Sarasota Blaze Pizza to give away free pizza all day Friday

A new pizzeria will be tossing up free pies all day Friday.

Blaze Pizza opens Thursday at 215 N. Cattlemen Road, University Park, beside Jos. A Bank, but on Friday from 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., the restaurant will give away free pizzas all day long. 

At the company's last opening, it gave away 1,300 pizzas, according to a spokeswoman.

Don't think you're walking out with an extra large Pizza Hut pizza. Blaze Pizza makes pizza pies that are 11 inches and thanks to their oven, bakes in 180 seconds. Customers make their way through an assembly line, kind of like Chipotle. All pizzas are $8 and under.

Sounds similar? Blaze Pizza is a lot like Rise Pies that opened inside the Mall at University Town Center across the street in October.

The University Park store is its first in Tampa Bay and Southwest Florida. A Gainesville location opened earlier this month and the first in Florida opened last year in Fort Lauderdale. The company's first restaurant opened Aug. 6, 2012, in Irvine, Calif.

The company was founded by Elise and Rick Wetzel (co-founder of Wetzel’s Pretzels).

Read more about Blaze Pizza in Thursday's Bradenton Herald.

Mall at University Town Center app launches

Screenshot of Mall at UTC app

The Mall at University Town Center now has a smartphone app that will serve as a pilot for Taubman Centers properties nationwide.

Taubman announced Tuesday the free app available for Apple iOS devices while an Android version will launch soon. Users can search for "Mall at UTC" in the app store.

Technology company MXM created the app using real-time mall-based navigation features using Bluetooth beacons from another technology company called SPREO.

These Bluetooth beacons are able to sense where a shopper is in the mall and send special offers and deals when they are near certain stores. That feature won't immediately be available but could in the future, officials said.

“Our new mobile app changes the shopping experience, bringing mall navigation and personalization to the forefront like never before,” said Ivan Frank, director of digital marketing for Taubman in a news release. “Taubman is pleased to be the leader in bringing this technology to shoppers to enhance their in-mall experience.”

SPREO Co-Founder and CEO Avi Sacajiu said, “Through our work with Taubman, we are leading the way in using radio frequency signals for precise navigation in large, multi-level spaces like The Mall at University Town Center. This is truly a unique amenity for shoppers.”

Check out the full story on Bradenton.com. Download the Mall at UTC app here in the App Store.

Here's what Taubman officials say users can do with the new app:

Map It:
Easily locate stores, restaurants and entertainment as you shop.
- With Bluetooth on, the “Map It” screen recognizes your location within seconds;
- Click to view the location of any store – and then click again for directions to that store from your current location;
- Navigation directions then appear, helping you navigate step by step and floor by floor to your destination.
Plan It:
Plan your shopping trip in advance, to get the most out of your visit.
- Add stores to your “Plan It” trip itinerary to make shopping a breeze. You can add stores to your itinerary any time by clicking on the “Plan It” icon.
Love It:
Save your favorite stores for quick information and a personalized experience.
- When you first install the app, you will be asked to mark your favorites;
- The app offers recommendations, including a personal “inspiration board” driven by your “Love It” favorites and their related stores;
- And you can customize your map simply by pressing the “Love It” filter so that only your “Love It” stores appear.

Here are other screenshots of the UTC app to give users an idea of what it can do:

TréborStyle opens at Westfield Southgate in Sarasota

A European-inspired jewelry store has opened in Westfield Southgate mall in Sarasota.

TréborStyle opened this week in the mall as it continues to fill vacancies lost from tenants leaving for The Mall at University Town Center.

“We’re thrilled to announce the addition of TréborStyle to Westfield Southgate,” mall general manager Jim Ralston said. “This is an exciting time for Westfield Southgate as we enhance our retailer mix and entertainment options.”

The jewelry company has been around since 2011 created in Sarasota and owned by Marilee Roberts, according to business filings with the state. Roberts formerly worked at Bamboo Homes in marketing and had her own fashion company in Sarasota in the 1990s called Designs by Marilee.

TréborStyle features handmade bracelets, earrings, necklaces and rings imported from Europe exclusively sold at TréborStyle. The store is located near Starbucks.

