More than a store, A Bit O’ Yarn has become exactly that in its near-decade presence in Englewood. It’s a thriving small business that allows people to experience the joy of knitting, where beginners and experienced makers gather to knit, crochet and connect.

True to the spirit of Englewood, this sense of belonging invites local yarn enthusiasts to be stewards of the craft — for both personal fulfillment and community outreach through charity knitting and disaster donations.

Sage Higgins, who is often the first point of contact when customers enter A Bit O’ Yarn, started with the company about five years ago with little experience in knitting.

Over time, she’s gained a deeper respect for handmade work and the joy of making things by hand — for herself, children and others. Once a frustrating task, knitting has taught her to slow down, be persistent and stick with the process long enough to see results.

“I really value the relationships we have with customers and our positive, supportive environment. This is truly a place where people gather and I couldn’t be more thankful for the community that has embraced me over the last five years and taught me so much,” Sage said.

Like most beginners, Sage started with a washcloth to learn foundational skills. From there, many people move on to hats, scarves and sweaters, as they realize how transformative the craft can be.

START WITH A CLASS

A Bit O’ Yarn has a number of classes for beginner, intermediate and advanced learners to hone their skills, led by instructors Linda, Irene, Sheila, Meg or Tracy.

• Beginner Crochet classes: For anyone ready to learn the basics of crochet, A Bit O’ Yarn offers a two-hour session every Tuesday from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. for beginners. During this session, you’ll make a simple dishcloth, an ideal first project for practicing foundational stitches.
• Beginner Knitting classes: For more personalized instruction, A Bit O’ Yarn offers private classes every Wednesday with flexible time slots available throughout the day.
• Fixing Knitting Mistakes monthly: This once-a-month class is dedicated to helping creators learn techniques for fixing common mistakes, so that you don’t have to pull everything out and start over. Mistakes happen!
• Tunisian Stitch Workshop: This eight-session workshop features a different stitch every month. From simple stitches, knit, purl and half double crochet stitch, there’s so much to learn!

YARN THERAPY

Twice a week, A Bit O’Yarn hosts a popular yarn therapy gathering, where customers bring their projects in, share ideas with others and spend time together.

“Everyone gathers and has a blast — talking, laughing, sharing ideas,” Higgins said. “It’s informal and a great way to connect with others.”

GIVING BACK

Volunteer crafters at  A Bit O’Yarn participate in several charitable knitting efforts that support the community during times of crisis or ongoing need.

• Hats for Sailors provides handmade hats for sailors in the U.S. Navy and Coast Guard.
• Sock Drive collects handmade socks for the homeless community.
• Knitted Knockers provides handmade breast prostheses that are soft, comfortable and beautiful for any breast cancer survivor who wants them.
• Shawls for Paws is a curation of high quality shawls sold to benefit Englewood Animal Sanctuary.

“I find it impactful the way we can knit and contribute to something bigger than ourselves and serve a purpose with our craft,” Sage said.

LOCAL AND SUSTAINABLE

A Bit O’ Yarn‘s selection of yarn and supplies comes primarily from small, independent yarn producers, offering alternatives to big-box retail chains.

The shop prioritizes supporting makers and independent dyers, helping small brands grow while providing customers with unique, high-quality materials. This approach results in yarns that are often softer, more durable and one-of-a-kind. Shop online or learn more about A Bit O’ Yarn’s classes at abitoyarn.com

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A family-owned cafe in Englewood is entering its 20th season in business this fall under its current ownership.

Spinnaker Cafe, known for its homemade food and welcoming atmosphere, was purchased by Lisa Domuczicz in 2007. On August 1st, the cafe is celebrating almost two decades of homemade food, long-standing community relationships and a commitment to keep the small-town diner feel alive.

Open seven days a week, Spinnaker Cafe serves both breakfast and lunch between 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. Its menu emphasizes homemade quality, including soups, sauces and desserts made from family recipes and a traditional diner-style selection. Family-friendly favorites include omelets and French toast for breakfast, or patty melts and cheeseburgers for lunch. Customers also take home homemade soup or chili by the quart for dinner.

