaurant in June 1969, Mac's Restaurant in 1971, Kurtz Coach House (later shortened to Coach House) Restaurant in 1975, LaQuiche Restaurant by 1983, Café De Paris Restaurant by 1984, Ristorante La Fontana by 1992, The Main Event Restaurant by 1995, Bar-B-Que Heaven in 1997, Main Street Bar & Grill in 1998, Som's Café in 1999 and later Victoria's Restaurant & Bar by 2001, Chef Caldwell's Restaurant in 2004, Franko's Mediterranean Cuisine by 2008 and Breakfast Nook.
1437 - Estetica by Vanda salon (since the late 80's) used to be Snack House Restaurant from July 1953 to August 1962 after damage caused by a fire. It then became Badger Pharmacy (moved from 1396 Main St.) from 1963 to 1968. After being Adult Books & Movies in the first half of the 70's, it was The Granary natural foods store from about 1975 until moving to 1451 Main St. in July 1979.
1439 - The former South Philly Chessesteaks (from 2019 until closing in April 2023) used to be The Panhandlers kitchen boutique from 1973 to about 1989. It then became Encore & More consignment shop from 1991 to 2016. After that it was Rue Boutique from 2016 to 2018.  As of April 2023, the restaurant is slated to become Namo Izakaya Japanese Restaurant. 
1441 - Darci woman's boutique (since 2020) and formerly Panache from 2015 to 2020 used to be Hanna's Oriental Rugs from 1973 to 1975 (moved to 1475 Main St.). It then became Florence Resort Shops from 1975 to about 1980. After that it was Modern Bride by 1981, Designers Discount by 1987, Joan Marie women's clothing by 1988, Art Forms Gallery by 1990 and later became part of Encore & More.
1442 - (was 326 to 330) The historic Kress building used to be the S.H. Kress Company 5 and 10 store from November 30, 1932 until early 1974.
1443 - Dana Tyler Jewelry used to be PJ's Boutique from 1973 to 2019.
1445 (was 343) - Torn down in 1968 to be used for parking, this used to be Ritz Theater from December 1934 to December 1965.  It opened as the Virginian theater in March 1916 and then became Sarasota Theater in April 1920 until the early 1930's.
1448 (was 338) - Smokin' Joe's (since 1999) used to be Peerless Men's Shop (also as Jay Konner's in the early 60's) from about 1935 to 1962. It then became Harmon's men clothing store (moved from 1386 Main St.) from 1962 to about 1990. It was later Montoney men's clothing and Sarasota Emporium in the 90's.
1451 -1463 (was 351 to 359) - Since the late 70's after reconstruction, multiple businesses from 1451 to 1463 Main (see 1451 below) occupy the area that used to be Penney's (JC Penney) Department Store from 1934 until moving to Southgate Plaza in 1961 (later used as a warehouse until being torn down in 1976). Montgomery-Roberts was at part of this location as well (at 351 to 353 Main) from October 1936 until moving to N. Pineapple in December 1947 and Penney's, which had been at 357-359 Main, appears to have expanded into that spot.
1451 - Lotus Boutique (since 2003) used to be The Granary natural foods store (moved from 1437 Main) from 1979 to 1996.  In between, it was The Haven and Gold Fish Galleries.
1454 (was 344) - Brewster's Tavern (since October 2018) used to be Shoppers Center store from 1968 until closing over 30 years later in February 1999. It then became Mary's On Main gifts and then Wearable Art later in the 00's. In 2010, it became The Olive Tree Restaurant and was later Tequila Cantina (opened in 2012) and Z's Restaurant and Bar (opened in 2015).  Before Shoppers Center, this was Starks Bakery in the late 1920's, The French Shoppe women's wear from 1930 to 1936, Shabot's Linen Shop from about 1937 to 1952 and then Venice Linen Shop, Macy's of Sarasota gifts (opened in 1954), Jay's Gift by 1957, King Dollar Store (moved from 1500 Main St. in 1962), Olen Stores, Main Street Shoe Fair (opened in 1964) and Merit Dollar Store by 1967.
1460 (was 346 to 352)- Now multiple businesses from 1460 to 1464 Main, this used to be McCrory's 5 and 10 store from 1923 to early 1992.
1464 - Now part of Lotus Boutique, this used to be Warren Shoe Store from about 1934 all the way until 2004.
1472 (was 362 to 364) - Bulgogi House Korean BBQ (since 2024) and the former Kennedy Studios used to be Delson's Shoes from 1940 to 1988. It had previously operated as Sarasota Dept. Store in the 1930's. and changed from a clothing store to a shoe store in August 1948.
1475 - Now combined and renumbered as 1471 Main and 1473 Main, this used to be Hanna's Import Gallery from 1975 to about 2000. It later became Wilson Galleries in 2002 and Angsana Sarasota in 2003 and was vacant by 2007 before being remodeled into the two stores. Earlier at this address (373 Main before 1953) before being torn down in 1974, was De Soto Hotel from about 1932 to 1961. It had previously been Weida Hotel.
1476 - Pixie Dust Metaphysical Boutique used to be Nello's clothing and sportswear from January 1960 (moved from 1552 Main St.) until moving to the new Sarasota Square Mall in October 1977.
1477 - Eleganza used to be a Hallmark Shop under various names, including Fans, Sher's, Inga's and Linda's from 1975 to about 2005. In between after a period of vacancy, it was Encore Home Entertainment Center. Earlier, this address (377 Main before 1953) was part of the first floor of the DeSoto Hotel building and was a restaurant under several different names from the mid 1920's to the mid 40's.  It was then Young Colony until 1953, Casual Colony from 1954 to 1956, House of Records from 1957 to 1961, Early Bird Record Shop from about 1964 to 1966 and later used as an expansion of Shabot's Linens (1473 Main) from about 1968 until shortly before the building was torn down. Photo: Sarasota Coin and Stamp (1469 Main) Hanna's Import Gallery (1475) and Fan's Hallmark (1477) in 1978.   The large building in the background is Southeast First National Bank of Sarasota at 1401 Main.

1481 - Patrick's 1481 Restaurant (since 2011) used to be Norton Camera Center from 1962 to 1997 when it was converted to a Wolf Camera store.  It then became a Re/Max office in 2007 and Braza Brazilian Steakhouse in 2009.  Before construction and Norton Camera, this was The Oleander Restaurant (earlier Oleander Ice Cream) from the mid-1930's to about 1960 and then briefly Charcoal Kitchen. By 1972, Norton had expanded into the area next door that was 1485 Main (previously Houpe's Shoes).
1488 - A. Parker's Book Bazaar (since 1980) used to be Mary Jane Shoes from 1958 to about 1973. It then became Sarasota Books from 1974 to 1975 and World of Books from 1975 to 1980 (see photo from 1976).

1490 - The Gator Club (since 1988) building dates back to 1912.  A history of the building, including its early years as a grocery store can be found at the following link: Worth's Block (The Gator Club).  Known as Corner Cigar Store by 1930, it was called Gator Cigar Store and Gator Bar and Grill by the mid 30's.  For the next 50 years (other than Harmon's Liquors in 1938 and Jelel Corp Liquors in 1971), the name would vary between Gator Bar and Grill, Gator Cigar Store and Gator Bar.
1500 - Blue Mercury Spa (since late 2016) at the corner of Main and Lemon used to be Ellie's Book & Stationary from 1972 to 1981, when the name was changed to The Downtown Store until about the late 90's.  It then became a Burger King until about 2004 and Brooks Brothers clothing store after that from about 2007 until July 2016. Earlier, it was Bay Drugs (Walgreen Agency) from 1940 to the late 40's, Liggett-Rexall Drugs from about the late 40's to 1960 and King Dollar Stores in the early 60's.

1507 - Pi On Main (Since January 2024) used to be Box Social Gallery and Lounge starting in 2009. It then became The Blue Owl Tavern on Main by early 2011 and Tavern on Main in late 2012 until about 2019. After that it was Pizza N' Brew from July 2021 until 2023.

1509 - The former World Coin & Jewelry Exchange (moved to 1648 Main St.) used to be The Surrey (women's clothing shop) beginning in November 1957 and operating all the way until January 1999.  Prior to The Surrey, this was a shoe repair shop under various names, including Roth and Goodyear.
1516 (was 416) - Now William Raveis Real Estate (since 2022), the former Penzey's Spices used to be Town N' Country clothing from 1948 to the early 80's. It then became Wiley Office Equipment into the 90's.
1519 - Bank OZK used to be Kyoto Japanese Restaurant from 1980 until about 1997 (seen below in the early-to-mid 80's).

1521 (was 421) - Parker Robinson Interiors (since 2004) used to be Bay View Cleaners & Laundry from 1936 to about 1950 (after that listed at 423, then 1523 Main St.), when it became Docksey Jewelry until about 1965. After being a real estate office (Savage Realty), it was Alterations Unlimited from 1970 to about 1980 and Sarasota Emporium from about 1985 until moving to 230 Shopping Ave. (Ringling Plaza) in 2004.

1522 (was 422) - Now part of 1526 Main St., this used to be West Coast Shippers from at least 1947 until about 1963, when it became Frey's Juice Bar. It then became Music World in 1970 and The Lunch Box Restaurant from 1971 to about 1983. After that it was No Baloney Sandwich by 1984, Lynn's West End Café by 1987, The Indian Cuisine by 1988, Deli D'Lite by 1990 and Nicky's Italian Pizza (aka Italian Pizza of Sarasota) from about 1993 to the mid 00's.
1526 (was 426) - LQ on Main Restaurant (since early 2022) used to be Barnacle Bill's Seafood from October 1999 to the end of 2020.   Going way back to 1930, it was Cap's Market, before becoming Bullard's Bar and Package Store from the mid 1930's until about 1970. From 1970 until about 1983, it was Sammy Dee's, Don's Full Moon Tavern, Jerry's Jug & Jar Joint, Uncle Dale's Tavern and Sunday Monday's. From about 1983 to 1990, it became Le Croissant Restaurant and then Chez Sylvie Restaurant until the late 90's.
1527 - Main Street Kitchen used to be Jules Pawn Shop (aka Jewel's Pawn Shop at times) and/or Jule's Music Center (later Main Street Music) from 1955 into the early 00's.  As seen below from the mid 70's, 1529 Main was used for a time by the pawn shop for display, while the music center was listed at 1527 Main.  The pawn shop would later have its sole address again at 1527 Main by the mid 80's.
1531 - Campbell Cabinetry Designs used to be Helen's Book Store from about 1966 to 2009.
Photo - From the mid 70's left to right: Alterations Unlimited (1521 Main), Watch Hospital (1523), Jules Music Center (1527), Jules Pawn Shop (1529), Helen's Book Store (1531) and Family Finance (1535).

1537 - Peru 941 restaurant (since May 2022) used to be The Cotton Shop from at least the early 50's to the mid 80's.  Restaurants here from 1987 to 2015 included Far East Gourmet (opened in 1987), Golden Dragon (opened in 1992), Kiyoshi's Japanese Restaurant, Yume Sushi (moved across the street at 1532 Main in 2014 until 2023), The Famous Tavern (2014 to 2015), Top Sushi, Wild Ginger Sushi & Asian Cuisine (2015 to 2021) and Humay Sushi. Below: The Cotton Shop around 1980 during a parade on Main Street.  Domestic Finance is to the left.

1540 (was 440) - Living Vogue Real Estate and the former Black Bird Home Gallery used to be Kickliter Bros. Hardware & Paint from the 1920's to the mid 1950's, when it became Home Hardware until the mid 1960's. From about 1969 to the mid 00's, it was Goodwill Industries (resale shop, also job center in 1997) and was later Phasion with Pashion beginning in 2006.
1545 (was 445) - Stakenborg Fine Art used to be Jules Surplus Store and Pawn Shop from 1953 to 1955 before moving to 1527 Main St. for over 40 years. Earlier in the 50's, this was Sarasota Loan Co. and Sarasota Pawn Shop.
1551 (was 451)- Ama La Vita Ristorante (since 2020) used to be Alderman Barber Shop from about 1949 to 1958. After that it was Helen's Second Hand Store (early-to-mid 60's), Handicap House (late 60's), Mixed Media leather goods (about 1970 to 1978), Molnar's Restaurant by 1979, Stage Door Restaurant (early-to-mid 80's), Conrad's Café by 1986, Bellini Ristorante from 1988 to 2006, Cinco de Mayo Restaurant (opened in 2006), Azteca Restaurant (opened in 2012), India Palace Restaurant (opened in 2014), and Prague Restaurant (June 2017 to February 2020).
1553 - C'est La Vie French Café and Bakery (since December 1997) used to be Molnar's Stamp & Coin Shop from about 1984 to the mid 90's.
1554 (was 452 to 454) - Evie's Tavern at 1560 Main St. operates at the location that used to be Sarasota Hardware & Paint Co. from 1944 until late 2012 and rebuilt about two years after closing. From at least the early 1930's to early 1940's, it was B & B Sarasota Grocery Co.
1565 (was 477) - Torn down by 1980, this used to be Haverty's Furniture from December 1959 until moving to 4650 So. Tamiami Tr. in December 1969. Earlier, it was Woolard's Furniture in the 1920's to about 1930, Bert's Inc. Furniture from 1931 to 1953 and Barkus Furniture from 1953 to 1959. Photo: Haverty's Furniture in 1960.

1568 - MeLange Restaurant (since 2012) used to be Café Kaldi from about 1995 to 2003.  It then became Relish This until moving to a new location in 2004. After that it was Ralph's On Main Street (opened in 2004) and Lan Restaurant in 2007, which evolved into MeLange in 2012.  From the mid--to-late 50's to the early 80's, this location was occupied by The Tackle Box, which was also next door at 1572 Main St..
1572 (was 468) - Drunken Poet Café (since about 2007) used to be The Tackle Box sporting goods store from the early 50's until the mid 80's.  It then became an antique shop for a few years. By the mid 90's, it was Nature's Way Café until the mid 00's.
1576 (was 470) - Lila Restaurant (since September 2016) used to be The Bullet Hole from about 1965 to 2013 (moved to 330 S Orange Ave).  It was previously Sarasota Camera Shop from the mid 40's to the early 60's.
1578 (was 472) - Pho Cali Restaurant (since 2005) used to be Dottie's Kosher Restaurant from 1965 to 1975 (this was earlier the address of Oasis Bar and Oasis Grill in the 50's).  It became Phil's Steak & Hoagie from 1975 to 1981 and then Angie's Steak & Hoagie until the early-to-mid 90's.  Restaurants here in the 90's and early 00's included Lunch Box Cafe, Kevin's Country Cafe, and Nha Trang on Main.
1592 - 1592 Wood Fired Kitchen & Cocktails (since August 2020) at the corner of Main and So. Orange used to be Mister Sandwich Restaurant from 1969 to 1972. It would then become Fatstuff Steaks of Philadelphia until late 1978.  In the early 80's, it was Paddingtons Restaurant and then Royal Cafe from about 1983 to 1988. It then became El Greco Cafe for 30 years (1989 to 2019) before briefly changing to Avli Mess Hall.
1618 (was 516) - AgeVital Pharmacy, Research, and Wellness (since 2016) used to be Whitesides Appliances from 1947 to about 1986.  It started as The San Juan Restaurant in 1926 and later became Standard Auto Parts from about 1933 until moving to State St. in 1942.
1644 - Coffee Carrousel restaurant (since all the way back to 1966) used to be Sarasota Carpet Fashions from about 1958 to 1960 and Sarasota Blue Print from 1960 to 1964.
1660 (was 550)- Lucile Pizza & Wine Bar (since December 2020) and the former Hamilton-Ladieu hair salon used to be Coffee Cup Restaurant from 1963 to about 1984. It later became Jack's Tailor Shop by 1988 into the 90's.  It had earlier been Crown Castle Grill (later changed to Crown Coffee Shop) from 1950 until becoming Ronnie's Restaurant in 1955. It was later Earl's Restaurant in 1957, Wilder's Restaurant by 1959, Snack House Jr. Restaurant by 1960 and The Porpus Restaurant by 1962.
1662 - Medway Realty used to be The Big Apple clothing from about 1970 to 1978.  It then became The Shah Abbas Collection (carpets & rugs) from about 1980 to 1987. After that, it became American Speedy Printing Center.
Photo from about 1974 - Left to right: Avco Financial Services (1668 Main), Sonotone of Sarasota hearing aids (1666), Brewer's Barber Shop (1664), The Big Apple clothing (1662) and Coffee Cup restaurant (1660).

1679 - Courtesy Cleaners used to be a Gulf Service Station from at least the 1930's (possibly 1929 and later rebuilt) until the mid 60's. It was then Instant Ignition until the early 70's and later Senior Friendship Centers before becoming Main Street Cleaners from 1987 to about 2010.
1703 (was 701) - IL Panificio Italian Pizzeria (since 1991) used to be the location of a Standard Oil service station from at least the mid 40's to about 1983. It was called Little Standard for all of the years after 1953.  After construction, it became Lambert Group by 1987.

1710 (was 700) - Tube Dude used to be a Firestone Store/Car Care Center from about 1950 all the way until 2014. It then became Sarasota County Visitor Center from 2015 to 2017 before relocating to 1945 Fruitville Road.  In the 1940's, Carpet Golf (miniature golf and practice range) was at this location.

1741 (was 747) - The current Sarasota Memorial Hospital Support Services and former Sarasota Herald-Tribune building (2006 to 2016) used to be the location of Tamiami Sandwich Shop from about 1930 to 1940, when it became Brinson's Hot Shop. After being listed as Hall Motor Co., it became Shenkel's Delicatessen by 1946.  In October 1948, it changed to The Waffle Shop until moving to its famous location at 660 S. Washington Blvd. in 1954. In 1956, this location was rebuilt into the two-story H & H Cafeteria, which opened in early 1956. By start of 1957, it changed to M & M Cafeteria until 1960, when it became Dutch Pantry Cafeteria until early 1962.  From there, the name would change from Colonade Cafeteria to Your Host Cafeteria and back to H & H Cafeteria in 1963 until closing in April 1964.  After some renovations, this became a Florida Power & Light office in February 1965 for about the next 25 years.
1783 (was 751)- At about where the SunTrust building sits today used to be location of the legendary Smack Drive-in restaurant (below) from about the late 30's or early 40's to 1959. The restaurant started in 1932 at was then 642 Main Street (corner of Main and Pine).

1801 (was 801) - Michael Saunders Real Estate (since the mid-to-late 80's) used to be the location of Saprito Bros. Fruit Company from late 1940 until 1976.
1802 (was 800) - Reese Chevron (since 1953 and still pumps your gas!) used to be Hamilton's Standard Service from at least the 1930's until the early 50's.  Below: Reese Chevron in 2006.


1900 - Located in the 1900 Main Building across from Maas Brothers was Jon-El Restaurant from about 1979 to 1981. It then became Horsefeathers Restaurant from about 1981 to 1988.
1944 (was 934) - The Main Bar Sandwich Shop (since 1958) used to be The Main Bar going back at least to the mid-to-late 40's at what was then 469 Main St. and since the early-to-mid 50's at this location.
1962 - Now the Archibald Building, this used to be Main Bookshop from about 1987 until closing in May 2008.

1970 (1st floor)- Mediterraneo Restaurant (since 1996 and renovated in 2013) used to be H.R.H. Dumplin's Restaurant earlier in the 1990's. Before that, the space was used for offices, including E.F. Hutton investments during the late 1970's and first half of the 1980's.

1991(100) - This used to be Applebee's Restaurant at Main Plaza from 1997 until closing in September 2015. It was torn down about five years later.
1993 - Regal Hollywood Stadium 20 movie theatre (since 1997) is at the location that for many years was occupied by the Maas Brothers department store from October 1956 until March 1991. After being utilized by the International Marketplace in the early-to-mid 90's, the Maas Brothers building was torn down in 1996.  Below: Maas Brothers Department Store in 1956.


Mall Drive

2615 - The Thirsty Turtle (since 2005) used to be Cafe Vienna Restaurant, which opened in 1991. It was later J's Place.

2647 - This used to be Heavenly Ham from about 1983 into the 00's and then became Ham Heaven and Devil Dogs Restaurant until about 2017.

Marina Plaza 
2 - Marina Jack Restaurant (since 1968) used to be Marina-Mar Restaurant from 1963 to 1968.

Midnight Pass Road
5831 - Dolphin Bay condominiums (since 1998) were built where the popular Magic Moment Restaurant stood from late 1977 to 1991 and featured live magic shows for patrons while dining as well as a nightclub (originally Pazzazz Lounge and later Blueberry Hill). Prior to that, several restaurants were here, starting with Chez Michel in March 1970. It then became Riley's Restaurant and Lounge in 1971, The Ivanhoe in mid-1972, The Key Club in 1974 (restaurant was remodeled and adjacent tennis club was built) and Marker 69 in 1976 until 1977.

6101 - Summer Cove condominiums (since 2007) were built where another popular Siesta Key restaurant, The Summerhouse operated from January 1976 to May 2005 (it was called The Greenhouse until 1979 and Anderson's Greenhouse until 1981). The restaurant building was used as a clubhouse in the new complex.
6400 - This used to be Surfrider Restaurant from early 1971 until August 2002.  The restaurant and adjacent Surfrider Motel were torn down shortly after to make way for Seagrove condominiums. The restaurant moved to 6621 Midnight Pass Rd. with a name change to Javier's (see below). 
6621 - Twisted Mango Café (since 2015) in Crescent Plaza used to be Shore Café starting about 1984 and then became Rick's Café from about 1986 to 1990. After that it was Duranti's Black Swan from 1990 to 1992 and Javier's from 1992 to 2015, although it had closed from around 1999 to 2002 and reopened as Javier's when Surfrider Restaurant moved here. Both Surfrider and Javier's had the same owners.
6631 - Miguel's Restaurant has operated here in Crescent Plaza since late 1983.
8875 - Turtles Restaurant on Little Sarasota Bay (since 1986) used to be the location in the 70's and early-to-mid 80's for businesses such as Ilkon Shipping Co. and Emcee Electronics.
9009 - This used to be Bill & Bea's Happyland Restaurant from 1951 until February 1966 when a fire demolished the building.  The restaurant had been quickly rebuilt and opened in November 1959, just three months after an earlier fire had totally damaged the original building.
9105 - Ophelia's On The Bay Restaurant (since 1988) used to be Pirate's Galley Restaurant from April 1971 until the early-to-mid 80's, when it became La Maree French Seafood Restaurant until the mid-to-late 80's.
9122 - Now a condominium complex, this used to be the location of Happyland Seafood Restaurant (no affiliation to Bea & Bill's Happyland) from 1974 to 1978. It then became Charley B's Happylanding Restaurant & Marina from 1979 to the early 80's.  After a short time as Van Gogh's Restaurant, it would become Chez Med Restaurant from 1983 to about the mid-to-late 90's.

Myrtle Street
1923 - This used to be Bucko's Office Furniture (earlier Bucko's Surplus Store, which was an Army-Navy surplus store) from 1959 until early 2018.

N Boulevard of the Presidents
1 - This used to be Lido Beach Service Station (Phillips 66, then Esso/Enco/Exxon) from about the mid 50's to the early 90's before being torn down. By the early 80's, the station was known as St. Armand's Exxon.  Also, until the late 70's, the station's address was listed at 379 Harding Circle, however in 1953, McLeod's Standard Service was listed at this address.  It would soon move to 481 John Ringling Blvd., where it would be known shortly thereafter as Saint Armand's Standard Service until the early-to-mid 80's.
13 - A group of retail shops now occupy the former location of the Tail O' The Pup Restaurant from November 1958 to the early 90's.

North Beneva Road (was Oriente Ave. until the early 80's)

501 (180) - The former Sweetbay Supermarket (2005 to 2013) in the Town and Country Plaza used to be a Grand Union (see photo) Supermarket from January 1979 to early 1984 when Grand Union sold their Florida stores.  It then became a Kash N' Karry Supermarket from 1984 to 2005 until the conversion to Sweetbay.  The store was torn down in August 2019 to build a new Publix Supermarket, which opened in November 2020 (Suite 161) after moving from Sarasota Commons Plaza..
501 (240) - This started as Old World Pizza in 1979 until about 1984 and then became Churchill's Inn East restaurant into the 90's. It was later Texas Bill's Beer & Bites in the 00's.
501 (260) - This started as Can't Miss clothing in 1979 and then became Tempo Fashions from the early-to-mid 80's to about the early 90's.  It was later Learning Depot, which had been at units 520 and 560 (also 510) from about 1986 to the early 00's,.
501 (280) - Bealls Department Store (since 2000) in the Town and Country Plaza used to be a J.Byrons (later shortened to Byrons) Department Store from 1979 to 1996, then became Upton's until late 1999.
501 (400) - This used to be Fayva Shoes from 1979 to about the mid 90's.
501 (430) - Now torn down, this used to be a Dairy Queen from 1979 to about 2000. Photo: Here is all that remained of what used to be a Dairy Queen in this July 2019 photo during the demolition of a portion of Town and Country Plaza.

501 (510) - After starting as The Cornicopia gift shop in 1979, this became Video Movie Center from 1980 to 1989 (see photo from 1981).  Learning Depot then expanded into this space.

501 (530) - This used to be Sean's Restaurant in the Town and Country Plaza from 1979 to about the mid 90's.
501 (636) - Torn down in 2019, and most recently the site of the Fraternal Order of Eagles, this used to be Sullivan's Irish Pub & Grill in the courtyard area of Town & Country Plaza from late 1988 to late 1998, when it became Casey's Courtyard Bar and Grill.  It would later switch to Balantine's Courtyard Bar and Grill in 2001 and HammerHead Red's Sports Tavern & Grill in 2003 for at least a couple of years.  It started out as The Port Hole Restaurant in 1979 and was also The Things You Like Fashions (early-to-mid 80's), Court Yard East (mid 80's) and Trevino's Mexican Restaurant from about 1986 to 1988 after moving from its well-known location on Honore Ave.  Photo: The former site of Sullivan's, Trevino's and many more as it looked in 2015.
501 (800) - Big Lots (opened February 2019) and Dollar Tree (opened early 2020) in the Town and Country Plaza used to be a Kmart Department Store that opened in November 1978 and operated all the way until a round of Sears/Kmart store closings shuttered the store in March 2017.
935 (101) - Super Bravo Supermarket (since March 2023) used to be a Publix Supermarket, which operated at this location at the Sarasota Commons plaza for exactly 40 years from November 1980 until moving to Town and Country plaza in November 2020.  Photo: Shoppers lined up at the grand opening of Publix at Sarasota Commons plaza in November 1980. Just about 40 years later, Publix moved to a brand-new location at nearby Town and Country Plaza.

935 (501) - Around The Clock Fitness used to be a Bealls Department Store from November 1980 until moving to the Town & Country Plaza in early 2000.  It would become a fitness center (Southside Athletic Club) by the end of the year 2000. It would later become Lifestyle Family Fitness and then L.A. Fitness.
935 (601)- The restaurant with the rotating buffet in the center of the Sarasota Commons plaza from the fall of 1980 to the mid-to-late 80's was Duff's Smorgasbord.  Later restaurants here included Runways Bar & Grill (opened in early 1995), Beef O'Brady's (mid-to-late 90's to mid 00's), Findaddy's Sports Bar and Tin Fish.
935 (801) - USPS (since 1998) at the Sarasota Commons plaza used to be Luria's catalog store from November 1980 to early 1997.
1199 - Wells Fargo Bank opened as Flagship National Bank of Sarasota County in September 1981. It became a Sun Bank by 1986.

North Cattlemen Road
101 - Super Target department store at University Town Center opened in October 2006.
300 - This has been a Sam's Club retail warehouse store since January 2002. It had previously been located in Sarasota at 8005 15th St. E..
351 - Gecko's Grill & Pub (since 2014) used to be Johnny Leverock's Seafood House (opened in early 2000).  It later became R.J. Gator's Sea Grill & Bar in 2006, Talegator's Restautant in 2008 and Trader Vic's Island Bar & Grill in early 2010 until 2013.

North Honore Avenue

1701 - Goodwill Industries (since late 2006) used to be a Food Lion supermarket (opened in 1991) before being converted to Kash N Karry in 1999 and lasting until early 2004. Photo 1: Kash N Karry in January 2004.  Photo 2: Accompanying Kash N' Karry sign that was still standing in front of the building in 2014, ten years after the store closed and then became a Goodwill store in 2006.

North Lemon Avenue
1 - Mattison's City Grille (since 2003) is at the location that used to be Main Street Depot from July 1988 to July 1998.
North Lime Avenue
110 - Sarasota Discount Pharmacy in the Colonial Village Shopping Center was once a Terry Shulman's, described as a health, beauty aid, cosmetic and vitamin store by the Sarasota Journal, from 1978 to the mid 80's (pictured below in 1978). Below: Terry Shulman's in Colonial Plaza in 1978.



180 - Amore Restaurant (since February 2021) used to be Silver Star Restaurant from late 1981 or early 1982 until April 2019. It was earlier a Carvel Ice Cream store from September 1971 to 1980.
200 - The current Sunflower Market Discount Grocery (since early 2023) and former Save A Lot (from the 90's until 2022) in the Colonial Village Shopping Center used to be an A & P supermarket from August 1963 until  December 1978.  It then became Great Scot (February 1979 to 1981), Foodway (1981) and Mr. C's Warehouse (1981-1982) supermarkets.  It was also Footware House from late 1982 to at least 1987. Below: A & P Supermarket in the mid 60's.

240 - Family Dollar (since the mid 90's) in the Colonial Village Shopping Center used to be an Eagle Army-Navy Discount Store from the mid 60's to the mid 80's.  It then became a Dollar General store until the mid 90's.
243 - The former Angers Garden Deli (1978 to 2016) used to be Thayer's Grocery from 1952 to 1962.  In between, it was Hedges Prescription Shop.