Bradenton Wawa to give away free coffee for 10 days

Bradenton Herald File Photo

When Wawa opens its first Bradenton location Thursday, it will be followed by 10 days of free coffee.

On Tuesday, the Pennsylvania-based convenience store and gas station announced the free cups of Joe as part of its grand opening plans.

“We are so excited to be continuing our year of celebration with our latest store in Bradenton, and we look forward to many more years of growth and success in this incredible community. Here’s to the next 50 years in Bradenton,” said Chris Gheysens, Wawa’s president and CEO.

Wawa will open at 8 a.m. Thursday followed by a ribbon cutting at 10 a.m. The store is located on the corner of U.S. 301 and Sixth Avenue West.

Kristin Segermark will serve as general manager of the store, the company also announced.

This will be the first of several Wawa stores over the next three years in the Bradenton and Sarasota area as the company continues its Florida expansion. The Bradenton store will be the company's 59th in Florida.

For the rest of down-low on Wawa's grand opening, check out our previous coverage.

Burger and Beer Joint now aiming for February opening

Provided Photo

The final full-service restaurant to open inside The Mall at University Town Center is still at least 45 days away.

Burger and Beer Joint is now expecting to open in early February, said Bill Herman, who is in charge of brand development for the Jupiter-based company.

The restaurant signed with the mall fairly late in the lease signing game, picking up the 5,300-square-foot space after Zinburger Wine & Burger Bar dropped out of the mall. Burger and Beer Joint originally expected to open by Black Friday before being pushed back to December.

Burger and Beer Joint will be located on the east side of the mall beside Kona Grill and will feature a 2,600-square-foot patio where live music is planned to be a staple. The restaurant is also hiring for floor managers.

The restaurant features an eclectic mix of sandwiches, salads and burgers, including the popular Hotel California with bacon and a fried egg. There's also a $150 10-pound mother burger for either anyone with a bottomless stomach or who has enough friends to split one.

The restaurant group signed on with Taubman Centers for a three-center deal that includes the Mall at UTC, the Mall of San Juan in Puerto Rico in March and Dolphin Mall in Miami to open in early fall 2015. Another location will be opening in the spring in City Place in West Palm Beach. The restaurant started in South Beach in 2009 before expanding to Miami's Mary Brickell Village. Last year, the company licensed its first store in Pembroke Pines.

Cutting cheese at Cortez Road Winn-Dixie

At Winn-Dixie's Shoppes at Paradise Bay, not only will store officials cut the ribbon for the grand re-opening tonight, but they will also cut the cheese.

The store, 7400 Cortez Road W., has a new cheese gallery at the front of the store staffed by a cheese steward who tends to the more than 100 artisan cheeses.

Joey Medina, regional vice president for Winn-Dixie, said the section was added because of  shopper demand and the area's affluent demographic.

Cheese stewards are sent to a so-called cheese college for training with Alco Fine Cheeses in Miami where they get the goods on everything from brie to Zimbro.

Bubba Chavez with Alco Fine Cheese was on hand this week to show how he scores and cuts a 75-pound wheel of parmigiano-reggiano. Check out the video above.

Here is the schedule for the grand re-opening:


Friday from 5:30–7 p.m.
Grand Opening
Winn-Dixie invites the community to join in the celebration and experience the store’s new amenities and offerings. Customers will enjoy product tastings, live entertainment and giveaways. A donation will be presented to Meals on Wheels PLUS of Manatee at 5:15 p.m. before the grand opening event.

Dec. 11 from 4–6 p.m.
Celebrate Delicious
Winn-Dixie will host an in-store holiday food celebration including sampling, a holiday cooking demo, wine and cheese tastings, face painting, live music and giveaways.

Jan. 8, 2015 from 5:30–7 p.m.
Fresh New Year
Winn-Dixie welcomes the Bradenton community to enjoy samples of healthy options from its newly expanded fresh departments, watch a cooking demo by the Florida Beef Council and enter to win giveaways.

Jan. 22, 2015 from 5:30–7 p.m.
Wine and Cheese Tasting
The first 200 customers will receive a giveaway at this customer appreciation event. Customers and neighbors are welcomed into the newly remodeled store to enjoy samples from the fresh departments, wine and cheese tastings and exciting raffle prizes.

