By Jane Bartnett
With a tip of the cap to Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons megahit, it has been “what a year.” As 2025 unfolds, we’re looking back at 2024. It was surely a year that will go down in the history books.
Stormy Weather
Siesta Strong was the rallying cry that brought Siesta Key residents, business owners and visitors together in the late summer and fall. True to advance reports that the 2024 hurricane season would be extremely active, Mother Nature’s wrath was on full display this fall.
On Sunday, August 4, Tropical Storm Debby battered the entire Siesta Key region with winds, flooding, lightning and thunder. A tornado brushed Gulf Gate Estates, and the terrible storm took a toll to people as well as wildlife. By Tuesday, August 6, Siesta Key and Gulf Gate businesses opened and got back to business.
After a short reprieve, on September 26, Hurricane Helene passed thru the Gulf and pounded our coastline with an eight-foot storm surge. Water flooded homes, offices and stores. Less than two weeks later, Hurricane Milton made landfall on Siesta Key with winds that exceeded 100 mph as a powerful Category 3 hurricane. It broke many meteorological records and left extensive devastation in its path as Siesta Key continues to recover from the historic event.
In the wake of the wind and rain from Hurricanes Helene and Milton, Midnight Pass re-opened naturally. Closed in the 1983 by two residents who feared erosion, the question of whether to re-open the pass became an issue that has been debated, studied and legislated for the past 40 years. As residents rejoiced, impromptu boat parades took place. Officials are now determining how to ensure that the pass remains open.
Hotels
The question of whether new hotels would be allowed to be built on Siesta Key was a topic that took center stage in the first half of the year. In January, Benderson Development presented plans to build an 85-foot 147-room hotel in the heart of the village where Flavio’s restaurant now stands. Residents expressed alarm and fear that new large hotels would change the face of Siesta Key. Community activist Lourdes Ramirez had previously won her lawsuit against Sarasota County, challenging the approval of a 7-story 163-room hotel on Calle Miramar in the heart of Siesta Key Village. However, in December, developer Dave Balot won his bid to move ahead with a 112-room, 59-foot-high hotel that would be built on the site of the former Wells Fargo Bank on Midnight Pass. Press reports categorized the proposed hotel as family friendly. The Benderson project, requiring changes to the county’s comprehensive plan, continues to face strong community opposition.
The future of the Benderson project, as well as any other new hotel developments on Siesta Key, remains uncertain. A vote of four out of five commissioners is required for development plans to move ahead. Sarasota County’s newest commissioner, Republican Tom Knight — who represents District 3 — won election in November. Knight has expressed concerns about development issues that have come before the Commission in recent years.
Luxury Home Sales
Prior to the three storms that lashed Siesta Key, the real estate market saw record breaking home sales. Luxury buyers competed for waterfront homes and prices soared above $15 million for multiple top-end single family residences.
After three record-breaking storms, the market is continuing to stabilize.
Siesta Key Retail and Restaurants
Investor, restauranteur and entrepreneur Chris Brown’s Siesta Key-area real estate portfolio continued to grow in 2024. In February, all eyes turned to Brown’s purchase of the 2.03-acre village in the 1500 block of Stickney Point Road, where the Boatyard Waterfront Bar and Grill is found, along with a collection of small businesses. Brown paid roughly $8 million for the property. Brown also became the new owner of 5212 Ocean Boulevard, an iconic 1,992 square foot retail property, home to the Created Gems store and neighboring Casa Del Sol boutique. Brown reported that he paid “about $3 million for the property” that had been owned by Constance Zacker. Brown told the Siesta Sand, “I look forward to working with Created Gems and Casa Del Sol Boutique for a long time. I want them to succeed.” Brown began renovating last summer. Although both stores suffered damage from the hurricanes, they, like the rest of the village retailers and restaurants are open and welcoming customers.
Weeks before Hurricane Milton appeared, Brown and his Above the Bar Hospitality Group partner Mike Granthon opened Siesta Poke, a new take-away Hawaiian themed eatery, at 5204 Ocean Boulevard.
After 25 years in Davidson Plaza, the Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center moved to larger space on 5223 Avenida Navarra. The move became official on July 11 when Sarasota Commissioner and former Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce president Mark Smith presided over a ceremonial ribbon ceremony at the new 3,000 square foot space. In late July, the national brand Tommy Bahama opened in Davidson Plaza. The retailer became the fourth national brand to open in Siesta Key Village, joining Lily Pulitzer, Southern Tide and Kilwins Ice Cream in Davidson Plaza. Construction at the former Davidson Drugs space continued through the year. Although unconfirmed, retailer Alvin’s Island is widely rumored to be the new occupant of that space.