North Lockwood Ridge Road
1590 - Super Matt Laundromat used to be a 7-Eleven convenience store from 1961 to the mid-to-late 70's. It later became a Quick Stop store from the early 80's into the 90's.
1707 - Sam's Auto Repair Service started as Sam's Amoco Service in November 1959 and continued all the way until about 2005 (was converted to BP in the early-to-mid 00's).  Prior to Sam's, it was A & J Amoco.
3700 - Lockwood Tobacco Beer & Grocery used to be a Li'l General Food Store from the late 60's to the mid-to-late 80's.  Prior to that, it was Chaney's Grocery in the mid 50's, Noel's Grocery from the mid-to-late 50's to early-to-mid 60's and Three Suns Grocery from the mid-to-late 60's.
4123 - Gulf Coast Cremations used to be Grays Grocery (with Esso/Enco gas pumps) from 1955 to 1972.  After that, it was Jax Market until the mid-to-late 70's, Toni's Game Room in the late 70's, Aunt Bea's Furniture during a good part of the 80's and Strategic Systems in the 90's.
6224 - Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers (since 2015) used to be a KFC Restaurant from about 1994 to 2014.
6250 -  Escape Reality used to be Closeout Depot, which opened in February 1993.

6390 -  Outback Steakhouse has operated here since 1994.

8320 - Walmart Department Store opened here at the The Centre at University Parkway plaza in 1988. It was expanded into a Walmart Superstore in 2011.

8357 - Checkers Drive-In Restaurant has operated here since its grand opening in May 1992.

8415 - Floor & Décor (since 2013) used to be an Albertson's Market from 2000 to 2012.
8440 - Crunch Fitness at the The Centre at University Parkway plaza used to be a Walgreens Pharmacy from 1988 until moving into a free-standing building within the plaza about 2010.

8450 - Now split into multiple business establishments, this used to be a Publix Supermarket at The Centre at University Parkway plaza from 1988 until moving to 2875 University Pkwy. in May 2002. It then became Robb & Stuckey furniture outlet store in late 2003.  Photo: The sign for the The Centre at University Parkway plaza displaying the plaza's three anchor stores in 1989. The plaza had opened one year earlier.

North Orange Avenue

29 - First Professional Building used to be an A & P Supermarket from about the early-to-mid 40's to 1961.  It was later Kerr's Tradition House furniture store from October 1962 until the mid-to-late 70's.
130 - Boca Bargoons (since early 00's) used to be DeSears Appliances from the late 50's for about 40 years.
322 - Quick Stop Food Store (since the mid 80's and originally listed at 312 N. Orange Ave. used to be the location of Motorcar Imports (Jaguar dealer) and a Phillips 66 service station in the 60's. It was later Hunt's Wheel Alignment in the 70's and early 80's.

North Palm Avenue
1213 - Located in a 1920's-era townhouse, CasAntica Ristorante (since 2012) used to be Carmichael's Restaurant from about 1986 to 1998, when it became Noah's Restaurant. It later became Zak's Prime Steakhouse from 2003 to 2010 and then Aria European Restaurant. 

1282 - This used to be Restaurant Saint Georges from 1982 to about 1987.

1289 - KOJO Restaurant (since 2021), located in the ground floor of Palm Avenue Garage, used to be Louie's Modern Restaurant from 2013 to about the start of 2019. It then became Lemon Tree Kitchen until 2020.

N Pineapple Avenue
25 - The former Golden Apple Dinner Theater (1971 to 2013) used to be Morrison's Cafeteria from February 1948 until about 1970.  Photo: Morisson's Cafeteria from 1960. Credit: Sarasota News

42 - Several restaurants passed through here over the years with the most notable being Smitty's Beefeaters Room from about the end of 1961 until 1969.  Some of the others included: The Hofbrau (October 1953 to 1957), Carr's Sherwood Inn (opened in October 1957), Ray Johnson's Polynesian Village (December 1959 until 1961), Flame Restaurant (February 1970 until 1971), The Wooden Nickel (October 1971 until 1972), The Dry Dock (October 1972 to 1975 or 1976), The Point (opened July 1976), Maxim's of St. Croix (1977 to the late 70's) and Rocky's (early 80's to early-to-mid 80's).  Even earlier in the late 40's and early 50's, it appears to have been been Chuck Wagon (opened in October 1948 at 138 N. Pineapple before the 1953 street number change) and Dolphin Inn (opened in 1950 at 138 N. Pineapple)   After 1983, it is a bit of mystery as there are a lot of vacant listings here until being torn down around the 90's.
43 (was 131 before 1953) - The Pavilion building of the Sarasota Opera House (since 1996) used to be a Montgomery-Roberts department store from December 1947 to May 1976. In the early 40's, it was Gulf State Motors and then Fenne-Howard Motors before being remodeled into a department store.
61 - The Sarasota Opera House (opened in January 1984 as The Sarasota Theatre of the Arts) used to be the Florida Theatre (seen below) from 1936 to 1973. It was called Edwards Theater from 1926 to 1936. 

North Tamiami Trail (U.S. 41)
1 - The Vue Condos (since 2016) used to be the location of a Denny's Restaurant from the mid-to-late 80's to early-to-mid 00's (torn down in 2014). It was built as a Ranch House restaurant (opened in November 1970), becoming Roadway Inn in the 80's and then Indiana Joe's Restaurant in the mid 80's.  The adjacent motel built at the same time was also Ranch House (See below) and later becoming Palmer House in late 1977, Roadway Inn (early-to-mid 80's) and Holiday Inn Downtown (mid 80's to early 00's) before being torn down.

111 - This was the site of the John Ringling Towers (opened in 1926 as the El Vernona Hotel).  It was known as John Ringling Hotel until being converted into an apartment complex in 1964, then becoming vacant around the early 80's. Despite major restoration efforts, the building was torn down in 1998 to make way for the Ritz-Carlton Hotel (opened in 2001).  Below: John Ringling Towers.

202 - Embassy Suites Hotel was built on the former site of what started as Sarasota Flower Shop from the mid 50's to the late 50's and then became Colonial Flowers & Gifts from the early 60's to the early 90's. From there, it was Flowers and Balloons Above Sarasota and later One Palm sales office in 2007 and Lube Of Sarasota in the early-to-mid 2010's before being torn down.
204 - This used to be Lamplighter Shop from late 1956 (moved from 1564 Main St.) to about the mid 00's.  It was also torn down to build the hotel.
211 - The former Joey D's Chicago Style Eatery & Pizzeria (2014 to 2022) used to be a Standard Service Station (converted to Chevron in the 70's) from about the 1930's until the early-to-mid 80's. It later became Quizno's Subs in 2005 and Cafe Amalfi from 2010 to 2014.
231 - This used to be Cutler's Garage (later Cutler Motors before moving to 307 N. Tamiami Tr.) from the 1940's to the mid-to-late 50's. It then became a Gulf Service Station (J.S. Holt Gulf, Cowley's Gulf from the early-to-mid 60's to the mid-to-late 70's and North Trail Gulf) from 1958 to the mid 80's. Later at this location in the 90's after being rebuilt was Wings Beachwear and then Splash Sun & Fun in the early-to-mid 00's before being torn down in 2006.
270 - This used to be Sarasota Travelodge Motel from the early 60's to the late 80's. It then became Suncoast Inn until the late 90's and Quayside Inn until the building was torn down in 2005.
302 - This used to be Jeanette Ladies Fashions from 1974 until moving to 540 N. Tamiami Tr. in 1985. It then became Neon Nites interior decorators and later in the 80's was Drusee Hairstylist.
307 - This used to be Cutler Motors from the mid-to-late 50's to the late 60's. Adcorp Inc. was later at this location before being torn down by the mid 80's.
315 - Torn down by the mid 80's, this used to be a Dobbs House Snack Bar Restaurant from the early-to-mid 60's until being converted to a Steak N' Eggs Kitchen around the mid 70's to the early-to-mid 80's.
325 - This used to be The Driftwood Motel from the early-to-mid 50's until being torn down in 1983 to build Sarasota Quay.
400 - This building used to be Normandy Motel from the mid 50's to about the mid 00's.
638 - This used to be Clearview Motel from at least 1949 until about 1987 and then torn down.
714 - Prior to being torn down, this used to be LaSalle Motel from the early-to-mid 60's to the mid-to-late 80's.  From the early-to-mid 50's to the early 60's, it was called LaLinda Motel.
734 - This used to be Hill Top Motel (earlier Hill Top Hotel) from about the early-to-mid 40's to the early-to-mid 70's, when it became Hill Top Senior Residence until the mid-to-late 80's before being torn down.
777 - Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall (since January 1970) was originally called The Lewis and Eugenia Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall.

800 - This used to be Bickford's Mount Vernon Motel (earlier Bickford's Travel Lodge) from about the early-to-mid 40's to about 1987 before being torn down.
838 - The Players Centre for Performing Arts, long known as The Players Theatre opened here in 1936 (rebuilt in the early 70's). The 2018 season is slated to be the last at this location. Below: The Players Theatre in 1966.

1012 - Sunoco (since the mid 00's) used to be an Imperial Oil service station from about 1940 until about 1983.  It then became Checker Oil, Ecol (mid 80's to mid 90's) and Speedway.  There was also a Dixie Burger Restaurant here at the Imperial Station from late 1957 to the early 70's.  Photo 1: The Imperial Service Station sign in 1967 along with Dixie Burger Restaurant and Broadway Bar in the background.

Photos 2 and 3: Dixie Burger restaurant and sign.

1015 - This used to be Henry's Steak House (and Smuggler's Cove Bar) from 1952 until closing after a fire in 1968.
1032 - This used to be Buchman Motors from 1957 until moving to 4501 S. Tamiami Tr. in 1965.  In the early-to-mid 50's, it was Peerless Trailer.
1044 - Publix (since 2006) and condominiums were built on the site of the Broadway Bar, which had operated at this location for many, many years (records show as far back as 1925) until 2004.  It was rebuilt in 1956 after the original building was moved due to the widening of No. Tamiami Tr..
1400 - This used to be C Esta Court Motel from about 1948 to 1973, when it became Frobe's Motel No. 2 (No. 1 was next door at 1422 N. Tamiami Tr.). By 1978, it was Gabin Motel until about 1986, when it became Sara Sand Inn until the early 90's and later torn down.
1422 - This used to be Ken-Ed-Ra Court Motel from about 1953 until 1973, when it became Frobe's Motel until about 1988. It then became part of Sara Sand Inn until the early 90's and later torn down.
1603 - Wicked Cantina Restaurant (since 2017) used to be Jon's Restaurant in the early-to mid 50's. After that in the 50's, it was Lee's Steak House, The Salad Bowl (opened in September 1957-see photo) and Motel Restaurant. Don's Restaurant started out the 60's here and then finally some stability would arrive, as Barr's Restaurant (see photos from 1963 and 1970) operated at this location from 1962 to 1975. After that, it was Dee's Restaurant from 1976 to the early 80's, then Dos Amigos in the early-to-mid 80's and Chef Paul's Friendly Inn (see photo from 1988) finished out the last part of the decade and continued to the mid 90's. From there, it became Cuoco Matto Restaurant from 1997 until 2004. Since then, it has been Villa Francesco, DeLeo's Ristorante, Teddie's Place, Aristo and El Pescador.

1620 - Light Up My Life used to be Western-Southern Life Insurance from 1965 to about 1998.
1701 - This used to be Royal Palms Motel from the early 50's until being torn down in 2003. It was known as Best Western Royal Palms Motel from the late 80's onward.
1750 - Sunshine Inn & Suites used to be Twin Motel from the early 50's into the 00's.
1777 - Subway Restaurant (since the late 90's) used to be Denner Dogs Restaurant from March 1977 to 1994.
1803 - La Quinta Inn & Suites (since 2006) used to be the location of the Captain's Table Restaurant from 1964 to early 1975.  It then became The Lanai Restaurant (see photo) from March 1975 until the mid 80's.  From that time until about 1990, it was Far East 41 and then Primo! Restaurant before moving up the street.  It would soon be rebuilt as Wellesley Inn of Sarasota in the early 90's.until 2006.  Before Captain's Table, Candy Cane Kindergarten was here from the early 60's until 1964.

2413 - This used to be Monterey Village Motel from 1951 (earlier Monterey Village Inc. from the early 40's) to about 2017. It was then torn down to build an apartment complex.

2524 - A Shell service station stood in this location for well over 50 years before being torn down in 2007. Names included Ogden Super Service, Newman's Shell Service and Bradshaw's Shell Service.  Below: A Shell station shown 50 years apart (1956 and 2006) at the intersection of N. Tamiami Tr. and 27th St. (now Dr. Martin Luther King Way).


2700 - Tail O' The Pup Restaurant once occupied the northeast corner of North Tamiami Trail and what is now Dr. Martin Luther King Way from about the early 50's to the late 50's before moving to 13 N. Boulevard of Presidents. From November 1959 to the mid 60's, the restaurant changed from 7 Steers (before moving up the street in October 1962) to Circle Seven to Lobster Inn. After that, the property was purchased by Ringling School of Art & Design (now Ringling College of Art & Design) and the old restaurant was used as the Ringling Student Sales Gallery from about the late 60's to the mid 70's.  The Ann & Alfred Goldstein Center at Ringling is the building that is now the closest to the intersection.
2705 - This used to be a Standard Oil (Standard Service by 1970) station from the 1940's until becoming Sarasota Auto Center about 1983.  It continued under this name into the 00's before being torn down during that decade. Photo: Amazing photo of the intersection of N. Tamiami Tr. and 27th St. during what looks to be a stormy day in the mid-to-late 50's. Shown are the Standard Oil station and Idle Hour tavern along with signs for Ogden Shell and Tail O' The Pup. Credit: Kodachrome forever.

2719 - The former Sarasota Tattoo (2004 until shortly before the building was torn down in 2008) used to be Idle Hour tavern from about 1953 to 1972. It later became Good Earth health food store from 1974 until almost to the end of the decade and then Frank's Barber Shop for most of the 80's.

2801 - Fork & Hen Restaurant (since 2022) at Indian Beach Plaza used to be a Domino's Pizza from about 1988 to 2009. It later became Chips Fresh Mex, Bella Nonna’s, Painter's Palette (2014 to 2017), Porky's Fusion BBQ (opened in 2018) and Leaf & Lentil (2019 to 2022).

2808 - The former Burger King operated at this location from 1966 until closing over 50 years later in September 2019.  The original building was torn down and rebuilt in 1981. Before Burger King arrived, Dairy Kreme Ice Cream and Scoop-Burger of Sarasota (opened in 1954) were here in the 50's and Dutch Treat Restaurant (opened in 1959) and Tic Toc Restaurant (opened by 1964) in the first half of the 60's.
2831 - The Mabel Bar & Grill started as Vehling's Hardware from 1949 to 1967, when it became North Trail Hardware from 1967 to 1973. After becoming Spanish Eyes Imports from 1974 to 1975, it became a pub/tavern as Brewers II by early 1976 and has had many name changes since.
2901 - The current Huanchaco Grill Peruvian Cuisine and the former Le Anh's Vienamese Restaurant used to be a Pizza Hut Restaurant from 1975 to 2009.  In between, it was Charity Thrift Store.
3011 - The area now used for parking, this used to be White Studios ceramics from about 1956 to 1973 and then briefly listed as Ceramics By George. It became Far East Imports Gift Shop in 1976 until the early-to mid 90's and was torn down by the mid 90's.
3020 - A Twistee Treat ice cream stand operated here for about 20 years until the mid 00's.  Below: Twistee Treat


3025 - The former Carr's Corner Restaurant (2002 to 2016) used to be Mister Sandwich Restaurant from 1968 to the early-to-mid 80's. It was built in 1958 as Quaker Maid Dinette and shortened to The Dinette in the 60's.  Other businesses here after Mister Sandwich have included Battle's Bar-B-Que (mid 80's), Willybob's Bar-B-Que (mid-to-late 80's), Pinch-A-Penny Pool Supplies(late 80's), Corner Pantry (early 90's), Froggy's Healthy Fast Food (early-to-mid 90's), Gators Grille (opened in 1996) and Chicago Italian Beef Sandwich Co.(opened in 1999).
3105 - Exotic Nails (since 2014) used to be a 7-Eleven convenience store from about 1976 to 1992. It then became a Goodwill until the early-to-mid 2010's.
3201 - The former BB&T Bank first opened as Sarasota Federal Savings & Loan in September 1969. It was changed to Coast Federal Savings & Loan (later Coast Bank) in 1972 until being converted to SunBank in 1993 and then SunTrust Bank in 1995. It later became Republic Bank in the early-to-mid 00's.
3232 - The former Yummy House Restaurant (since late 2012 and moved to 1737 S, Tamiami Tr, in May 2018) was originally opened as Sandy's Family Restaurant (briefly) in 1982 and 1983 before becoming Florida Family Medical Walk-In Clinic from the mid-to-late 80's.  By the early-to-mid 90's, it would become Rent-A-Center and later Serendipity Gallery in 2003 until transitioning back into a restaurant as Prime Rib A Go-Go in the mid 00's. It later became Porkies BBQ in 2007 and then Wild Hog Barbecue in late 2009.
3333 (10) - The former Good For All Flea Market in the Trail Plaza used to be a Publix Supermarket (see photo) from 1966 to 1996. It then became Community Market (see photo 2) from June 1996 until  February 1997 and a Goodwill Store until moving up the street in 2012.

3333 (50) - The former NY Connection (moved within the plaza) used to be Eckerd Drugs from 1966 to 1998 before moving to a new location up the street at 3709 N. Tamiami Tr. (now CVS).
3333 (60) - The former Dollar General (mid 80's to 2014) in Trail Plaza used to be an Eagle Army-Navy Discount Store from 1966 (see photo) to the mid 80's.

3333 (70) - This used to be Adams & Houser Hardware from 1966 to about 1989 when it became Video Library until about the mid 00's..
3333 (100) - This started as Goody Shoes in 1966 and became Rhoads Shoes from 1970 to the mid 80's. It then became a Radio Shack store from about 1987 to 2014. Photo: Goody Shoes at Trail Plaza with Adams & Houser Hardware to the left.

3333 (110) - This used to be Dipper Dan Ice Cream Shoppe from the opening of the Trail Plaza in 1966 through the 70's.  It then became Dipper Delight Ice Cream Shoppe for most of the 80's.

3333 (120) - Located in the mall area of Trail Plaza, this used to be Cards N'Things from 1966 to about 1988.
3333 (130) - Before being split off into units 130A and 130B in the mid 70's, this used to be Super 5 & 10 store from 1966 to 1969. It then became McCrory's Variety Store and later National Fabrics from 1971 to 1975.

3333 (130C) - This used to be Disc Music record store from 1996 to about 2000.
3333 (160) - The former McCurdy's Comedy Theater (2001 to 2014 before moving to 1923 Ringling Blvd.) used to be Teatro Theatre from January 1970 to July 1993.  Below: The cost to purchase a ticket to watch a second-run movie at Teatro Theatre was only 99 cents in the late 80's. 

3333 (180) - This started as the Christian Science Reading Room until about 1971.  After at least three businesses moved in and out, it became Yer Records from about 1976 to 1983.

3333 (190) - His Excellence Barber Shop (since the late 70's) used to be Trail Plaza Barber Shop from 1966 to the late 70's.
3333 (200) - Corner Laundry started as Miller Coin Laundry in 1966 and then became Surf Coin Laundry from 1967 all the way into the 00's.

3333 (230) - This started as Atlantic Loan from 1966 to about 1977. It then became Dixie Sub Shop and Fro-Yo Plus Restaurant.  By 1985, it was a Network Video store (later Video Movies before becoming Showers of Flowers by 1992.

3333 (240) - This started as an H & R Block tax office from about 1970 to 1982, when it became Sub Me Quick restaurant for well over 10 years.
3333 (250) - This started as a B.F. Goodrich tire store in 1966. It then became Hult Tire in 1972, H & H Tire in 1975 and North Trail Tire and Muffler Store (Goodyear) in 1977 and operating well into the 90's to about 1994.

3333 (400) - Located to the right of Trail Plaza, this used to be a Texaco service station under various names from 1966 to about the mid 90's. The station was torn down in 2000 to build a Walgreens Pharmacy.
3432 - Kwik Stop convenience store (since the early-to-mid 90's) used to be a 7-Eleven store from the early-to-mid 60's until the early-to-mid 90's.
3500 - Walmart Neighborhood Market (since 2012) used to be a Winn Dixie Supermarket (Kwik Chek until the 70's) from 1957 to 2010 and renovated in late 1984 and again in 1996. 
3520 - The area now occupied by Walmart and formerly located in a plaza next to Winn Dixie before that store was renovated, this used to be Oney's Five & Ten store from 1957 to about 1983.  Photo: Oney's 5 & 10 can be seen here on the right along with Pic'N'Pay Drugs from about 1963.

3530 - Located in the plaza mentioned above, this used to be Pic'N'Pay Drugs from 1957 to about 1988. It was also Buddy Bi-Rite rentals in the early 90's. Photo credit: If you grew up in Sarasota, FL then you remember.

3709 - CVS Pharmacy (built as Eckerd Drugs in 1998) used to be the location that started as 7 Steers Restaurant (see photo below) in October 1962. It was then renamed as Angus Inn Restaurant from October 1963 until changing to Cook's Chick'n Beef in May 1969.  It then became Garden Gate Restaurant (1971 to 1972), JW's Family Restaurant (October 1973 to 1974), Mac's Restaurant (1974 to 1975), and Adami's Restaurant (see photo below from 1983) from 1976 to 1987.  Until being torn down, it was also Belval's Restaurant (opened in 1987), Dimitri's Grecian Gardens (opened in October 1988), Grapevine Steak & Seafood (opened in March 1989), Jerry's Airport Catering, Backstreet Pub and G. Willikers.

3728 - Lock Man Locksmith (since the early-to-mid 2010's) used to be Mamma Onesti Italian Restaurant (also called Casa Onesti) from about 1984 to 2005.  It then became Marko's Grill and was later American Kitchen and Pizzeria starting in 2007. Prior to that, restaurants included The Lantern Drive-In (late 40's to 1954), The Pilot House (1955 to 1956), The Lantern Restaurant (1957 to 1959), Golden Chicken (August 1959 until renamed to BeMent's Chick-Inn later in the year for a few weeks), Good's Chick-Inn (early 1960 to 1963), Seven Seas (late 1964 to late 1965), Cook's Chick-Inn (late 1965 to 1969), Dawn Donuts (early 70's) Iron Gate (early 1975 to 1976) and Nino's (April 1977 to 1984). Photo: Nino's Restaurant from 1984.

3808 - East West College of Natural Medicine (since 2003) used to be Brenton Reef Restaurant from May 1986 to 1996.  The restaurant featured a boat-shaped salad bar and 300-gallon fish tanks.  Before the restaurant was built, Lafayette Court was at this location from at least the late 40's until the early-to-mid 80's.
3916 - This used to be Cavalier Motel (originally Motel Cavalier) from 1959 to about the early 00's and then torn down. It had earlier been Sharon Motel from 1954 to 1959.
3942 - This used to be a Life Insurance Company Of Georgia (aka Life Of Georgia) office from 1969 through the 90's. It has also been an attorney's office.
4014 - Allamanda Motel (since 1956) used to be Floridora Motel in the early-to-mid 50's.
4021 - Cadillac Motel has been operating here going all the way back to 1955.
4108 - Sun Dial Motor Inn (since 1973, earlier known as Sundial Motel) used to be Holiday Motel from 1949 to about 1972.
4132 - Sarasota Mini Mart (since the mid 90's) used to be a Lil' General Food Store from about 1977 until becoming Circle K by 1985.
4195 - Kasa Sushi Japanese Restaurant (since 2016) used to be a Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurant from 1969 to about the mid 00's.  Since then, it has also been Gold Dynasty and Queen of Sheba restaurants.
4200 - Regency Inn & Suites used to be Rainbow Motel from at least the early 50's until the mid-to-late 60's, when it became Rainbow Motor Lodge until about the mid 90's. 
4211 - Torn down around 2012, this used to be Mari's House Of Pancakes (known for having nearly everything pink including their pancakes!) from May 1963 until becoming Hazel's Restaurant in early 1972 and then continuing for the rest of the decade.  Earlier, it had been Walker's Restaurant and The Surf in the 50's and Royal Pancake Parlor in the early 60's. Later it was Paragon Music Center from the early-to mid 80's to the mid 90's and then Pleasures II.
4229 - Sea Breeze Inn (since about 1995) used to be Royal Motel (aka Motel Royal ) from 1958 to 1995.  It first opened in 1954 as Lee-Etta Motel.
4309 - Super 8 Motel (since the mid-to-late 90's) used to be Scottish Inns Motel from about 1987 to the mid 90's.
4415 - This used to be Pines Square Motel from 1960 to 1968, when it became Holt Motel until the mid 80's. It was then Palm Tree Motel from about 1987 to the early 00's and torn down in the late 2010's.
4520 - Earlier known as Jacaranda Motel beginning in 1952 and changing to Pink Cloud Motel by 1955, this motel operated until about 1987 and was then torn down by the late 80's. Photo Credit for below two photos: I grew up in Venice FL.

4644 - This used to be the location of Sunset Terrace Motel (and Apartments) from 1949 until about the early-to-mid-00's). It was then torn down, although the motel's sign still stood until about the late 00's.

4675 - The Bahi Hut Lounge, part of the Golden Host Resort Hotel opened in 1954 (per their website, although newspaper archives from the Sarasota News seem to indicate that it opened at the hotel on January 17, 1962). The hotel itself opened in January 1959. 
4685 - The Mel-O-Dee Restaurant operated here from 1955 until about the mid 00's.  Below:
Postcard of the Mel-O-Dee restaurant




4703 - Flamingo Inn used to be Flamingo Colony Motel (originally Flamingo Colony Court) from the 1940's until about the early 00's.
4900 - Oakridge Apartments (since 2015) and Sunnyside Café used to be Days Inn from late 1978 until about 2013. In between, it was Sarasota Airport Hotel.
4925 - This used to be Sapphire Motel (earlier Sapphire Court) from 1950 to about 1991. It was later torn down.
5000 - Days Inn (since late 2014) used to be Hampton Inn from February 1987 to about the mid 00's, when it became Comfort Inn. In the early-to-mid 2010's, it was Rodeway Inn.
5050 - The former Barnacle Bill's Seafood Restaurant & Market (2001 to January 2020) used to be the Mecca Restaurant and Supper Club (opened in 1957) and then the Golden Buddha Restaurant from 1968 to 1990. It then became Sai Woo Restaurant from 1990 to 2000.  Photo: Golden Buddha Restaurant

5100 - Goodwill Industries (built in 2012 at 5150 N. Tamiami Tr.) is at the location that was the home of the Old Hickory Restaurant from 1949 to 2005.  It then became Witness Café and was torn down shortly before being rebuilt. Photos shown from about 1970, 1961 and 1956.

5230 - This used to be Cafe of the Arts Restaurant (included French Hearth Bakery) from about 1991 until closing after a fire in March 2006. The building was torn down shortly after.  From at least the early 50's until 1990. this was the address of The Glass Blowers.

5340 - SureStay Hotel by Best Western Sarasota North started as Casa Sarasota Motel in 1973. It then became Sarasota Econo Lodge around 1980 and operated into the early 90's. It changed to Sarasota Airport Inn after that and then Knights Inn from the mid 90's all the way until 2020.

5500 - Sarasota Classic Car Museum has been at this location since 1953. Originally known as Horn's Cars of Yesterday, the name was changed to Bellm's Cars of Yesterday (later Bellm's Cars and Music of Yesterday) in 1967 until changing to its current name in 1998.
6000 - This has been Airport Shell service station since 1969. Previously at this address in the 60's was Frank Smith Construction & Flying S Ranch.
6101 - The area now part of New College, this was the location of the popular Zinn's Restaurant for at least 45 years until closing on New Years' Eve 1986.  Until about 1945, the restaurant operated in a smaller building until reopening nearby in the new building that included the Waterfall and Raingarden rooms.  The University of South Florida acquired the building in 1986 and used it as a sculpture studio for New College students until early 1993. The vacant building was torn down in September 1995 to make way for new construction.  Photos: A few views of Zinn's Restaurant.


6255 - The Circus Hall of Fame operated here from January 1956 to May 1980.
6301 - The Campus Bookshop for USF Sarasota-Manatee & New College used to be a Howard Johnson's Restaurant from about the late 50's to the early-to-mid 80's. It was then the Patti Cake Restaurant in the mid 80's.

6325 - The accompanying motel to the above restaurant was a Howard Johnson's Motor Lodge from about 1959 to 1983, when it became Viking Motor Lodge for the next few years.  By 1990, it was also part of USF,
7150 (was 8221) - Ramada by Wyndham used to be Holiday Inn from 1959 to 2005.
7218 (was 8121) - Crager's Family Diner (since about 1996) used to be Pitt Grill Family Restaurant from 1976 to 1996.
7251 (was 8150) - Lantern Inn & Suites used to be Red Carpet Inn (later Red Carpet Hawaiian Village Motel), which opened in 1974.  By 1980, it became Best Western Sarasota Motor Inn and shortened to Sarasota Motor Inn by 1984.

7782 (was 7605) - This has been Pamaro Shop furniture since 1950.

7802 (was 7559) - Scott's Auto Repair used to be Scott's Gulf Service from 1960 until changing to Scott's Mobil in the 80's.  It later became Scott's Marathon.  Earlier, it was Whitfield Gulf from 1950 to about 1957 when it became Linn's Gulf.
7805 (was 7546) - Located diagonally across from Scott's Gulf Service (Scott's Auto Repair today) and now just trees and bushes outside Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport, this used to be Sal's Italian Restaurant from the late 50's to at least December 1972 before becoming vacant for a couple of years and disappearing shortly after.  Before Sal's, it was Ballard's Seafood Restaurant (opened about 1953), John's Bar & Grill and then Remo's Fine Foods.

7850 (was 7425) - U-Haul (since about 1977) used to be King Motor Center.