Bradenton Wawa to open Dec. 18

Provided Photo

Manatee County's first Wawa will open Dec. 18.

Wawa will open its Bradenton convenience store at 701 First St. E., Bradenton, on the corner of U.S. 301 and Sixth Avenue.

The doors will open at 8 a.m. with a ribbon cutting scheduled for 10 a.m.

The grand opening will also include an event called the "Finest vs. Bravest" Hoagie Building Contest where five representatives from local fire and police departments will compete to see who can build the most hoagies in three minutes the traditional Wawa way. The winner and runner-up will each have $1,000 donated to the charities of their choice.

Members of the USO will sing the "Star-Spangled Banner" with a performance by the Suncoast Mummers String Band of Bradenton. Wawa will also present a donation to the Mummer's scholarship fund.

Wawa mascots Wally Goose and Shorti will also be on hand.

This is the first of several Wawa gas stations planned for Manatee and Sarasota counties over the next two years joining the dozens of stations that popped up in Tampa Bay and Orlando.

Site work has begun on another store on 4455 State Road 64 while the Pennsylvania-based company also has plans to build at 5301 14th St. W., and at State Road 70 and Lorraine Road, 4536 State Road 70 E. at Lockwood Ridge Road,county line at University Parkway and Honore Avenue, U.S. 301 and Myrtle Avenue in Sarasota and another in Venice.

Wawa signed a 20-year lease on Nov. 22 for its Lockwood Ridge Road and State Road 70 E. location, according to documents filed with the Manatee County Clerk, the same day GH & G Lockwood bought the entire former

Natural Comfort, Footgear Outdoor to open Dec. 15 in Mall at UTC

Two locally owned shoe stores will be set to open Dec. 15 in The Mall at University Town Center.

Natural Comfort and Footgear Outdoor will be opening stores on the first level near Saks Fifth Avenue, according to store employees. The stores are looking to fill five sales positions for each store as well.

The stores are owned and operated by Jim Atkinson who maintains a Natural Comfort location on St. Armands and is bringing back Footgear Outdoor after closing on St. Armands.

The Footgear store will also have a Sperry Top-Sider shop-within-a-shop as well.

Resumes can be sent to Atkinson at jim1227@live.com or contact Christopher Agresta at 941-388-1228 or Atkinson at 941-388-1735 between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m.

Macy's unveils Black Friday deals online

Macy's is counting on both the power of online and SpongeBob to make its registers ring for Black Friday.

The retailer, which has a store at The Mall at University Town Center, unveiled Thursday its Black Friday doorbuster deals at macys.com/blackfriday. Deals range from 60 percent off men's outerwear , kitchen appliances $8 to $10 after rebate and up to $150 off Dyson vacuums.

Macy's will open starting at 6 p.m. Thanksgiving. and door busters will last through 1 p.m. Black Friday then another set of specials Saturday, Nov. 29 from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The big holiday item Macy's is pushing is SpongeBob SquarePants and a holiday plush that can be had with Patrick and Plankton finger puppets, at macys.com/squarepants. In-store, customers can scan special hang tags to unlock SpongeBob content.

“This year, we’re adding another level of entertainment to our highly anticipated Black Friday doorbusters and specials,” said Martine Reardon, chief marketing officer at Macy’s. “As customers navigate their shopping route throughout the store, they will be able to score digital gift codes offering instant wins via Macy’s mobile app. This element of surprise along with a playful new commercial featuring our official holiday ambassador, SpongeBob SquarePants, is certain to add a new element of fun to our customers’ shopping experience on Black Friday this year.”

Macy's is also giving away instant win prizes by using the store's mobile app. Customers can scan QR codes in-store to enter the instant win experience during doorbuster hours and customers will see if they have won a digital gift code worth $10, $25, $50 or $250.

At the end of each hour, a new pool of prizes becomes available and customers can play again. See rules and alternate method of entry at macys.com/million. Customers can text “APP” to 62297 to download Macy’s mobile app.

Old Navy, Rue 21 coming to Sarasota Square mall

Old Navy will make its return to south Sarasota when it opens inside the Westfield Sarasota Square mall.