Some of the most popular items include coconut French toast and the Benedict burger, but many customers dine often for the cafe’s unique rotating specials that highlight seasonal ingredients or creative combinations,  such as cranberry coffee rolls with bacon or lemon raspberry toppings.

While some popular specials are brought back by request, others are fleeting — encouraging guests to try something new or risk missing out.

“If we can make it happen, we will,” said Lisa. “The best part of our diner experience is the freshness. You’re getting homemade, nutritious food while seated in a family-friendly environment.”

Lisa brought years of restaurant industry experience to Spinnaker nearly two decades ago. While the cafe has maintained its traditional roots, she said customer tastes continue to evolve, which is reflected in the specials board with new and tasteful items.

In addition to homestyle, quality meals, Spinnaker offers beer, wine, and sangria along with weekly beverage specials and mimosas —peach, orange, cranberry, mango, pineapple, and guava lemonade.

Spinnaker’s relaxed dining experience is built on a loyal base of repeat customers and staff who recognize those customers by name.

“Some of our staff have been with us for years and customers appreciate that consistency. We’re deeply rooted in family, so that sense of familiarity that people feel when they walk through the door is important to us,” Lisa said. “It’s not always the case anymore that you’re served by the same face year after year. Here, that still happens.”

Spinnaker’s balance of tradition and adaptability over the years has helped the cafe earn recognition, including being voted Best Breakfast Diner and Cafe by The Daily Sun.

Lisa said she attributes the success of Spinnaker Cafe to the Englewood community with whom she has lived among and served for the last twenty years

“We have customers who volunteer to help us when we are short handed,” Lisa said. “Our community is helpful, they come together when you need support, they help each other, and that frame of mind is what ties everyone together.”

Ahead of major storms, the cafe has given away fresh ingredients rather than let them go to waste — a gesture that reflects the same generosity shown back to them by locals.

As the cafe approaches its 20th season, Lisa said she’s grateful that Englewood has supported Spinnaker as a place to eat and gather.

For more information about Spinnaker Cafe, visit SpinnakerCafe-Englewood.com

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In high school, Mara had the opportunity to enroll in a dual vocational school program. Her mother hoped she would pursue dental assisting. Mara had other plans, so she proposed a compromise.

“If I get good grades and I love it, I’ll pursue it. If not, I’ll try what you want me to do,” Mara said.

That decision would lay the foundation for what is now one of Englewood’s thriving small businesses today: Sassy Beaches Salon & Spa.

Today, Sassy Beaches operates as a full-service salon and spa offering hair services, makeup, nail care, dermaplaning, tinting, waxing, massages and facials.

EARLY BEGINNINGS

By 17, Mara was already working in a salon. An unexpected opportunity soon took her to upstate New York, where her clientele grew fast. With a full chair and returning clients, she was eventually promoted to assistant manager.

“I learned a lot and really enjoyed it,” Mara said.

After several years, Mara took another leap — this time to Englewood.

She worked at local salons, but quickly noticed the area’s slower pace. Building her clientele became her primary focus as she worked to fill her schedule.

BUSINESS CHALLENGES

While forming relationships with other beauty professionals in the area, Mara was faced with unexpected setbacks: the salon where she worked was preparing to close.

Two stylists she had grown close with would also be left without jobs and nowhere to work.

For Mara, unemployment was not an option.

She heard rumors of a soon-to-close salon on Beach Road and made a call. She asked the business owner if he would like another business to move in.

From that one phone call, Sassy Beaches was born.

The three ventured to turn the space upside down: interior renovations and rapidly growing and returning clientele.

“It was us, trying to keep the gang together,” Mara said.

HURRICANE TROUBLES

After eight years on Beach Road, Hurricane Helene hit Florida’s Big Bend region on September 26, 2024. Four feet of water drenched the salon and destroyed 80% of the salon’s equipment. Weeks later in October, Milton also made landfall, compounding the disruption.

Sassy Beaches was forced into transition. Eight employees depended on her — closing permanently was not an option.