7870 (was 7401) - This used to be Fat Boys B-B-Q from about 1982 to 1986 and then became Continental Cafe and Lounge.  In late 1987, it changed to Outside Inn and in early 1992, Peso's Steak Cantina. By 1997, it was El Sol Mexican Restaurant & Cantina and in 1998, it was Club Romano. No longer a restaurant, it would become Trailer Estates Marine in 2000 and then an Antiques and Collectibles Mall before being vacant by the late 00's. The vacant building was torn down around 2013 and a U-Haul Storage Facility was built at this location by 2020.

7942 (was 7311) - Dunkin' Donuts (since 2019) and the former Plants & Treasures (2012 to 2017) used to be a Self Service Shoe Store from February 1958 all the way until about 1990.  It had previously been Young's Furniture from at least 1950 to 1957 and later became Realty Trac in the mid 90's and Clearwater Mattress in the 00's.
7947 (was 7336) - One of the oldest businesses in Sarasota, Kriessle Forge Ornamental Metals has been operating here on the North Trail since opening in October 1947. 

7971 (was 7230) - The former Jo-To Japanese Steak House (from late 1982 until closing over 40 years later in May 2023) used to be Renfer's Restaurant in the 50's. It was later Fountain Lounge (early-to-mid 60's), New England Oyster House (late 1965 to 1975) and Flying Dutchman Restaurant from 1976 to 1982. Photo 1: Flying Dutchman Restaurant. Photo 2: Jo-To Japanese Steak House in January 1983. 

7984 (was 7201) - S & S Discount Beverage used to be Simple Sam grocery store (opened in July 1960). By 1964, it had become Cracker Barrel grocery store, which operated until about the mid-to-late 90's.
8071 (was 7102) - Deluxe Inn (since late 1992) used to be Romaine Motel in the 50's to the early 60's and Forty-One Motel (a.k.a. 41 Motel) from the early 60's to late 1992.
8076 (was 7113) - The former Primo! Ristorante (operated here from 1990 until closing 32 years later in November 2022) used to be The Golden Buddha Restaurant from March 1956 to 1968 after earlier being Le Chateau Restaurant from 1954 to February 1956. It was later Ruston's Family Affair Restaurant & Steakhouse (late 60's to early 70's), Beef & Bottle (October 1971 to early 1979), Friar Tucks (1979 to 1980), Rudy Rosa's Organ Grinder Supper Club (opened in June 1980) and People's Restaurant and Lounge (1982 to about 1986). It was then called Dining & Daiquiri's into 1987, although the People's sign remained out front.  Below: Golden Buddha Restaurant at what was then 7113 N. Tamiami Tr.  Also shown at the same address (credit: Bradenton Herald) are Beef & Bottle from 1973, Friar Tucks from 1980, Rudy Rosa's Organ Grinder also from 1980 and People's Restaurant & Lounge from 1982.


8154 (was 7007) - Bayside Pet Resort used to be Rip Van Winkle Bowladrome Lanes beginning in August 1958 and operating all the way until 2004.  In between, it was BP Group Aviation.
8164 (was 6999) - McDonald's has been at this location since officially opening in March 1977 with an appearance from Ronald McDonald and The Hamburglar. 
8184 (was 6969) - This used to be Lionel Train & Sea Shell Museum from early 1977 until about the early 90's. Later in the 90's, it was Jerry's Catering.
8270 (was 6831) - The Hilton Garden Inn (since late 2001) was built on the site of the Trail Drive-In outdoor movie theater (operated from 1949 to 1988).

8301 (was 6770) - A few of the many hangars offered to businesses by the SRQ Airport now occupy the site of the 306th Bomb Group Restaurant, which operated from 1981 to 1993.   The restaurant was named after a real-life squadron based in England and the building was designed as a replica of Allied army field headquarter stations used during WW II. Photo 1: Postcard view of the 306th Bomb Group Restaurant. Photo 2:  The restaurant is seen during its construction in 1981.

8421 (was 6532) - Captain Brian's Seafood Market & Restaurant opened as a seafood market in 1985 (listed at what is now 8441 N. Tamiami Tr.) and expanded next door to open the restaurant into the former French Hearth space in 1991. 

8490 (was 6401) - The former Automaxx used to be Trail National Bank from 1962 until moving to Trail Plaza in early 1973 (see photo below from 1972).  It then became Greyhound Rent-A-Car by the mid 70's and Value Rent-A-Car by the mid 80's into the 90's.

North Tuttle Avenue
2 - Sarasota MRI (originally Dimension Imagining since 2003) used to be the popular House Of Chong restaurant from October 1960 until moving to S. Tamiami Trail in September 1977. The house portion of the building was torn down in early 1981 to make way for new construction. Prior to House Of Chong from 1951 to 1960 and again briefly after in late 1977 and 1978, it was the circus-themed Casa Canestrelli Restraurant.  It then became Charlie's Po Boys Bar-B-Que later in 1978 until 1979.  Below: House Of Chong

North Washington Boulevard (U.S. Route 301)
402 - Two Amigos Restaurant (since 1996) used to be Butler TV from the mid 50's to mid-to-late 60's,  It then became White-Elna Sewing Center from the late 60's to early-to-mid 80's. In the mid 80's, it would turn into Razzle Dazzle Deli until the early 90's.  It was also Lunchtime Deli and Williams Game Room in the 90's.
412 - El Nuevo Amanecer used to be Walt's Fish Market from 1967 until moving to 560 N. Washington in 1971. It then became Tummy Pleezer baked goods in 1972.
560 - Walt's Plaza (since 2000) used to be the site of Walt's Seafood and Fish Market (see photo from 1980: credit - Bradenton Herald) from 1971 (moved from 412 N. Washington) to 1999.

575 - This used to be the Greyhound Bus Lines Transportation Center from January 1975 until about 2009.

820 - Popeye's Louisiana Kitchen has been in this location since about the early-to-mid 80's.
914 - After starting as Sarasota Bakery about 1966, this used to be Sean's Original Coney Island Hot Dogs from 1971 to about 1981 when it became Mateer's Original Coney Island Hot Dogs. By 1987, it was Mr C's Coney Island Hot Dogs and then We-Bag-It take out food service by 1990 before being torn down later in the decade.
918 - Gyros and Seafood (since 2009) used to be a KFC restaurant from about the late 90's to mid 00's.
924 - This used to be De Soto Motel from 1957 to about 1990 before being torn down.
1000 - Answer America (since early-to-mid 90's) used to be a Lil' General food store (early 70's to 1984), then Circle K (1984 to late 80's). In the late 60's, it was called Three Suns Food Stores.
1028 - This started as Spinale's Sandwich Shop in the mid 60's and then became Vitale's Sandwich Shop from about 1970 to 1983.  From the mid 80's to the early 90's, it was Tropical Ice (ice cream and frozen desserts). It has been primarily vacant or part of adjacent businesses ever since.
1068 - Mi Tierra Restaurant (since about the early 00's) used to be Lester's Diner from the early 60's to the early-to-mid 80's when it became John's Diner.  It was also Country Hearth later in the 80's.  In the 90's, it was Subs and More, and then Taco Casa.
1093 - Kwikie Printing (since about 1979) used to be Toby's Auto Electric Repairs from 1954 until shortly becoming Monty Signs in 1967.  It then became Acme Radiator Service by 1970, Sarasota Battery by 1973, and Auto Truck Radiator Service by 1974.
1095 - Now part of Kwikie Printing, this used to be Mr. Dee's Restaurant from 1968 to about 1984. Earlier, it was Heitel Jewelers starting in May 1965.
1096 -  This used to be J & M Home Maintenance starting in 1953. It then became House Of Air Conditioning in 1955, L.E. Myers Co. by 1969, Gourmet Catering in 1973, Tatra Restaurant by 1978, Suncoast Books by 1983 and Aqua Marine of Sarasota by 1989 through the 90's.
1103 - Tires Plus used to be Firestone Tires, then Don Olson Firestone Tires and Don Olson Tires from about 1980 to the mid 00's.
1120 - America's Super Pawn used to be Tucker's Exxon Station from the early 70's to mid 80's.  Other businesses here included Electro Bake auto painting (late 80's), Little Fiberglass Shop and American Legend Cycles.
1158 - A small plaza sits today at the site of the popular Oberlin's Diner (shown below) from 1971 to about the early 00's. Prior to Oberlin's it was Russo's Diner beginning in May 1964.

1199 - Sanctuary Cannabis used to be an International House of Pancakes (IHOP) restaurant from 1980 until closing in March 2021.
1206 - A Gulf service station operated here at the northeast corner of N. Washington and 12th Street from 1956 (see below) until the mid 80's.  It was then converted to Union 76 until the early 90's and torn down not too long after that.

1610 (also listed as 1620 at times) - This used to be Phil's Steak & Hoagie Shop from about 1977 to 1983. It then became Bob B's Steak and Sandwich shop until about 1997.

1627 - Wendy's Restaurant has operated at this location at the 17th street intersection since about 1986.
1700 - Ca$hop (now listed at 1702) used to be a 7-Eleven store from about 1983 to 2014 and then became Wasgington Discount Food Mart. Earlier at this location from 1955 to about 1983 was a Sunoco service station (seen from about the late 60's below) that started as Witt's Sunoco.

1701 - A Sarasota institution for over 67 years, the Hob Nob Drive-In Restaurant opened in March 1957 until permanently closing its doors in May 2024.  In 2013, restaurant was closed for a few weeks for renovations, but still retained its look and feel upon reopening.  Photo: Hob Nob is seen here in the 1960's.

1828 - Prime Motors used to be a Site Service Station from the early-to-mid 60's to the mid-to-late 80's. It then became Calendar Cars in the 90's and there have been various other businesses operating mainly as automobile dealers over the years.
1860 - Yoder Auto Sales opened in September 1961 as United Tire & Service.
1943 - This started as Acme Tire Co. from June 1961 to about 1965. It then became Central Service Auto Repair by 1966. Tire Service Inc. by 1968 and Gulf Signs from about 1971 to 1975 before being unlisted.
3800 - 301 Granite & Marble (since 2015) used to be an Amoco/American service station from the mid 50's to early 00's and then became a U-Save service station until 2014 (photo below from 2006).

4050 - A seven-unit plaza now operates at the former location of 301 Raceway (featured go-kart racing and video game room) from about the mid-to-late 70's to the early-to-mid 90's. Also here at the raceway was the Flame Pit Restaurant.
4301 - A McDonald's restaurant has operated at this location since about late 1993 and was rebuilt in the early-to-mid 2010's..

5045 - Kane's Furniture used to be Savon Furniture from 1958 to 2014.  The store was actually acquired by Kane's in the late 70's, but operated under the Savon name until after the unaffiliated Kane's Furniture in Sarasota changed to Kalin's in 2013.
5445 - Public Storage used to be the Crown House Restaurant (and Duck Inn) from August 1973 through the early 90's. Later here in the part of the building that was Duck Inn was Rusty Rudder Tavern & Grill until about 2000, M 'n' M's Bar and Grill and Kay's BBQ. Earlier before Crown House, this was Holiday House (February 1954 to September 1958), Morrison's Imperial House (November 1958 to late 60's), Buresh's Lobster House (opened in 1969 until early 1971) and Jerry's Seafood House (1971 to 1972).










6051 - Exclusive Kitchens & More (since the early-to-mid 2010's) used the be The Sawmill (not the restaurant, but a furniture store) in the early and mid 70's. Some of the many businesses here over the years since The Sawmill include Gaines Appliances, Florida Builders Supply, GTE Communications Corp. and Gold Rush Internet Café.

Ocean Boulevard (Siesta Key)
5023 - The Old Salty Dog Restaurant (since the mid-to-late 80's) used to be Mustard's Last Stand Restaurant from the early-to-mid 80's.  It was earlier Super Sub Shop in the late 70's.
5041 - Circle K/Shell used to be Village Texaco (later Siesta Village Texaco) from 1967 to about the early 90's. It later became a Circle K store selling 76 gasoline until about 2006.  Earlier it was McLeod's Standard Service from 1960 to 1963 and Cort's Texaco from 1963 to 1967. Photo: Village Texaco from 1974.  Also seen is Ocean Blvd. 76 Service at 5037 Ocean Blvd.

5124 - Davidson Drugs has been at this address since about 1966 after moving from 5207 Ocean Blvd..  It was called Siesta Key Pharmacy (Rexall) until about 1982 before changing to Davidson. Photo: Siesta Key Pharmacy (Rexall Drugs) in 1970.

5133 - Village Café Restaurant (since 1995) used to be The Buttery Restaurant from 1970 to the mid 90's.  Before becoming The Buttery, it was The Country Store (of Concord, MA) from 1951 to 1963, Sportswear Unlimited (opened in June 1963) and West India Imports (from about 1967 to 1969).
5148 - The Hub Baja Grill (since 2008) used to be Fandango International Café restaurant from 1992 to 2000. It then became Flowers Restaurant in 2001 and China Dragon Restaurant by 2003.
5150 - Now part of The Hub Baja Grill, this used to be Siesta Sundries from about the late 40's to 1973, when it became Studio 630. It then became Siesta Village Florist by 1976, Korey Carmen resort wear by 1979, The Bird Cage clothing by 1981, Sea Shanty imports and gifts by 1985 and operating well into the 90's.

5151 - In 2017, The Beach Club (opened in 1947) celebrated it's 70th anniversary at this same location!
5201 - Now a part of Beach Bazaar as the Swim Shack, this used to be a service station starting with Bob's Friendly Service (Sinclair station) in July 1957. It remained as a Sinclair station under various names until converting to BP in 1970. By 1973, it became Siesta Key Exxon, changing to Village Exxon in 1975 and then back to Siesta Key Exxon from 1985 to about 1990.  After that, it was Siesta Dash-In Dash-Out (first as Union 76 and then Citgo by the mid 90's) until about 1999. 
5208 - Big Olaf Creamery (since early-to-mid 80's) used to be both Siesta Key Jewelers (1972 to early 80's) and Siesta Barber Shop (pre-1960 to early-to-mid 80's listed at 5210 Ocean Blvd). Photo: Prior to 1982, Siesta Barber Shop and Siesta Key Jewelers shared the space that is now Big Olaf Creamery.

5211 - Beach Bazaar (since mid 80's) used to be Petticoat House clothing store in the 50's until the early-to-mid 80's.
5218 - The former Jo-To Japanese Restaurant (early 00's to 2017) used to be Wildflower Restaurant, which served a menu that was primarily vegetarian, from 1974 to 1998.
5232 - Sandal Factory (since 2017 after renovations to the building) used to be a 7-Eleven convenience store from 1972 to January 2016.

5238 - Siesta Key Oyster Bar (since 2001) used to be Neptune's Restaurant from April 1990 to July 1996. It then became Tequila Grill from November 1996 to about late 1998 and Pancho's until 2001.

5239(a) - Flavio's Brick Oven & Bar on Siesta Key in Siesta Beach Plaza used to be Bella Roma Restaurant from early 1991 until changing to Flavio's in the early-to-mid 2010's.  It had previously been Tang's Restaurant starting in about 1989.

5239(b) - Subway Restaurant in Siesta Beach Plaza has operated here since about 1989.

5242 - Gidget's Coastal Provisions (since 2014) was built on the location that used to be Napoli's Italian Restaurant and Pizzeria for about 30 years before being torn down in 2013 and moving to a new location down the street (5200 Ocean). Prior to Napoli's, a real estate office operated here for at least 25 years.
5250 - Daiquiri Deck (since 1993) used to be Anna's Delicatessen from about 1971 to 1979 after being converted from a two-story wooden house and Café Gardens in the 80's and early-to-mid 90's.
Photo 1: Anna's Delicatessan in the late 70's Photo 2: Side-by-side comparison of Anna's Delicatessen and later Café Gardens at the same location.



Old Stickney Point Road
See Stickney Point Road below.

Palmer Crossing Circle

5401 - Walmart Neighborhood Market (since early 2017) used to be a Winn Dixie Supermarket from about 2000 to 2006. It then became a Sweetbay Supermarket from 2007 to 2009. 

5451 - Beall's Department Store opened here in 2005.

5471 - The future Ace Hardware (as of early April 2023) used to be an Office Max from about 2008 until closing in early 2023.

5501 - Café Barbosso (since 2016) used to be Cosimo's Restaurant (opened in 2013). Before that it was Pinchers Crab Shack.

Proctor Road
5430 - This has been Albritton Fruit's grove store since 1947.  It closed for retail in 2018.

 
Ringling Boulevard
1923 - McCurdy's Comedy Theater (since June 2014) used to be Silver Cricket Restaurant from October 2000 until becoming Horse Feathers Grill and Lounge in 2007.  It then became Shaner's Pizzeria in 2011. Also here at that time until moving to Central Ave. in 2013 was Elan Salon.

1927 (Charles Ringling Building) - Sarasota Sky Bar & Club (since 2016) is at the address (though not exactly at the same spot in the building) that used to be the popular Bifano's Italian Restaurant from 1958 to 1974.  New owners then changed the name to The Outside Inn during 1974 and operated until 1976.  Behold The Turtle Lounge (affiliated with The Outside Inn) at 1941 Ringling in the same building was then renumbered as 1927 Ringling and operated for the rest of the 70's.  The 80's saw Playground South and Animal House until the early 90's when it turned into Club Wave for a short time.  In 1993, it became Bumper's Nightclub until 1999.  It would then become Margarita Maggie's a few weeks later in 1999 until 2003, turning into Club Envy. It was later The Rhythm Nightclub & Bassline Lounge, The Venue at 1927, Froggy’s and currently Sarasota Sky & Bar Club.  This building dates back to 1926 when one of the first tenants was Saunders Grocery (along with Triangle Drug Store). Barth's Pure Food Store replaced Saunders Grocery in this building from about 1930 to 1953, although at 141 Ringling, it may have been in the spot of the building that became 1941 Ringling during the Sarasota street naming and numbering change that occurred around May 1953.  From January 1957 to mid-to-late 1958, Sal's Restaurant preceded Bifano's here at 1927 Ringling. Below: Credit-You know you're from Sarasota if ...

1941 - Also part of the Charles Ringling Building, this used to be The Bargain Store from July 1953 to the late 50's. It then became a pool parlor (primarily Sarasota Billiards) in the 60's and early-to-mid 70's (Skeet's Pool Parlor & Grill), before becoming Behold The Turtle Lounge in August 1974. After a couple of years, the lounge was renumbered to 1927 Ringling Blvd..
1955 - This used to be Sarasota Beauty School from 1962 until moving to 526 S. Washington Blvd. in 1979. It appears to have been torn down by 1984.
1965 - This used to be Lyon's Paint Mart from 1951 until moving to 2272 Main St. in 1973. International Auto Parts was here after that from 1973 until about 1979. It was then vacant until also being torn down by 1984.
2192 - This used to be Johnny's Auto Wash from at least 1949 until moving all of their operations to their South Gate Car Wash at 3825 S. Tamiami Tr. in May 1961. 60 years later in 2021, the car wash there was still in operation as Johnny's Car Wash.  After Johnny's, this became Cal's Rapid Hand Auto Wash in 1962 and Stauffer Motors in late 1964. 

2241 - Five-O-Donut Co. (since 2017) used to be Levoie's Salads restaurant from 1975 until 2013. It then became Lovin' Spoon Full restaurant.
2257 - Shamrock Pub (since the mid-to-late 90's) used to be Papa Nick's Spaghetti House from 1960 to about 1973. Restaurants in between included Mister G's by 1974, Margie's Place by 1975, Stingers by 1977, The Little Bar by 1978, Churchill's Inn from 1979 to about 1989 and Ringling Street Pub in the first half of the 90's.  Before becoming Papa Nick's, this was Polly K. Ladies Shoppe from 1955 to 1956 and then Silver's Bread Basket bakery from December 1956 to about 1960.
2267 - This Marathon service station (since 2014 after converting from BP) used to be Ringling 66 Service (Phillips 66) from March 1957 to the mid 70's. It became J & J Save On in the mid-to-late 70's and lasting into the 90's.
2283 - Group Z Signs (since 2014) used to be ABC Liquors from the early-to-mid 70's until about 2010. Earlier, it was Ringling Blvd. Laundromat in the 50's and Theldon Liquors in the 60's and early 70's.
2287 - After being a vacuum sales office in the late 50's, finance office in the 60's and Schwind's Formal Wear Shoppe and National Sewing Center in the early 70's, this became Uncle Lou's (Bifano) Place Restaurant for breakfast and lunch in 1974. It would later become Egg Platter Restaurant by 1977. Several restaurants operated here in the 80's, including Jed & Lil's Place (opened in November 1980), Jim's Restaurant, Horn of Plenty, Court Yard Restaurant and Mom's & Son's before becoming Flowers By David florist for many years beginning in the early 90's.
2289 - Fresh Mozzarella Pizzeria (opened in 2019) used to be Dino's Pizza from the mid 80's to the early-to-mid 2010's and then Ringling Pizza & Grill.  For over 25 years before Dino's Pizza, it had been Elite Beauty Salon, which opened in late 1955. It was later Bad Betty's Beauty Salon in the early-to-mid 80's.
2854 - Charlie's Steak & Hoagie Shop (since 1989) used to be Phil's Steak & Hoagie Shop from 1978 to 1989.
2856 - Richard's Foodporium (previously known as Richard's Whole Foods) at Goldtree Plaza operated at this location from 1979 until closing in September 2019.
2874 - Now part of Ace Hardware at Goldtree Plaza, this used to be a Domino's Pizza location from about 1982 until the mid 00's. It later became Dolex Dollar Express.
3000 - Robarts Arena has been operating here since 1967.

Ringling Shopping Center
See Shopping Ave. below.

Robinhood Street
2170 - Bath & Racquet Club opened here in 1969.

St. Armand's Circle (formerly Harding Circle)
411 - Columbia Restaurant (since December 1959) used to be Club Jora Restaurant from December 1957 to 1959.
420 - Crab & Fin Restaurant used to be known as Charley's Crab Restaurant from late 1978 to about the early 00's. From May 1972 to July 1978, it was the Grenadier Lounge & Restaurant.
431 - Café L'Europe Restaurant (since 1973) used to be Colombi's Restaurant from late 1956 to the early 70's.  Before extensive renovations, it had earlier been Cocoanut Palms Restaurant in the early-to-mid 50's.  Photo: Café L'Europe Restaurant as seen in 1980.

Sarasota Quay (a complex located at 333 N. Tamiami Trail from 1987 until 2007).
208 - In Extremis nightclub operated in the Sarasota Quay complex near Fruitville Road in downtown Sarasota from about 1994 to 2003.
214 - This used to be Chophouse Grille from July 1989 to 1993.  It reopened a few months later in September 1993 as Jack's Chophouse until becoming Anthony's Lobster and Steak at the Quay by early 1996.  In late 1996, it became Michael's Seafood Grille until changing to Michael's Mediterranean Grille in 2000 until about the mid 00's. Also here at that time were Anthony's After Dark disco (the restaurant would turn into this late at night) and the Downunder Jazz Bar.
216 - Miramar At The Quay Restaurant operated here from 1989 to about 1993.  It later became the Waterside Room Restaurant from about 1996 to 2005. 
230 - This used to be Nick's On The Water (aka Nick's Italian Restaurant) from at least 1989 to 1998, when it became Bart's Bayside from October 1998 until April 2000.
300 - This used to be Club Bandstand (and Starlite Diner) from October 1988 until 1993.
318 - Da Ru Ma Japanese Steakhouse operated in the Sarasota Quay complex from 1993 to 2006 before moving to the Sarasota Crossings Plaza. The complex was torn down in 2007.

Sarasota Square Mall (opened in August 1977).

Westfield Group purchased the mall in 2003 and renamed it Westfield Shoppingtown Sarasota Square. In 2005, the name was shortened to Westfield Sarasota Square Mall.  It was changed back to Sarasota Square Mall in 2019.  In May 2023, it was announced that month that the mall structure would be demolished and replaced with town center-style retail, restaurant and commercial space, along with 1,200 market-rate apartments expected to be phased in over a five-to-seven-year period. Costco, JCPenney and AMC Theatres would remain, although AMC closed in October 2024.  For a history of the mall's final years as an enclosed mall, see the following link: Sarasota Square Mall: The Final Years (2013-2023) 

Anchor - The former Macy's at Sarasota Square Mall (2005 to 2017) used to be a Maas Brothers department store from the mall's opening in 1977 until 1991 before becoming Burdines and eventually Macy's after a short time as Burdines-Macy's. Located within Maas Brothers was Suncoast Restaurant.  It later became Burdines Royal Palm Restaurant in 1991.

Anchor - J.C. Penney became the mall's second anchor just after the mall's opening in 1977 and is still there over 45 years later in 2024.
Anchor - Sears Department Store opened in October 1979 as the mall's third anchor (along with Maas Brothers and JC Penney) after moving from what is now known as Midtown Plaza.  The store closed in 2017, ending an 80-year run of Sears in Sarasota. Photo: Sears as seen from inside the mall in the late 1990's.

Anchor - Costco at Sarasota Square Mall (since 2012) replaced Dillard's (1996 to late 2009) as the mall's fourth anchor.  Dillard's had replaced Parisian (1989 to early 1996).

Anchor - AMC Theatres operated inside the mall from 2006 (see unit 17A below) until permanently closing on October 31, 2024..

Note:  The listings below are for stores located at Sarasota Square Mall listed by unit number.  The mall was built in 1977, however the unit numbers shown were used starting about 1986.  
1 - This used to be Jo-Ann Fabrics from about 1984 to 1989.
2 - This used to be Fancy This from about 1979 to 1981 and then The Door Store from 1981 to 1989. It then became Sunworks women's fashions. 
3 - This used to be On Duty uniform shop from about 1985 to 1991. Later here was Perfume & Jewlery in the 00's, Traffic Shoes and Cotton On.

4, 5 - Petique Pet Shop operated at Sarasota Square Mall from 1977 to about 2005 and was later located at 3910 Central Sarasota Parkway. It was originally listed at unit 5, unit 4 by 1985, units 4 and 5 by 1987 and unit 26 by the mid-to-late 90's. Originally in unit 4 was Wrangler Wranch from 1977 to 1979, when it became Dude Ranch. In late 1979, it changed to Kountry Kasuals (specializing in western wear clothing) and then became Microwave Cooking, Etc. in November 1981. After Petique in unit 4 from 1997 to 2008 was The Disney Store.
6 - This started as Florida Wig Fashions from 1977 to about 1985. It later became Joan Bari Fashions from about 1987 to 1997 and Select Comfort.
7 - This used to be Morrow's Nut House from 1977 to about 1988, when it became Chocolate Chip Cookie Co. (previously at unit 8).  By 1990, it was Great American Cookie and later Whitewall Co. Jewelers.

Note: Units 8-17 and 28-34 were located in the wing of the mall leading to the former Sears store.
8 - The former Great American Cookie used to be Baskin Robbins 31 Ice Cream from 1977 to 1985, when it became Chocolate Chip Cookie Co (Baskin Robbins moved to unit 69). Unit 8 then became Merle Norman Cosmetics from 1988 into the 90's.
9 - This started as Merle Norman Cosmetics from 1977 to 1988 (switched to unit 8). It then became J. Riggings men's clothing store from about 1988 to 1998. It later became Icing by Claire's.
10 - This used to be National Shirt Shop from 1977 to 1985, when it became Milady's Shoes. After that, it was Petite Sophisticate women's clothing's shop from about 1987 to 1996 and later Optical Outlet and Brow Art 21.
11 - The former Pacific Sunwear (1998 to 2017) used to be a Thom McAn shoe store from 1977 to about 1995.
12 - General Nutrition Centers (GNC) was at this location in the mall from 1977 to 2015.
13 - This used to be a Radio Shack electronics store from 1977 into the 90's (later moved into a new location within the mall in unit 43 until closing in 2015). This later became Bath & Body Works before moving within the mall after the 2006 remodeling of the food court area. After that it was (units 13-15) Anchor Blue, Alta's Marketplace, Rampage Girl, Forever 21 Red and Your Treasure House.
14 - This started as Fantasia Music Center in 1977. It then became Lowery Music in 1980 and Fletcher Music Center in 1981 and operated into the 00's.
15 - This used to be Big Apple clothing from 1977 to about 2006.
16 - The former FYE (closed in early 2019) used to be Camelot Music from 1977 to the early 00's.
17 - This started as Salad Garden restaurant in 1977. It then became Sbarro's restaurant in 1981 until moving to the food court in 1986. After that it was Flowerama from 1986 to about 1993.
17A - This used to be Sarasota Square Six Theater from 1977 until 2006. It was called Sarasota Square Six West Theater beginning in late 1983 when a new six-screen free standing theater was built 300 feet east of the mall.  The two together were called Sarasota Square 12 Theater and both operated until a new 12-screen theater opened in the mall in 2006.

18 - The former V & J Custom Embroidery started as the mall's office in 1977 and then became Mr. Formal men's clothing store about 1986 until about 1994 after moving from what was unit 30 until it was removed to make way for the original food court.
19 - This used to be Aladdin's Castle arcade from 1977 until becoming Dream Machine from about 1988 to the late 90's.
20 - Located just outside of Sears, this used to be Lawton Jewelers from 1980 to about 1990. It later became BJJ Academy.
21 - Also located just outside of Sears, this used to be Travelog gift shop from 1977 to about 2000. It later became L.A. Nails.
22 - This started as Clearwater Federal Savings & Loan in 1977 and changing to Pioneer Federal Savings & Loan by 1983. It then became Dental Health Services from 1984 to about 1993 and then Corporate Securities Group.

23 - This unit was used as additional space for unit 22 for Clearwater/Pioneer banks and Dental Health Services.
24 - This used to be CPI Photo Finish from about 1986 to 1994.
25 - This used to be The Chef's Basket from 1981 to 1982 and then Athens Cafe from 1982 to 1983.  It then became Tastyburger from 1983 to 1985.  It was later Wig Fashions Salon from about 1987 until the early 90's.

