1899 Fruitville Road plans on hold, Historic Downtown Village is safe – for now

Even so, the Breakfast House owner continues her quest to recreate her business, and others, at a new location.

By Noah Bookstein

Original Air Date: October 6, 2026

Host: The news that a developer was going to tear down the Historic Downtown Village and replace it with a block-filling apartment complex produced strong public reactions. For some of the small business owners who were renting the historic wood-frame buildings, the challenge is existential. But this weekend, their landlord sent them an email saying the contract with the developer is off, and the land is no longer for sale. Noah Bookstein reports.

Despite the landlord’s message, the owners of the Breakfast House will continue to try to develop a new site. | Photo: Bookstein

Noah Bookstein: The land deal that would have replaced the small businesses in Sarasota’s Historic Downtown Village with an apartment complex is stopped.

Philip DiMaria of Kimley Horn, which represents Tennessee-based Bristol Development, told WSLR News he can confirm the deal is paused. Bristol’s David Hanchrow did not respond to a request for comment by deadline.

The land on Fruitville Road between Gillespie and Goodrich avenues is owned by Alex and Marlene Lancaster. In an email to tenants, they wrote that “the contract is no longer in effect”, and “the property is not being offered for sale”. They said “their intention is to continue owning and managing the property.”

Tess Craig, owner of The Artful Giraffe, a studio and gallery in the village, told WSLR News she is relieved.

The Artful Giraffe

Tess Craig:  We got the message directly from our landlord, so that was really good. It was nice that they reached out to us and let us know. It is such a relief. As far as we understand, at least for now, the deal is off and they’re going to continue with our leases, and I think it’s just a wonderful thing. It is such a weight off of our shoulders. This has been a very emotional ride. And it’s just wonderful to know that at least for now, we can continue in our current location and we have a lease until 2028. So we are there to stay for the foreseeable future. 

NB: Siegfried’s Restaurant, another affected business, thanked followers on social media for their support and called this year “a true rollercoaster ride.”

Wendy Goldberg, owner of The Breakfast House, started the Sarasota Bungalow Village project after learning her restaurant could lose its location. Despite the news, Goldberg is moving forward with her plans. She is seeking a rezone of land at Griggs Avenue and Fruitville Road for her restaurant and other businesses such as Discover Sarasota Tours, who may still wish to move there. 

Goldberg’s request for a rezone will be before City of Sarasota planners this week.

Goldberg’s daughter, Jazz Wingard, Operations Manager at The Breakfast House, said the restaurant will stay open until the move, expected in summer or fall 2027. 

Wingard said she would “love to believe” the landlord will not sell, but she does not think it is smart for them to rely on that. Wingard told WSLR News that with all of the work between the landlord, the developer, and the city done, the land is basically “gift wrapped” and ready to go for the next offer.

Breakfast House’s new home will be at the existing building on the new property, once home to the Zacchini family, Ringling Circus performers who lived there for decades. The bungalows at the historic downtown village can no longer be moved if the apartment deal is off. Goldberg said they are looking at other historic bungalows facing demolition in other locations. One has already been donated.

Goldberg and Wingard said the move has been hard on them personally because of the planning and investments, but they feel they accomplished the goal of keeping the houses standing and the businesses running.

Craig’s Artful Giraffe had planned to join the move, but she is now staying put.

Tess Craig

TS:  For now, we have a lease until 2028, so we will be staying in our current location. We support everybody in their endeavors. This has been such a wild time, or all the businesses. There’s 17 of us over there, so we support everybody in their own decisions and what they want to do. And for now we will be staying at our current location.  I would just like to thank everybody for all their support that they’ve shown all of us.  Please come and see us. Come visit the district while you can. I hope it’s here for another 100 years. It’s been standing tall for a long time. And please come see us. Enjoy it.

NB: Reporting for WSLR News, Noah Bookstein. 

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