A potential new Trader Joe’s location is generating significant excitement in Sarasota after development plans were filed for the former Staples site at the intersection of South Beneva Road and U.S. 41.
Benderson Development has submitted preliminary permit applications for a “future grocery store” at the location. According to the Sarasota County communications office, the plans explicitly reference a “proposed Trader Joe’s.” Despite this evidence, which has fueled widespread speculation on social media, Trader Joe’s has not officially confirmed the new store.
For many local shoppers, the news is a welcome solution to a long-standing frustration: the notoriously congested parking lot at the existing Trader Joe’s on South Tamiami Trail. Online forums and social media platforms have been flooded with comments from residents hopeful that the new, larger location will alleviate traffic and improve the shopping experience.
The potential development also signifies a notable shift in the area’s retail landscape, replacing a big-box office supply store with a popular, experience-focused grocer. A new anchor store at this prominent corner is expected to revitalize the shopping plaza, attracting more foot traffic and boosting economic activity for neighboring businesses in South Sarasota.
While residents await official confirmation, the permit filings strongly suggest that a new chapter is beginning for the prominent Sarasota corner, driven by evolving consumer habits and strong community demand.
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