25a - At about the former location of Old Navy (2015 to 2020) in the mall used to be Morrison's Cafeteria from 1977 to 1999, when it became Piccadilly Cafeteria. It later became New Century Buffet in 2003.
26 - This started as Athlete's Foot in 1979 and then became Adjusta Sleep by 1982, Luggage Bazaar by 1983, Baggage Car by 1985 and Bentley's Luggage & Gifts by 1987 into the 90's at this location and would remain at the mall until 2003.
27 - This started as Thomas Cook Travel from 1978 to about 1985 and then became used for additional space by Bentley's Luggage & Gifts.
28 - This used to be a Chick-Fil-A restaurant from 1977 until moving to the food court during the early 90's and remained at the mall until early 2020.  It then became Gordon's Jewelers until about the start of 2003 and was later New York Jewelers. Photo: Chick-Fil-A in the mall from October 1977.

29 - This used to be Pearle Vision Center from August 1977 to about 1993. It later became Candy Barrel.
30 - This started as Flower World in 1977. It then became Anthony's Florist by 1981, Ups 'N Downs women's clothing by 1987 and Jay Jacobs clothing from 1991 until about 1996. It later became Swedish House in late 2005 and Christina's.
31 - The former Regis Salon (from about 1985 to 2015) started as Tiffany's Bakeries from 1977 to 1981.  In between, it was Chocolate Chip Cookie Co. from 1982 until moving to a new location in the mall.
32 - This started as Lifestride Shoes in 1978. It then became Naturalizer Shoes from about 1983 to 1993.
33 - The former Delux Jewels, and earlier the former Champs Sports (closed in 2019) started as Helyn Brown women's apparel from 1977 until changing to Anne Carroll's by 1986. It then became a Foot Locker store by 1989 until moving to a new location in the mall in 1998.
34 - This used to be Write Occasions cards & gift shop from 1977 to about 1993.
35 - This used to be Red Kross Shoes from 1977 until becoming Cobbie Shop Shoes from about 1990 to 1993.
36 - This used to be Kay Jewelers going all the way back to September 1977 until closing in 2020.
37 - This started as David Fredric's women's clothing store in 1977 until shortly before becoming Robby's Sporting Goods in 1983. It then became Contempo Fashions from 1987 until being converted to Wet Seal in 2001.  Wet Seal would operate here until early 2015. After that it became Windsor Fashions.
38 - The former Rack Room Shoes (from the mid 90's until moving to 8366 S. Tamiami Tr. in Pelican Plaza in 2021) used to be Casual Corner from 1977 to the mid 90's.
39 - This started as General Telephone Co. (later GTE Phone Mart) from 1978 to 1984.  It then became Waldenbooks from 1984 to 2007.
40 - This used to be Brooks Fashions from 1978 to about 1989, when it became Atelier women's clothing store. By 1993, it was Everything's One Dollar.
41 - This used to be Surrey's men's clothing store from 1978 to about the late 90's. It later became Toyologee (previously Toys By Nature in another location at the mall) from about 1998 to 2002.
42 - This used to be part of Brooks Fashions from 1978 until being used by Surrey's for additional space by 1986.
Note: Units 43-53 and 56-66 were located in the wing of the mall leading to the JC Penney store.
43 - This started as Ford Shoes from 1977 until becoming Hofheimer Shoes from 1983 to about 1997. It then became Radio Shack (moved from unit 13) until closing in 2015.
44 - This used to be Carlyle & Co. Jewelry from 1978 until becoming Royal Diamond Jewelers in 1987 and Eldridge Fine Jewelry by 1989 until at least the mid 00's.
45 - The former Lid's Locker Room used to be Baker's Shoes from 1977 to 1995. It later became Collector's Corner and then Sports Fan Attic,

46 - The former Wall Street For Men used to be Skyler-Smith from 1978 until becoming Body Shop women's clothing from 1981 to about 1990.
47 - The former Beauty Crew SRQ started as Potpourri women's clothing store from 1977 to 1980. It then became Today's Woman from April 1980 to about 1993.
48 - This started as Stereotown in 1978 until being split up into Audio Gallery and Alan's Photography by 1983. It then became Ritz Camera by 1986 until about the mid-to-late 00's.
50, later 49/50 - This started as Robby's Sporting Goods in 1977 in what would become unit 50 in 1986. It then became Athlete's Foot by 1983.  It was again listed as Robby's Sporting Goods in 1987, but after a name change in 1988, it became Champs Sports into the 90's and was listed as units 49 and 50. Champs later moved to unit 33.
51 - The former Lenscrafters (from about 1998 all the way until closing in about early 2023) used to be The Gap clothing store from 1977 until the late 90's (moved to a new location in the mall).
52- The former Revive Salon in the mall used to be Mr. Dunderbak's German Restaurant from about 1978 to 1988.  It then became The Wunderbar Restaurant.  It has also been Trade Secret.
53 - This used to be Davidson Drugs from 1977 to about the mid 00's. It later became Amy's Dollar Plus.
54 - This used to be Pan American Bank from 1978 to about 1985.  After being listed as Florida Wig Fashions in 1986.  It was later Starr Research in the early 90's.

55 - Located just outside of JC Penney, this used to be Cargo South, which carried a variety of gift items, from 1979 to about 1990.

56 - This started as Gager's Arts and Crafts in 1978 and then became Haralson's Arts and Crafts from 1979 to about 1990.
57 - This used to be Playland Toys from 1977 to about 1990.
58 - This used to be Lerner Shops from 1977 to about the early-to-mid 90's.
59 - This used to be The New Yorker men's clothing from 1978 to about 1995.
60 - This used to be Paperback Booksmith from August 1977 until closing over 20 years later in 1999.
61 - This used to be Colony women's clothing store from 1977 to about 1990. It then became Payless Shoes before closing in 2014.  This spot was taken over by H&M.

62 - This used to be Hickory Farms from 1977 to about the early-to-mid 90's.
63 - This used to be Foxmoor Casuals from 1977 to 1989. It became Oak Tree clothing in the early 90's and was later Freeman's Luggage.

64 - This started as Nello's men's clothing store in 1977 (moved from Main St.) until becoming Giorgio's men's clothing in about 1989. By 1993, it had switched to Rave women's clothing store and going through the 00's.
65 - This started as Kinney Shoes from 1977 until becoming Merry Go Round ladies clothing store in the early 90's.
66 - This used to be Susie's Casuals from 1977 to the early 90's when it became Mango Bay clothing. It was later Journey's Shoe Store until moving to a new location in the mall to make room for H&M.

67 - The former Bond Jewelers (January 1994 to January 2018) used to be Girard Jewelers (later Littman Jewelers) from 1977 to 1993. Bond moved to a new location in the mall in 2014 to make room for the new H&M store, which closed in late 2020.
68 - This used to be Smoke N Stuff tobacco shop from 1977 to about 2000.

70 - This used to be Barnie's Coffee & Tea from 1986 until moving across the way to the food court in 1997. It then became Cinnabon until about 2006,
71 - J. Byrons department store operated at the mall from 1977 until closing in March 1985.  It was then remodeled into several stores, including Pinch or Pound in 1986. It then became Babbage's in 1988 to the early 00's, when it changed to GameStop.  Although it appeared to be in what had been unit 73, unit 71 later became Build-A-Bear Workshop from July 2007 to July 2014, while GameStop moved to unit 32 in the Sears wing of the mall until closing in early 2015.

72 - This started as Eye Of The Beholder in 1986 and then became Deck The Walls from the early 90's into the mid 00's.

73 - This used to be Buster Brown Shoes from 1978 to about 1989. It then became McDuff' Electronics from January 1990 until about early 1995.

73 - Located next to Buster Brown with the same owner and the walls between the two stores removed, this was Kid's Corner from late 1983 to about 1987 when it briefly became Sarasota Kid. It was originally Pancho's Taco Hut from 1979 to 1983. Photo: Kid's Corner and Buster Brown from late 1983.

74 - This used to be Claire's from about 1987 (originally listed at unit 74) until moving to a new location in the mall near the AMC Theaters after the mall's expansion in 2006.

75 - This used to be Spencer's Gifts from about the early 90's until moving to a new location in the mall near the AMC Theaters after the mall's expansion in 2006.

Note: Units 76-117 were added to the mall as part of the 1989 expansion that included the addition of a fourth anchor (Parisian) and a wing of stores leading up to it.  Units 77-117 were later renumbered to A1-A41.  In 2006, with the moving of the food court, units 74-76 and A1-A5 were remodeled into new stores and were renumbered to nonconsecutive numbers between 73 and 91.  

77 (A1) - This used to be Lane Bryant.

78 (A2) - This used to be Aeropostale until moving to unit 86 after the 2006 renovations.

79 - This used to be Express Compagnie Internationale.

80 - This used to be Athletic Attic.

81 - This used to be Tape World.

82 - This used to be Mister Bulky.

83 - The former Yankee Candle (from about 2004 to early 2019) used to be San Francisco Music Box Co. 

84 - This used to be Fanny Farmers Candy.

85 - This used to be Bailey Banks & Biddle jewelry.

86 - This used to be Second Wave.

87 - This used to be Team Pride. It later became Body Shop.

88 - This used to be Connie's Shoe's.

89 - This used to be Chess King. It later became Perfumania and Best Buy Mobile.

90 - This became Marks and Morgan Jewelers from about 2007 until 2017.

91 - This used to be Nutcracker Suite.

92 - This used to be Master Cuts.

93 - This used to be Bathique Plus.

94 (A18) - This used to be Size 5-7-9 Shops from about 1990 to 1996.

96 - This used to be Wall Street men's clothing.  The store would later operate at unit 46.

97 - This used to be Small World.
98 (A22)- Rolling Pin Kitchen Emporium operated in the Parisan (later Dillard's) wing from about 1990 to 2008.

99 - This used to be Curio Arts.

100 - This used to be GTE Phone Mart.

101 - This used to be KayBee Toys.

102 (A31)- This used to be Spinnaker's Restaurant from the early 90's until January 1998. It was replaced by Ruby Tuesday Restaurant in October 1998. Ruby Tuesday closed their location in the mall in March 2018.

108 (A32) - This used to be Suncoast Motion Picture Co. from about 1991 until January 2003. This unit number then became Jos. A. Bank in March 2003, along with units 109 and 110.

110 (A34)- This used to be Lechters Housewares from about 1990 to 2001.  It then became part of Jos. A. Bank men's clothing store in 2003.
Note: Units F1 - F8 were located in the old food court in the center of the mall from 1986 to 2006.

F1 - This used to be Beer & Wine Gardens from 1986 to about the early 00's.

F2 - This used to be Zack's Famous Frozen yogurt in the old food court from 1986 to about 1997.

F3 - This used to be Howzabouta Burger in the old food court from 1986 to about 1996.

F4 - Located in the old food court at the center of the mall was A & W Root Beer from about the mid 90's to mid 00's.  Before that, it was Hot Dogs & More from the mid-to-late 80's to the mid 90's. 

F5 - This used to be Sbarro's from 1986 until moving to the new food court in 2006.

F6 - This used to be Chopsticks from about 1987 until becoming Krispy Kuts by 1990.

F7 - This used to be Boardwalk Fries from about 1987 to the early-to-mid 90's.

F8 - This used to be Arthur Treacher's Fish & Chips in the old food court from about 1991 to 2001.  Before that it was California Smoothie, beginning in the mid-to-late 80's,

Other Stores (exact location in the mall unknown)

- Candlelight - opened in August 1994 near Parisian.

- Gadzooks, a primarily teenage clothing store, operated at the mall from about 2000 until closing in early 2004.

- Jarman Shoes - opened in June 1995 in the Parisian wing.

Sawyer Court

4041 - Sawyer Court Storage used to be Sunshine Skateway roller rink, a popular destination for the teenage crowd in the 1980's.

Sawyer Road
4750 - This used to be Booth's Grocery from about the mid-to-late 50's to the early-to-mid 70's. It had earlier been Brown's Grocery going back to at least the early-to-mid 50's.  Photo: Booth's Grocery  Credit: If you grew up in Sarasota, FL...then you remember.

Shopping Avenue (Ringling Shopping Center from 1955 to 2017 and torn down in late 2018).
132 - The former Wellspring Church used to be Liggett Touchton (Rexall) Drugs from 1955 to 1974 and Walgreens from 1974 to about the mid 90's. Photo: Walgreens can be seen after the Ringling Shopping Plaza received a new roof and other improvements in late 1979.

146 - The long-time toy store of the Ringling Shopping Center started as Coach Butterfield Toys from 1955 to about 1964. It would then become Pic A Toy (mid-to-late 60's), Ringling Toy & Sporting Goods (1967 to mid 70's) and Toys 'n Things (mid 70's to about 1983) before turning into Charm Beauty Salon into the 00's.  After that, it was Glass Slipper Costume Rental Shop.
170 - The former LTM Party Store (1992 to 2012) used to be a Belk Lindsey department store from 1955 to 1988.  Photo: Diana Shops, Woolworth and Belk-Lindsey stores in the mid 60's.
206 - The former Ace Hardware (2005 to 2017) used to be a Woolworth department store from 1955 to early 1994. In between, it was Dockside Imports (opened in 1994).
210 - The former Waffle Shop (from 1992 into the 00's) used to be a Diana Shops dress store from 1955 to about the late 70's.  In between, it was Kuban's audio/video store from the early-to-late 80's.

Below: Although it had been closed for many years, the Waffle Shop signage (as with other stores in the plaza) was still displaying at the vacant Ringling Shopping Center in August 2018.  Demolition of the plaza began just three months later and was completed in December 2018.

220 - This started as Crowder Bros. Hardware in 1955 until 1972. It then became Drury Hardware in 1972, Holiday Hardware in 1976 and Ringling Hardware in 1979 until the early 90's.  Photo: As the storefronts in Ringling Shopping Center were being stripped down in December 2018 to prepare for  demolition, some of the old signs were revealed, including Crowder Bros. Hardware, which had been closed for 46 years!

230 - This started as Darby's Cleaners & Laundry in 1955, changing to Plaza One Hour Cleaners & Laundry in 1957 and Center Cleaners & Laundry in 1960 until 1970.  It then became Ringling Jewelry about 1971 and operating well into the 90's. It was later Sarasota Emporium (moved from 1521 Main St. in 2004) and National Carpet Cleaners.
244 - After starting out as Grant's Bakery in 1955 and then Arjay's Bakery, this became Ringling Bakery from the early 60's through the 70's.  In the 80's, it was Amerifirst Bank and then Great Western Bank in the 90's until 1994.
250 - Beauteria Beauty shop operated at the plaza from 1955 to 1972 (operated at unit 214 until about 1962). It then became Regis Beauty Salon until the early 80's, when it was Charm Beauty Salon.
258 - This started as S & H Green Stamps Redemption Store from 1955 to 1960 (moved to a larger store at unit 286 in 1961). It became Lambert Interiors (1961 to 1965) and later Kuban's music store from about 1967 to 1980 (later listed at unit 210).  After that, it became Peninsula Motor Club (AAA) from the early 80's into the 90's.
280 - This used to be Center Shoe Repair from 1955 until 1972, when it became Ringling Shoe Repair until 1978.
282 - Publix Supermarket was here from 1955 to 2011, when it moved to a new location on South Tamiami Trail.  At the time it closed, it was the longest operating store in the Publix chain.
Below: Publix Supermarket just before its grand opening at Ringling Shopping Center in March 1955.

284 - This used to be Jimmy Crews Barber Shop from 1955 to about 1977.
286 - This used to be an S & H Green Stamps Redemption Store from August 1961 until moving to Snelling Plaza in November 1977.
Below: Artist rendering of Ringling Shopping Plaza at the time of its opening in 1955. Credit - Sarasota News

Siesta Drive
2001 - Multiple businesses here at the corner of S. Tamiami Tr. and Siesta Dr., including Flemings Prime Steak House (opened in April 2004) and the Social Security Office used to be National Bank of Sarasota from November 1958 until changing to Citizens & Southern National Bank of Sarasota in 1986. It would then become NationsBank in 1992 (renovated in 1993) until about the early 00's.

2063 - Vino Vino Italian Restaurant (since 2020) used to be Kazu's Sushi and Asian Bistro from 2004 to about 2012. It then became Get Fit Fuel in 2013, Siesta Pizzeria Company in about 2016 and Luna Rossa Osteria Italiana in early 2019.

2119 - North Bridge Tavern used to be a Dipper Dan Ice Cream Shoppe from late 1964 to about the mid 70s. It then became Lad N Lassie children's clothing store in late 1976.
2141 - Sally Beauty Supply (since about 1987) used to be Safe-Way Barber & Beauty Supplies from the early 80's until 1987. It started out as South Gate News from 1971 to 1973, followed by Ginny's Fashion Fabrics from 1973 to 1977 and Lock Stock & Barrel gift shop from 1977 to 1979.

2157 - Baker & Wife Restaurant (since 2015) used to be Rice's Town & Casual Wear from November 1960 all the way until about the early 00's.  It was then renovated into a restaurant and became Southgate Gourmet in 2005.  It later became Deli Lane Café in 2008 and The Usual Place Restaurant in 2013.
2163 - Super Value Nutrition used to be Tropiquaria pet store from February 1962 until the early 80's. It then became Dehart Alarm Systems into the 90's.
2177 - Rick's French Bistro Restaurant (since the mid 00's) used to be Luv N Quiches Restaurant from 1982 to the early-to-mid 90's.  It was later South Gate Village Café & Catery in the late 90's and then Le Francilien Restaurant beginning in 2000.  This was once a real estate office in the 50's and became Ann Hammond Yarns (early 60's to early 70's), Knit Nook (1972 to 1977), Continental Bakery, and The Lunch Place (1979 to 1981).

South Beneva Road

15 - Torn down in 2004, this used to be a SuperX supermarket from 1983 until converting to Florida Choice in 1986 until 1988.  It then became a Kash N Karry supermarket in October 1988 and was later used as a shipping/receiving and training center for Arthur Andersen Technology in the mid-to-late 90's.  Nellie's Deli, Market and Catering operated at this address in a new building from 2009 until December 2023.
75 - This was the home of a Rax Roast Beef from about 1983 until 1990. It was later Papa Nick's restaurant from 1992 before being torn down around late 2007-early 2008. It then moved to 4940 Fruitville Rd. until closing in 2023.
735 - Your Farm & Garden used to be Green Fountain garden store starting in July 1981. After being vacant, it later became Hibbs Farm & Garden Supply in August 2004 after moving from its long time location at 1492 4th Street.

1283 - This has been a Subway Restaurant since 1991.
1287 - Wok Inn Restaurant used to be Cajun Joe's Premium Chicken in the early 90's.
2401 - The restaurant at the original Forest Lakes Country Club (1964 to 2007) was called Guido's of Forest Lake Restaurant beginning in 1977 until changing to Rain Forest Restaurant by early 1979.  Through much of the 90's, it was known as Fairways Restaurant. Photo: Forest Lakes sign from the early 1980's.

2725 - Little Saigon Bistro (opened in March 2021) used to be Sunrise Café from about 1995 to 2018. It then became Punta Sur Café in 2019 and Mega Tropical Restaurant in August 2020. It started as Open Pantry Food Market in 1973 and then became Weiner's Deli from 1976 to 1990. After that it was New York Pizza in 1990 and 1991 and Cincy's Restaurant beginning in 1992.
2745 - Mobil and On The Move convenience store used to be Forest Lakes Mobil full-service station from 1976 to 1988. It was then rebuilt into a Mobil self-serve station in 1989.
2920 - Purple Rhino (since 2014) started as Chicken Gourmet restaurant in 1985.  By 1987, it was Café Beneva until becoming Pastel's restaurant in 1993. By early 1996, it was Chez Daniel and then Royal Thai in 1999. It later became T'Katz Pub from 2006 to 2011 and Hoppy Endings.
6980 - Beneva Flowers & Gifts (since 1986) used to be Karl Ehmers Quality Meats II in the late 70's and early 80's.
6986 - The current Zildjian Catering and former Hungry Howie's (mid 00's to 2018) used to be Frenchie's Deli from the early-to mid 90's and then became Yoder's Express in late 1995.  It was later American Café in the early-to-mid 00's.
6988 - This Sunoco station once sold Bay Gasoline in the late 70's.  It was also a Starvin' Marvin station in the 80's into the 90's, then Speedway until about 2010. 

Photo 1: Although operating under the Speedway banner, this was still a Starvin' Marvin convenience store in 1997. 
Photo 2: The same station in 2008 (no longer Starvin' Marvin) with much higher gas prices!






South East Avenue
1212 - Michael's On East Restaurant at Midtown Plaza has been here since 1987.

South Gate Circle
3101 - A & B Food Store & Discount Beverages (since the early 90's) used to be a 7-Eleven convenience store from April 1960 to the early 80's.  In between, it was Mi-Lo Discount.
3223 - A Standard Service Station (Circle Chevron by the late 70's) sat on the circle from the early-to-mid 60's to mid-to-late 80's before being torn down.
3240 - Also part of 3238 South Gate Circle, this was a restaurant in the 80's, starting as Wine Studio and then becoming Budapest West by 1982. It was then called Budapest Kave by 1984. 

South Gate Plaza
See 3501 South Tamiami Trail below.

South Lemon Avenue
35 - Hyde Park Prime Steak House (since 2008) is at the location that used to be King Kone Restaurant from April 1952 until the early 90's (listed as OK King Kone the first few years).  It was then rebuilt as Lemon Coast Grill until 1998 and rebuilt again as Ovo Café until 2003.

131- This used to be Campbell Motors from about the late 40's until moving to Bee Ridge Rd. in 1981. 

South Lime Avenue
10 - It wasn't the first 7-Eleven in Sarasota (it was the second), but it has certainly lasted the longest as the store has been at this same location since October 1960. Below: 7-Eleven from 1960's and 2018.

South Orange Avenue
11 - This was the location of Sarasota Diner from 1944 until the mid-to-late 60's.
27 -  Now part of the Wilson Building, this used to be Vinny's Italian Restaurant from about 1958 to 1967, when it became Monti's Restaurant.  It was later Fatstuff's of Philadelphia in 1971 and 1972 before moving to 1592 Main. It then became Wilson & Wilson law office as part of the Cain Building (renamed Wilson Building by 1980).
120 (was 220 before 1953)- Torn down many years ago, this used to be a Piggly Wiggly grocery store starting in September 1940.  It then switched to Margaret Ann in August 1942 until moving to a new store in 1950.  Later in 1950, it became the first Kane's Furniture store until moving to Main St. in 1960. Later that year, this location was taken over by Rug Mart, which operated here until 1966.  Shortly after that in late 1966, it became The Woman's Exchange consignment shop until 1968. 
South Osprey Avenue
1801 - An office building was built in 2017 at the location that used to be Breeze-In Market from March 1970 to 1973 and then a Quick Stop Food Store from 1973 to about 2010. After being vacant for several years, it was torn down in 2017. Photos: Breeze-In Market from 1970 and Quick Stop from 2007.

1812 - Osteria Southside (since April 2023 and slated to close in August 2024) used to be Chicken Coop restaurant and lounge from about the early 50's to the early 80's.  It was also listed as Martens' Restaurant from the mid-to-late 70's.  By the mid 80's, it was New York Deli Uptown and then became Anthony's Italian Deli from the late 80's into the early-to-mid 00's. It was later Anthony's Pizza and Pasta, Southside Village Pub, Lucia's, Fandango, 1812 Osprey: A Neighborhood Bistro (opened in December 2017 and closed in June 2020) and Reef Cakes (2020 to the start of 2023).

1816 - Legends Sports Pub (since 2002) used to be Nick Figlow's Pizzeria from 1972 to about 1978. It then became Your Mother Should Know restaurant from about 1979 to 1983, Primavera Restaurant from about 1983 to 1985 and Kreations Catering in the late 80's. In the 90's, restaurants here included Greer's Bar & Grill and Churchill's Bar & Restaurant. Before becoming a restaurant, this was the long time home of Spinning Wheel Yarn Shop from at least 1953 to 1971.
1825 - The Serving Spoon (since 1992) has been the home to many restaurants over the years.  This includes Flours Restaurant (from about 1986 to 1988), where a basket of baby burgers with french fries could be had for just $3.50.
1830 (100) - Veronica Fish & Oyster Restaurant (since July 2016) at the corner of S. Osprey Ave. and used to be Sam Snead's American Grill from early 2003 until early 2015.  It had previously been an office at the Sarasota Medical Building going back to 1971.
1830 (104)  - Ka Papa Cuisine Restaurant (since April 2021) used to be Fleet Feet Sports from 2008 until moving to 711 S. Osprey Ave. in 2015. It then became a restaurant as Mojo's Real Cuban in July 2016 and later as Pazzo Southside in February 2018.  Also formerly part of the Sarasota Medical Building, this was the long time physicians office of Dr. Kiehl from late 1971 until about the year 2000.  By 2003, it was La Bottega Sarasota art gallery and gift shop.
1834 - At the corner of S. Osprey Ave. and Hillview St. starting in 1952 was Ben Franklin 5 and 10 store. It then became Holiday 5 and 10 from 1955 to about 1971.
1905 - Fifi's Fine Resale used to be Southside Drugs (originally Southside Sundries until the mid 50's) from about 1947 to 1995.
1909 - Now part of Libby's Neighborhood Brassiere restaurant at 1917 S. Osprey, this used to be Winada Dress Shoppe from 1949 to 1968, when it changed its name to Madelyn's Fashions. It then became Jennie's Ladies Shop by 1973 and Swope Dance Studio (originally Byron-Swope and later Ellen Swope by 1977) from 1975 to about 1988.  By 1990, it was The Firm (toning and exercise).
1924 - Morton's Market (since October 1977) used to be Marable's Market from September 1950 (moved from a smaller store just north of this location) until October 1977.

3416 - Practical Car Rental (since 1981) used to be a Robo-Wash Automatic Car Wash from about 1967 to the mid-to-late 70's.
3440 - Siesta Shell Service Station (since 1970) used to be the location of Lewis's Shell Service from at least 1946 to 1949. It then became Finley Shell Service until 1965. From 1965 to 1970, it was Arch Shelton Shell Service.
3500 -  The PNC Bank location is where the popular Simple Sam Market operated from March 1953 to about 1989.  The market was known as Siesta Suprex until changing to Simple Sam Suprex in August 1962 (see below - credit: Sarasota News).

3542 - The Oasis Café and Bakery (since 2002) started as Cuban Pete Restaurant in October 1975 and operating until 1977.  After almost a year as The Skramble Sandwich Shop in 1977 and early 1978, it changed to The Patriot Restaurant later in 1978.  It then became Pizza Peddler Restaurant from 1980 until the early 90's.  From 1992 to 2002, it was Augie's Front Burner Restaurant.
3550 - Shakespeare’s Craft Beer & Gastro Pub, located in what was once known as Simple Sam's Plaza used to be The French Hearth Bakery from the late 70's into the 90's.
3825 - Publix supermarket (since 1996) sits today in the former location of the Azar (later Crossroads) Plaza Rocking Chair Theater, which operated from December 1965 to 1991 and was torn down in late 1994.  Photo Crossroads Theater in 1982.

South Palm Avenue
27 - Built in 1922 and operating as Palm Hotel from about 1936 until closing for business in the early-to-mid 80's, DeMarcay Hotel, which was the name it operated under during most of its early years and now known by, was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places in 1984.  DeMarcay Condos are being built on this location, however, the façade of the hotel will be retained.
63 -This used to be the location of Mira-Mar Hotel from 1923 until the mid-to-late 70's.  It was later known as Mira-Mar Resort in the early 80's, before being torn down in 1982.

69 - This has been Caragiulo's Italian American Restaurant since early 1989. Earlier here in the mid 80's was Corbino Galleries.

South Pineapple Avenue
135 - Now the address of Pineapple Park, this used to be Point Gulf Service Station from the 1930's until 1974.  It then became Triple A Auto Air Conditioning until about 1983 before being torn down.
301 - The former Nancy's Bar-B-Q (March 2011 until October 2020 and torn down in 2021) used to be The Bar-B-Que Place from about 1980 to 1983.  After that, it became BJ's Coffee Shop by 1984, Bites Café in the early 1990's, Mimi's Healthy Gourmet in early 1998, Mickey's Pizza in 2001 and The Bungalow Restaurant in 2007.  Before the restaurant was built here in the early 80's, this was the location of Bill's Fina service station.
326 - This used to be Anderson Ford from 1951 until moving to 707 S. Tamiami Tr. in 1965.  It then became Rug Mart from 1966 to about 1981.

508 - This used to be Toyland (later J. DiBacco's Discount Toyland) from the mid 50's until about 1971, when it became Cavalier Construction Co.. It was earlier located at 604 S. Pineapple Ave. and opened there in 1950.
568 - Now primarily L Boutique, this used to be Thornton's Grocery from about the mid 40's until 1961, when it became Star Super Markets and then Short Stop Groceries. It was later Barker's New & Used Furniture from the late 60's to the mid-to-late 70's and Golden Apple Scenery Shop in the late 70's.  Photo: Thornton's Grocery in 1957.

812 - Located at Little Five Points, this used to be Alamo Fried Chicken restaurant (see photo) from about 1951 to 1965. Photo credit: If you grew up in Sarasota, FL...then you remember.

South School Avenue
1 - Located in the former Atlantic Coast Line railroad station at the end of Main Street was Brewmaster's Steak House from December 1, 1973 until 1983. The train station operated from 1925 to 1971 and was torn down in early 1986. Photo: Brewmaster's Steak House

325 - Torn down in 2017 to make way for residential development, this used to be a Scotty's (originally Home Builders Supply) hardware store from about 1957 until 2004.  The building was later used for The School Avenue Clearance Center (stocked donated items) from 2007 to 2010 and Sarasota Extreme Fitness in the early 2010's.

South Tamiami Trail  (U.S. 41)
707 – Sarasota Ford (since 1995) used to be Anderson Ford (1965 to 1981) and Pelican Ford (1981 to 1995).

