In 1993, the first Daiquiri Deck location opened in Siesta Key. Locals and visitors alike loved the casual beachy vibes and the flavorful fruity frozen drinks and over thirty years later, the Daiquiri Deck team has grown in leaps and bounds. The eatery now has five locations throughout the Sarasota area with a sixth one in the works. They’ve also opened a location at Tropicana Field and are proud partners of the Tampa Bay Rays. But despite the brand’s unprecedented growth, the team behind it remains as close-knit as ever.

“Anytime there’s some kind of emergency with our staff we really like to come together as a community and make sure we’re supporting our team,” says Dylan Pike, the COO of Daiquiri Deck. Sadly, one of their team members has found themselves in a time of crisis. Paige Wellman is a server at the St. Armands location. Recently, she and her family lost their home, belongings, and beloved cat in a devastating house fire.

“This home had been in her family for generations, so they lost absolutely everything,” Pike explains. “As soon as this happened, all of us wanted to make sure we pulled together to support her. People here have been able to pull together clothes and personal items already, but we really wanted to be able to get money into their hands as quickly as possible because when you lose everything, you do need immediate support. And so that’s what we really wanted to provide for her.”

To address that immediate need, the Daiquiri Deck on St. Armands Circle is hosting a fundraiser on Tuesday, June 11th from 6pm to 9pm in the upstairs bar. Ten percent of the sales generated from the event will go directly to Wellman and her family to help them begin to rebuild from this tragedy. People who can’t attend the event are invited to donate to a GoFundMe that has been organized for the family.

While the Daiquiri Deck may be most well-known for their creamy, juicy frozen drinks that utilize natural ingredients like fruit purees instead of high-fructose corn syrup, they also have an impressive food menu. A year and a half ago, they brought Chef Jeremy Theyer on board and he has totally revamped their menu with a focus on natural flavors and fresh, locally-sourced ingredients. Seafood lovers can enjoy delightful dishes like the Crab Cake BLT, Tropical Glazed Mahi Sandwich, or Parmesan Crusted Cod, while landlubbers might gravitate towards the classic Deck Burger or the Mojo Cuban Sandwich.

One thing is for certain: the food and drinks at the Daiquiri Deck are as good as the people who make it all happen. And that says a lot.

Daiquiri Deck on St. Armands, 325 John Ringling Boulevard, Sarasota, 941-388-3325.  

Pictured: The Big Deck Energy Challenge, launched earlier this year, features 1.2 lbs. of ground beef, bacon, cheese, lettuce, tomato, pickle, onion and house sauce on a toasted roll. Those that finish will have their photo taken and put on the Big Deck E

Summer has arrived, and at Taste of Spain, we are excited to share some of our best seasonal offerings with you! Indulge in our best-seller, Traditional Gazpacho, or try something new with our refreshing Beet Gazpacho. We also have our delightful Potato Salad (Russian Salad) and delicious EVOO Tuna Stuffed Eggs, perfect for a light and refreshing summer meal. This summer, we’re updating our Daily Special Paella Days! Enjoy our daily specials for Paella now only on Fridays and Saturdays. However, don't forget that you can still order any of our paellas any day of the week for pick-up with a minimum order of 4 people. Whether it's a family dinner, day on a boat or a special gathering, our authentic paellas are perfect. Don't miss out on our upcoming "Flamenco Classes" starting in July! Join us on Wednesdays for three weeks of learning and practicing Sevillanas, culminating in a recital with Paella and Sangria on the fourth Wednesday. Bring guests to enjoy the evening and showcase what you've learned. We understand that summer is a quieter season, but we invite you to stop by the shop and experience the vibrant flavors of Spain. From our gourmet market stocked with Spanish products to our delicious tapas and paellas, there's always something new to discover. Thank you for your continued support, and we look forward to seeing you at Taste of Spain this summer! 

Great food was the theme of the one-year anniversary celebration for Clasico Chophouse and Taproom. A delighted crowd of area business owners, employees and government dignitaries were treated to a variety of dishes from Chef David Locke at the event held on Wednesday, Dec. 6 in the Brandon Town Center location. Guests enjoyed slow smoked beef ribs that were prepared for six hours, house made meatballs, bruschetta clasico, and more. Clasico’s mixologists also served up various signature drinks as guests were treated to the musical stylings of Blake Guyre. Clasico Chophouse and Taproom is located at 775 Brandon Town Center Drive, Brandon. It is open Sunday-Thursday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Friday-Saturday 11 a.m. until the last customer leaves. Discounts for military personnel are available. For more information on Clasico Chophouse and Taproom, please visit clasicobrandon.com or call 813-444-5188. 