Old Navy filed a building application Wednesday with Sarasota County to open a new 13,616-square-foot store in the mall. Old Navy once had a store in the Sarasota Pavilion but closed in 2012 and is now home to a Bealls Outlet.

Old Navy, a member of the Gap family, also maintains a store at 117 N. Cattlemen Road in the District at University Town Center.

Old Navy will join H&M in the spring as well as Rue 21, which also filed building permits with Sarasota County this month.

The Pittsburgh-based company offers clothes and accessories for young adults

Rue 21 also has a factory store in the Ellenton Premium Outlets.

Mall at University Town Center to open Thanksgiving

The Mall at University Town Center at its opening on Oct. 16. FILE PHOTO

After getting stuffed with turkey, shoppers can stuff themselves inside The Mall at University Town Center for Thanksgiving this year.

The new two-level mall announced Tuesday that it will open from 6 p.m. to midnight Thanksgiving then reopen 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Black Friday. Not all stores will be open during that time and others, including department stores, will have their own hours.

For instance, Crate & Barrel announced this month that none of its stores will open for Thanksgiving while Macy's will open at 6 p.m.

Deals and hours for individual stores will be posted at www.mallatutc.com. Some of the specials posted on the mall's website include get $50 for every $150 spent at Tommy Bahama, 30 percent entire purchase at White House | Black Market and up to 50 percent off select cell phone cases plus receive a free screen protector with any purchase at Cellairis.

Mall at University Town Center H&M to open Dec. 1

Swedish-based clothing store H&M will open Dec. 1 inside The Mall at University Town Center.

The mall made the announcement on Facebook this week, signaling the largest tenant to open before the holidays. H&M occupies 24,000 square feet on two floors at the mall and will have its own escalator to move between each level.

H&M will giveaway up to $300 in gift cards to the first 200 shoppers in line and have some opening day specials starting at $5, according to the mall.

Also, shoppers who bring in a bag of unwanted clothing are entered to win a gift card valued up to $100.

As you can see above from sister paper The Bellingham Herald in Washington, H&M grand openings are quite the event.

Pure Barre to open West Bradenton studio

Post by Pure Barre Bradenton.

Exercise studio and women’s clothing store Pure Barre has announced it will open a second Manatee County location.

Pure Barre will open inside the Fresh Market-anchored Promenade shopping center at 6745 Manatee Ave. W., and is hiring teachers, according to the studio’s Facebook page.

Another franchise in Manatee County is also in a Fresh Market-anchored center, both controlled by Benderson Development, at 5275 University Parkway.

The studio is expected to open sometime from mid-December to early January, the owners announced at Facebook.com/PureBarreBradenton.

The upscale fitness center offers 55-minute and 75-minute exercise classes that are typically geared toward women though men are welcomed. The Spartanburg, S.C., company has more than 200 studios nationwide.

Bealls Black Friday 2014 ad leaked

Black Friday ad leaks have returned allowing some shoppers to get as giddy as a music fan seeing a set list posted from their favorite band before a concert.

And if you're a fan of Bradenton-based Bealls, you're in luck. BFAds.net leaked what appears to be this year's Bealls ad.

Bealls will open 6 p.m. Thanksgiving and stay open through 11 p.m. Friday, according to the ad, then reopen 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday. The biggest draw is that every store will raffle off a Guy Harvey paddle board worth $1,500. The first 200 customers in each store between 6  p.m. and 7 p.m. on Thanksgiving will be entered to win, according to the ad. Those customers will also receive a $5 coupon.

The Thursday sales from 9 p.m. to midnight will offer 60 percent off most items in the store including toys and holiday home items. Then midnight Thanksgiving to 7 a.m. Black Friday, a coupon is included for 60 percent off clearance items, that goes down to 50 percent off from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday.

Other deals listed include 50 percent off sterling silver and fine silver plate jewelry, $15 off Gloria Vanderbilt Amanda jeans, $9.99 juniors screen tees, $4,99 young men, kids and juniors tees, 50 percent off Disney "Frozen" tees and toys and a $50 Shark steam pocket cleaner.