787 - A McDonald's restaurant has operated at this location since late 1981 after moving from 1707 S. Tamiami Tr.. It was rebuilt in the early-to-mid 2010's.  Below: McDonald's was close to opening its new location in October 1981.

801 - Publix Supermarket at 2031 Bay St. was built in 2011 at about the location of the Sarasota Herald-Tribune and Sarasota Journal (until 1982) newspapers from March 1957 until February 2006.
811 - America's Best Value Inn used to be a Howard Johnson's Motor Lodge (pictured below) that opened in 1966 and operated until about the mid 80's, becoming Sunshine EconoLodge in 1986.  It would then resurface as a Howard Johnson Express Inn about ten years later until the late 00's.


818 - This used to be Florasota Gardens Apartment Hotel from November 1948 until 1982 (listed at 824 S. Tamiami Tr. before 1970). The building was torn down by the mid 80's.
822 - Located within a group of shops in front of Florasota Gardens Apartment Hotel, this used to be Brinson's Antiques from 1971 to about 1984. It was then vacant for a few years and torn down by the early 90's.
855 - Taco Bell (since 1999) used to be a Howard Johnson restaurant from 1953 to 1989. It was also BeMent's Southern Kitchen (1989 to 1993), City Diner, Kenny Rogers’ Roasters (April 1994 until 1997) and Harvest Rotisserie (1997 to 1998) in the 90’s.
891 - Sarasota Museum of Arts' The Works building used to be Galloway Furniture from 1959 to about 1974 (moved to 5251 S. Tamiami Trail). It would become the Sarasota Optical Center in late 1977 and later was Visionworks from about 1990 to 2015.
1055 - Saba Plaza used to be Saba Furniture (later Saba's Home Furnishings) from September 1960 to about 1984.

1127 - This used to be Mr. Pizza No. 2 from early 1967 into 1968, when it temporarily became the Sarasota campaign headquarters for Richard Nixon.  It then became Bridge-a-torium in 1969 until becoming Fashion Center in 1976.  Later in the 70's, it was used as additional space for Sarasota Camera Exchange.  
1155 - Amscot used to be a Royal Castle restaurant (July 1960 to
late 1973 or early 1974). It was then remodeled into a Pan American bank in late 1974.  It later became a Sun Bank in the mid 80's and Optical Value in the mid 90's.  Photo 1: Royal Castle in July 1960. Photo 2: Pan American Bank in the 70's.
 
1201 - BB&T bank (now Truist Bank) at Midtown Plaza used to be a Sears Auto Center, which was in front of Sears Department Store.  Sears was here from July 1960 until moving to Sarasota Square Mall in 1979. Photos: Sears Department store in the early 1960's at the now Midtown Plaza   

1273 - Elysian Fields (since 1995) at Midtown Plaza used to be Centralfed Mortgage in the early-to-mid 80's and then became First Union Bank in the late 80's and early 90's,
1277 – Panera Bread (since 2010) used to be Bennigan’s Grill &Tavern (1982 to 2010).

1281 - Davidson Drugs has operated at this location at Midtown Plaza since about 1981.
1283 - Michael's Wine Cellar (since December 2000) at Midtown Plaza used to be A Touch Of Art Gallery from about the late 80's to the late 90's. Before that, it was Mae's Fabrics from 1981 to 1987.
1285 - Sassy Hair Fashions was located at Midtown Plaza from the early 80's to about the late 00's or early 2010's.  It was listed at 1291 S. Tamiami Tr. until the mid-to-late 90's.
1287 - This used to be Opus Fashions from September 1981 at Midtown Plaza until moving to Gulf Gate Mall in about 1988.
1305- This used to be Studio 41 Cine theater (later Studio X) from November 1969 to about 1978.
1325 – The Midtown Plaza supermarket has been converted from a Grand Union (opened in September 1981) to Kash & Karry (1984) to Sweetbay (2005) and finally to Winn Dixie in 2014 until closing in 2018. The original grocery store in the plaza (then known as Sears Shopping Plaza) was opened as a Food Fair in September 1958 (see photo) and later rebranded into Pantry Pride in late 1969 until closing in early 1979.  Before the plaza was built, Fred's Cottages operated here from at least the 1930's until the mid-to-late 50's. The restaurant at Fred's Cottages was Roll Inn from about 1941 to 1944.

1339 - Papa Nicks Spaghetti House was a popular dining spot with outdoor seating here in the 50's until about 1958. It was Bill's Restaurant in the late 40's.
1357 - This used to be Get It On t-shirts at Midtown Plaza from the early 80's to the late 80's.
1365 - This used to be Mache Imports toy store at Midtown Plaza from the early 80's to the mid-to-late 80's. It then became A Touch of Art Gallery from late 1987 until the late 80's.
1383 - This used to be Bresler's Ice Cream at Midtown Plaza from the early 80's to the mid-to-late 80's. It then became Zack's Frozen Yogurt from about the start of 1988 until the early 90's.
1405 (was 1425 until 1981) - This used to be Martine's Restaurant which, including rebuilds and renovations, was at this location from 1944 (originally Martine's Spaghetti House and also later as Martine's Coach House Restaurant) until 1978.  Sea Ketch Restaurant (see photo) took over the building after renovations in 1981 and operated until 1985.  It was then replaced by Seafood Family Restaurant for a short time after that.  

1414 – The Law Place (since 2021) used to be a Waffle House restaurant from about 1971 to 2009. It then became Jeff's Salad Company and later the Satellite Phone Store starting in 2016.  Below: Waffle House

1425 - Baymont Inn & Suites (since the early 90's) used to be Quality Inn South (located with Martine’s Restaurant) from at least 1967 until the mid-to-late 80's. After a brief time as Motel Midtown, it became Hospitality Inn in late 1984 until 1989 when it became Midtown Motor Inn. By early 1990, it was Best Western Midtown Motor Inn and then shortened to Best Western Midtown from 1992 to 2016.    
1427 (B) - Verizon Wireless (since late 2010) used to be a Spec's Music store (opened in 1990) for just about 10 years before closing on the second day of the year 2000.  It would then become a Blockbuster Video store until early 2010.
1428 – The Eyes Specialists location used to be a Krispy Kreme donut shop from 1963 to 1973 and then becoming a dialysis center in the mid-70’s. Many restaurants and businesses on the west side of the trail in the vicinity of Sarasota Memorial Hospital (SMH) would also be turned into or rebuilt as medical centers/practices or acquired by SMH. 
1500 - The former Burger King (1977 until about 2002) sat next to a unit of SMH (Heart and Vascular) and was acquired by and utilized by the hospital. It was then torn down around the start of 2023. Prior to Burger King, the property was occupied by the Town House Motel from the early 60's to the mid-to-late 70's, In the 50's, it was Bilkay Motor Court and then King's Court.  Below: Burger King in front of the SMH Heart and Vascular Center in 1998. The restaurant building is now used by SMH.

1507 - Men's Warehouse (since the late 90's) used to be Color Tile home furnishing center from March 1979 to early 1998.  Before that, it was Lillard-Woodworth Furniture (early-to-mid 50's), Schaffner's Furniture (1957 to 1972) and Buning The Florist (1972 to 1978). 
1540 – The Sarasota Memorial Heart and Vascular location was once the home of the popular Lums Restaurant (1967 to 1984), which was known for its hot dogs steamed in beer. Before being torn down, it was also the Sarasota Dental Clinic from about 1985 to 1989. Photo: Lums Restaurant from 1974.

Photo: It's not too clear, but the Lums and Burger King signs can be seen side-by-side in 1978.

1575 – BankUnited (since 2014) used to be an Arby’s Roast Beef (late 1969 until April 2000), followed by Basil’s and later shared by Firehouse Subs and Dunkin Donuts starting in 2005.
1600 - A uniquely shaped drive-in restaurant called Burger Queen once stood in this location presently utilized by SMH mainly for parking. The restaurant opened in 1959 and operated until shortly before being torn down in September 1972.

The French-styled Eddy’s Café was then built and opened here in early 1973, continuing for most of the next eight years (changed to a deli in 1979, then back to Eddy’s in 1980). From late 1980 and for the remainder of the 80’s, several eateries passed through, including Peter's Restaurant (opened late 1980), Michael's Place for Ribs (September 1981 until renamed as Munich-Haus in late 1983), Chatter's Roadhouse (1984 to 1985), Swensen’s Ice Cream (late 1985 or early 1986 to 1988) and The Parlour (1988 to 1990) before the property was acquired by SMH in the early 90's.   Below: Eddy's Café in 1973. Peter's Restaurant in 1981 and Michael's A Place For Ribs later in 1981 were among the restaurants that occupied the former Burger Queen space after it was rebuilt in 1972-73.

1601 – The Wendy’s Restaurant currently in this location was built in the early 80’s on the site of the old Floridian Court Motel.  Photo: Wendy's Restaurant at 1601 S. Tamiami Trail in 2006.



1630 – Similar to 1600 S Tamiami Trail, this property was acquired by SMH in the early 90’s. Previously, a Mister Donut had been in this location from November 1961 until 1992.  Photos: Mister Donut in the early 1960's.
1635 – Tijuana Flats, which opened in December 2002 was originally a Mr. Gatti’s Pizza (complete with arcade games) beginning in August 1981 and operating until 1988. The location had previously been the home of the Towers Motel and earlier Tower Court Motel for at least 30 years. The pizza would later be served up by Pepperoni’s Pizza and Pasta from the late 80’s to early 90’s. In 1992, hot dogs would become the specialty with a Nathan’s Famous restaurant here for a couple of years.  In late 1994, Dunkin Donuts and Miami Subs moved in to share the space and Baskin Robbins Ice Cream was also here.  Below: Mr. Gatti's Pizza in 1981.

1635 (B) - Located adjacent to Tijuana Flats, the former Yogurtology (2011 to late 2022) used to be Lam's Garden from 2003 to about 2008 and then O-Cha Asian Bistro by early 2009. It had previously been Miami Subs. 

1700 - Sarasota Memorial Hospital (SMH) has been listed at this address since about 1985.  Previously, it was listed at 1901 Arlington St.  The hospital dates back to a 32-bed building on Hawthorne St. that formally opened in November 1925 (expanded two years later to 60 after adding a new wing) as Sarasota Hospital.  The name was changed shortly after to Sarasota Municipal Hospital and then to its current name in the early-to-mid 50's. In October 1955, a new ultra-modern five-story building opened on the south wing and the hospital has continued to grow and expand ever since.
1707 – Chipotle Mexican Grill (since 2008) used to be the location of a McDonald’s restaurant (the 4/19/57 edition of the Sarasota News mentions that it was the first McDonald's in Florida) for about 25 years starting in April 1957. It briefly became a Long John Silvers restaurant starting in November 1983, then became a Pizza Hut in the mid-80’s for 20 years. Below: 1961 yearbook photo of McDonald's.



1725 - Subway (since late 80's and moved from 1930 S. Tamiami Tr.) used to be Herrald’s TV and Sound from the early 70s to late 80’s.  City Paint (April 1958 to about 1964), Harris Paint Center (mid 60's) and Maryland Fried Chicken (late 60’s before moving up the street) were here before that.

1737 – Yummy House Restaurant (since May 2018) used to be the popular Kissin Cuzzins’ restaurant from late 1967 until July 1999. It then became Sugar Loaf Restaurant from December 1999 until 2003. After that it was Carpe Diem (opened in early 2004), Sarasota Café (opened in 2005), Mel's (opened in 2007), Longetivity Café (opened in late 2008) and Square One Burgers (2010 until moving to 6240 S. Tamiami Tr. in 2015).  Going way back from 1962 to 1967, this was a Perkins Pancake House.  At right: Kissin Cuzzins' Restaurant. Below:
After major renovations to the building, Sugar Loaf Restaurant opened in December 1999 

1806 - An Amoco service station under various names, including Shorty's, Medical Arts, Hice's, ABC and Allen operated here from November 1952 (see photo) until 1998 when it was torn down to make way for a new building for SMH.

1825 - This used to be an Albritton Fruit store from 1960 to the early 00's before being torn down in 2005. Before Albritton, it was Bellaire Cabana Sales in the late 50's.
1838 - Tastee-Freez was originally here near the intersection of Hillview Street from June 1955 until shortly before reopening in a new building at 4250 S. Tamiami Tr. in late 1958.
1839 - Adjacent to Midtown Tavern (see 1841 So Tamiami Tr. below), this used to be Bee Tee Restaurant from 1950 to 1955. It then became Wengenroth's German-American Kitchen from 1955 to 1963 and was later Modern Cleaners before being rebuilt in the mid-to-late 60's.
1841 - 7-Eleven (with Chevron) used to be Hillview Exxon (originally Enco) from 1967 to the early-to-mid 90's.  Vacant in the mid 90's (see photo below), the station was rebuilt in the late 90's as Midtown Exxon Tiger Mart until switching to 7-Eleven (with Exxon until 2019) in 2015. Before becoming a service station, this used to be the location of Midtown Tavern from at least the early 50's to the mid-to-late 60's.

1850 - This location was known in recent years for being the home of the Sugar and Spice Amish restaurant (1984 to late 1997) before the property was acquired by SMH and the building then torn down. The Dutch Pantry (1959 to about 1973) was the other longtime occupant of the restaurant. Others in between included Garden Inn (1976 to early 1977), Tony Thayer's (opened in early 1977), TR Murphy’s (opened by early 1978) and Gillespie's (opened in late 1981). Below: Dutch Pantry and Sugar and Spice. Also shown is Gillespie's. 

1900 – This Plastic Surgery location housed a Phillips 66 Service Station in the 50’s up to about the mid-70’s.
1901 - FedEx Office Print & Ship Center (earlier Kinko's) used to be the location of a Texaco Service Station under various names from July 1952 (as Austin's Texaco) until about 2000.
1930 - Taylor James Fine Cabinetry (since the early-to-mid 90's, earlier as Wardlaw Interiors) used to be Bert's Barber Shop from about 1957 to 1972.  The rest of the 70's were split up by the following businesses: Froz-Kone Ice Cream Store (1973 to 1974), Someone Special Pet Grooming, Comic Strip Restaurant (1976 to 1977) and Rose & Tony's Sandwich Shop. A Subway restaurant then operated here from about 1980 to 1988 until moving across the street to 1725 S, Tamiami Trail.
1935 – Goodwill Industries (since the early-to-mid 90's) was previously a Gulf service station that opened as Hoover's Gulf Service in 1953. By 1956, it had changed to Adkins Gulf Service all the way until about the late 80’s.
2525 - Cabana Inn Motel and Lounge has been at this location since 1958.  The lounge has had various names over the years.
2601 –Center for Sight (since early 2001) was constructed on the site of the former Sunnyside Motel, which had operated since 1950. The motel was demolished in 1999 to build the center.
3201 - Sarasota Physicians Surgical Center used to be Donald-Roberts Furniture (shown below) from 1959 to 1962 or 1963.  It then became Top Value Stamps from 1963 to about the mid 70's.

3500 - Chase Bank (since 2015) operates in the location that was occupied by Swiss Chalet Restaurant from 1941 to the late 50's.  Richmond Construction Company was here in the 60's and 70's and physician's offices from the 80's until being torn down in the mid 2010's.
3501 (60- now 1100) - This used to be a Publix Supermarket from early 1957 to 1994 (torn down in early 1996) in the South Gate Plaza (now Crossings at Siesta Key Mall). Saks Fifth Avenue took over the former Publix space from 1996 to 2014.  CinéBistro Siesta Key Theater moved into this location in 2016. Photo credit for Photo 1: We grew up in SRQ.  Photo 2: Publix Supermarket in 1974.

3501 (71) - This was South Gate Hardware from 1957 to 1958.
3501 (71A) - Karmelkorn & Candy Shop opened in the new South Gate Plaza arcade building in December 1959 and remained in operation until 1966. It then became Niagara Cyclo-Massage from 1966 to 1972.
3501 (71B) - This used to be the office of realtor Francis Brown from 1959 until switching to unit 320 in 1972.
3501 (71C) - This used to be Koin Kleen Automatic Washer laundry from January 1960 until becoming South Gate Coin Laundry in 1969. It then switched to unit 360 in 1972.
3501 (71D) - This started as Crane's Book Store in 1960 until moving to unit 110 in 1962. After being vacant, this became Smoke Shop from 1964 to 1973 (moved to Crossroads Plaza).
3501 (71E) - This started as South Gate Jewelers from 1959 until becoming Shrode Jewelers from 1963 to 1975.
3501 (73) - This used to be Durfee's TV until moving to 4407 S. Tamiami Tr. in 1972.
3501 (74) - This started as Plaza One Hour Cleaners in 1957 and then becoming Paul's Cleaners in 1959 and Center Cleaners and Laundry from 1960 to 1967. It later became South Gate Sporting Goods in 1971, Emporium lighting and hardware in 1973, The News Stand in 1976 and EEG Enterprises from about 1982 to 1987.  Also listed at unit 74 early on, although may have been in one of the unit 71's listed above was The Garden Spot of Sarasota in 1957 and 1958.
3501 (75) - This used to be Career Girl clothing from 1971 until closing in July 1984.  It then became The Corn Popper for a short time around 1985. Earlier, it was Junior Bazaar from 1957 to 1960 and Fashion Bazaar from 1960 to 1971.
3501 (76) - This used to be Thom McAn Shoes in South Gate Plaza from 1957 until about 1983. It then became a General Nutrition Centers store until the mid-to-late 80's.
3501 (82) - This was a Woolworth's Department store in South Gate Plaza from early 1957 to early 1994.  It would become Dockside Imports later that year. Photo: Woolworth's in the early-to-mid 60's.

3501 (87) - This used to be Woodrow Stores for Men from 1957 to 1975. It also included Carnaby Shop from 1971 to 1975. It then became The New Yorker in 1975, Mr. Freedom by 1978, Off Your Duff by 1983 and was vacant by 1987.
3501 (90) - This started as Coach Butterfield Toys (originally listed at unit 89) from 1957 to 1964. It then became South Gate Toy & Sporting Goods from 1964 to 1976 and Toys 'n' Things from 1976 to about 1987.
3501 (91) - This used to be a Bresler's 33 Flavors Ice Cream Shop from 1964 to about 1987.  Earlier, it was The Middle Shop from early 1957 to 1964. Photo: Bresler's Ice Cream, South Gate Toys and Woodrow Stores for Men can be seen at South Gate Plaza in 1967.

3501 (92) - This used to be The Rainbow Shop from September 1964 to about 1987.  From 1957 to 1964, it was a few different businesses including South Gate Watchmaker/Pillsworth and Renick TV (1957 to 1958), Slenderine Figure Salon (opened in 1958) and various brokerage firms (Grimm & Co-opened January 1960, Hill, Darlington & Grimm-opened October 1960 and Cruttenden, Podesta & Miller-opened in 1962). Photo 1: Overhead signs for Grimm & Co., The Middle Shop, Coach Butterfield Toys, Woodrow Stores for Men and Woolworth's can all be seen in this 1960 photo. Photo 2: Rainbow Shop in the mid-60's.

3501 (93) - This used to be South Gate Camera Shop (see photo) from 1960 to 1978.  It then became First City Federal Savings & Loan by 1980 and Crossland Savings by 1985 until about 1987. Originally, it was Cameras, Inc. from 1957 to 1960 (listed at unit 95).

3501 (94) - This used to be South Gate Barber Shop from 1957 to about 1981.
3501 (97) - This used to be Lad N' Lassie clothing from 1957 to 1976. It then became Boyce Travel Agency from about 1976 to 1987.
3501 (100) - This used to be Liggett Rexall Drugs from 1957 to 1974. It then became Walgreen Drugs from 1974 to about 1989.
3501 (103) - This started as Mae's Beauty Salon in late 1957. It then changed to South Gate Beauty Salon under new management in 1966 until about 1981. It later became Sewing Center of Sarasota from about 1982 to 1987.
3501 (105) - This started as House of Gadgets from 1957 to 1972, when it became House of Handbags until 1974. After that, it was Cappie's handbags from 1974 to about 1981, Merle Norman Cosmetics from about 1983 to 1987 and The Limited through the 90's.
3501 (107) - This used to be Canadian Shoe Repair from 1957 to 1968 and Rouse's Shoe Repair from 1968 to 1970, before becoming South Gate Shoe Repair from 1970 to about 1987.
3501 (109) - This used to be Crane's Book Store from about 1962 to 1987 after opening in 1960 at unit 71D.  Previously, unit 109 was South Gate Snack House (opened in 1957).
3501 (111) - This used to be Cinderella Bootery from 1957 until moving to unit 116 in 1972. Later at unit 111 was Contempor-Ana Modern Home Furnishings from 1978 to about 1984 and then Video Biz until about 1987. Photo: Grants and Cinderella Bootery at their original locations in South Gate Plaza.

3501 (113) - This started as Glamor Shop from 1957 to 1966. It then became Eiss' Permanent Flowers from 1966 to 1976 and a Radio Shack store from 1977 until about 1987. It was later a Chess King store from 1989 into the 90's.
3501 (116) - Cinderella Bootery was at unit 111 of the South Gate Plaza from 1957 until moving to unit 116 (part of the original W.T. Grant store here) in 1972 until about 1987.  It later became Vomo men's apparel by 1989 and Alexus Design Studio by 1993.
3501 (120) - World Bazaar gifts was at the plaza (originally unit 140) from the early-to-mid 70's to mid-to-late 80's.  A W.T. Grant (aka Grants) Department Store was originally at unit 120 until moving to a new building here (unit 600) in 1972   The former Grant store was then split into three units (116, 120 and 130).  Below: Overhead signs for World Bazaar, Cloth World and Winn Dixie at Southgate Plaza in the mid 70's.

3501 (130) - Cloth World was here from August 1972 to mid-to-late 80's.
3501 (200) - The second supermarket at the plaza was Winn Dixie (originally Kwik Check) from January 1957 to the mid 80's.
3501 (210) - This used to be Big Phyl's Nursery from 1963 to 1972.

3501 (214) - This used to be Cozzolli's Pizza from about 1988 to 1996.
3501 (220) - This used to be South Gate Bakery from 1962 until 1968.  It then became Colonial Bakery from 1968 to about 1985.
3501 (230) - This started as Mademoiselle's Ladies Shop in 1962 until becoming Jennie's Ladies Shop in 1967.  It then became The Sun Tree in 1975, Connell's Casuals in 1977 and Plus To Love in 1983.  It was vacant by 1985 and rebuilt by 1987.
3501 (240) - This used to be Naylor's Hardware from 1961 to the early 80's. In the mid-to-late 80's, it was Southern Floridabanc Savings Association.
3501 (244) - This started as Duval Jewelers in March 1962. It changed to Zales Jewelers during 1963 until about 1982, when it became Al Havener's Musicland from September 1982 until about 1987.
3501 (250) - This started as Music Center in November 1961 until changing to Hunter's Music Center in 1965.  It then became Deep Six Design II from 1975 until 1979.
3501 (260) - This started as Records & Radio Center in 1961 until being used for additional space by Hunter's Music Center next door in 1970. It then became Kuban's Records from 1972 to about 1983.
3501 (270) - This started as Sewing Circle Fabrics in 1961. By 1965, it had become a Singer Sewing Center until about 1983.  It was later Marie Chancellor's Boutique in the mid 80's.
3501 (277) - Palmer's Nutritious You Cafe (since April 2021) used to be TooJay's Restaurant (2002 to September 2020) and Beasley's Restaurant from about 1984 to 1998.  It was earlier Camelot Restaurant from about 1982 to 1984.
3501 (280) - This used to be Bob Francis Apparel from 1961 until becoming Delmar's Apparel For Men in 1973. It then became D & G Clothier in 1977 and Michael's Apparel from 1979 to about 1983.
3501 (290) - This used to be the office of Francis Knapp, optometrist from 1961 to 1979. It then became the office of Bockhold & Saul, optometrists until about 1983.
3501 (297) - This used to be Ross Tilden Jewelers from about 1983 to 1989 when it became used as additional space for Beasley's Restaurant.
3501 (300) - This used to be Stitch Typewriter from about 1961 to 1983.
3501 (310) - This used to be Peoples Inc. of Sarasota finance office from 1963 to 1967. It then became Montgomery Insurance from 1968 to 1969 and an H & R Block office from 1970 to about 1979.
3501 (320) - This used to be the office of realtor Francis W. Brown from 1972 to about 1980 after moving from 71B. Coincidentally enough, after the realtor left this unit, there were only vacant listings here until it was no longer listed by 1984.
3501 (327) - This used to be Nautilus Training from about 1983 to 1988.
3501 (330) - This used to be Bob's Flowers from 1972 to about 1978 and then listed as vacant until 1988.
3501 (360) - This used to be South Gate Coin Laundry (previously at unit 71C) from 1972 to about 1979
3501 (380) - This used to be South Gate Lanes bowling from August 1962 to the mid-to-late 80's.
3501 (400) - The former Dillard's (1991 to 2014) used to be a J.C. Penney (aka Penney's) Department Store from 1961 to 1977.  It then became Robinson's in 1978 before converting to Maison Blanche in 1987.  In 2017, it was announced that Lucky's Market would be taking over at least part of Dillard's space in the mall (opened in October 2017 and closed in February 2020) along with LA Fitness (since 2016).  An Aldi Grocery Store replaced Lucky's Market one year later in February 2021. Photo: J.C. Penney upon opening in November 1961.

3501 (500) - This used to be Siesta Liquors from 1961 to 1983 when it became Haps Liquors.  It then became Southern FloridaBanc Savings from about 1987 to 1989.
3501 (600) - Macy's Department Store (since 2005) in the Crossings at Siesta Key Mall used to be a W.T. Grant Department Store (aka Grant City) from March 1972 to November 1975 (was previously in unit 120 from early 1957 to 1972 before moving here). It then became Burdine's Department Store from 1976 to 2005. Photo: Burdines and Career Girl at South Gate Plaza in 1980.

3501 (950) - Torn down in 1997, this was the site of the popular Brown Derby Restaurant (was briefly called Kapio's in 1989) in the South Gate Plaza (now Westfield Siesta Key Mall) from 1979 to 1994 before becoming Cahill's.  Prior to Brown Derby, it was Morrison's Cafeteria from about 1962 to 1977.  At right: Brown Derby in 1990.  Below: Morrison's Cafeteria (mid 60's) and Brown Derby Restaurant (early 80's)


3501 (1165) - This has been Connors Steak & Seafood Restaurant since opening in September 2017.

3800 (2) - This used to be Azar (later Crossroads beginning in 1972) Plaza Rocking Chair Theater from December 1965 to 1991. See 3825 South Osprey Ave. above.
3800 (3) - Located at Crossroads Plaza next to the theater from 1975 to the early 90's was The Hungry Fox Restaurant. It had previously been The Ice Cream Shop and later became The Hungry Bear Restaurant in the early 90's.

3800 (3) - JPAN Sushi & Grill (since 2014) used to be Infantino's Restaurant from 2001 to about 2014.
3800 (20- was unit 36 before 1974) - Petco (since 2005) at the now Shops at Siesta Row (formerly Paradise Plaza, Crossroads and earlier Azar) plaza used to be Eckerd Drugs from 1973 to 2004, when it converted to CVS and moved to a new location within the plaza.  At about this location earlier was Flair Drugs from late 1963 (opened along with Colonial Bakery next door in a new wing to the plaza) to 1971.  It then became Medi-Mart drugs in rhe middle of 1971 and was also J. Moore Discount temporarily in the summer of 1972.  Photo: Eckerd Drugs is seen from the Southgate Plaza parking lot in the early-to-mid 70's.

3800 (21- was unit 40 before 1974) - The area Pier 1 Imports (2015 to 2020) occupied (at least some of it along with CVS) at the Shops at Siesta Row plaza was once an A & P Supermarket.  A & P was in this plaza from March 1959 to December 1978 and replaced by a Great Scot supermarket (1979 to 1981), then Mister C's Warehouse.  A Phar-Mor store opened here in 1984 and operated until 2002.  Pier 1 replaced Borders Books (2004 to 2011).

3800 (22 - was unit 46 before 1974) - Salon Lofts used to be the address at Crossroads Plaza (now Shops at Siesta Row) of Sarasota Pasta House from about 1983 to 1988. It was originally listed as Sarasota Italian Pasta House.  It had earlier been Bill's Day and Night Laundromat and Danny's Laundromat in the 60's, Island Hobby Shop in the early 70's, Craft Universe from 1972 to 1978 and then a series of restaurants (Spudnuts Doughnuts, Café New Orleans and Crossroads Café) until 1983. Photo: Sarasota Italian Pasta House from 1983.

3800 (26) - Gigi's Italian Restaurant was located at the Crossroads Plaza (now Shops at Siesta Row) from 1974 until the early-to-mid 80's.

3800 (28) - Now part of Hand & Stone Massage & Facial Spa at unit 27, this used to be Crusty Louie's Pizza (aka Crusty's Pizza) from 1985 to about 2012.

3800 (33) - The Sawmill Inn Restaurant was here at the Crossroads Plaza (now Shops at Siesta Row) from 1974 to early 1989.  The interior of the restaurant was modeled to resemble an old sawmill and featured a water-wheel in the foyer. After Sawmill Inn, it then became the Backstreet restaurant. Credit for second photo from about 1988: Sarasota Magazine.

3800 (unit 44 before 1974) - Located next to A & P (then at 40 Azar) in the then Azar Plaza was Tyree's Of Sarasota household appliances from May 1959 to about the end of 1968.  It then became a Western Auto store for a couple of years after that.
3800 (100) - TCBY operated at this location from 1984 until June 29. 2020. It then became The Joint Chiropractic.
3800 (108) - Smoothie King (since September 1997) used to be Azar Paint Supply in the 60's and early 70's. It then became Dynamic Health Center/Plaza for over 20 years.

