New Lido Shores Neighbors Come Full Circle

 

Richard & Melinda Bezozo

Editors Note: Richard and Melinda Bezozo are new to Lido Shores, buying the home at 1355 Westway Drive in March, 2021. They're friends with LSPOA members Fik and Irene Isaac of 310 Morningside Drive. Melinda shares the following story about her love for Sarasota and Lido Key since early childhood.  

Welcome home! Thanks for sharing. We're glad to have you back.

~BT

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In July of 1960, I was an infant and traveled for the first time to Sarasota. I stayed at the Sand Castle, at the time managed by Jack Anchor. Back then the stay cost $10.00 a day for an efficiency apartment with continental breakfast.  

I continued to travel with my family each and every year, often twice a year to Sarasota, always to Lido Key. Often with aunts and uncles, Sarasota was a family affair. Over the years, my parents owned multiple condos on Lido Beach, eventually owning a home on North Polk Drive, a stones throw from St Armands Circle.  

Melinda at age 2 grew up visiting Sarasota

As a child, I remember the gas station on the Circle. There was a small market. The Daiquiri Deck was a five and dime called Claucks. The center island of the circle was a palm forest. There were two side by side bars, The Elbow Room and Tail of The Pup.  The Columbia Restaurant was always there.  

For most of my childhood, we never went downtown as there was nothing there but Maas Brothers, a small department store. In fact, my childhood memories include the orange groves on Fruitville Road. The Old Heidelberg Castle, the Buccaneer Inn on Longboat Key, trips to the Asolo Theatre and the Jungle Gardens.  So many memories. Too many to mention here.  

In 1985, I introduced my future husband, Richard to Sarasota. In 1989, we brought our first daughter and we continued the annual tradition. 

I did not imagine 60-years later that I would own a home on Lido Key. What an exciting Sarasota adventure. I have been blessed to travel all over the world with my family, and Sarasota is where I always want to be.   

Melinda Bezozo
1355 Westway Drive