A concept called Salty Neighborhood Bar & Grill is expected to open its doors this fall in Venice, bringing with it a laid-back atmosphere built around being a go-to local hangout. Not a one-time destination, but the kind of place where people stop in regularly, recognize familiar faces, and settle into something comfortable.

The restaurant is planned for the space formerly occupied by Rib City, located within the Venice Village shopping center at 4187 S. Tamiami Trail. The location places it along one of the area’s most active corridors, offering convenient access for both local residents and seasonal visitors.

While full details are still unfolding, the concept is being positioned as a casual bar and grill with approachable food, drinks, and a social setting designed for everyday visits. The idea isn’t to be overly polished or trendy—it’s to feel easy, familiar, and welcoming.

That approach may land at just the right time.

In recent months, many residents across Venice and nearby North Port have voiced a common frustration—that most of the new restaurants coming into the area have been larger chains or franchise concepts. There’s been a growing desire for something more local, more personal, and more connected to the community. If Salty delivers on its vision, it could be exactly what people have been asking for.

And there’s already proof that demand exists. The recently opened Coach’s  in downtown Venice has quickly gained traction, drawing steady crowds and becoming part of the local conversation. It’s a reminder that when a restaurant leans into a community-first feel, people respond.

This isn’t about being the trendiest spot in town.

It’s about being the one people think of first.

And in a place like Venice, that might be exactly what works.

There are events that check a box…

 and then there are nights that remind a community who it is.

Last night’s “Night Under the Stars” fundraiser hosted by the State College of Florida Foundation felt like the latter. Set beneath a clear Florida sky at State College of Florida’s Venice campus, the evening brought together supporters, educators, business leaders, and families—not just to attend an event, but to be part of something that carries real impact long after the lights go out.

As the night unfolded, feature Scholarship recipients told their stories of how the generosity of the Foundation provided an opportunity to continue their higher education journey when life's adversity would have never permitted it. 

After enjoying the delicious servings from Fins at Sharky's, the audience was ready to move....that's when the energy completely shifted.  And move they did!

Because the entertainment for the evening was the nationally touring LJ's Essence of Motown who took the crowd through the the wonder years of Motown, hit by hit.  Moving through a wide-ranging set of Motown classics, the band delivered one hit after another, channeling the sound and spirit of legendary artists in a way that felt both nostalgic and alive. It didn’t take long before the audience responded—not from their seats, but on their feet. Because it didn't take long for the tables to empty, and the dance floor to fill. 

Conversations turned into movement. And before long, guests—and even those watching from the sidelines—found themselves, quite literally, “dancin’ in the streets.” 

It was the kind of moment you can’t manufacture. It just happens.

But it was what happened above the crowd that truly left people talking.

What’s Really Happening Behind The Chalets Venice Annexation

A few days ago, most people saw a simple headline. The Venice City Council approved the first step in annexing a piece of land near 282 N. Auburn Road, just off Laurel Road. The number most people remember is 43 homes.

That’s the part that gets reported. But it’s not the part that tells you what’s really going on. Because if you look just a little closer—at the names involved, the structure of the deal, and how projects like this actually move through cities like Venice, Florida—a very different picture starts to come into focus

And it starts with a simple observation. The person listed on the paperwork is almost never the one building the homes.

In this case, the annexation petition was filed by Douglas Andrews. Not a household name. Not a major builder. Not a company with billboards or model homes across the region.That’s not unusual.It’s intentional.

Because in Florida development, there’s a layer most people never see. The visible layer is the application, the hearing, the vote. The invisible layer is the deal itself—the contracts, the options, the builder waiting in the background while someone else moves the project through the system.

The land tied to this proposal is still associated with iHeartMedia, which means ownership hasn’t visibly shifted yet. That tells you this isn’t a finished transaction. It’s a controlled process. A setup. A positioning move.

Then there’s the attorney.