3825 - Johnny's Car Wash opened as South Gate Auto Service with a Phillips 66 service station and car wash in June 1959.  After Johnny's Auto Wash at 2192 Ringling Blvd. moved all of its car wash operations here in May 1961 (Johnny's had also operated this location since late 1959), it would become Johnny's South Gate Car Wash by 1963.  Below: Johnny's Car Wash around the mid 60's after switching to Esso, which happened in 1961.

3838 - Flamingo Bar was located at the intersection of S. Tamiami Tr. and Bee Ridge Rd. from 1948 until moving to Colonial Village Plaza in early 1965. It was earlier listed at 3850 S. Tamiami Tr. and later part of Azar Shopping Plaza.
3875 - McDonald's was built on the site previously occupied by Boston Market (briefly Boston Chicken until 1995) restaurant from 1993 to 2009.  From 1960 to the early 90's, this location was a bank (Sarasota Federal Savings until the early 70's, then Coast Savings). Even earlier from the mid-to-late 50's, it was Gulf Cities Gas Corp. Below 1: Boston Market in 2007. Below 2: Sarasota Federal Savings in 1969.


3880 - This used to be a Shakey's Pizza restaurant from about 1967 to 1973.  The pizza parlor featured live striped-shirt musicians playing ragtime-type music, mainly using the banjo and piano. A USN Recruiting office along with several other recruiting offices operated at about this location from the mid 70's to mid 80's.
3901 - Located at the southeast corner of S. Tamiami Tr, and Bee Ridge next to Dixie Lee's was Meyers Cities Service (rebranded as Citgo in 1965) from 1959 until 1972, when it briefly changed to Klean Citgo before closing.  It had earlier been Southside Service Station in the 50's.  In September 1976, the vacant station became J.D. Carpet Brokers. It was later a real estate office in the 80's and Florida Blueprint in the 90's before being torn down in 1998 to build the Walgreens Pharmacy that is currently operating at this location.
3902 - Valvoline Instant Oil Change (since 2013) used to be the location of the Trail Union 76 service station from the early 70's to the early 90's. after starting out as Anderson's Pure Oil in December 1967.  It was later Florida Car Care Center (early-to-mid 90's) and then Mobil 1 Lube Express (mid 90's to 2013).
3904 - Mattress Firm used to be a restaurant/lounge, including Shannon's Way (1977 to 1983), Impressions of Sarasota, 1776 Restaurant (1985 to 1992), Stockyard Steakhouse (1993 to 1994), Banana's Bar & Grill by early 1995 and Notorious by early 1998.  By 2000, it became a Ritz Camera and Boater's World store. Photo 1: The upper façade of the 1776 Restaurant in 1986. Photo 2: 1776 Restaurant with Wallpaper Warehouse seen on the left. (credit: If you grew up in Sarasota..)

3908 - Supercuts (since early 1991) used to be Jay's Shoes (early 1978 to 1983). In between, it was First American Title.   Photo: In 1978, Jay's Shoes, Super Value Drugs and Shannon's Way Pub shared the small plaza that still sits just south of the Bee Ridge Rd./So. Tamiami Tr. intersection.

3909 - Torn down in 1998 to make way for Walgreens, this used to be Dixie Lee's Liquors from the late 40's until the mid-to-late 80's before moving just around the corner (to 2030 Bee Ridge Rd until 1997).  It then became O'Lyn Callahan's Yamaha Music Center and later Classic Keyboard in the mid 90's.  Photo: Dixie Lee's Liquors at 3909 S. Tamiami Tr., referred to as "3909 Boondoggle Blvd" by Dixie Lee due to never-ending construction for road widening that limited the access to the building.


3917 - Located close to Dixie Lee from the late 40's to late 50's was El Rancho Drive In Restaurant. It later became Bargain House and Quality Autos in the early-to-mid 60's.
3934 - Located in the vicinity of where Sonny's B-B-Q (since 1994) stands today, this was Super Test Oil Co. service station from the mid 50's to the early 70's, becoming a Citgo station until the mid-to-late 70's.  It then became Snoopy's Original Vienna Hot Dogs and Sandwiches from April 1979 until the mid 80's.  Later in the 80's, it was also Lloyd's Auto Palace and Hub Caps Plus.
3935 - Located at about where Sir Speedy Printing is today, this used to be A's Giant Sandwiches from the mid 60's to about 1979 (A's would soon thereafter move to its present location at 6300 S. Tamiami Tr). It then became Two Guys From Italy Deli for a short time in the early 80's.  Originally, this was Jules Army-Navy Surplus store (with a rocket sign out front) from late 1958 to the early 60's. Photos: Jules Army-Navy Surplus store from 1958 and A's Giant Sandwiches from the mid-70's.  Credit:  If you grew up in Sarasota..then you remember.

3937 - This used to be TJ's Pizza Pub & Game Room in the early 80's before becoming Tang's Chinese Restaurant from 1983 to about 1987. After being vacant for a few years, it was torn down by the early 90's.
3971 - Bonefish Grill (since April 2001) used to be an Applebee's restaurant from 1990 to 2000.
3979 - Diamond Vault (since 2011) used to be Peaches Music (late 1989 to 1995), then West Marine from 1995 to 2010 before moving down the street.

4000 - IHOP restaurant used to be a Village Inn Restaurant from August 1977 to June 2008.  This was also the address of Snelling Plaza from 1976 to 1995, and before that, it was a Montgomery Ward department store from February 1965 to early 1976. At left: Village Inn in 2007.  At right: Montgomery Ward sign in 1973 and below in 1965.



4000 (102) - This used to be an S & H Green Stamps Redemption Center at Snelling Plaza from late 1977 until closing at the end of February in 1987.
4000 (103) - This used to be Catherine's ladies dress shop at Snelling Plaza from late 1977 to the early 90's.
4001 - The former and popular Café Baci Restaurant (from 1991 until closing over 30 years later in May 2022 as the owners decided to retire) used to be a Western Sizzlin' Restaurant from February 1971 to early 1991.  Below 1: Western Sizzlin' in 1989 and Café Baci at the same location in 2011.  Below 2: Western Sizzlin in 1972.

4010 - Barnes & Noble opened here in December 1995.
4020 - Best Buy has been open here since September 1996.
4023 - Verizon (since 2015) occupies the area that was the home of the very popular El Adobe Mexican Restaurant from 1974 to 2014.  Other restaurants here included Blake's (opened in September 1955), Burger King (July 1956 to about 1960), Lobster Claw (opened in late 1960 until 1961), Dari-Delite (opened in December 1961 until 1962), Little Pig's House (opened in January 1963 until early 1964), Trail B-B-Q (opened in summer of 1964), Beef Pit (opened in October 1965), Gordon's Diner (opened in 1968) and Romano's Italian Restaurant (1970 to 1974).  Below: 1. El Adobe Restaurant in 1980 (credit: Bradenton Herald) and in 1989/2014. 2. Romano's Italian Restaurant in 1971. 3. Burger King in 1956

4034 - Now the site of a Regions Bank built in 2020 in front of Best Buy, this used to be the location of a Steak and Ale restaurant that was built in late 1977 and operated all the way until 2007.

4035 - The former Puppy Town used to be Self Service Shoe Store from May 1958 until the early 90's.  It then became Great Deals on Heels from 1991 until 1993 and then Futons Etc. in 1994 for about a decade.  Below: Self Service Shoe Store sign in 1989 and Great Deals on Heels store in 1992.


4065 - Lox and Egg (since 2006) used to be a Burger King from about 1967 to 1978.  It turned into Buning the Florist from 1979 to 1987, then Sub Conscious sandwich shop (1987 to about 1993-see below from 1991) and Manhattan Bagel (mid 90's to 2006).

Below: Great photo from early 1974 where Burger King (now Lox and Egg) can be seen on the far left along with several long-lost businesses that were located at about the area where Trader Joe's operates today. These include: Vel-von Paint Center, Butler TV, Double Knit Factory Outlet (shown having a going out of business sale before the store closed in 2/74) and Discount Tire Center (later H & H Hobby Sales from the late 70's to early 90's).

4101 - Trader Joe's (since 2012) was a Rooms To Go furniture store from the mid 90's until moving up the street in 2011.
4114 - Totally Wicked USA used to be The Dog House Restaurant in the mid-to-late 60's. It then became Cannon Music Co. from the early 70's to the early-to-mid 80's, when it was replaced by Classic Mattress.  Later in the 80's, it was Afabar Oriental Rugs (closed in early 1988) and then GTE Cellular Communications until the early 90's. It has also been Floor Depot (most of the rest of the 90's), E-Z Check Cashing, C'est Cheese and Print & Ink.  Photo: Classic Mattress can be seen through the fog on S. Tamiami Tr. in December 1984, along with Walt's Fish Market, All Night Chevron and Steak and Ale.. 

4121 - Torn down by the mid 90's, this used to be H & H Hobby Sales from the late 70's to early 90's,
It had earlier been Pyrofax Bottled Gas Corp. from the late 50's to the early 70's, Discount Tire Center (see above) in the early-to-mid 70's and Quality Service Appliance Repair in the mid 70's.
4123 - Now used for parking, this used to be a Pay-Less Service Station (see photo) from the early 70's until the mid 80's before being torn down in 1986.  Earlier, it was an Empire Service Station from about 1957 to 1962 and a Kayo Service Station from 1963 to the early 70's.
4130 - T-Mobile operates in an area once occupied by the All Night Chevron station (see photo) in the 80's and a Standard station in the 60's and 70's.
4131 - Chili's Restaurant was built in 1986 at the location that used to be the Trail-Vu Motel from the mid 50's to 1984.

4141(10) - Breakfast at Victoria's (scheduled to open in September 2021) in Chili's Plaza used to be Siam Orchard Thai Restaurant from 1988 to 2020 and Honeycomb Cafe from 2020 to 2021. in Chili's Plaza It was originally Stewardo's Italian Cuisine in 1987.
4144 - Walt's Fish Market (since 1977) used to be a Burger Chef restaurant from August 1967 to 1974. In between it was Wilcox House of Music. Photos: Burger Chef can be seen in 1967 and Walt's Fish Market in 1989 next to the sign for the above-mentioned Chevron station.

4156 - The former Sturdy Built Trailer Parts (from about 2012 to 2020) used to be GTE Mobilnet from about 1992 to 2000, when it became Alltel Communications until about 2010.

4160 - After a brief time as Bill Yoes Meat Block, this used to be Karl Ehmers Quality Meats from 1975 to about 1989, when it moved to 4520 S. Tamiami Tr. and within a year or so would become Alpine Steakhouse with Karl Ehmers Quality Meats. This address later became part of GTE Mobilnet next door before the street number was no longer used within the small strip plaza in which it is located.      

4162 - Originally numbered as 4212, this used to be Pat's TV Sales and Service from 1958 to 1968, when it became Wholesale Electronics until 1973. From 1973 to 2010, it was a finance office under various names (Local Finance of Florida, General Finance, Credit Thrift and American General Finance).
4164 - Originally numbered as 4214, this started as Lorraine's Beauty Salon in 1958, becoming House of Beauty in 1959 and Kay's Beauty Salon from 1962 to 1973.  In 1974, it was rebuilt into a Radio Shack store and renumbered to 4180 (see below).
4180 - Sarasota Watch Company used to be a Radio Shack store from October 1974 to about 1988.  It then became NRS Atlas Realty into the 90's.
4200 - Mattress One (at 4238 S. Tamiami) occupies the area that was the home of the Fashion Door store from 1978 until the early-to-mid 90's and then became The Christmas Shoppee.  In the early-to-late 70's, it was Mort's Sportsman Cove and later Castro Convertibles. Even prior to that, a Sunoco station was here from about 1955 to 1970.  Below: The Fashion Door in 1978.

4201 - Stop and Shop convenience store (since the mid-to-late 00's) used to be Woodpecker's Cash and Carry Co. building supplies store (see below) from 1959 to 1960.  It then became a Handy Dandy convenience store in 1960 until converting to Li'l General Stores after a 1963 merger. It would later switch to a Circle K store by 1985 for about the next twenty years.

4205 - Army Navy Surplus used to be Leonard's Bakery and Catering from about 1969 to 1986, when it became LaGrotte Catering. It later became Workroom of Interior Design in the early 90's. Before Leonard's in the 60's, it was Mill Terrace Bakery.
4209 - Fogt's Music (since about 1993) used to be Décor Lamp & Shade (later Décor Lighting by the early 70's) from 1965 to 1993. It was earlier a Chicken Delight Restaurant from 1962 to 1963.
4215- The former America's Mattress used to be Ball & Shoe Sports Center from 1972 to the mid 90's and was then located in the same plaza under different addresses until the early-to-mid 2010's.
4221 -Dulcefina Chocolates is listed at the address that used to be Kue & Karom Billiards from 1963 to 1969, when it changed to 4223 So.Tamiami Tr.. Indian Gift Shop moved to this address from 3933 So. Tamiami Tr. in May 1969 until about 1977.
4225 - Jewelry Design Center (since about the late 90's) used to be Ron Evans Pool & Patio from April 1975 until the early-to-mid 80's, when it became Pool & Patio Showcase until the late 90s.
4227 - Dinettes Unlimited (opened in September 1976 as Mr. Dinette until changing to Dinettes Unlimited in July 1977) used to be The Furniture Warehouse from 1973 to 1976.
4231 - Ace Hardware used to be a Masters Catalog Showroom from the early 70's to about 1984, then Midtown Hardware's Home Basics from the mid 80's to early 00's.
4242 -Omelette And Co. restaurant (since 2019) used to be a Pizza Hut from about 2006 to 2014.
4250 - A small plaza now occupies the area where a Tastee-Freez ice cream stand stood for nearly 25 years from November 1958 until about 1983 after moving from 1838 South Tamiami Trail. Below: Tastee-Freez in the 1960's.

4256 - This started as Minute Maid Food Store by 1987.  It then became Caffe Classico (served coffee and sandwiches, but most remembered for their gelato) from about 1990 to 1998 and later South Street Steaks and Bahama John's Rib Shack in the early-to-mid 00's before being torn down.
4260 - This used to be Sigmund (later 9 to 5) Business Machines by 1984 to about 1989 and then Skate Port from about 1992 to 1999.  Before being torn down, it was McCue & Associates in the early-to-mid 00's.
4321 - Starbucks and Mattress Firm (earlier Mattress Giant and both since 2004) used to be the location of Sarasota Cloth & Fabric from the mid-to-late 60's to about the late 90's.  Earlier, it was Olde Glass & Lamp Co. from the mid 50's to early 60's and Kustrum House furniture repair from the early-to-mid 60's.
4333 - King James men's fashions (since 1993 after moving from Snelling Plaza) used to be BeMent's Chicken Restaurant (later known as BeMent's Country Boy) known for their broasted chicken from late 1959 until 1983. It had previously been Harbor Oaks Restaurant (opened in December 1955) and Golden Chicken (opened in November 1958). In between BeMents and King James, it was Frankie C's (opened in late 1984) and Hooter restaurants as well as Greatland Gold & Diamond (opened in October 1988) and Bodywrap Int.. Below:
BeMent's Chicken from a 1960's postcard and later in 1978 as BeMent's Country Boy Restaurant.



4407 - Giggles (since late 1997) used to be Katy's Kloset dress shop from about 1975 to 1988.  In between, it was Mimi's Petite Boutique from about 1988 to 1997.  Also at this address was Durfee's TV from late 1972 until about 1988.
4410 - Demetrio's Restaurant & Pizza opened in early 1975 and is still here after over 45 years. Below: Demetrio's in 1975.


4413 - Stiks Asian Restaurant (since late 2021), previously known as Taste of Asia Restaurant (2013 to 2021) used to be a Wendy's restaurant from 1976 to the late 90's, followed by Shang Hai Express from the late 90's to about 2007.
4420 - Shelly's Gifts and Christmas Boutique (since 2016) occupies the property which held both a Blimpie sandwich shop and Rita's Italian Ice store from 1999 to about 2006, although the Blimpie and faded Rita's signs still stood for several years after the building was torn down (see below).  Among the other businesses at this location was a Gulf service station (Walker's Gulf until 1977) from December 1960 to about 1980 and Allied Tires from about 1982 to 1989. Below 1: A Blimpie/Rita's Ad from the store opening in July 1999, the store in 2007 after it had closed, and the sign out front that stood until 2015, several years after the building had been torn down. Below 2: Walker's Gulf in December 1960.


4429 - Treasure Cove for The Very Thing used to be Knutsen's Pottery & Gifts from about 1954 to 1969 and then Kovach's Pottery & Gifts until 1972. It then became The Very Thing pottery from 1972 to early 1992 and The Statue Place from early 1992 to about the late 00's.
4440 - From early 1955 until about late 1967, this used to be the Big Mug open-air root beer stand.  It was torn down shortly after closing. Below: 1955 ad and 1961 photo of Big Mug..

4441 - Sarasota Luxe used to be Mel's Furniture from about 1959 until becoming Casual Furniture in the early 80's to the mid 80's. From there, it became Bob's Carpet Mart from the mid 80's to early 00's, Piano Distributors from April 2001 until about the late 00's and Interior Consignments. Builders Model Home Furniture moved into a least part of the building in 2018.
4450 - Marlin's Raw Superfood For Pets (since 2017) used to be the Hong Kong Kitchen restaurant from 1972 until the early 90's.  After Hong Kong Kitchen, it was Sarasota Medical Center from 1994 to 2017 before moving to Bee Ridge Rd. 

4500 - Florida Surgical Supply (since the mid-00's) was built as a Maryland Fried Chicken restaurant (1969 to 1973), somehow turning into Tamiami Adult Books (mid 70's) but is most known for its time as the popular Camel's Den restaurant (1978 to 1993).   Other restaurants here included Villa Capri (1994 to about 1999), International House of Curries (2000 to about 2003) and Yanni's Greek Taverna (2003-mid 00's). Below: Camel's Den Restaurant in 1982 and 1978 and the same building as Florida Surgical Supply about 30 years later.


                                                                  

4501 - The former Builders Model Home Furniture (mid 90's until moving to 4441 S. Tamiami Tr. in 2018) used to be Buchman Motors from 1965 until March 1973 when it became Bob Barkley Toyota until moving up the road in 1983.  It then became Sarasota Chrysler Plymouth and later Southpointe Mazda in the mid-to-late 80's.
4520 - Alpine Steakhouse (since early 90's) used to be the China Inn restaurant (March 1971 to 1978) and Rose Garden restaurant (1978 to 1985). Earlier, it was Topper's Steak House (March 1968 to 1969) and Trail Hickory Bar-B-Q (1969-1970).  In the mid-to-late 80's, Capone's Pizza and Crab Company restaurant were here.  Photo 1: China Inn in 1972. The Enco station on the left is Al Fige's Servicenter.  Photo 2: Signs for China Inn, Maryland Fried Chicken and Hong Kong Kitchen can be seen in 1972.  Photo credit: Manatee Library Digital Collection.

4586 - Pamaro Shop Furniture (since the mid 90's) used to be Seating Gallery Furniture from about 1986 to 1990.  In the early to mid 90's, it was Paradise Cable and Wings Surf & Sport clothing.
4601 - Honeybaked Ham has operated at this location since about 1986. Photo: Honeybaked Ham sign from 1988.

4602- This used to be an Enco Service Station (Exxon after 1972) under several names that was built in 1967 and operated until 1985. It was torn down shortly after and the now Pamaro Shop was built at this location.

4608 - The former G. Fried Flooring (1973 to 2018 before moving to 5990 S. Tamiami Tr.) used to be the location of the Chiropractic Health Center from the late 50's through the 60's. It was also Portrait Pools in the early 70's before being rebuilt.
4613 - Torn down in 2015, this used to be Wilson's Texaco (later Wilson's Spur by 1968) from 1952 to about the late 80's). The building was restored with Texaco pumps as Studio 41 gallery in the late 90's. 

Below:
Although it had closed by the time this photo was taken in the mid-90's, Wilson's Spur Service Station (formerly Texaco) and its gas pumps were still standing at 4613 S. Tamami Trail before being restored a few years later.


4625 - Posh Plum Furniture Consignment used to be the location of The Spinning Wheel Inn Restaurant from 1952 to 1959.  Also there during that time was a gift shop (South Wheel Shop).   It became Reliable Refinishing in the early 60's.
4650 - Ashley HomeStore (since 2015) used to be Haverty's Furniture from late 1969 to early 2001 before moving up the street. In between, it was DeSears Appliances from 2002 to 2009, then reopened from 2011 to 2014. Below: Haverty's Furniture at its prior location at 4650 S. Tamiami Tr.

Below: Signs of many businesses establishments stand along S. Tamiami Tr. in the below S-HT photo from early 1985 including Haverty's Furniture, G, Fried Flooring, Bill's Exxon, Rose Garden Restaurant, Camel's Den Restaurant, Hong Kong Kitchen, Allied Tires, Demetrio's Restaurant and All Night Chevron.

4675 - Sarasota Classified/Teachers' Association (SCTA) used to be The Bedspread and Drapery Shop from 1973 to the early 90's.  In between, it was Child Berth children's furniture store from the early-to-mid 90's.  At right: The Bedspread and Drapery Shop in the mid 80's.
4708 - West Marine (since 2010) used to be a Circuit City electronics store from  1992 to 2010. Photo: Circuit City shortly before closing in 2010.



4730 - This building that now houses multiple stores including Subway (since 2011), Nutrishop (formerly Zoom Tan), Great Clips (since about 2011), and the former Tuesday Morning (2016 to 2023) used to be a Bookstop bookstore from 1992 to 1996.  It then became split between a Blockbuster Video store (1997 to 2010). and Pier One Imports (1997 to 2015 and replaced by Tuesday Morning). Photos: Bookstop in 1993 and 1996.

4831 - A Mr. Steak Restaurant was here from 1969 to 1974 (see photos from 1970), followed by Uppy's Family Restaurant for about a couple of years starting in late 1974. The Manatee Public Library Digital Collection website also has a great photo of the restaurant as Mr. Steak.

4832 - The Breakfast Company Restaurant (since February 2023) in The Landings Shopping Center used to be Peach's Restaurant from December 2006 to April 2015. It then became Station 400 Restaurant (August 2017 to March 2021) and The Lily Cafe (opened in June 2021). This started out as a Cellular One phone store in 1988 and then became a GNC store in 1996 and The Dollar Store by 2003.

4840 - Publix Supermarket (since early 2009) in The Landings Shopping Center used to be an Albertsons Market from July 1988 to September 2008. Publix closed in November 2021 and reopened in March 2023 following a total rebuild as the original building was torn down.  Photo: Albertsons (now Publix) at The Landings Shopping Center.

4850 - Noire Nails Bar used to be a Radio Shack store in the Landings Plaza from about 1989 to early 2015. Below: Radio Shack closing sale at The Landings Shopping Center in February 2015.

4854 - The former Pho Saigon Restaurant (opened in 2015) in The Landings Shopping Center used to be Chicken Club Restaurant from 1992 to 1995, when it became Polo Club.  From early 1997 into the early-to-mid 00's, it was Better Bagels and then Sushi Raw Bar by the mid 00's. It would later become Kirei Sora Japanese Restaurant and Mayta's Peruvian Restaurant (opened in 2012).
4862 - The former Big Olaf Landings ice cream shop (opened in December 2020) in The Landings Shopping Center started as an I Can't Believe It's Yogurt shop in about 1988 and later became Yogurt Oasis by 1992. This was actually the second Big Olaf at this location as the first opened here 26 years prior in September 1994. It then became a Subway Restaurant from 1996 until moving to a new location close by at 4730 S. Tamiami Tr. in 2011. From there it was The Rice House (opened in 2012), Frozone Frozen Yogurt Bar (opened in 2014) and OfKors donuts (opened in 2018).

4870 - Tripletail Seafood & Pub (since February 2021) in The Landings Shopping Center used to be Gecko's Grill & Pub from 1992 until moving up the street to 6606 S. Tamiami Tr, in 2017. It started as Cafe Upton in 1987 and then became Rotundi's Pizza in 1989 and Capri Italian Ristoraunt Pizzeria by early 1991.

4871 - Sherwin-Williams Paints (since 1978) used to be Badcock Furniture and appliances from 1969 to the mid 70's. In between, it was H & H Hobby Sales.

4900 - Olive Garden Italian Restaurant has operated at this location in front of The Landings Shopping Center since being built in 1988 (opened late that year).
4934 - Jo-Ann Fabrics (since 1997) in The Landings Shopping Center used to be a Discovery Zone (DZ) children's play center from late 1993 to late 1996.  Earlier it was Cloth World from 1988 to 1993.
4940 - EoS Fitness (since 2021) in The Landings Shopping Center used to be a Lechmere electronics and appliance store (1987 to 1989).  It then became an Office Depot (1990 to 2015).  Photo: Lechmere just before closing its Florida stores including this one at the Landings in 1989.

4942 - Now divided into six separate businesses, the former PetSmart (from about 1992 until moving up the street to 6591 S. Tamiami Tr. in October 2018) used to be Standard Brands for a short time beginning in July 1991.
4944 - Origin Craft Beer and Pizza Cafe (since late 2022) and the former Kruk's Philly Steaks Restaurant (opened in January 2019), Anthony's Italian Deli & Eatery (opened in August 2020) and Sophia's Tuscan Cafe (opened in December 2021) in The Landings Shopping Center used to be a Cheeburger Cheeburger Restaurant from 2005 to late 2013. Before that, it had been Uptech Computer from about 1993 to 2004 before moving to a new location.

4949 - BP Service Station at the Philippi St. intersection used to be Lester's Amoco from September 1957 until 1977.  It continued as an Amoco station under various names until being converted to BP in the early-to-mid 00's.  Photo:  Lester's Amoco at the time of its grand opening in September 1957.

4994 - The former Sweet Tomatoes restaurant (July 1996 to May 2020) used to be a Casa Lupita restaurant that opened in 1985 and became Casa Amigos in September 1990 until December 1993.  The grand opening ad for Casa Amigos mentioned that this was a name change and also the celebrated the 5th anniversary of the restaurant.  The building was torn down in April 2024 to make way for new development.  Photo: Sweet Tomatoes from about 1997.

5005 - Sunset Porsche and Volkswagen used to be Stinnett Pontiac from the late 60's until changing to Suncoast Pontiac in 1997.  Detroiter Motel was previously at this location from about the mid 50's to late 60's.
5170 - Rooms To Go (since 2011) used to be Darby Buick from April 1966 to 2006 after moving from 2199 Ringling Blvd.
5211 - Grind Fit (since 2015) used to be Hot Flash Fashions (earlier Richie Pants) from the early-to-mid 80's to the early 90's before moving to the Landings Plaza. Earlier, this was Mattress King in the early 80's and was later Signs Now in the 90's, Contemporary Furniture in the 00's and Asanka Cars in the early-to-mid 2010's.
5225 - Hertz Rent-A-Car (since the early 2010's) used to be a Midas Muffler Shop from the early-to-mid 80's until the early 00's after being Cars Muffler Shops beginning in the late 70's. In between Midas and Hertz, it was Drapes and Shutters, Decorating Resources and Appliance Electronics. Before being rebuilt, Big Top Esso/Enco service station was at this location from 1960 to 1970 and then River Forest Enco/Exxon from 1970 to 1975.
5251 - Leather Gallery and Bedding Center (since 2014) used to be a Radio Shack Computer Center from 1982 to the early 90's. Ethan Allen Design Center was also here from 2008 to early 2014.
5252 - The current Furniture Warehouse used to be Kane's Furniture (Kalin's since 2013) from February 1968 to 2016.  Before being torn down to build the furniture store, Hollyhurst Court and Apartments was at this location from 1948 to 1956.  It then became Hollyhurst Motel from 1956 to 1966. Below: Kane's Furniture in 1968.

5252(A) - This used to be Capriccio's Eurosalon & Day Spa in Kane's Too Plaza from 1983 all the way until about 2014, when it moved to 2344 Bee Ridge Rd. as Capriccio's Hair and Wig Salon.
5252(D) - This used to be Incredibles restaurant in Kane's Too Plaza from about 1982 to 1986.  It was then Alexander's Marketplace and Restaurant from 1987 to 1996, when it became Café Spazzo. It was later Nellie's Deli (opened in 1999) and Sandspur Grill in the early-to-mid 00's (opened in early 2002). Photo: Incredibles Restaurant in Kane's Plaza from 1983. 

5260 - Located next to Kane's Furniture, this started as Aquarius Yacht Sales from 1970 to 1971. It then became Al Curry Boats from 1972 to 1979. Also here during this time was Ships Store and then Carol's Carousel (of Unique Hanging Plants).  Later here in the early 80's was Sailboat Distributor.
5353 - Phillippi Creek Oyster Bar has operated here since about 1982.

5365 - The Table Creekside Restaurant used to be Abbey Marine & Oyster Bar (see photo from 1982) in the 80''s and first part of the 90's. Earlier in the 70's, it was Stein & Vine and then Weigh-Inn Restaurants before becoming Abbey Marine midway through the decade.

5750 - The former Say it with Stiches used to be Pompano Grill from late 1951 to about 1973. It then became Matt & Ruby's Tavern and later Y-Knot Bar & Grill until Toma's Water Conditioning moved in around 1979..
5778 - Joe-Lin Lampshades (since 1987) used to be Horner's Corner Sundries, which opened in January 1952.  By August 1952, it had become Barton's Corner Sundries (see below) and then Swede's Sundries from 1955 to the mid 60's. It was later Lo-Rene's Fabrics (mid 60's), Ellen Swope School Of Dancing (late 60's), Scandia Construction (early 70's), Brownies Pool Clinic (early 70's to early-to-mid 80's) and Echo clothing (mid 80's).

5808 - Shell Service Station (since 2017) used to be an Atlantic Service Station (South Trail Atlantic) starting about 1963 until being converted to Arco in the early 70's. It then became a Mobil station from about 1972 to 1978. By 1980, it had become Pursley Turf and continued until about 1996. Since then, it has been a Hess station, Texaco, Sunoco (2007 to 2017) and Shell. Also at this location was Rose's Cleaners from about the mid 90's to early 2010's. It then became a Little Caesar's Pizza until changing to Domino's Pizza in 2017.
5820 - This used to be Park Lane Motel from 1952 until about 1984 before being torn down.

