Sure, Laurel Park is a historic neighborhood known for its restored Arts & Crafts and Florida Cracker cottages and its proximity to Main Street and downtown Sarasota—not to mention Burns Square and the Sarasota Bayfront. And sure, as the epicenter of Florida’s cultural coast Sarasota is well known for its fine arts. But did you know that Laurel Park also boasts one of the best comics and gaming shops you’ll ever find? The Dark Side, located at 408 S. Washington Boulevard (in a small plaza alongside a yoga studio and barber shop, among several others) is both a comic book shop and the home of Sarasota’s biggest gaming community.
Considering Moving to Laurel Park? Come See it on a Segway
Current Laurel Park residents have probably noticed a caravan of Segways passing by from time to time. They are participants on a guided tour of Historic Laurel Park courtesy of Florida Ever-Glides. According to their Web site, “Florida Ever-Glides Inc. originated the Segway Guided Tour concept in the United States in August 2003. With over 25,000 tour guests, this has made us the #1 mid-market Segway Guided Tour experience nationally!”
Dr. Gary Reinhardt: Laurel Park’s Very Own Doctor Doolittle
“Our dog hates going to the vet, always has,” says Laurel Park resident Josh Grigsby. “But sometimes when we’re out for a walk she’ll insist on going to see Dr. Gary.” Dr. Gary Reinhardt of Vet Center Sarasota isn’t your run of the mill veterinarian. I swear he can speak dog, cat, bird, ferret, whatever. A multilingual pet whisperer and healer rolled into one. And for 25 years, Sarasota’s pet population has been the beneficiary.
2010 Sarasota Open Pro Tennis Tournament Starts Tomorrow
The Sarasota area has been a tennis hotbed for many years, with the Nick Bollitieri/IMG Academy just up the road and numerous pros and former pros choosing to make Sarasota their home. The Sarasota Open, held at the Longboat Key Club in a brand new $4.5 million facility, is the premier tennis event on Florida’s gulf coast. Local pros seek to defend their home turf as everybody gets tuned up for the year’s second Grand Slam event, the French Open, which immediately follows.