Photo courtesy of @unclephilsorganicpopcorn

Sarasota Farmers Market's Phil Pagano did indeed step down from his longtime role back in April amidst COVID-19 shutdowns and not being able to see eye-to-eye with the market's board of directors. After serving as Executive Director and Market Manager for over a decade, Pagano is now shifting his "support small business" efforts to opening his own brick-and-mortar general store. The store is now open daily for shopping local goods and artisan treats you likely scout on Saturday's at the downtown Farmers Market. Aside from launching his own artisan popcorn venture, titled Uncle Phil's Organic Popcorn, the store will also offer many of your favorite Sarasota Farmers Market vendors' goods. Java Dawg Craft Roasted Coffee bags sit on shelves below locally-made washcloth towels while Southwest Woodwork's wine holders and serving trays are displayed alongside Ashjoi's Natural Artisan Soaps. Other recognized market vendors's locally-made items include Sunshine Canning jams and Mazzone Olive Oil, both in a variety of different flavor selections. Lunar Earth's loose-leaf tea/herbs are bagged for purchase along with tea steepers, Sarasota Candle Co.'s funky candles make a guest appearance with long-beloved scents and Winter Park Honey graces the shelves with a wide range of medicinal and gourmet honey. An exclusive item you may not have seen yet is Big Wave Organic Cotton Candy, packaged in large Mason jars and available in different flavors such as pineapple, lychee, coconut, lilikoi and sea salt caramel. 

Meanwhile, shoppers can snack on Pagano's small-batch artisan popcorn, made with organic coconut oil and sea salt. Tastes are free, and prepackaged boxes for purchase are organized into four different flavors: kettle, plain, cinnamon and maple. Option to order bags of the popcorn online in "Farmers Delight 4-packs" or the "Jumbo Papa Pop" size are available as well. 

Uncle Phil's General Store now open and poppin' - 1316 N East Ave., Sarasota, 34237, unclephilsorganicpopcorn.com. 

Photo courtesy of @unclephilsorganicpopcorn