Shopping, dining destination adds eight new merchants

SARASOTA — Outdoor shopping and dining destination St. Armands Circle is adding more than eight new merchants and introducing a refreshed brand in 2021.

The Circle, on St. Armands Key, has about 140 existing establishments. The new businesses coming to the Circle include Vernona Gourmet Market and Restaurant, Sea Bags, Butterfly Beach, Anna's, Sea Glass Lane, Meaney's Mini-Donuts & Coffee House, Arcade Monsters and The Whiskey Barrel.

“This is an exciting time for us, as well as our visitors, as we provide even more reasons to come to our tropical community," says Diana Corrigan, executive director of the St. Armand’s Circle Association, in a statement. 

According to the press release, the additions coincide with a public relations campaign to introduce or re-introduce the Circle to new residents and long-time locals, those staying at nearby resorts and a broader Florida audience looking for daytrips or weekend excursions, while keeping it top of mind for international visitors.

The campaign is an initiative of the St. Armands Circle Business Improvement District. The Business Improvement District works with the City of Sarasota to promote economic stability, growth and community life on the Circle through planning, development, management and coordination of programs, projects and services.

The BID retained Next-Mark LLC, a marketing agency based in downtown Sarasota, to refresh the Circle’s brandm, the release states. Campaign elements include an updated website and advertising, a digital communications plan, refreshed social media program, banners reflecting a new look and feel, among other initiatives to be launched throughout 2021. Also to be introduced is a new digital destination newsletter called “Life on the Circle.”

“The new branding reflects the vitality, history and singular qualities of St. Armands,” says BID Operations Manager Brandy Wiesner in a statement.