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Creative Liberties Artist Studios and Gallery continues its season’s offerings with an all-packed July starting with the exhibit, “True Colors: Celebrating Pride,” through July 6. Local artists will exhibit works in a color scheme that represents one of the colors on the LGBTQ+ Progress flag. 

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Southwest Florida luxury home builder Neal Signature Homes will officially open two model homes in EVERLY, a new luxury home neighborhood located in the master-planned Wellen Park, on June 15. Catered food and drinks will be served by Morton’s from 11am-2pm and an RSVP is required by visiting https://bit.ly/3VvhPtW. EVERLY is Wellen Park’s first luxury and custom home neighborhood, as well as its first multi-homebuilder neighborhood. EVERLY offers spacious, lakefront and wetland-view private homesites that are close to Downtown Wellen that features restaurants, shopping, entertainment venues, a splash pad, the Grand Lake and trail, featuring 2.8 miles of pedestrian paths. The eight available floor plans for EVERLY range from 2,562 to 4,189 square feet with pricing starting in the $900s. Floor plans are bright, airy and spacious with an abundance of natural light and the builder’s characteristic blend of indoor and outdoor living. Customizable options allow homeowners to personalize their homes. Homesites span 75-feet or 85-feet with select lots fronting along a 50-acre lake for prime sunset views. Neal Signature Homes began selling in EVERLY last June and 11 homes have already sold. Neal Signature Homes is introducing a 70’ product at EVERLY, with the community featuring both 60’ and 70’ products. The Palm Bay 2 model is a 70’ product, featuring 3,138 square feet of air-conditioned living space, including 3 bedrooms, 3 baths and a three-car garage with a modern farmhouse look. This model includes an optional casita, showing how this flexible additional space can be used for multi-generational family living, a live-in nanny or accommodate guests. The Ravenna model, with 3,004 square feet of air-conditioned living space, features 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths and a three-car garage with a British West Indies look. Luxury living in EVERLY will be complemented by extensive amenities, offering unique gathering areas for socializing and relaxing inside and out. The clubhouse and separate state-of-the-art fitness center will enhance an active lifestyle and feature modern farmhouse architecture – with a covered poolside veranda and steep sloping roofs adding to the openness of inside spaces, including a social hall with a kitchen and reception area. The outdoor area features a relaxing dining area with a fire pit to enjoy with neighbors. Additional amenities include a resort pool and spa with private cabanas, beach area, pickleball courts, a chip-and-putt golf facility, and more. Outdoor recreation enthusiasts will enjoy access to the future Oakheart Nature Trail, which will wind alongside EVERLY’s featured 50-acre lake. Wellen Park is one of the best-selling communities in the nation, according to national real estate consulting firms RCLCO and John Burns. EVERLY is located near the brand-new College Preparatory Academy, which is currently under construction and accepting applications for the 2023-24 school year. The EVERLY neighborhood is also walkable to the future Sarasota County School District high school and K-8 school site delivering Fall 2025. Learn more about Neal Signature Homes in EVERLY at Wellen Park by visiting www.nealsignaturehomes.com/everly. 

Pictured: Two new models, including the Palm Bay 2 (pictured here) will officially open June 15 at Neal Signature Homes’ EVERLY at Wellen Park.

Stock Custom Homes, Florida’s premier custom home builder, proudly announces the completion of its cutting-edge Home Design Center in Naples. This state-of-the-art facility marks a significant milestone in Stock Custom Homes' unwavering dedication to providing an unmatched home customization experience. The Home Design Center within the Stock Custom Homes corporate office serves as an authentic reflection of the quality and end results the company provides discerning buyers. Showcasing design elements that impact the construction process, this design center meticulously incorporates features such as integrated shades, roof sections, wall assemblies, ceiling beams, window sections, panelized lighting, and hidden switches for media rooms. Homebuyers can also explore featured textures, designs, materials, and colors. The Home Design Center affords clients a tangible and personalized experience, enabling them to select customizable details of their potential homes. It is also an inviting space for one-on-one consultations with Stock Custom Homes staff throughout the build process. This personalized support and service underscore Stock Custom Homes' distinctive approach, building not only dream homes but lasting relationships with their clients, setting them apart in a competitive market. Stock Custom Homes welcomes homeowners to explore the new Home Design Center and envision their spaces, showcasing the company's commitment to seamless customization aligned with each client's unique vision. For more information about Stock Custom Homes, their unparalleled home customization experiences, or to tour their new design center, visit StockCustomHomes.com. 

FROM GARDEN TO PLATE | Soon to become the world's first net-positive restaurant, The Green Orchid at the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens honors nature's bounty, May/June 2024. 

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