By Trebor Britt
The new two-story Siesta Beach Pavilion over looks the volleyball courts, the powdery white sands of Siesta Beach and the tranquill emerald green waters of the Gulf of Mexico.
Months of waiting and anticipating are over. The new, two-story Sunset Pavilion, housing a state of the art food service concession, quaint tables and seating under beachy/blue umbrellas and rest rooms is now fully operational. The breathtaking view of Siesta Beach’s white sands and the glistening clear water of the Gulf of Mexico from the food deck is a “must see”. If you thought spending a day at America’s No. 1 beach
The spectacular view of America’s No. 1 Beach from the two-story platform of the new Sunset Pavilion.
was “cool” before, you’ll agree it’s “way cool” now. Both the duration and size of Warren LaBonte’s smile has increased recently because he owns the contract on all the beach concessions.
The new food service concession just opened and features many fabulous, new food offerings as well as most of the traditional favorites. New food items include a selection of breakfast sandwiches, breakfast burritos, a selection of house made sweet ‘n savory crepes and puff pastry breakfasts. In addition to the general menu currently offered, LaBonte will add panini’s, flat breads and and perhaps a small selection of subs.
Over the course of the next month or so, LaBonté hopes to offer late afternoon
Warren LaBonte of Bradenton, pleased to be standing in front of his brand new food concession, the Sunset Pavilion, on America’s No. 1 beach after months of construction.
and early evening tapas, which are small portions of dinner bites. Once both food-service concessions are operating, the larger concession will offer the core traditional beach food while the smaller concession will offer food of a whole different variety and quality. “If hamburgers and french fries and chicken fingers is not what you want, then you can get flatbreads or hand made Panini’s or fresh soups,” LaBonte said. The wide variety of new selections are reasonably priced and sure to make your pallet and wallet jump for joy. The new concessions are staffed by two trained chef’s, one of which carries a Pastry Arts degree. He expects both concessions to be fully operational by early 2016.
LaBonté and his family moved here from Nantucket, MA.15 years ago. After
livia Goodfriend (20) and Amanda Stambrosky (20) of Sarasota enjoying an ice cold drink on opening day of the new Sunset Pavillion. Former Booker High School graduates, they’re on summer break from the University of Florida both majoring in dance. The view from the new Pavillion knocked their socks off. Although not pictured, they did not have socks on.
leaving the real estate appraisal industry there, he bid and won the contract for a similar beach concession on Nantucket. To prepare himself for his new business venture, LaBonte worked at McDonald’s as an on-the-line employee for six months. When the 10 year, beach concession contract expired he and his family relocated to Siesta Key. While waiting to bid on the Siesta Beach concession contract he owned a small ice cream shop in Siesta Village.
LaBonte’s passion and attention to detail can be summed up by this statement. “Along the lines of the great publicity that Siesta Beach has gotten over the last couple of years, and in line with the $27 million beach enhancement, it is our desire to bring the level and quality of services equal to the location itself. We feel we can offer a wide variety of foods at different price points to make most people happy. Our goal is to have wonderful customer service and provide great products at reasonable prices.”