Through industry connections, Mara reached out to another salon owner. By chance, this owner was at a crossroads. Instead of renting booths and allowing Sassy Beaches to temporarily use the space, that owner decided to step away entirely.

“The business transaction was done in two weeks, we were back to work,” Mara said. “We thankfully were able to recover from losing a lot of equipment.”

SASSY BEACHES SUCCESS

Celebrating nine years in business, Mara splits her time between clients and managing operations to ensure her team remains booked.

“Success isn’t one stylist being busy — it’s everyone thriving,” she said.

Mara has kept up on industry trends and developments. Behind the chair, she prioritizes hair integrity and realistic expectations over viral trends.

“Your hair is the crown you never take off,” she said.

From correcting over-right orange tones to guiding clients through the realistic process of hair color transformation, Mara believes understanding why products — not just how — separates good stylists from great ones.

Mara also teaches color education classes for Schwarzkopf Professional that takes her to any of the five states she is currently licensed — Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Pennsylvania and New York.

Sassy Beaches, located at 268 South Indiana Avenue in Englewood.  Visit SassyBeaches.com to learn more about the salon or book your appointment online. Follow @SassyBeaches on Instagram.

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Robert Vetter, a board-certified hearing instrument specialist in Englewood, sees this firsthand serving patients at Delta Hearing, a family-owned practice that has built a reputation for combining advanced technology with individualized care.

Operated by Grant Stevens, his wife, daughter Deanna and her husband, Delta Hearing emphasizes flexibility and patient choice, offering a wide range of hearing aid options across different manufacturers and price points.

Delta Hearing specializes in hearing aid services, custom fittings and comprehensive hearing exams. The practice uses cutting-edge technology to evaluate hearing health and tailor solutions to enhance hearing.

Vetter, who has worked in the hearing industry for nearly 15 years, found his way to Delta after losing his office in 2022 following Hurricane Ian. Three years ago, Delta opened its Englewood office for Robert to continue serving Englewood residents.

Vetter said he has always considered Englewood home and has felt welcomed by both residents and patients. With gratitude, Robert has dedicated time outside of Delta as an active member of the Lemon Bay Sunrise Rotary Club, the Englewood Moose Lodge and the Lemon Bay HIstoric Cemetery, where he serves on multiple boards and committees.

“My focus here in Englewood is to make sure that every patient has the results they are looking for,” Robert said. “I take the time and extra effort to make sure they’re getting the results they anticipated. And there’s no better feeling than improving the auditory well-being of my patients.”

Within the last five years, Robert said advances in technology have surpassed the previous 50 years collectively — functioning similarly to high-end headphones while improving hearing as well. They now have Bluetooth connectivity and advanced sound processing.

“Eight years ago, we couldn’t help people hear the way we do now. There were no viable options. Today, it’s a different story. It’s incredible,” Robert said.

The most rewarding part of his work in Englewood is helping patients rediscover sounds they’ve been missing, leading to improved quality of life.

“When we’re able to show them what they haven’t been hearing, it’s amazing,” Robert said.

Research has shown that hearing loss is linked to cognitive decline, underscoring the importance of early testing. Common signs of hearing loss may include asking people to repeat themselves, or the need to increase the volume on your television or device.

“Recognizing those signs is the first step,” Robert said.

Delta offers accessible care through phone and online appointments and works with most insurance providers.

For more information, visit DeltaHearingServices.com/contact/englewood. Call 941-559-6427 to reach Delta Hearing’s Englewood office.

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“We are a family-owned, full-service independent agency,” said Austin Fogo, an owner-partner at Key Agency. “We provide insurance solutions to protect people’s most valuable assets.

Key Agency comprises of nearly 50 staff members across its four locations. Englewood, North Port, Boca Grande, and Wellen Park. The Englewood office serves as the company’s main hub.

“We’re excited about our new location in Wellen Park and are happy to be further serving the surrounding area,” Fogo said. “That place is growing fast.”

While geographic growth is celebratory, the agency’s core values since its founding have remained unchanged: accessible, personalized service and building trusted, long-term relationships.

“We like to say at Key Agency, your policy comes with an agent,” Fogo said. “You’re not calling an 800 number — you’re talking to a real person with no call centers or wait times.”

