Insider Shopping
Lakewood Main Street is abuzz with new restaurants and shops, many of them branches of downtown Sarasota and Anna Maria Island favorites. A quick stroll reveals Village Bikes, Artisan World Marketplace and Ana Molinari Salon & Spa—each reminiscent of the Sarasota original, but intriguingly tailored to the new locale. The owners of Anna Maria Island’s Fish Hole Adventure Golf course have opened a grassy, old-Florida iteration here. And the fare at Paris Bistrot is just as authentic as at sister restaurants Island Creperie in Bradenton Beach and 62 Bistrot on Hillview in Sarasota.
Grant a Wish
World Class
House Warming
Taste Test
Tropical Paradise
shall We Dance?
Storefront Schools
You can now learn everything from martial arts to jewelry making on Lakewood Main Street, with four new storefronts offering classes by topnotch instructors as well as exciting new party venues.
Imagine crafting pieces like this turquoise and silver pendant ($75) by Fran Jensen, owner of Knot AWL Beads, 8110 Lakewood Main Street, (941) 907-8335. Choose classes from beading to metalsmithing, and buy gemstones, crystals and metals on site.
Hone your culinary skills with classes by top local chefs and outfit your kitchen with chef-grade cooking equipment at the brand-new Viking Culinary Center, 8130 Lakewood Main Street, (941) 366-2665.
Express your creativity by painting pre-made bisque pottery, or try your hand at clay building and learn glass-fusing at this studio brimming with paints, glazes, pottery and more. Arts a Blaze Studio, 8111 Lakewood Main Street, (941) 306-5840.
Tone mind and body with martial arts classes for ages three to 103, or try women’s-only Brazilian jiu jitsu and fitness kickboxing. Don’t miss a peek at adorable Little Champs classes for kids aged three to six. America’s Best Martial Arts, 8120 Lakewood Main Street, (941) 363-1319.