The mini-donut business takes big step with second location on Old Stickney Point Road
By Jane Bartnett
Meaney’s Mini Donuts has cornered the market — the mini donut market on Siesta Key, that is.
When its new walk-up window opened Aug. 18 in the plaza that holds Crescent Beach Market, it became the second Meaney’s donut destination on the island. Donut lovers on the north side of the island continue to flock to the original shop in the heart of Siesta Key Village, which opened 11 years ago.
“Crescent Beach is a great location,” said Anthony Pallaria, who owns the business with his wife, Lindsay. Her parents, Vince and Karen Meaney, founded the original Meaney’s.
“I grew up on Siesta Key,” said Pallaria. “There’s always been a totally different vibe on the south end. When Lindsay was growing up and she and her family came to visit from Michigan, they would vacation on the south end and never go to the Village.”
Today, Pallaria and his wife own both Siesta Key locations. Vince and Karen Meany own and manage the Meaney’s shop on St. Armands Circle that opened in 2021.
The new Meaney’s is located at 1223 Old Stickney Point Rd. It sits on the corner next door to the Coconuts boutique in space once occupied by a RE-MAX real estate office.
Visitors to the plaza will find that it is taking on a refreshed look and will easily spot Meaney’s familiar signage, illuminated on top of a new awning. Directional signs point the way to the walk-up window.
“When our landlord Mike Granthon called to say that he and (building co-owner) Chris Brown had purchased the plaza, he encouraged us to open a second outpost,” Pallaria said. “Vince and Karen were in real estate for 30 years and my father-in-law was also very encouraging about this move.”
Speaking of the island’s south-end business region, Pallaria added that “watching the Daiquiri Deck’s success and seeing how Captain Curt’s has expanded has been very inspirational. It’s a great footprint and they are great role models.”
The menu will be exactly the same as the Village location, as mini-donut lovers will find the same highly sought-after sweet treats for which Meaney’s has become famous. Choose from the classic powdered sugar and Bavarian creme to the more daring varieties such as key lime and peanut butter
Online reviews, posted by customers, have called the donuts “incredible, tasty, and over-the-top.” One reviewer wrote that the little donuts reminded him of the beignets that are a New Orleans culinary treasure.
“In addition to the donuts, our Crescent Beach menu includes our popular soft-serve ice cream, locally roasted coffee, frappes, and our amazing lemonade,” Pallaria said. “The espresso and the lemonade are out of this world.”
The hours are 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
For large orders, call (941) 260-9176 in advance.
Author: Jane Bartnett