UTC Welcomes Spring Season with a Fresh New Lineup of Stores and Restaurants

Spring is here and new businesses are budding up all over University Town Center. A variety of new additions are coming soon to our sprawling retail, dining and entertainment destination. 

Among the latest additions is popular specialty outdoor retailer REI Co-op, which is planning to open this fall in The West District at UTC near DSW. The 25,000-square-foot location will offer a wide assortment of apparel and gear for camping, cycling, running, fitness, hiking, paddling, climbing and more. For those who adventure on two wheels, the store will also feature a full-service bike shop staffed by certified mechanics. The UTC REI will be the company’s eighth in the state and will offer the same membership program as other locations.

Along University Parkway, work is well underway on a new Tesla showroom and service center. The electric vehicle company will open a two-story, 55,000-square foot location later this year.

The Market at UTC is getting a makeover with Sarasota-Bradenton’s first Drybar. The new blow dry bar salon is set to take over a 1,600-square-foot storefront next to Restore Hyper Wellness. The Drybar shop will offer the ultimate blowout experience, with no cuts or coloring.

Shoppers will soon be able to refresh their spring wardrobe and beyond at J. Crew. The popular store for apparel and accessories for men, women and children is opening a 6,700-square-foot shop next to Bonefish Grill in The Shoppes at UTC.

Joining J. Crew in The Shoppes will be Venetian Nail Spa, a growing chain of luxury nail spas that offer high-quality nail, waxing and skin care services. The new 3,000-square-foot nail spa will open near Marshalls.

The dining scene at UTC is growing with Greek restaurant Blu Kouzina. One of St. Armands Circle’s most popular restaurants, Blu Kouzina is set to open its second location in Sarasota in The West District at UTC, adjacent to Ford’s Garage. In a setting straight out of Santorini, the family-owned eatery will serve Greek and Mediterranean favorites — all prepared fresh and made in-house daily — like spanakopita, mousaka, grilled whole fish, succulent lamb, kalamaki souvlaki (beef skewers) and kotopoulo fourno (roast lemon chicken).

Rocco’s Tacos and Tequila Bar recently burst onto the scene at UTC and will soon be followed by Yard House, opening April 2 on the corner of University Parkway and Cattlemen Rd. The modern American restaurant and bar offers more than 100 beers on tap and a menu featuring shareable apps and popular main dishes such as street tacos, prime burgers, seafood and steaks.

Other exciting new additions opening soon at UTC include farm-to-fork concept Naked Farmer; Orlando’s famed Foxtail Coffee Co; locally owned Anna Maria Oyster Bar; taproom and restaurant Fat Point Brewing; and family-owned The Breakfast Company.