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As for downtown Sarasota, Ron Soto, co-owner of Soto's Optical on Main Street and chairman of the Sarasota Downtown Merchants Association, told the News Leader season seemed to get under way a bit later, but "it came in with both barrels. … Everybody's here." Usually, he said, downtown businesses start seeing the increase in tourism and seasonal residents just before Christmas. This year, he continued, Jan. 15 seemed to be "when it really cranked in." Soto said he has talked with proprietors along Main Street, on Palm Avenue and in other areas of the city. "Business is doing very, very well now." Regarding his own company, he added, "My February was one of the best Februarys in years." In Venice, John Ryan, president and CEO of the Venice Area Chamber of Commerce, told the News Leader on March 12, "It's probably been as busy as I've ever seen it," and he has been in that community for 55 years. "It's been an incredible season." National news media a t t e n t i o n a b o u t Venice being named one of the top afford- a b l e r e t i r e m e n t c o m m u n i t i e s h a s helped, he pointed out. "Without our having to do an excessive amount of marketing, a lot of people seem to know about us." Baltimore Orioles catcher Matt Wieters bats against the Toronto Blue Jays during the Orioles' first home game this season at Ed Smith Stadium, held on March 1. Photo by Norman Schimmel Business is doing very, very well now. Ron Soto Chairman Sarasota Downtown Merchants Association Sarasota News Leader March 14, 2014 Page 52