Things to do on and around Siesta Key
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New turf for Meaney’s The mini-donut business takes big step with second location on Old Stickney Point Road By Jane Bartnett Meaney’s Mini Donuts has cornered the market -- the mini donut market on Siesta Key, that is. When its new walk-up window opened Aug. 18 in the plaza that holds Crescent Beach Market, it became the second Meaney’s donut destination on the island. Donut lovers on the north side of the island continue to flock to the original shop in the heart of Siesta
Key Village, which opened 11 years ago. “Crescent Beach is a great location,” said Anthony Pallaria, who owns the business with his wife, Lindsay. Her parents, Vince and Karen Meaney, founded the original Meaney’s. “I grew up on Siesta Key,” said Pallaria. “There’s always been a totally different vibe on the south
end. When Lindsay was growing up and she and her family came to visit from Michigan, they would vacation on the south end and never go to the Village.” Today, Pallaria and his wife own both Siesta Key locations. Vince and Karen Meany own and manage the Continued on page 6V
Keeping with tradition, Thom Williams hands over the first dollar bill to a Meaney’s employee at a grand opening. Kelly Leissler gladly accepts. (photo by John Morton).
What’s new ... on Siesta Key
Putting the special in specialty Project Coffee opens in Siesta Center, boasts unique blends from various regions By Jane Bartnett Lovers of specialty coffees have a reason to rejoice. Project Coffee, one of Siesta Key’s newest entries to the casual dining world, opened its doors July 28 in the Village’s Siesta Center. This 100% vegan establishment is a perfect place to drop in to relax and enjoy a specialty coffee, tea, pastry, bowl or smoothie. Hot chocolate and ice-cold drinks are also on the menu. “This is a neighborhood kind of place,” said co-owner Ian Steger, a Siesta Key native who grew up on Midnight Pass Road, as he stood behind the counter of the welcoming and brightly lit space that exudes a cool, calm and coastal atmosphere with
Employee Savannah Yoder offers-up a beautiful latte at Project Coffee. (photo by John Morton)
its soft blonde woods and small tables. He is one of five owners of this fouryear-old successful Sarasota business that now boasts three locations. In 2019, Steger and Emily Arthur opened the original cafe in Sarasota’s Burns Court neighborhood. A second shop opened in January 2023 in the city’s Rosemary District, featuring a café and a full coffee roastery. Coffee is this young entrepreneur’s passion. Following his graduation from the Sarasota Military Academy, Steger began his career in the restaurant business working at Sarasota cafes and restaurants. After sampling an Ethiopian coffee at Starbucks that tasted like blueberries,
he became fascinated with specialty coffees. A fast-growing trend in the food world, Steger reported that a growing number of Michelin Star restaurants are adding specialty coffees to their menus. Importing directly from Mexico, South America and Africa, Project Coffee’s brews are served by the cup as hot or cold drip, double-shot espresso, double-shot Americano, hot or iced latte, double-shot cappuccino, and cortado coffee. Only oak milk is used. “Our coffee offerings change every few months,” Steger reported. Continued on page 14V
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