During times of crisis, Key Agency works to remain open and accessible for Englewood residents navigating damage and insurance claims, memorably,  Hurricane Ian.

“We were proud to be open the day after the storm, ready to serve our community,” Fogo said.“We turned our conference room into an onsite daycare so that our team could facilitate our clients needs while knowing their kids were safe, we have a family atmosphere.”

Preparation is what kept the agency on after the storm, equipped with a backup generator capable of powering the entire building and internet system to maintain communication even when traditional services were unavailable.

“We were able to get in touch with carriers and file claims even when others couldn’t,” Fogo said. “People were coming into our office not just to file claims, but just to get cell service.”

Taking care of the community — even after a storm — has always been a priority for the agency.

Beyond insurance services, Key Agency supports schools, youth sports, the arts and community organizations. Staff are consistently serving on committees, boards and volunteering at charity events and fundraisers. The agency isthe longest-running Little League sponsor in the area, Fogo said.

Fogo said the agency’s goal is to simplify the insurance process while ensuring clients are fully protected.

“It’s really about peace of mind,” he said. “You don’t need it until you need it — but when you do, we want to make sure your policies will perform”.

Staying true to its founding principles, Key Agency blends its decades of experience with a modern approach. The agency handles all types of insurances including homeowners, automobile, boat, flood and business.

Key Agency is located on 1201 S. McCall Road, Englewood, Florida, 34223. For more information, visit KeyAgency.net or call 941-474-9511.

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And they don’t have to be complex.

All Veterans – All Families Cremations is a local provider of dignified, affordable cremation services, honoring veterans with a military credit but serving all families with care.

Open since October of 2017,  the All Veterans – All Families Englewood office is directed by Cathy Cornish, a St. Petersburg College graduate of mortuary science and licensed funeral director since 2017. 

While the death industry is changing, Cornish believes cremation as a direct service should be more affordable than many of the options other funeral homes provide. Working with lower overhead, Cornish offers cremation services at an affordable cost, while honoring families with dignity and respect.

BACKGROUND

Cornish earned her bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies in 2012 from the University of South Florida — Sarasota/Manatee with a focus on psychology and religious studies.

For over 30 years, Cornish has worked in various administrative fields including admin assistance, payroll, employee retirement board member and designed a newsletter publication for the City of Venice Utilities Department. Devoted to community, Cornish has also served the Englewood, Venice and North Port areas in a volunteer capacity with various organizations for over three decades.

In 2016, Cornish obtained a certification as a Certified Funeral Celebrant from Insight Books, furthering her education in the mortuary field.

Throughout her studies, work experience and volunteer capacity, Cornish has served people, which has echoed in the service and compassion she exemplifies at All Veterans, All Families Cremations.

PURPOSE

Partnering with a full service funeral home, All Veterans All Families, in Sarasota, both offices simplify end-of-life arrangements, offering the care and compassion of a smaller, local provider in mortuary services.

In Englewood, All Veterans, All Families Cremations provides direct cremation services and up front, affordable prices under the direction and dedication of Cornish, who has lived in Englewood for over four decades.

“I care about your loved one like you cared about your loved one. And I want to make sure the little tiny piece that I can do to help in this very difficult time. If I can make that piece gentle, professional, comfortable, safe, not scary, I have done my job. And I really believe my psychology background helps me with that,” Cornish said.

One of the biggest benefits with cremation is the luxury of time. Services can be planned on a special occasion or remain home for extended periods of time.

The Englewood office, located at 693 Old Englewood Road, Suite B, offers discounted cremations for veterans. All prices and cremation options are listed at allvetscremations.com.

COMMUNITY

All Veterans, All Families works diligently to serve the uniqueness of the Englewood community: diverse neighborhoods, an older population and a large number of veterans.

“Everyone is welcome to visit our facilities,” Cornish said. “We will make cremation arrangements as easy as possible for your family,” Cornish said.

