Spring Brings 12 Fresh New Brands to UTC

Spring has arrived at University Town Center (UTC), ushering in a vibrant lineup of new stores and restaurants. From adventure-ready apparel to stylish home furnishings, 12 exciting new arrivals are joining the collection of more than 300 retailers at Sarasota-Bradenton’s premier lifestyle destination, developed by Benderson.

The first of the new additions is the Florida debut of Maine-based outdoor retailer L.L.Bean. Opening Friday, May 9 at 9 a.m. in The West District at UTC, the 17,000-square-foot location near Target will offer a wide assortment of apparel and gear for people who love the outdoors. The UTC location marks L.L. Bean’s entry into the Southeast U.S., with stores predominantly located in New England, Midwest and Mid-Atlantic states.

The furniture and décor lineup at UTC is blossoming with two premier home furnishing stores. CITY Furniture (CITY) will open a 120,000-square foot showroom later this spring in the East District at UTC, adjacent to Tesla. The expansive new showroom will feature the best that CITY has to offer, including a dedicated home décor space, a mattress gallery, free interior design services and the famous KC Café and Wine Bar. Additionally, Design Within Reach, a leading destination for authentic modern furniture and accessories, is preparing to open its first West Coast Florida location on the lower level of the Mall at UTC this summer.

Exciting new dining concepts are also coming soon. Florence and the Spice Boys, beloved for its visually beautiful and delicious modern Middle Eastern fusion street food, is set to open its second Sarasota location on April 28 in a brightly colored 2,500-square-foot space in the West District at UTC.

Just to the south In the same district, construction is now underway to bring three of Tampa’s most popular restaurants to town. Modern Italian restaurant Olivia and contemporary American restaurant On Swann, both by award-winning Chef Chris Ponte, are set to open back-to-back locations along N. Cattlemen Rd. Across the way next to Ethan Allen will be Bulla Gastrobar, known for its  shareable Spanish cuisine, sangrias and imaginative cocktails.

Also coming to the Cattlemen corridor this summer is Zōtō, a new izakaya concept from James Beard-nominated restaurateurs Jimmy and Johnny Tung. The menu will spotlight sushi, Japanese small plates, premium sake and craft cocktails with a Japanese twist.

The highly anticipated Blu Kouzina, one of St. Armands Circle’s most prized dining spots, is making exciting progress. The renowned Greek restaurant is set to open its second Sarasota location later this year in the West District at UTC, adjacent to Ford’s Garage.

For those craving something sweet, Rita’s Italian Ice is opening soon in the Shoppes at UTC, right next to the newly opened Sprinkles cupcake shop. Rita’s offers dozens of flavors of Italian Ice, plus frozen custard, gelati and specialty creations.

On the fashion side, The Mall at UTC is welcoming trendy Canadian-based clothing retailer Garage and Gorjana, a popular Southern California jewelry brand known for its plated to fine necklaces, earrings, bracelets, custom-engraved pieces and more.