Starbucks arrives in Sarasota.

Starbucks, make that Sarasota, has arrived
Java's version of King Kong drops in on city's 'valley of the large buildings'
By MIKE SAEWITZ
mike.saewitz@heraldtribune.comSARASOTA -- For years, downtown Sarasota has been missing an urbane trademark: Starbucks.Instead, Main Street was dotted with locally owned coffeehouses like Sarasota News & Books and Pastry Art.But in the past few months, a Starbucks has become a new and quiet part of a downtown that is so clearly trying to balance its small-town qualities with an emerging urban feel.In this one coffee shop, hidden behind a mess of construction, brews a latte-infused preview of where the city is going -- for better or worse."It really signals we're a true urban core," said Mayor Mary Anne Servian. "It signals Sarasota has come of age."But Starbucks is a different sort of icon for those worried that the city will lose its unique charm to development."I have mixed emotions," said 19-year-old Lauren Leib, who has lived in Sarasota all of her life. "Sarasota is becoming really chic now. I guess it was only a matter of time before a Starbucks and whatever else is coming down here."Yet Leib was in the new store Friday, sipping on a coffee frappuccino and reading a Harry Potter book. The Starbucks, next to the Selby Public Library, is just so convenient, she said.Others had to walk on the grass to get to Starbucks from Main Street, dodging construction at the massive-looking Plaza at Five Points."In places that are growing, Starbucks is always right around the corner," said consultant Daisy Saunders, who was in Starbucks Friday for her usual: a tall, sugar-free vanilla, soy, no foam caffe latte.Starbucks, at the corner of First Street and Central Avenue, is at the base of the 100 Central building, which is topped by condominiums and a short walk from the Whole Foods Market.Jodie Yeakel, who has lived in Sarasota since 1979, said she feels like she's in a completely different place when she walks from Whole Foods to Starbucks -- through the "valley of the large buildings," she said. It's as if she's in a much bigger city."I felt like I was on vacation," said Yeakel, who popped by the Starbucks on Friday.There will likely be more urban staples to come. Just this week, a developer included a bunch of big names in plans for a project called Pineapple Square, including Brooks Bros., Cole Haan and Morton's Steak House."We're at the tipping point," Servian said.