Judi Stanley knew exactly what her next step would be after selling her successful Pascone’s Ristorante in Bar Harbor, Maine, after a 25-year run. She would open a new Pascone’s Ristorante in Florida, and bring fine dining, regional Italian-style, to the Bradenton-Sarasota area.

Splitting their time between Bar Harbor and their home in Lakewood Ranch since 2005, Judi Stanley and her husband, Bob, had watched the explosive business and residential growth in East Manatee, University Park and northern Sarasota County. When a Square 1 hamburger restaurant vacated its space at 5239 University Parkway, near Fresh Market, she found her new location.