Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee lands $4M gift for aquatic facility

Local entrepreneur and philanthropist Ronnie Shugar, who is developing a Champagne and piano bar in downtown Sarasota, has donated $4 million to go toward a state-of-the-art aquatic facility on the Greenspon Campus for Jewish Life at the Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee.

The donation, according to a statement, will establish the Shugar Pool Club, which will feature three distinct pool styles tailored to different age groups and skill levels. The Jewish Federation continues to invest in the Greenspon Campus, the release adds, now totaling over $38 million in enhancements.

Shugar moved to Florida from California in 2019, when he also moved his business, Raw Sugar Living, which sells hand soap, shampoo, body wash, body lotion, bar soap, body butter, lip balm, sugar scrub and other items. The products are made with plant-derived ingredients using cold-press technology, and are sold in Target and other retail outlets and online. 

Shugar has since invested $15 million in downtown Sarasota and his businesses, the release states, including Sugar Champagne Bar, which is scheduled to open in early spring.

“I committed to contributing to the future of Sarasota and making meaningful investments,” Shugar says in the release. “Through this project, I'm giving back to Sarasota in a way I hope will impact many generations to come.”

Shugar's commitment to the aquatics project, the release states, is also rooted in his upbringing and family values. Growing up in Los Angeles as the son of two immigrants, Shugar's mother fought in Israel’s War of Independence. The Jewish Community Center in Los Angeles played a pivotal role in his upbringing, the release states, as it is where he forged lasting memories with his two brothers, Michael and Danny, and his sister, Dahlia.

“The connection with the Jewish center was instrumental in my growth and development as a youth,” Shugar says in the release. “It was such an incredible place to be. I recall going there playing basketball, swimming, lifting weights, with my brothers and friends. It was there where I took my first steps into adulthood, and I hope this pool club will be a similar rite of passage for others.”

Federation Board Chair Deb Kabinoff lauded Shugar's vision."Ronnie is a visionary whose philanthropy directly enhances our community's quality of life,” she says in the statement. “His gift will make the Shugar Pool Club a landmark destination for all. The Shugar Pool Club will address many needs and constituencies. It will provide a high-end experience while also offering accessible programs for low-income families, including swimming lessons and after school programs, like to those that benefitted Ronnie’s family.”