While friends and relatives shivered up north, locals and tourists soaked up the sun on a balmy Sunday afternoon just days before Christmas on St. Armands Circle.
For a moment, the iconic Sarasota destination almost felt normal again, a welcome sight after last year’s devastating flood damage from hurricanes Helene and Milton.
Waves of people drifted from shop to shop, pausing for Cuban cuisine at the Columbia Restaurant, grabbing slices at Venezia, or browsing island-chic clothing downstairs at Tommy Bahama before heading upstairs to dine at the famed Florida brand’s restaurant…