Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/94842
Sarasota News Leader November 23, 2012 Siesta Seen All bets are on Waechter's engine's engine will purr smoothly this year; a group of male SKA board members had to push it along the route last November. "The parade's going to be really neat," Volpe assured everyone at the Nov. 1 SKA meeting. During the SKVA meeting, Hyland concurred with Volpe: "The parade looks to be … bigger and better than last year." SKA Vice President Peter van Roekens point- ed out at the SKVA meeting that he had given EAT HERE SOON During the Nov. 1 SKA meeting, Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce Chairman Mark Smith had an update on plans for the new Eat Here restaurant opening in January in the space on Avenida Madera formerly occupied by Total Tennis. Smith is the architect for the establishment, a sister to the popular dining spot near the intersection of Links Avenue and Main Street in downtown Sarasota. Plans call for the Village Eat Here to have 157 seats, with 16 outside, he said. It will be open from 5 to 10 p.m. on weeknights and until 11 p.m. on weekends. "It's a family restaurant," Smith pointed out, though it will have a full bar. "It's the type of thing I think we need on Siesta Key." Proprietor Sean Murphy has won many awards for his original Beach Bistro concept on Anna Maria Island, Smith added. A press release notes the Village restaurant "will offer the same winning [menu] formula as its predecessors." The release adds, "Eat Here's Beach Bistro-trained staff demon- strates the Bistro's same level of commitment and dedication to providing culinary excel- lence at accessible pricing for the everyday budget." When SKA board member Deet Jonker asked about the parking situation, Smith pointed out other businesses in that shopping center will be closed when Eat Here is open. Counting spaces in the parking lot to the east of the building and those along the right of way on Avenida Madera, the total is 52, he added. the parade route to Sgt. Scott Osborne, leader of the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office's Com- munity Policing Station in the Village, one crit- ical step in ensuring a smooth event. Although the parade still will head down Ocean Boulevard, van Roekens added, staging will take place along some of the back streets this year instead of at the public beach. Ocean Boulevard will be closed to traffic from 5 to 7 p.m. Nov. 24 for the parade, according to organizers. Page 77