CONTACT

For more information on direct cremations for veteran and non-veteran families, visit All Veterans – All Families Cremations at 693 Old Englewood Road, Suite B, Englewood, Florida, 34223. Visit the website at www.allvetscremations.com or watch Cathy’s commercial on ABC 7.  Call 941-460-6324 to reach Cathy Cornish or email cathy@allvetscremations.com

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Gasparilla Boat Tours offers year-round dolphin, sandbar and sunset tours — both private and public —that showcase the quiet, captivating beauty of Englewood’s coastal landscapes.

The small woman-owned business is led by local entrepreneurs Sue Nerud and Adrienne Cardinale, who both share a passion for Englewood and its tourism industry.

“We don’t just take people on a boat ride,” says Adrienne. “We want it to be the highlight of their trip. That mindset is the foundation of how we design our tours and customer experience.” With her background in recreation and Capt. Sue’s years of experience on the water was a perfect fit to team up to own and operate Gasparilla Boat Tours.

Gasparilla Boat Tours welcomes tourists and locals to see a side of Englewood that cannot be seen from the land: intracoastal waterways, the surprise of local marine wildlife, untouched beaches and barrier islands, and breathtaking Gulf Coast sunsets.

Touring Stump Pass, Little Gasparilla Island and Boca Grande Sandbar, there’s so much to see from the water, Sue says.

TOUR GUIDES AND CRUISES

Each two-hour tour — daily sunset cruises, dolphin tours and sandbar excursions — offers a different perspective of Englewood.  Some allow passengers to relax and let time stand still;  others introduce you to sandbars, saltwater and wildlife, both in the sea and above it.

With a combined maritime experience of 133 years, Gasparilla’s eight captains and mates conduct regular safety drills, training and vessel maintenance to ensure every passenger’s safety.

“Tour boat captains aren’t born — they’re developed,” says Sue, who has spent a lifetime on the water and the last six years guiding passengers through Southwest Florida’s coastal paradise. “You need someone who’s a skilled mariner, but also someone who truly loves people.”

Gasparilla staff emphasize the sensory and emotional experience of being on the water, delivering memorable, educational and relaxing trips.

“I’ve seen people get on the boat stressed from a long day, but leave completely relaxed. The water is grounding,” Sue says. “We’re creating experiences people remember long after they step off the boat.”

Many operators do not exceed more than six passengers due to regulatory threshold, but Gasparilla takes pride in its ability to carry up to 18 passengers per cruise.

“We’re proud to host larger families and groups on our tours. It’s something that sets us apart,” Adrienne says. “From booking to disembarking, if someone is booking a private event, or coming along for the daily tours, we love sharing our world with you”, says Sue.

The vessel behind the Gasparilla Tour Boat experience is Crack of Dawn, a custom-built, Coast Guard-inspected pontoon equipped with restroom, running water, a Bluetooth-compatible audio system, complimentary bottled water and the option to bring personal beverages.

MARINE WILDLIFE

Captains take pride in sharing their knowledge of Englewood with passengers — from marine life and coastal ecosystems to local history. Over time, captains have learned the feed and play patterns of local marine wildlife, which benefits the sightings on tours.

Regulations prohibit touching or actively approaching the animals, but dolphins often swim close to the boat on their own.

“They’ll come right up to the boat. You can hear them breathe,” Sue says. “Any wildlife we see out there — dolphins, manatees, bald eagles, shorebirds, we can’t always get close, but it’s still a five star experience.”

TOUR CATEGORIES

• Dolphin/eco cruise — Two hours exploring areas that non-migratory dolphins, manatees, shorebirds, bald eagles and more!
• Sunset cruise — Make your way to the perfect sunset overlooking the Gulf of Mexico.
• Sandbar, shelling and sharks’ teeth cruise — Dip into pristine waters and hunt for shells and shark teeth.
• Private/custom cruises — Take your celebration to the next level with private cruises up to 18 passengers or custom cruises.
• Special events —  Visit GasparillaBoatTours.com or follow @gasparillaboattours on Instagram and Facebook for event details, photos and RSVP information.

To learn more about Gasparilla Boat Tours, visit GasparillaBoatTours.com or call 941-315-9012

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