Owned by Kris Hartley, the bakery and coffee house will mark five years under her ownership this May. Hartley is one of three bakers at the shop and remains deeply involved in day-to-day operations while also staying active in the community through the Chamber of Commerce, SUP Englewood’s Conservation and Coffee, a monthly gathering that explores environmental stewardship, and other local initiatives.

The shop’s warm atmosphere extends beyond food and coffee. Just inside the entry is a small food pantry where customers can drop off nonperishable items or take what they need. When donations build up, volunteers deliver the items to the Jubilee Center or other local food pantries. A community library and game center also invite visitors to linger. Manager John Watson introduced these programs as part of an effort to make the space more community-focused.

Hartley’s favorite menu items include the apple cider doughnut muffin, cinnamon rolls, a recipe she is still refining, and the Irish Car Bomb cupcake, a chocolate cake made with Guinness and topped with Jameson ganache and Bailey’s buttercream.

Looking ahead, the bakery will begin taking Valentine’s Day orders on Thursday, Feb. 5. Hartley is also exploring expanded catering options, but the kitchen’s size currently limits their growth.

On a personal note, Hartley has been dating Dennis Parks, former owner of Irving’s Coffee and Creamery, for more than a year, after he became a customer at Dearborn. Parks sold Irving’s before Hartley purchased Dearborn, leaving the pair connected not by competition, but by a shared history and love of local coffee culture.

Dearborn Coffeehouse and Bakery is at 450 West Dearborn Street. They are open daily from 7 a.m. to 3.p.m. To preorder a special Valentine’s Day treat, call 941-681-8044.

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Englewood Weekly’s Thursday Bites: Your Thursday Dining & Entertainment Update!

This week’s edition features Spinnaker Cafe, Zarate’s, and The Waverly!

Englewood Review’s Thursday Bites newsletter is your inside track to everything tasty and fun in Englewood, Florida.

We’re ready to help you plot out your next sumptuous meal, find the local events worth your time, and dive into the energy that makes our town feel alive. Whether you want to try a fresh spot for dinner or need some live music to kick back, you’ll find it here.

This week, check out Spinnaker Cafe—home-style cooking, made from scratch, and a favorite with people who live here. Open 7 days a week, 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. Don’t miss the video.

Next up: Zarate’s. Remember the name. The flavors stick with you long after you leave.

And The Waverly? It’s a coastal spot where every detail matters, and the experience goes way beyond the food.
Sign up for our newsletter and every Thursday you’ll receive the best picks for dining and entertainment around town. Who will be featured in next week’s Thursday Bites? Go to our website englewoodreview.com and subscribe today.

The post Taste of Englewood: Englewood Review’s Brand-New Thursday Bites Newsletter Presents the Best in Dining & Entertainment appeared first on Englewood Review.

Right now, there’s a single-family house on the lot, but hurricanes Helene and Milton left both the home and dock in rough shape. The county plans to tear them down, clearing the way for more parkland and easier access to the water.

This new parcel brings 105 feet of shoreline into public hands. It’s packed with cabbage palms and mangroves, and the county’s hoping to turn it into a spot for fishing, birdwatching, and sightseeing. Since it sits right next to Indian Mound Park at 210 Winson Ave., the purchase lets the county stretch the park’s boundaries and give residents more room to play by the water.

What’s next? County planners will draw up a concept for the combined parks. They’re looking at adding things like more parking, picnic shelters, and improved water access.

Nicole Rissler, who leads the county’s Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Department, explains, “Adding this waterfront parcel to Indian Mound Park expands public access to the water and creates new opportunities for recreation. It’s a meaningful investment in a waterfront park that will serve both today’s residents and future generations.”

The money for this project came out of the Neighborhood Parkland Acquisition Program, a fund that exists because Sarasota County voters said yes to using tax dollars to buy more public land.

Indian Mound Park is already a community fixture. It’s got a boat launch, picnic spots, and ancient shell middens that date back as far as 1,000 B.C. With this new stretch of shoreline, the county’s making sure residents can enjoy Lemon Bay for years to come.

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