Are any of these deals enticing enough to get you out of bed and into the store? Comment below.

Just how busy is the Mall at UTC Cheesecake Factory?

I wondered after The Mall at University Town Center opened how busy the restaurants would really be given how much the shopping center was hyped over the past year. And I got my answer at The Cheesecake Factory over the weekend.

I decided to meet up with a friend for coffee and cheesecake Saturday at 9 p.m., just as the mall is closing. I figured that Cheesecake Factory would be cleared out by then. The restaurant closes at 12:30 a.m. on the weekends, so maybe I guessed wrong.

The hostess said it would be an hour wait for a table for two. But get this: The wait was three hours long earlier in the day, according to the hostess.

I've called an upscale restaurant before that had about 20 tables and was told there was a six-month wait. I get it. But, three hours at Cheesecake Factory? 

That's both dedication and frankly, insane for a wait that long. Diners took advantage of the text-ahead seating so they could leave and go shopping and be notified when their table is ready, she said.

Let's say someone really waited the entire three hours. I'm guessing these folks brought along snacks if they came hungry to get a table at the Cheesecake Factory where one entree doubles as two meals. If not, someone would really have to pre-plan the shopping trip by getting their name on the list right after they ate lunch, go shopping for three hours and be hungry in time for a full meal.

A group of ladies was nice enough to walk over and tell me they were getting up so if we wanted to stalk their table, we were welcome to stand by and grab it because the first-come, first-serve high-top bar tables became competitive spots. Thank you ladies. We tried to pay it forward but by 10 p.m., the restaurant was significantly cleared out.

Our server remarked that while he kept busy, at least during that wait people had so much time to read the menu diners immediately knew what they wanted.

Obviously people love and will go to great lengths to eat at their favorite restaurant or to give it a try.

What's the longest you've waited or were willing to wait for a table at a restaurant? Chime in below.

Sam's Club taking broader approach for Black Friday

A Sam's Club member shops for toys. PROVIDED PHOTO

For some retailers, Black Friday doesn't have to be limited to one day.

Warehouse giant Sam's Club is attempting to lure shoppers into its members-only store with both a pre-Black Friday one-day sale and an event to bring in non-members after Black Friday.

Sam's Club announced that a one-day sale for members will start at 7 a.m. Nov. 15 with what the company is touting as Black Friday pricing.

Here's what Sam's Club is teasing for sale that day:

• 60” Vizio Ultra High Definition Television: $998
• Jawbone Up24 Wearable Technology: $69
• .96 Carat Total Weight Diamond Fashion Pendant: $699
• Hotel Luxury Reserve Collection 1,000 Thread Count Sheet Sets, available in king and queen sizes (Sam’s Club Exclusive): $69.98
• Frozen Karaoke Set with Full Soundtrack (Sam’s Club Exclusive): $69.86
• Children’s Frozen Robe and PJ Set (Sam’s Club Exclusive): $17.98
• Cuisinart 14-Piece Ceramic Cookware Set: $79.98

“We know many of our members are excited to get a jump on their holiday shopping so we’re not making them wait for Black Friday,” said Rosalind Brewer, president and CEO of Sam’s Club said in a statement. “We’re going to bring members new items early and often throughout the holiday season. Our line-up of holiday events invites members to save, and provides all gift givers an opportunity to discover the value of member savings and enjoy new surprises on every trip into the club.”

Sam's Club maintains a Bradenton store off U.S. 301 and State Road 70 at 5300 30th St. E., and a Sarasota store off Fruitville and Cattlemen roads at 300 N. Cattlemen Road.

Sam's Club will be closed on Thanksgiving then reopen 7 a.m. Nov. 28, the day after Thanksgiving. SamsClub.com is offering free shipping on Black Friday-labeled items on Thanksgiving, too.

For shoppers who aren't a Sam's Club member, they can shop at Sam's on Nov. 29-30 for an open house both in-store and online. The company is promoting that items will have Black Friday prices, but what those deals are remain to be seen.

Michigan's Erbelli's coming to East Manatee

Michigan-based Erbelli's Gourmet Pizzeria, Italian Bistro & Pub will open its first Florida restaurant in East Manatee.

