The Sunshine State’s outdoor retail scene is set for a fresh contender as L.L. Bean announces its inaugural Florida location, slated to open in early May 2025. Nestled in Sarasota’s bustling University Town Center West District, just off Interstate 75, the 17,000-square-foot store will occupy a former Bed, Bath & Beyond space—a retailer that shuttered after filing for bankruptcy last year. Notably, the outdoor giant will share the retail corridor with REI Co-op, setting the stage for a dynamic rivalry in the adventure gear market.…