5900 - Now the site of a plaza (opened in 1986 as DeSears Plaza), this used to be the site of the Star Lite Restaurant from 1954 to the late 70's. It was also known as Uncle Otey's Star Lite Pancake & Steak House after the pancake house was opened in 1962.  The restaurant was accompanied by a service station (Phillips 66, then Esso-Enco) until the early 70's, when it became Flowers by Otey.

5990 - Now the address of G. Fried Flooring, this used to be Floradell Court (changed to Floridal Motel after 1957) from 1949 to 1965. It then became Gulf Gate Motel from 1965 until about 1986 before being torn down.

6018 - Economy Tackle has been here (address was 6024 So. Tamiami until 1962) for almost 75 years going all the way back to November 1949! It was originally known as Economy Fishing Tackle Co. Photo credit: Economy Tackle.

6024 - Now a four-unit retail building, this used to be Chick-n-Treat Restaurant from 1965 until 1967 and then was Pizza Shanty in 1968 and 1969.  In the 70's, this was a real estate office before becoming The Video Connection in the early 80's (opened in 1980). It then became The Wallpaper Store and later Stereorama from 1988 and through the 90's.

6050 - A to Z Autos was built in 1955 as Carlisle Service Station.  After a few changes, it became Royal Tire from 1964 to 1969 and South Trail Tire from 1969 to about the mid 90's.  It would then become Don Olson Tire and later was a GCR Tire Center.  Photo: South Trail Tire sold Phillips 66 gasoline here in the early 70's.  Smith Auto Sales and Economy Tackle (still there today) can be seen in the background.
6104 - Mobil and On the Move used to be a 7-Eleven from 1987 to 2014.  Previously at this location among other businesses was Alice's Beauty Salon from about 1950 to 1977. Below: Location of Alice's Beauty Salon in 1972.

6112 - The former Oaks B-B-Q restaurant (1989 to March 2019) was occupied by many different businesses from 1973 to 1989 including Mitchell Black Top Co, Madam Christine Palm Reading, El Conquistador Health Club, Accent Music and Pleasure Pub. Since the closure of Oaks B-B-Q, it has been Smoqehouse-SRQ (February 2020 to December 2021) and Siesta Pops (since December 2022).
6115 - Before being torn down and rebuilt into a small strip mall, this used to be a Pizza Hut from about late 1971 to the early-to-mid 00's.  It was also Wireless Giant in the mid 00's.
Photo: Wireless Giant (used to be a Pizza Hut) can be seen from the 7-Eleven across the street in 2006.


6123 - The former Subway (mid 00's to 2016) and now Direct Auto & Life Insurance used to be a Mister Donut (May 1972 to about 1993) and Dunkin' Donuts (1993 to 2002).  Below: Dunkin' Donuts and Baskin Robbins in 2002.

6125 - Pho 101 (since 2015) used to be a Lums Restaurant (from 1971 to about 1984) and Mrs. Chens Chinese restaurant (1993 to 2015). In between, the names included Baxter's, Abshires, Café Seville, Gorgio's and Spiro's. Below: Subway and Mrs. Chen's Restaurants in 2013 and Direct Auto & Life and Pho 101 Restaurant at the same location in 2018.

6131 - The former New Dynasty Chinese Restaurant (1998 to 2022) used to be a Ponderosa restaurant from March 1976 until about 1997.
6206 - This used to be Staedke Court from about 1950 to 1960 and Harlan Homes from 1960 to 1962.
6212 - Marathon (since 2002) used to the location of a Bay Service Station and Poor Ole Mac mini market from 1970 until becoming Starvin Marvin from 1980 to about the mid 90's.  Also at this location used to be Lynne Motel from about 1950 all the way through the 90's.
6240 - The current Grillsmith (since 2019) and former Square 1 Burgers (2015 to 2017) used to be the Li'l Villa Italian American restaurant from about 1971 to 1987.  Prior to that, it was Jerry's Tavern and Restaurant from 1948 until 1962, when it became Trail Steak House for a few months.  In early 1963, it again became Jerry's Tavern and Restaurant until about early 1971.  It was later Mario's Restaurant in the late 80's and 90's, J.B.’s,.Ref’s Sportsgrille and Sarah's.

6285 - Dunkin Donuts (since 2015) used to be a Burger King from about 1984 to late 2013. A service station owned by Tropic Oil had been here in the 1960's through the early 80's featuring brands such as Phillips 66 and Bay.  Also here during that time from about 1974 to the early 80's was a restaurant (Zip'z Ice Cream, Jim's Café and then Dutch Valley from March 1978 until moving to its current location at 6727 S. Tamiami Tr.).
6300 (1) - A's Giant Sandwiches has been in this location since about 1980. Courtney's Cleaners may have been here in the mid-to-late 70's.
6307 - Gordon Food Service (since 2014) was the location of Sound Advice from 1987 to 2008 (torn down in 2014).  Also here from June 1974 to late 1986 or early 1987 was Crown Liquors & Lounge (listed at 2020 Jo-Ann Drive). Below: Crown Liquors & Lounge in the 80's and Sound Advice in the 00's.


6320 - Torn down around 2010, this used to be the location of an Empire Service Station from 1963 to 1984.  Safelite Auto Glass was later here (mid 80's through the 90's) as well as Leather Gallery. Seen in the background of the below photo is Rattan Village Furniture.

6331 - SMH Urgent Care at Stickney Point (since 2011) used to be a Sambo's restaurant (1976 to late 1982) with a name change to Season's Friendly Eating until 1984.  Restaurants here between 1984 and the change to a health care facility included Village Inn (mid 80's to 1990), Farmer's Country Kitchen (1991 to mid 90's), Half Baked Café, Tropical Shores Café, Demetrio's, Fish Tales and Petrella Bros.
6338 - Built in 1972 as Rattan Village, this furniture store would be known as Florida Patio & Rattan during the first half of the 80's.  It then became TV & Appliance World in 1985 and Rex Appliances from the 1990 to 1999.  Before being torn down around 2010, it was Appliance Depot & More from the early-to-mid 00's and temporary quarters for Furniture Warehouse in 2007 and 2008.
6345 - Torn down in 2018, the former Florida Underwater Sports (moved up the street) used to be the location of a Cities Service/Citgo Service Station (primarily Upman's) from the mid 50's to the mid-to-late 70's, when it became Gulf Gate U-Save for most of the next ten years.  It was rebuilt into a Jiffy Lube in 1988 and then turned into a McDonald's PlayPlace by 1993 for the rest of the decade.  Later businesses here included Quality Glass and Blinds, and Sundance Spas.

6347 - McDonald's opened its second Sarasota location here in 1970 (13 years after the first location was built) and is still operating today, although it was rebuilt and reopened at the end of 2018. Photo: McDonald's and a Citgo station at 6345 S. Tamiami Tr.(later the location of a Jiffy Lube in the late 80's/early 90's, a McDonald's PlayPlace for the rest of the 90's and most recently Florida Underwater Sports until being torn down in 2018) can be seen from about the mid 70's.



6449 - Eager Beaver Car Wash (since 1977) used to be a used car lot (mainly Reynolds & Sons) from the late 60's to 1976.   Below: Early photo of Eager Beaver Car Wash sign when it sold Exxon gasoline:

6465 - This used to be Saprito Fruit Shippers from about 1954 to 1962.
6494 - This used to be a Shell Service Station (Stickney Point Shell, Colonial Shell and then South Key Shell) at the northeast corner of the So. Tamiami Tr. and Stickney Point Rd. intersection from about 1969 until shortly before being torn down in 2005 to make way for condo and retail development.  The lot was still vacant as of 2019. Below: South Key Shell as seen from the Walgreens parking lot across the street in 1997.

6499 - Torn down in early 1995 to make way for Walgreens, this used to be Marty's Service Station (Sinclair until converted to BP in the late 60's) at the northeast corner of So. Tamiami Tr. and Stickney Point Rd. from 1959 to about 1973, when it became Suncoast Oil of Sarasota and then Gulf Gate Fina.  From 1984 to 1995, it was Economy Auto Rental. Before the service station was built, Via's Bar was at this location from the mid 50's until moving next door to 2027 Stickney Point, where (as The Crazy Fox, earlier had changed name to Golden Anchor from 1986 to 1990) it would operate until the same time in 1995.  Even before Via's, Five O'Clock Restaurant operated at or near this location (exact address is unknown as it was before the 1953 street numbering) from 1945 to 1951.
6501 - The Sarasota Pavilion shopping plaza (formerly Gulf Gate Mall) location once housed the Siesta Drive-In Theater from late 1952 to 1960.
6501 - Gulf Gate Hardware (located at Gulf Gate Mall and later known as Gulf Gate Ace Hardware and Garden Center) operated from March 1963 to about 1985.

6501 - SunTrust Bank used to be Coast Federal Savings & Loan (originally as Sarasota Federal Savings & Loan until late 1972 and later Coast Bank) from March 1971 to about 1993.

6502 - Before being torn down to make way for a turn lane off of Stickney Point Road in the mid-to-late 90's, this was primarily the home of a Royal Castle restaurant (September 1960 to late 1973 or early 1974) and the original home of The Oaks B-B-Q restaurant from 1978 to 1989.  It then became Pronto's Open Pit B-B-Q by early 1990. Cross Roads Drive-In restaurant had previously been at this location from November 1949 to the late 50's. Also here for a short time beginning in August 1976 was El Toro Fine Mexican Food Restaurant.

6503 (10) - This used to be Terry Shulman's Discount Health and Beauty Aids store at the Gulf Gate Mall from 1987 to early 1995.  Previously, it had been a Walgreens Liquor Store from the mid 70's to 1987.
6503 (20) - This location at the Gulf Gate Mall next to Publix started as a Sarasota Federal Savings & Loan (see photo) from the mid 60's to early 70's, followed by Book Corner in the early 70's,  It then became Mrs. O'Leary's Lounge around 1973 or 1974 until the mid-to-late 80's.  From the late 80's until moving to a new location during the conversion to the Sarasota Pavilion in 2000, it was a Hooters Restaurant.

6503 (25) - This location at the Gulf Gate Mall started as a Walgreens Pharmacy from 1965 to 1994, followed by Books-A-Million from 1994 until moving to a new location during the conversion to the Sarasota Pavilion in 2000.  Below: Walgreens in 1965


6503 (30) - This used to be Midway Coin & Jewelry from about 1981 to 1988, when it became Photo World until 1996.
6503 (40) - This used to be Sir Camelot's Rag Shoppe from about 1969 to 1972 and then became The Sun Tree women's clothing shop (previously listed at unit 30 beginning in 1969 and would later morph into Swim City) until the early 80's, After that it was Phillips Jewelers from about 1982 to 1996.
6503 (48) - This used to be Mr. Freedom Boutique from 1972 to 1978.
6503 (50) - This used to be Sir Roberts Men's Shoppe (listed at unit 52) from about 1972 to 1978. It then became Country Squire Men's Apparel from 1978 to 1980 and Swim City from about 1982 to September 1996.
6503 (60) - This used to be DeSear's Appliances from late 1970 until the mid 80's, when it became The Portable Store for the rest of the decade.

6503 (62) - This used to be Jamaica Cove (women's clothing store) from 1970 until becoming Groninger's Dress Shop from about 1976 to 1981.
6503 (70) -This used to be Tiger Lily of Sarasota (women's clothing store) from the early 90's until 1996.
6503 (78, later 100) - This used to be Tape Town from 1970 to 1976. It then became Deannie's (women's clothing store) from about 1976 to 1987. Deannie's then operated at unit 445 until April 1997.
6503 (100) - This used to be TGI Friday's Restaurant from late 1988 until February 1997.

6503 (134, later 405) - This used to be The Alphabet Shop (cards and gifts from A-to-Z) from 1968 to about 1987 (was in unit 360 after that). Previously, it had been The Shanty gift shop.
6503 (142) - This used to be Village Cobbler Shoe Store from about 1972 to 1977. It later became Carpet Warehouse in 1979.  From 1965 to 1971, it was Leeds Shoe Store, Goody Shoes and Gulf Gate Shoe Store. Below: Village Cobbler at Gulf Gate Mall

6503 (160) - This used to be Piccadilly Station in the early 80's and then became J.J.'s Café from about 1983 to 1987.
6503 (170) - This used to be The Baby Shack and then a Curtis Mathes Home Entertainment store in the early 80's before becoming a Hit Or Miss clothing store from about 1983 to 1995.
6503 (180) - After being Decorative Home Fashions in the late 70's and Bedspread & Bath Shop in the early 80's, this was Book Outlet from about 1984 to 1993.
6503 (190) - This used to be a Linens-n-Things store from about 1987 to 1995.
6503 (200) - Gulf Gate Cinema 1 & 2 opened in June 1971 and operated until the Gulf Gate Cinema 8 theatre was built after a renovation to the mall in 1987.  The cinema closed in November 1997.
6503 (250) - This used to be Artigas Antiques in the late 70's and early 80's. It then became Toy King from about 1982 to 1989. It was later All-For-One discount store from about 1992 until 1996.
6503 (260) - This used to be Boston Bean-N-Tea from about 1988 until 1996.
6503 (270) - This used to be Creative Hair Design from about 1988 until 1997.
6503 (275) - This used to be Pretzels On Parade from about 1988 until 1996.
6503 (280) - This used to be Your Arts Desire Gallery and Framing from about 1988 until 1996.
6503 (290) - This used to be BeXil Fashions from about 1987 to 1994 and was then Traditional Brides in 1995.
6503 (310) - This used to be Spec's Music at Gulf Gate Mall from 1987 to 1996.
6503 (315) - This used to be Café Natural from about 1987 until 1996.
6503 (320) - This used to be J.J.'s Café (previously in unit 160) in 1987 and then became Wings-N-Weenies Restaurant from 1989 until early 1997.
6503 (325) - This used to be Dream Machine arcade from about 1987 to 1996.
6503 (330) - This used to be Mr. Vic's New York Pizza restaurant from about 1989 until early 1997.
6503 (340) - This used to be Trifles Florist from about 1987 to 1993. It then became Nails Plus until March 1997.

6503 (345) - Located next to Marshall's in unit 350, this used to be Daisy's For Dancers (previously in unit 420) from about 1987 into the early 90's. Unit 345 then became Shirt Locker, while Daisy's For Dancers was listed at unit 355.
6503 (360) - This used to be The Alphabet Shop from about 1987 to 1996 (previously at unit 405).
6503 (370) - This used to be Pet Place from about 1987 to 1990.
6503 (380) - Baskin Robbins Ice Cream operated at Gulf Gate Mall from late 1971 until 1997. It started at unit 10, then to unit 88 by 1976 and unit 380 by 1987.
6503 (390) - This used to be Cinderella Bootery from about 1987 to 1994.
6503 (395) - This used to be TJ Bailey's for Men from about 1988 to 1993 and then became Murphy's until 1996.
6503 (400) - This used to be Two Plus Two fashion accessories from about 1987 to 1994.
6503 (405) - This used to be Big & Tall Fashions from about 1978 to 1982, when it became The Alphabet Shop until 1987. After remodeling of the mall, Alphabet Shop was at unit 360 and this became Athlete's Foot from about 1988 to the early 90's and then Famous Footwear and Factory Brand Shoes until 1997.
6503 (410) - This used to be Kenney Music Center from about 1979 to 1982. It then became Fashion Warehouse from about 1982 to 1986 and Florine's Clothing from about 1986 to 1994 (also listed at unit 465).
6503 (410a) - This used to be Nutcracker Sweet from about 1989 until 1996.
6503 (415) - Opus Fashions was here at the Gulf Gate Mall from about 1988 until 1996 after moving from Midtown Plaza.

6503 (420, later 148) - This used to be Bernard Wig Salon from 1968 to about 1978. It had previously been Paul's TV.
6503 (420) - This used to be The Gold Shack from about 1978 to 1981.  It later became Daisy's For Dancers in the mid 80's (moved to unit 345) and then Pier One Imports from about 1987 until closing in 1997.
6503 (425) - This used to be Secrets boutique from 1988 to 1994, when it became Katz Kasuals until 1996.
6503 (430, later 154) - This used to be Burke's Shoe Repair from 1965 until changing to D & R Shoe Repair from 1972 to about 1975. It then became Ebb Tide Shell Shop from about 1976 to 1980.
6503 (435) - This used to be Sacino's Formal Wear from about 1988 until 1997.
6503 (440, later 158) - This used to be Mall Bakery from late 1965 to about 1980.
6503 (445) - This used to be Deannie's women's clothing store from about 1987 (previously at unit 100) until April 1997.
6503 (450, later 490) - Gulf Gate Mall Barber Shop was here from December 1965 all the way until 1996.
6503 (460) - This used to be Gulf Gate Beauty Salon from 1966 until changing to Gulf Gate Hair Center from about 1977 to 1985.
6503 (470) - This used to be Gulf Gate Cleaners & Laundry (sometimes called Tropical Cleaners & Laundry) from 1966 to about 1984. It later became Big & Tall Fashions in the late 80's and The Bridal Answer in the early 90's.
6503 (500) - This used to be Gulf Gate Pizzeria and Restaurant from about 1980 to 1987. It then became Sophisticuts beauty salon until about 1993.
6505 - This used to be a Publix Supermarket at Gulf Gate Mall from July 1962 to the start of the year 2000 when it moved to a brand-new location across the lot during the conversion to Sarasota Pavilion.
6508 - Splash Sun & Fun used to be a Gateway Country computer store from 1999 to 2004.  A service station was in this area in the 60's and early 70's followed by Milex Precision Auto Tune-Up and Interstate Transmissions (late 70's to mid 90's).
6522 - Before Sea Oats Plaza was built in the early 80's, Johnny Nicholas Restaurant was here from October 1958 to May 1974.  Before that, it was the Patio Restaurant. Photo 1: Johnny Nicholas Restaurant was offering an Apollo Roast with Moondels during the Apollo 11 "man on the moon" mission in July 1969. Photo 2: Johnny Nicholas Restaurant exterior and sign.  Credit: If you grew up in Sarasota, FL--then you remember.

6535 (was 6503 unit 150) - The former Stein Mart department store (August 1994 until October 2020) used to be a Belk Lindsey department store from January 1968 to May 1994. This building remained in its same location (with renovations) during the conversion of the Gulf Gate Mall to the Sarasota Pavilion in the late 90's. Below: Belk-Lindsey outside the mall in the early-to-mid 70's and inside around 1980.

6555 - Beall's Outlet (since February 2014) at Sarasota Pavilion used to be an Old Navy clothing store from early 2000 until 2012.
6561 (was 6503 unit 350) - Marshall's Department Store has been located at Sarasota Pavilion (formerly Gulf Gate Mall) since about 1983.  Previously here was Holiday Department Store from 1966 to 1982.

6567 - Bed Bath and Beyond operated here at Sarasota Pavilion from 1999 until July 2023 as the company closed all of its stores.
6569 - This has been a Ross Dress For Less at Sarasota Pavilion store since about 2000.

6571 - Five Below (since June 2015) at Sarasota Pavilion used to be both Lane Bryant and Catherine's clothing stores.

6591 - PetSmart (opened in October 2018) at Sarasota Pavilion used to be Books-A-Million from September 2000 to December 2017.
6600 - Best Western Plus Hotel used to be a Days Inn from about the mid 80's to late 90's when it became a Holiday Inn Express.

6606 - Gecko's Grill & Pub (since 2017) used to be a Denny's Restaurant (built on the old Siesta Villa Motel site) from the mid 80's to the mid 90's. It later became Water Grill, TP Hans, Friendly's Restaurant (2003 to 2005), Big Al's, Legacy, Bogey's and Harry's Sports Bar & Grill (2013 to 2017).
6700 - Ruth's Chris Steakhouse (since 2000) was the location of the Windjammer/Davey Jones Locker restaurant from June 1969 to 1987 and Cook's restaurant before that from 1967 to 1969.  In 1988, it was Windjammer Indoor Flea Market and from 1989 to the late 90's, it was a car dealership (Mazda of Sarasota). Photo: 1. Cook's and Windjammer Restaurants, both at 6700 S, Tamiami Trail. 2. Another view of Windjammer Restaurant (from about 1971).


6721 (was 6727 until about the mid 00's) - Dutch Valley restaurant (in this location since about 1982 after moving from 6285 S. Tamiami Tr.) used to be a Ranch House restaurant (opened in late 1970 or early 1971 and operated until the early 80's).  Below: Ranch House Restaurant (now Dutch Valley).

6727 (was 6731 until 1977) - The Mellow Mushroom Restaurant (since 2018) location is where a Jerry Lewis Cinema opened in July 1972 (see below), becoming the South Trail Cinema in 1973 until 1993 (and making the national news in 1991!).  Kenny Rogers Roasters Restaurant was then built here in 1994, but would soon close and become Manhattan Bar & Grill by 1996 for close to 15 years.  After that, it was Beckham's Bar & Grill.   Below: Jerry Lewis Cinema shortly before opening in July 1972. 

Below: Students line up for a special showing at South Trail Cinema in January 1977. Ranch House Restaurant (now Dutch Valley) can be seen in the background. Credit: S H-T

6728 - Dan's Fan City (since 1989) used to be Chappie's Carpet and Floors from December 1965 to about 1987.  Prior to that, it was Paul's Garden Store.

6747 - Fin & Tonic Restaurant (since October 2023) used to be Red Lobster Restaurant, which opened in December 1970 and operated here for over a half-century until closing in January 2022.  Below: Red Lobster in December 1970.

6828 - AutoNation Collision Center (since 2016) used to be Urfer Volkswagen from 1969 until being sold and becoming Gulf Gate Imports in 1976.  It then became Gulf Gate Motors by 1981, Glauser Mercedes Benz by 1985 and Mercedes Benz of Sarasota in 2004 until about the late 00's. This had previously been the location of Sail Inn Motel from 1953 to about 1967 before being torn down. Photo: Glauser Mercedes Benz from 1989.

6914 - RV One Superstores (since late 2018) used to be the House of Chong Restaurant (September 1977 to 1993 after moving from 2 N. Tuttle Ave.) and then Homestyle Harmony (November 1994 to late 1997 or early 1998) complete with singing waiters and waitresses. Prior to House of Chong, this was the location of Blue Skies Trailer Park from about 1956 to 1976.  Photo: House of Chong.

6969 - The former Tammie's Patio (2014 to 2018, but products still available at 2160 Whitfield Ave.) used to be Arthur Treacher's Fish & Chips (May 1977 to 1981). It was also La Margurita mexican restaurant (opened in 1982), Leo's Steak and Seafood, Perfectly Frank (mid-to-late 80's, and hot dogs were on the menu, of course), Suncoast Citrus (late 80's to early 00's) and 6969 Design Guild and Underground Auto Styling.  Photo: The heir apparent to Arthur Treacher's Fish & Chips at 6969 S. Tamiami Tr. was La Magurita, seen here in 1983.

7010 - Budget and Avis Car Rentals used to be Astro Car Wash from the late 70's to early 80's.  It then became Rainbow Car Wash from the early-to-mid 80's until the early 90's.  It later became Golden Chamois Car Wash in 1991 and Second Chance Auto Sales in 1995.

7048 - Ed Howard Mazda used to be Germain Hyundai, which opened in June 1986.
7110 - Ed Howard Lincoln-Mercury used to be Sarasota Lincoln-Mercury from 1978 to 1982. This had previously been the site of the Fountain Court Motel.

7113 - The Devyn Event Venue (since 2014) used to be Sam Seltzer's Steakhouse from early 2000 to 2010 and Livingston's Billiards/Rack & Roll Café prior to that. Also, here at 7111 S. Tamiami were: Dover House Restaurant (June 1976 to early 80's), Adami's Restaurant (December 1981 to 1988), Pastel's, Jim's Steak House (opened in early 1990), Box Seat Bar and Grill, Sarasota Grill, Alfred E. Gators and Livingston's until moving in 2005. At right: Adami's Restaurant sign in 1981.
7119 (J) - Fish Market & Grill (since 2016) in Buccaneer Plaza used to be Better Bagels from about 1985 to 1996.  It then became Gastronomia Restaurant from 1996 to 1999 and Figaro's Pasta & Wine Bar at the start of year 2000. It was later G's Pizza & Wings.
7119 (L) - H Built Computers (since 2008, 2006 in this plaza) was originally a Carvel Ice Cream Store from the mid-to-late 80's.  It has also been Penn Treaty Insurance, Charad of Sarasota and Access USA.
7129 - Napulé Restaurant (since late 2017) was built at the location that used to be a Taco Bell (1982 to about 1996).  It was followed by Taste of Tokyo Restaurant, Amalfi's Restaurant and SweetFrog. Below: Taco Bell in 1982.

7204 - Personalized Fitness & Massage (since 1993) in Willow Oaks Shopping Center used to be Funtime Fashions from the late 60's to the early 90's.
7207 - The former Outback Steakhouse (from 1989 until closing 35 years later in February 2024) used to be a Texas Bill's restaurant (1982 to 1983) and Po Folks' Family Restaurant (April 1984 to late 1987) before the original building was torn down and Outback was rebuilt in 2009.  Photo:  Early photo of Outback Steakhouse from early 1990 when it was 

operating in the building that had previously housed Texas Bill's and Po Folks.

7211 - Located next to Outback, Copenhagen Imports has operated here since August 1983. Also here from that time to about 1987 was Software City.
7221 - AMF Gulf Gate Lanes was called Galaxy Lanes when it opened in 1976 and for the next couple of decades.  It also featured the Astro Lounge.
7241 – Goodwill (since 1988) used to be Midway Groves fruit store (1975 to 1988). 
7250 - Culver's Restaurant (since 2015) was built on the location that was the longtime home of the popular The Original Oyster Bar restaurant (pictured below) from September 1961 to April 2006.


7253 - The Grasshopper Mexican Restaurant & Bar (since 2013) used to be the popular Shell's Seafood Restaurant (1986 to 2008).  In between, it was Stingray's and then Schuck's. Before Shell's from 1973 to 1985, the names of the restaurant included Bruno's Italian Restaurant, Genaro's Italian Restaurant (opened in 1975), Villa Del Roma (opened in 1977- later changed to Villa-A-Roma), Bavarian Lion (opened in 1978) and La Marsala (opened in 1981).

7275 – Mattison's Forty-One Restaurant & Catering (since 2007) used to be Lone Star Steakhouse (mid 90's to 2007). Other restaurants here included Black Angus (September 1970 to 1975), Watermill (1975 to 1976), Grape Vine (September 1976 to 1982) and the short-lived Glados (opened in October 1982}. Photo 1: Grape Vine Restaurant.  Photo 2: Lone Star Steakhouse sign in 1995. Photo 3: Black Angus Restaurant in 1970.

7282 - Bead The Beads in Coral Cove Plaza started as Evergreen flowers and plants in early 1971 and then became an Ace Hardware store from 1972 to about 1994. C.C. Boots western wear opened here in 1995 and then Coral Cove Books from 1996 to 2004.  It was also later 1-800-Draperies and Florida Furniture Brokers.
7286 - Sarasota Grooming Company in Coral Cove Plaza used to be Patio Inn restaurant and tavern from 1972 to about 1984. It then became Tony's Bar and Grill from about 1986 to the late 90's.  In the 00's, it was Howlin' Wolf Restaurant and Cancun Mexican Restaurant and in the 2010's, Sirard's Chocolate House, Puppy's-R-Us and Coastal Keys Furniture.
7321 - Wilde Jaquar of Sarasota (since 1997) was the site of a Steak 'n Shake restaurant (with curbside service) from early 1976 until late 1986 or early 1987.  Other restaurants here between 1987 and 1997 after being rebuilt included Lacey's (opened in 1987), Tassotis Restaurant Italiano (opened in 1988), Tenderloins (1991 to 1993) and Texas Roadhouse (1994 to 1996).
7322 - The former Driving Expressions (1990 to 2015) used to be a convenience store (Short Stop in the early-to-mid 70's, Speedee Shop in the mid 70's and Farm Stores in the late 70's to early-to-mid 80's.  It was then The Garage Sale store in the mid 80's and Whitesides Appliances in the late 80's). Photo:
Driving Expressions in 1990.
7378 - Garden Creations (since 1984) used to be a Bass Pro Shop store from June 1980 until 1983.
7394 - Porter Paints (rebranded as PPG Paints in 2015) was at this location from 1977 until 2018.
7414 - Blue Pearl Pet Hospital (since 2017) used to be a Castro Convertibles furniture store from January 1979 (moved from 4200 S. Tamiami Tr.) to about 1994. It then became a Patio America store from 1995 to 2011 and Sarasota Veterinary Emergency from 2011 to 2017.

7447 - Geier's Sausage Kitchen (since 1982) used to be the location for Par-T Miniature Golf & Game Room in the late 70's and early 80's.
7500 - Now a small plaza built in 2005 that includes Innovative Design Solutions, this used to be the home of the International King's Table Restaurant from September 1967 until changing to King's Bounty Restaurant in June 1973. At the start of 1976, it became The Cajun Club until about 1982, then Sarasota Fish Company, Robin & Joel's Restaurant, Woody's BB-Q (1994 to 1997) and La Champagne Restaurant from 1998 to the early-to-mid 00's. Photo 1: Postcard of International King's Table Restaurant. Photo 2: The Cajun Club Restaurant & Lounge.

7505 - Pinch-A-Penny (since the mid 00's) used to be a Quick Stop Food Store going back to about 1982 until close to the mid 00's.
7523 - Gentile Bros. Cheesesteaks & Hoagies (since 2012) in South Trail Plaza used to be Al's House of Pizza from the early-to-mid 80's until 1988.
7576 - Volvo Cars Sarasota used to be Infiniti of Sarasota, which opened in 1992.

7606 - Elegant Outdoor Living and Bayfront Piano (since 2016) used to be Stephens Furniture from 1985 to about the late 00's.  In between, it was Piano Distributors.