The pizzeria is in the midst of renovating the former Sopranos of New York at 8744 State Road 70 E in the Ranch Lake Plaza. The restaurant is beside Full Belly Stuffed Burgers and a Goodwill store that is coming soon in the former Sweetbay.

No opening date has been announced, but Erbelli's website lists a 2014 opening, likely putting the restaurant on track to open by the end of the year.

Erbelli's lists the East Manatee location on its website along with restaurants in Kalamazoo and Portage, Mich. The restaurant was founded by Greg Erb 21 years ago, according to Michigan newspapers.

The restaurants offer specialty pizzas, salads, pastas and a buffet. Erbelli's has also won numerous awards from Michigan-based media for both its food and service.

For more information, visit www.erbellis.com.

Chicken Kitchen targets Nov. 15 soft opening

Manatee County's first Chicken Kitchen expects to have a soft opening Nov. 15.

The restaurant shared the news on its Facebook page late Tuesday night:

Post by Chicken Kitchen - Tampa Bay.

Chicken Kitchen will be located beside Tijuana Flats in the Kohl's anchored shopping center at 5215 University Parkway. Brothers-in-law Gris Bettle and Justin Mattina of Bradenton are the franchise owners overseeing the fast-casual spot.

Chicken Kitchen, based in Miami, is known for its hour-long grilling process and aims to give a more personable experience than the cafeteria-line fast food restaurants. The signature items include Chop-Chop, a diced chicken that has a distinct chopping sound customers hear while in line. It also offers Wrapitos, which are grilled tortilla wraps.

Read more here: http://www.bradenton.com/2014/04/02/5080430/manatee-natives-opening-chicken.html#storylink=cpy

Blaze Fast-Fire'd Pizza has projected December opening in University Town Center

Blaze Pizza assembly line. PHOTO PROVIDED

Quick-bake pizza concept Blaze Fast-Fire'd Pizza is projected to open Dec. 1 in the District at University Town Center.

The company, whose investors include LeBron James, is expanding throughout Florida including at 215 N. Cattlemen Road beside Panera and JoS. A Bank.

Other Florida locations to open by the end of 2015 include its first Florida location at Ft. Lauderdale's Uptown Center in November, Gainesville in December. In 2015, Blaze will open in Orlando near University of Central Florida, Davie near Nova Southeastern University and Tallahassee.

The Bradenton Herald first reported Blaze Pizza's deal with Benderson Development in August, when the developer also inked deals with AT&T, JoS. A Bank and DSW.

Todd Mathes, director of development for Benderson Development, expects the pizza joint to be open Dec. 1.

Blaze Pizza is kind of like the Chipotle of pizza with an assembly line set up making thin-crust pies that bake in three minutes. It is very similar to the Rise Pies that opened this month inside The Mall at University Town Center.

Blaze features gluten-free options, vegan cheese, wine and craft beer. The 11-inch pizzas typically cost under $8.

"Our mission at Blaze is really simple -- we're all about bringing the community a place where guests can connect, create and enjoy great pizza at crazy fast speed," said Jim Mizes, president & COO of Blaze Pizza in a news release. "If you think about it, there hasn't been a good way to enjoy a made-from-scratch pizza without the wait. Now there is. We believe this will be a game-changer in Florida."

The first Blaze Pizza restaurant opened on Aug. 6, 2012, in Irvine, Calif.

Manatee Dunkin' Donuts opens near U.S. 301 and S.R. 70

PROVIDED PHOTO

Another day, another Dunkin' in Manatee.

Dunkin' Donuts has opened its newest Manatee County location at 5259 30th St. E., just east of the Walmart Supercenter on U.S. 301 and State Road 70.

This Double D also features a Baskin-Robbins, which is the second such combo location in Manatee. The other Dunkin-Baksin is at 612 10th St. E., off of U.S. 301 in Palmetto.

The new location also offers a drive-thru in addition to its dining room, accepts mobile payments and Dunkin' Donuts Rewards.

Dunkin' maintains 10 Manatee County locations, three of which are located inside Hess gas stations. Dunkin' also plans to add full-service shops in Ellenton and on University Parkway near Tuttle Avenue.

Hours are 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week. For more information, call 941-243-3881.