Residents walked out of Sarasota's parking open house
Plus a UTC sushi closing, a florist changes hands, and two museum dates.
Good morning. September starts with a parking dispute, a 10-year restaurant closing and a 40-year florist changing hands.
An open house on Sarasota's paid-parking problems ended with residents walking out. WFLA reported it on August 25.
Residents came with comments but said they felt no one was listening. The breaking point came when they were told to write down their concerns instead of voicing them at the meeting. The dispute was about whether residents could speak aloud, not whether the city accepted written comments.
Parking rules affect where people shop, how long they stay downtown, and how easily small businesses can turn over curbside spaces. They shape a quick weekday errand just as much as a Friday night out.
The walkout did not settle anything, but it made the residents' frustration hard to miss.
If parking rules touch your street or your storefront, follow this one closely. Same if you park downtown for work, or run a shop that depends on turnover at the curb.
JPan Sushi at UTC is closing after 10 years
JPan Sushi at UTC is closing after 10 years. Its final day is September 13.
The UTC restaurant will serve its last sushi rolls and Benderson Bowls before a new tenant takes over the space. JPan's Siesta Key location will remain open.
If it was your stop before a movie or after errands out that way, plan one more visit. The Siesta Key location gives regulars another option after the UTC doors close.
A well-known Sarasota florist has new owners
One of Sarasota's best-known florists has new owners. Beneva Flowers was purchased by Family Flowers, a Pennsylvania-based florist.
The sale marks the third family of ownership in the Sarasota company's 40-year history. Financial terms were not disclosed. Seller David Shuel bought Beneva Flowers in 2015. During more than 10 years at the helm, he grew the company and added a warehouse near Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport to support weddings and events.
If you have an order or an event booked, this is a good week to confirm it.
Saturday: a guided tour at Sarasota Art Museum
- When
- Saturday, September 5 · 11:00 AM
- Where
- Sarasota Art Museum
Sarasota Art Museum offers a staff-led highlights tour on Saturday, September 5, at 11 AM. A guide will walk visitors through the museum's current shows and point out details that are easy to pass on a solo visit.
At 11 AM, the tour will not take over your whole Saturday. Check with the museum for current admission details before going.
A midweek playdate for little kids at the art museum
- When
- Wednesday, September 9 · 10:00 AM
- Where
- Sarasota Art Museum
Sarasota Art Museum hosts Your Wednesday Playdate on September 9 at 10 AM. The 10 AM start gets families in and out before lunch—and, for many little kids, before naptime.
If you are looking for a museum activity with a little kid, this is the date and time to hold. Check the museum's page for admission and any sign-up before you go.
Sarasota watched a five-hour partial lunar eclipse
A partial lunar eclipse unfolded over Sarasota overnight August 27 and 28. The event lasted about five hours, carrying across midnight as Earth's shadow moved over part of the moon.
A partial eclipse does not cover the moon completely. The shadow advances across only part of the lunar surface, so the view changes gradually rather than disappearing all at once. Sarasota had several hours to watch that progression directly overhead.