7611 - Sarasota Subaru used to be Glauser Subaru, which opened in 1989.
7620 - This started as Swanson Architects in 1979 and then became G & R Lawnmowers from about 1983 to the early 90's. Land of Sleep then expanded their store into this area.
7626 - Land of Sleep (since 1978) used to be Custom Metals from 1969 to 1972. It then became Coral Cove Carpets until 1977.
7660 - Waterfront Restaurant operated at this location from the late 1982 to early 1983 time frame all the way until closing nearly 40 years later in April 2021.
7690 - Hughes Exterminators (since about 2011) used to be a Self Service Shoe Store from 1975 to 1990 and National Shoe Liquidators until 1991. In between, it was House Of Golf and Pro Golf. Photo: Self Service Shoe Store Grand Opening in 1975


7706 - This used to be Joe's Handi-Stop (Peanut Joe) in 1972 and 1973 before relocating to his well-known location at 4933 Fruitville Rd.  Also here during this time was Your Chauffeur.
7745 - Sunset Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram Fiat (since the mid-to-late 80's) used to be the location of Aamco Transmissions from about 1982 to 1986. Photo: Sunset Dodge in the late 80's.  Credit: Sarasota Magazine.

8037 - Wendy's Restaurant has operated at this location since 1986.
8195 - Hobby Lobby (since 2013) used to be a Kmart department store from March 1979 to 2008.
Photo: Customers lining up at the Kmart store opening in March 1979.

Photo: Kmart store closing in 2008.

8197 - Pizza Hut (since 2003 or 2004) used to be Café LaChaumiere restaurant (see photo) from 1979 to 1987. It was also Whisper Inn from November 1987 until becoming Rick's Café at about the start of 1994.

8199 - Staples (since the mid 90's) used to be a Grand Union supermarket (1979-1984) before converting into Kash N Karry.in 1984 and remained until a nearby store opened in Pelican Plaza in 1988. It then became a Workplace office supplies store in July 1990 until changing to Staples.  Photo: Grand Union in 1979. Below: Workplace (now Staples) in 1991.


8201 - See Sarasota Square Mall above.

8214 - This used to be a Denny's Restaurant from 1984 to 2013 and torn down in 2016.
8330 - Sprouts Farmers Market (since 2017) in Pelican Plaza is at the address that used to be Mr. Wong's Restaurant & Lounge in the plaza from 1984 to the early-to-mid 00's. Earlier, it was Anthony's Italian Restaurant Villa D'este, which opened in 1983.
8356 - Petco (since February 2015) is at the location of the rebuilt Pelican Plaza that used to be an LTM Party Store from 1997 to about 2012.
8358 - Located in Pelican Plaza during the mid-to-late 80's was O'Toole's Restaurant & Tavern. It later became McKenzy's Restaurant in the late 80's and J.J. Starbuck Restaurant in the early-to-mid 90's.
8372 - Burlington (since 2021) and the former Sports Authority (2014 to 2016) in Pelican Plaza used to be a SuperX supermarket from April 1983 until converting to Florida Choice in 1986 through 1988.  It then became a Kash N Karry supermarket from 1988 to 1994 and Linens N Things shortly after until 2008.

Above: SuperX at Pelican Plaza in 1983.  Below:  Last days for Linens'N'Things in 2008 and Sports Authority in 2016.

8376 - This used to be Silverberg Jewelry in Pelican Plaza from about the late 80's until moving down the street in 1996. It later became Carchelle’s Custom Framing & Art Gallery in 1997.
8383 (104) - This location in the Square South Plaza has been Saga Japanese Steakhouse since 1993.  It is slated to close in July 2019.
8383 (111) - This location in the Square South Plaza has been a First Watch Restaurant since being built in 1986.
8389 - Jalisco Mexican Grill (since early 2018) was built as a Boston Chicken (later Boston Market) in 1994, becoming J.Ryan's in early 1997 to 2014 (was Sammy Frog's for a few months in 2003).  It was later Southside Grill and The Coral House.
8394 - Starbucks Coffee (since 2016) was built on the site where a Checkers Drive-In Restaurant operated from the mid 90's until 2012.
8401 - Target Department Store has operated here at The Plaza at Palmer Ranch since 1991.
8409 - Publix Supermarket has operated here at The Plaza at Palmer Ranch since October 1991.

8420 - Chick-Fil-A at Pelican Plaza opened in January 2019.
8443 - Mr. Wok Chinese Restaurant (since May 2022) at The Plaza at Palmer Ranch used to be Gold China Chinese Restaurant from about 2003 to 2021. It was earlier Wills Travel Service in the early-to-mid 90's and then Palmer Ranch Travel (now at 8435 S. Tamiami Tr.),

8539 - Domino's Pizza has operated here at The Plaza at Palmer Ranch since late 1991.
8546 - CVS Pharmacy opened as Eckerd Drug in March 1999 before being converted in 2004.

8579 - Beckham's Sarasota Bar & Grill (since 2016) used to be British Open Pub (also called The Open for a time) for close to 20 years until 2014 and then Monkey Bar and Wilfred's Bar and Grill (2015).
8599 – Haverty’s Furniture (since 2001) at The Plaza at Palmer Ranch used to be a Phar-Mor (1991 to 1993), then Roberd’s Furniture (1994 to 2000).
8700 -  Autoxotic used to be a Tire Kingdom that opened in 1991.
8770 - This used to be a Scotty's Hardware store from early 1987 until 2003.  The property was acquired by and is utilized today by Hudson's Furniture.

South Tuttle Avenue
75 - This used to be Liggett Drugs (earlier Liggett-Olson Rexall Drugs) at Goldtree Plaza from 1978  until closing 42 years later in 2020.
77 - Circle K convenience store at Goldtree Plaza used to be a 7-Eleven starting in early 1978 until about the early-to-mid 00's.
3650 - The very popular Tas-T-O Donuts operated here in a small trailer in the Bee Ridge Shopping Center (now Tuttle Bee Plaza) from December 1970 until closing over 28 years later in March 1999.
3621 - USA Mini-Mart (since the mid 90's) used to be a U-Tote-M Food Store from the early-to-mid 60's to the mid 70's, becoming a Quickie Food Store until the early 80's. It was later George's Stop Wright and Honey's Convenience Store.
3660 - Dollar Tree used to be Frank's Nursery & Crafts from early 1992 to late 2004 or early 2005. 
3680 - Office Max (since 1993) used to be part of the Zayre/Ames department store (see below) from 1969 to 1990.
3700 - TJ Maxx (since 1991) was a Zayre department store from 1969 to 1988, then converted to Ames from 1988 to 1990.  Below: Zayre department store in 1969 and Zayre sign seen in the background from about 1983.


3750 - Aqua-Tots Swim School used to be SuperX Drugs from 1969 to the mid 80's. It then became a Rite Aid drug store until 1990 and a Beall's Outlet store from 1990 to 2013. The store was also used as a temporary home for DeSears Appliances before closing its doors for good in 2016.
3809 - The former Fiorella Restaurant and later Sofia's in 2024 used to be Morel Restaurant from about 1995 to 2015 and then La Scarpetta (later La Violetta Rustic) Italian Restaurant from December 2015 to July 2020.  It started as McClure's Office Equipment from the early-to-mid 70's to the early 80's.  After a short time as Inches Off exercise and bodywrap studio around 1982-1983, the inches may not have stayed off for long as it turned into a sandwich shop (Venetian, then Chicago South) for the rest of the decade.  From the early 90's to mid 90's, it was Le Grandgousier French Restaurant. 

3810 - Amped Fitness (since late 2023) used to be a Kash N'Karry Supermarket from November 1969 until November 1993.  It later became Recreational Factory Warehouse in 1999, Atlanta Fitness and YouFit.
3824 - Dunkin Donuts (since 2015) was built at the location that used to be The Clubhouse Lounge (also called Keegan's Clubhouse in its later years) Lounge from about 1987 to 2002.  It changed to The Clubhouse Tavern from 2002 to late 2009 and then The Rusty Hook Tavern before being torn down in 2014.  Earlier business establishments here included Gary's Lounge and Package Store (January 1972 to 1975), and Shell City Liquors and Inn Place Lounge (August 1975 to about 1983).
3830 - Laura Jean's Consignments used to be World Sound in the mid 70's before becoming Helen's Hallmark Shop about 1976.  By 1980, it was Bullmer's Hallmark Shop and then Jamie's Hallmark Shop by 1984 and Card Connection by 1988. After that it was Ace Beauty Supplies in the early-to-mid 90's.

3839 - Parisi Real Estate used to be Dairy Dome ice cream parlor from August 1974 to 1979.
3854 - Tasty Home Cookin' Restaurant used to be Three Dutchmen Restaurant (see photo) from 1970 to about 1987.  It then became Mercedes Place and was later Milano's Restaurant by 1990. Photo credit: If you grew up in Sarasota, FL then you remember.

South Washington Boulevard
101 - The Sarasota County Terrace Building used to be Sarasota Terrace Hotel from 1926 until shortly before becoming Sarasota Motor Hotel in early 1965.  The hotel was purchased by Sarasota County after it had closed in 1972 and later reopened after a long renovation process in October 1981 as the Sarasota County Administration Center.  The center would move to Ringling Blvd. in late 1995 and the building was then given its current name in 1996.
110 - The area now used for parking, this used to be a Margaret Ann (later converted to Kwik Chek) grocery store from March 1950 to 1969.
222 - Capstan Financial was built in 2015 in the area that used to be the location of Floyd's Texaco Service from the late 40's to the late 60's, when it became Richard's Texaco Service until the early 80's. Sparlings Texaco Service took over at that time and converted to Sparlings Exxon Service shortly after through the mid 80's.  After a period of vacancy. this would become Fruitland Market through most of the 90's before being torn down.
239 - Also now used for parking, this used to be the location of Land O'Sun Dairy (see below) from at least the 1940's until the mid 70's.

242 - The UPS Store used to be Jackson's Gulf Service Station from the late 40's to the mid 50's, when it became Fige's Gulf Service Station (later Al Fige's Service Center) until the mid 70's,  It then became Three O One Service Station (Gulf from the mid 70's to early-to-mid 80's then Phillips 66 until the late 80's). In the early 90's, this became Enterprise Rent-A-Car until about the late 00's.
300 - PPG Paints used to be Porter Paints for about 60 years before being rebranded (as were all stores in the chain) in 2016. Previously, Hollywood Beauty Shop was at this location from the early-to-mid 40's to the mid 50's .

317 - This used to be an A & W Root Beer Restaurant from 1955 to 1963. By late 1963, it became Mr. Pizza Restaurant (also see 323 below) until 1974 (known as Mr. Nikla's by that time), when it would briefly change to The Little Buddah Restaurant.
323 - A contractor's office, real estate office, insurance office and Gourmet Pantry Restaurant were among the businesses here from the mid 50's to the late 60's when it became the dining room for Mr. Pizza (later Mr. Nikla's) until about 1974.  From the mid 70's to late 70's, it became Rose's Game Room and then Nashville South restaurant & lounge.  It would then become Beck's Place restaurant & lounge from late 1978 until about the late 80's before turning into Score Board restaurant & lounge until being torn down by the late 00's. Photo: Mr. Pizza dining room entrance in 1970.

404 -  Say It With Stiches used to be Jack's Office Supplies from 1967 (moved from 4207 S. Tamiami Tr.) all the way through the 90's.

500 -  A large office complex sits next to the area where a very popular walk-up Dairy Queen (pictured below-second photo is from 1977 and third photo from 1959) operated from about 1950 until July 30, 2006. 

526 - The office complex mentioned above now occupies the area that used to be McKown's Food Market from July 1947 (moved from 444 Main St.) to late 1978 or early 1979.  It then became Sarasota Beauty School in the fall of 1979 (until the early-to-mid 90's), Casa del Sol Mexican Art Furnishings in 1997 and Personalized Fitness in about 2002.  Photo 1: McKown's Food Market and Dairy Queen sign from 1958. Photo 2: McKown's Food Market from 1978. Photo 3: Sarasota Beauty School - Credit: I grew up in Venice FL.

544 - American Momentum Bank used to be The Nautilus Shell Shop (see photo) from February 1948 to about 1967 before becoming Montville's Appliances from 1968 to 1975.  It would then become a restaurant, including Anthony's Villa D'este Restaurant, which opened in February 1977, and Alexander's Restaurant, which opened in 1979 after the building was remodeled.  In the mid 80's, it was converted to a bank (Central National). It later became Liberty Savings Bank in the mid-to-late 90's and Landmark Bank in 2003. Photo: Alexander's Restaurant shortly before opening in 1979.

616 - Before being torn down, this used to be Gateway Motel from 1955 to about 1983.  It had previously been Ritz Court Motel from 1948 to 1955. Photo: Gateway Motel from 1955.

638 -  Before being torn down, this used to be A's Giant Sandwiches from about 1975 to 1983. This was earlier the location of Risser's Health Food Shop from the late 50's to the late 60's.
660 - Waffle Stop used to be Waffle Shop from 1954 (moved from 1741 Main St.) to 1992 before moving to the Ringling Shopping Plaza. The restaurant is still famous for being the breakfast stop of Elvis Presley in February 1956, while he was in town performing at the Florida Theater.

State Street (was Sixth Street until 1953)
1400 - This used to be Tucker's Sporting Goods (moved from Main St.) from 1953 to the early-to-mid 90's.  By 1996, it became a multi-tenant office building called The Huntington, including Huntington Trust.
1517 - Rebuilt into a three-story office complex in 2004, this used to be Standard Auto Parts from August 1942 (also moved here from Main St.) to the late 70's. During the 80's, it went under a few different names (Motor Units, Motor Parts & Supplies and Standard Auto Machines).  It later became State Street Gallery during the 90's and then State Room into the early 00's. Photo: Standard Auto Parts in the mid 60's.

1525 - State of the Arts Gallery (since the mid 00's) used to be Draper's Western Store from 1954 all the way until moving to Clark Rd. in 2003

1534 - A Sprig of Thyme Restaurant used to be Atlantic Beer and Oyster from 2017 to 2018. It then became The Daily Bird Restaurant from 2019 to 2020. After that it was Rise & Nye's (later Rise Up) Coffee and Ice Cream shop from December 2020 until early 2024.

1537 - State Street Eating House & Cocktails at 1533 (and also what was 1537) State St. used to be Sarasota Cycle and Key Shop beginning in 1951 and then changed to Sarasota Lock and Key Shop in 1969 until 2004.  Before State Street Eating House, this was Old Heidelberg Pastry Shop from 2008 to about 2011.
1542 - This used to be Adams & Houser Hardware and Supply from about November 1948 (moved from Main St.) to the early-to-mid 90's.  The area was used for parking after being torn down and a parking garage was later built in the mid 2010's.
1581 - The area now used for parking, this used to be Mather of Sarasota Furniture (moved from Main St.) from January 1943 to the mid 70's after moving from Main Street.

Stickney Point Road  (some businesses as noted below from numbers 1200 to 1316 are/were located on parallel Old Stickney Point Rd.).
1200 (Old S.P.) - Captain Curt's Crab and Oyster Bar (since 1981 after two years at 8865 Midnight Pass Rd.) used to be Ben's Pizza Café in the late 70's and Brigadoon Restaurant in the early 80's.
1204 - The former Granny's Corner Café used to be Chidori Japanese Restaurant from October 1959 until 1966. It then became Drift In Restaurant from June 1967 to 1971. A few different businesses were here from 1972 to the rest of the decade, including Woody's Deli-Cat (also listed as Crescent Beach Delicatessen), Dixie Lee's Fried Chicken & Seafood and Renaissance Charm Restaurant & Bakery, before becoming Dragon Chinese Restaurant from January 1979 through the 90's.
1211 (Old S.P.) - The grocery store located in the Crescent Beach Shopping Center was listed as The Beach Shop from the early-to-mid 50's until about 1974 when it was Crescent Market. It was later Crescent Beach Grocery until closing in 2022. It then reopened under new ownership in December 2022.

1231 - This used to be Pizza Kitchen from 1964 to 1973.  Before that, it was briefly Chateau Restaurant in 1963.
1250 - Now home to Jet Ski, Fin Island Co. and Parasail and attached to Daquiri Deck, which opened in 2017, this used to be Siesta Standard service station from early 1970 through the 80's (converted to Standard Chevron). It later became Siesta Key Mobil (see photo) until about 2003, when it switched to Siesta Key BP until the early 2010's.

1256 (Old S.P.)- Clayton's Siesta Grille used to be Banquet On A Bun Restaurant from July 1964 to about 1974, when it became Siesta Café until the early 80's.  It was next Harbour Lights Oyster Bar (early-to-mid 80's), Donovan's Reef Restaurant (mid-to-late 80's into the 90's) and then H.G. Roosters by the mid 90's. In 2004, it became Mattison's Siesta Grille until changing to its current name in 2007.

1265 (Old S.P.) - Siesta Key Marina opened in March 1958 as Siesta Key Marine.
1266 (Old S.P.) - Torn down in 2019, this used to be Suncoast 66 (Phillips 66 service station) from 1958 until becoming Stickney Point Beach Service Station. It would soon switch brands to Esso, which then changed its name to Enco.  It then became Olin's Service (remaining Enco with name changed to Exxon in 1972) from about 1969 to 1980. After vacancies, it became Stickney Point Fishery bar and restaurant by 1985.  It was later Tropical Tavern & Oyster Bar by early 1990, Montego Bay bar & restaurant by 1992, T-Back's Beach Bar & Grille (opened in August 1993), Rum Runners (opened in 1997), Skeeters, Fandango International Café (opened in 2000) and Blu 66 (opened in early 2005). Photo: Suncoast 66 upon opening in November 1958.

1500 - Boatyard Waterfront Bar and Grill (since 2010) used to be Coasters of Sarasota (later Coasters At The Southbridge) from 1988 to 2010.  It started as Black Pearl Restaurant in 1984, becoming Aldo's Black Pearl Restaurant by 1985 and then called Southport Restaurant in 1987.
1536 - Siesta Key Parasail & Jet Ski used to be Lighthouse Creamery and then Charlie's Lighthouse, both in the 80's. Photo: Lighthouse Creamery.

1894 - Plaza Mexico Restaurant Bar & Grill (since late 2017) used to be Stonewood Grill & Tavern from 2004 to 2017.
1920 - Peltz Shoes (since 2011) used to be Famous Shoes for over 30 years from September 1980 until moving to 7668 So. Tamiami Tr. in 2011.
1930 - Earth Origins Market (since about 2012) used to be The Granary natural foods store from about 1986 to 2012.  Prior to that, it was a Jewel T discount supermarket from 1980 to the mid 80's. At least part of Jewel T had been a Food Fair (October 1958 to 1969), then Pantry Pride (1969 to 1979) supermarket.
1940 - Carrabba's Italian Grill (since early 1997) used to be the Trolley Station restaurant from August 1980 to 1996.
2027 - This used to be Via's Bar from 1959 until a name change to Golden Anchor from 1986 to 1990.  It was then called The Crazy Fox until being torn down to make way for Walgreens Pharmacy in early 1995. Photo: Via's Bar at it's new location in December 1959 after moving next door from 6499 So. Tamiami Tr..

2029 - Torn down by the mid 90's, this used to be Minit Mart grocery from about 1960 to 1984.  It later became Nuway Communication, Chesepeake Bay Club Crab House, T & D tavern and Eagle's Nest tavern.   Photo: The delicatessen and meat departments inside Minit Mart from November 1963.

2103 - Also torn down by the mid 90's, this used to be a Domino's Pizza from about 1984 to 1990. Earlier, it was Ray's Pastry Shop (early 60's), Long's Shoe Repair (mid 60's to early 70's), Pine Shores TV (early 70's to early 80's) and Hutchinson TV (early-to-mid 80's).
2111 - Also torn down by the mid 90's, this used to be Animal Medical Clinic from March 1969 to January 1976.  It then became Pinch-A-Penny Pool and Patio from mid 1976 to about 1982 when it changed to Baker's Outdoor Living until shortly before being torn down.
2121 - Firestone Complete Car Care Center (since 1988) used to be the location of Orange State Lumber from early 1957 until about 1979. In between, it was Florida State Lumber and Custom Fence.
2131 - An empty lot next to Firestone since the late 90's, this used to be Gulf Gate Enco (changed to Exxon in 1972) from the late 60's to about 1984.  Prior to that, it had been Plaza Esso starting about 1962 and then Olin's Enco.  From the late 80's to the early-to-mid 90's, this was Gulf Gate Farm Market. Below: Enco station at 2131 Stickney Point Rd.

2480 - The present CROP Juice (since late 2020) and former Jimmy John's (2015 to 2018) used to be a Dunkin Donuts store (opened in early 2007).  In between, it was a We Buy Gold store.  Previously, a Texaco service station was here from the 60's until the early 00's.  Photo: Golden's Texaco at the corner of Stickney Point Rd. and Gateway Ave. in the early-to-mid 70's.

Photo: A new prototype Dunkin Donuts (now CROP Juice) is under construction at 2480 Stickney Point Rd. in October 2006 while the sign from the former Texaco station is still standing

2522 - This used to be a Save On Service Station along with a grocery/convenience store operating under various names including Tate's Handi-Pak, Sheets Handi-Pak, Rhodes Grocery Store and Bob's Handi Store from 1972 until 2013. BP gasoline was sold here during the 90's and 00's.

2700 - The former Burritos Mexican Grill (1995 to 2022) in Gateway Plaza used to be Old Fashion Coffee & Donut Shop in the early-to-mid 90's.

2716 - The Cellular Phone Hospital in Gateway Plaza used to be a Pizza Hut Delivery store from about 1986 before becoming Patellini's Pizza in 1997.

2720 - The former Yunnan Noodle Co. in Gateway Plaza used to be most notably Bob's Buffalo Wings from about 1988 to 1993 and El Toro Bravo Restaurant from 2005 until moving to 3218 Clark Rd. in 2016.

Superior Avenue
6503 - Bob's Laundry & Dry Cleaning (since the early-to-mid 70's) was previously Day & Night Laundromat beginning in July 1962.
6592 - Your Culinary Place, LLC used to be Mama Natali's Italian Restaurant from November 1971 until 1977. It then became Gigino's Restaurant until 1978, Marion's Restaurant and John's Bar & Grill from 1980 to 1983. After that, it changed to The First School kindergarten from about 1985 into the 90's.
6640 - Seperior 24-Hour Laundromat opened as Holly Polly Laundry and Dry Cleaning in April 1963. It became Clean Spot Laundromat later in the decade and would continue to operate under that name for over 40 years.

6690 - Monk's Steamer Bar (since 2001) used to be a 7-Eleven convenience store from about the early-to-mid 60's to the mid-to-late 70's.  It then became The Flower & Wine Cart until the early 90's.  The Sidestreet Peppermint Lounge was here after that.

Swift Road
3910 - Located at the southwest corner of Bee Ridge and Swift Roads in what was called Brookside Shopping Corner, this used to be Leonard's Paint & Hardware from 1962 until being torn down in 1974.  It started as Brookside Auto and Home Supply in 1955 and then became Lyon's Paint & Hardware in 1957 and Strong Paint & Hardware in 1960.
4401 - Swift Auto Repair opened in February 1955 as Swift Road Service Station selling Standard Oil products and continued until the 70's when it became Wilson American (later Amoco).  Before becoming strictly an auto repair shop, it was also Swift Road Amoco in the early 80's.  Below: Swift Road Service Station in 1955 and the same building in 2017.

4779 - This has been a 7-Eleven store since about 1980.

4783 - Stella's Greek Cuisine (since 2023) and the former Simply Gourmet Catering used to be Pizza Pronto, which opened in January 1984.  It would then become Domino's Pizza in 1987, Lola's Empanada's in 1992 and Just Desserts later in the 90's.

5580 - Stragglers Bar used to be a Quick Stop Food Store from about 1975 to 1988. 

5604 - Lee's Food Store opened as a Lil' General Food Store in June 1971. It then became a Circle K by 1985 and was Lee's by 1987.
5666 - Hot Diggity Dog Restaurant opened in January 1971 and is still here today over 50 years later!.

Tourist Center Drive

8306 - This used to be a Ruby Tuesday Restaurant from June 2002 until closing in January 2021. The building was torn down in April 2023 to build a new Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar.

Trail Plaza
See 3333 North Tamiami Trail above.

University Parkway
5205 - Kohl's department store opened here in October 2008.
5251 - Fresh Market opened here in November 2008.

Webber Street
3515 - Farm Stores Convenience Store (since the early-to-mid 80's) was Farm and Garden Supply Store in the early 80's.
3527 - The Eight-Ball Lounge (since July 1974) used to be Art's Seafood Market (opened in March 1973), and then Jennie's Steak & Hoagie and Fabiano's Sandwich Shop.
3589A - Now listed as 3597 Webber St., this used to be Crepe Cuisine in the late 70's.  It then became Quintiliano's Cuisine by 1980. Palermo's Restautant by 1985, Chanticleer Restaurant by 1988, Vito's Classic Italian Restaurant by 1989, Milano's Italian Restaurant by 1993 and Cafe Papa Gei by 1998. Photo: Quintiliano's Cuisine from 1980.

3590 - Faicco's Italian Heros and Grill (since October 2022) used to be a dentist office from about 1971 until the early-to-mid 2010's before becoming Webber Hot Dogs from 2015 to 2021. It started as First Development Corp. of America Real Estate in the mid-to-late 60's.

3591 - Goodwill Industries (since 1992) used to be a Lil' General food store (mid-to-late 60's to 1984), then Circle K (1984 to 1992).

3600 - This opened as Forest Lakes Cities Service service station in March 1964.  After Cities Service changed their marketing name to Citgo, it became Forest Lakes Citgo in May 1965 until about 1976.  It then became Forest Lakes Quik Mart for a short time before being listed as vacant by 1978 and not listed at all by 1980. Photo: Forest Lakes Citgo in 1972.

3602 - The Lazy Parrot Patio Bar & Grill (since May 2018) used to be a bank that was built in 1979 as First Independent Bank. It later became First National Bank of Florida, First Florida Bank (mid 80's to 1993) and GTE Credit Union (mid 90's to about 2010).
3630 - After a couple of years as A Breath of Spring Florist, this was most notably The Little Godfather Italian Restaurant from 1978 until the late 80's.
3635 - This started as Yoder's Market in 1969, changing to Forest Lakes Market in 1972.  It then became The Butcher's Block in 1979, then Meat Cleaver, Herman's Meats and Mama's Restaurant (mid 80's to late 80's) before becoming Minerva's House of Pizza in 1989 until about the early-to-mid 90's and Riviera Cafe (opened in 1995)..
3644 - Family Pharmacy was in operation here from January 1975 (listed at 3650 Webber until 1977) until about 2021.  Below: Early photo of Family Pharmacy.

3676 - Champion's Pub used to be Oasis Restaurant from 1979 to 1989 and then became Brother's Bistro by 1992 and Tudor Rose Restaurant in 1993. In the 70's, this was Forest Lakes Italian and American Restaurant and even earlier in the late 60's, it was Big John's Pizza Restaurant. Photo: Oasis Restaurant from 1982.

3688 -  Bushido Izayaki Japanese Restaurant (opened in November 2018) used to be Nellie's Deli from 1982 until 2009 (moved to 15 S. Beneva Rd).
3692 - This has been Domino's Pizza since about 1986.


Extras: 

Sarasota Square Mall: The Final Years (2013-2023)

Here is a summary and store-by-store history of the mall over the past 10 years leading up to the announcement in May 2023 regarding the future plans for the mall property.  This page will be updated on a continual basis.

Sarasota Square Mall: The Final Years (2013-2023)

14th St. W., Bradenton

North Tamiami Trail turns into 14th St. W. as you cross the line from Sarasota into Bradenton. As a supplement to this page, here are some business establishments that are or have been located on 14th St. W. (U.S. 41) in Bradenton listed by street number. The list will be expanded and updated.

14th St. W.

Lost Ads

Here are advertisements from some of the interesting and intriguing business establishments of years gone by in Sarasota.

Lost Ads Of Sarasota

Party in Sarasota like its 1989

Here is a list of some business establishments in Sarasota that are still operating in the same location today (33 years later!).

Party In Sarasota Like Its 1989

Warwick/Cranston, RI

It's a long way from Sarasota, but here are similar sites showing how it used to be in Warwick, RI and Cranston, RI.

What It Used To Be In Warwick, RI

What It Used To Be In Cranston, RI


How this page started:

The group pages mentioned below, along with the old Sarasota newspapers included in the Google newspaper archives had already sparked my interest in restaurants. stores, gas stations, etc. that used to be in Sarasota years ago.  But it was 70 seconds of a YouTube video filmed in April 1989 that inspired me to visit the Sarasota History Center in 2014 to research the Sarasota 1989 street directory to find out the names of all the long-lost business establishments that appear in a small stretch of So. Tamiami Trail in the video.  I was then hooked and spent many lunch hours over the next four years at the history center researching over 60 years of Sarasota street directories and phone books.  After using an Excel spreadsheet to keep track of what used to be at each address by year , I thought of posting a blog so that the research could be used by others for reference.  Then after almost two years of starting it and not getting very far, it finally started to come together in June 2017 and was first posted with 150 entries. It is now up to over 1195 entries with more updates on the way.

Here is the link to the video that helped to inspire the writing of this blog.   The drive-through of a portion of So. Tamiami Trail begins at about 2:35 in the video.  Special thanks to the person who posted it!

Drive around Sarasota in 1989


Thanks to all of you that have mentioned this blog within the various Sarasota group pages, including "If you grew up in Sarasota, FL... then you remember", "I Remember Sarasota" and "Memories of Sarasota Florida", and for the kind words and comments.  While this page is just a listing of where and when some of the many Sarasota business establishments operated for reference and to help answer some questions, the group pages are just full of so much history and memories about these establishments and a whole lot more.  The search function on these pages is fantastic to find posts about a particular subject or business establishment.