Across the street from Davidson Plaza, the celebrated Duo Doner & Deli at 5049 Ocean Boulevard in the Siesta Center, next to Circle K, has gained fame for Chef Jakub Skoczylas. His traditional Turkish kababs, gyros, and deli treats have gained headlines around Sarasota.
On the south end of the Key, in January, a sign appeared on the exterior of Davidson Drug Store in the Southbridge Plaza, on Midnight Pass. “Thank you, Sarasota, for 65 remarkable years.” The large 10,253-foot retail space remains ready for a new tenant, as of this writing.
In May, Clayton Thomas, founder of the legendary Clayton’s restaurant sold his ownership to former Clayton’s staffers, Randy and Mavis Frey. The Freys first met as Clayton’s employees.
A few minutes away at 6645 Midnight Pass, Lenny’z Pizza & Island Bar opened to customers in Crescent Plaza on June 20. The location had been the home of City Pizza before it was re-branded Pizza N’Brew. With seating for 130, Lenny’z serves a variety of pizzas and casual fare.
Those we lost
During the last 12 months, Siesta Key bid a sad farewell to several of its most noted and beloved citizens. They will be remembered for their many contributions to the community and the many lives that they touched.
On January 22, Siesta Key patriarch John Davidson, founder of Davidson Drugs, died at the age of 92. An investor and founder of the award-winning weekly Pelican Press newspaper, Davidson was devoted to Siesta Key and Sarasota. He supported the Little League and Boy Scouts and served as a trustee of the Selby Foundation for 17 years. A president of the Argus Foundation and Sarasota Bay Club, Davidson was founder and director of Enterprise Bank, a director of Selby Gardens, and commodore of The Field Club, as well as a member of the board of directors of Save Siesta Key.
Former Sarasota County Commissioner Nora Patterson passed away in February at the age of 79. Known as a champion of Siesta, she served four terms on the County Commission and in 2003, was named Person of the Year by the Siesta Key Association. The Nora Patterson Bay Island Park at 946 Siesta Drive bears her name.
A lifelong Chicago Bears fan, co-founder and co-owner of the Siesta Key Oyster Bar, Jill Pedigo passed away on May 7, at the age of 58. A celebration of Pedigo’s life was held in late May at her beloved SKOB. Hundreds came to pay tribute to the Chicago-area native who was known as “Mama Bear” by her SKOB family for her love of the Chicago Bears football team.
On July 5, the Siesta Key community was shocked and saddened to learn that Siesta Key musician Zack Yoder had died suddenly at the age of 31. A celebrated guitarist and singer, Yoder was the frontman for the Zack Yoder Group and part of The Whole Band who play at Blase Cafe. Yoder’s green Telecaster guitar is enshrined at Gilligan’s in his memory.
Things that made us smile
The Siesta Sand launched its own podcast called Siesta Sand LIVE!, taping at Captain Curt’s and airing on YouTube. The weekly podcast features interviews with newsmakers, local government officials, business owners, and people who influence life on Siesta Key.
The Out-of-Door Academy, founded on Siesta Key in 1924, celebrated 100 years of educating children.
The annual Fourth of July celebration took place on Siesta Beach. Thanks to the generosity of residents, businesses and friends, the Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce reached their fundraising goal, allowing the event to light up the night sky.
The Crescent Club on Midnight Pass turned 75 years young and celebrated in grand style saluting the many customers, staff and owners who made it a Siesta Key landmark.
On a sunny August day on Siesta Beach, Mote Marine released a healthy, young 154-pound female loggerhead turtle named Lil’ Dougie back into the waters of the Gulf after rescuing the injured animal. She was found badly injured, floating in Blackburn Bay and underwent weeks of treatment at Mote Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Hospital. The Mote team named the turtle for Doug Johnson of the Sarasota Sheriff’s Office and his wife, Susannah. The couple discovered the injured turtle as they were paddle boarding and called Mote for help.
In mid-November, as the Key and the region continued to recover from three storms, the Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce made the decision that the show must go on. The Siesta Key Crystal Classic International Sand Sculpting Festival went on as planned. As word went out, thousands flocked to Siesta Key to enjoy the four-day event that showcased the talents of 24 sand sculptors who came from as far away as Latvia to compete in the 14th annual event. Visitors wondered at the creativity and talent of these artists. Adults and children of all ages danced and enjoyed the live music that filled the air as local bands performed. There was also food and drink to enjoy and treasures to discover at the retail marketplace. At the entrance to the festival, artists created a large group sand sculpture. Emblazoned in the sand were the words: Siesta Strong. The message greeted all who entered the Crystal Classic sculpture garden. It became a rallying call for the community as the four-day festival marked the unofficial start of the new season. A message of hope, strength and goodwill went out for all to see and feel: Siesta Key is back!
