Cooper Levey-Baker has written about food, politics, civic issues, the arts, and music in Southwest Florida for 15 years. His work has won multiple awards from the Florida Magazine Association and the Florida Society of Professional Journalists, as well as an honorable mention from the Julia Child Foundation. Follow him on Twitter: @LeveyBaker.

Cheers!

Sarasota's Best Bars

Whether you’re looking for a toes-in-the-sand tiki hut, a secretive speakeasy or a big boisterous beer garden, Sarasota has the bar for you.

08/18/2025 By Cooper Levey-Baker, Lauren Jackson, and Kim Doleatto

Nice Slice, Baby!

The Best Pizza in Sarasota

We tasted pizzas for weeks to bring you our 20 favorite pizza pie spots, from hole-in-the-wall strip-mall joints to fine-dining restaurants.

07/09/2025 By Cooper Levey-Baker and Lauren Jackson

Getting Into Harvard

Harvard Street Coffee Serves Up Locally Roasted Coffee and Affordable Eats in an Off-the-Beaten Path Space

The vibe is homey and welcoming—consider it your new secret spot.

06/23/2025 By Cooper Levey-Baker

After Hours

Meet Three Local Doctors With Unusual Hobbies

When they're off the clock, these docs dabble in wing foiling, stand-up comedy and magic.

06/04/2025 By Cooper Levey-Baker and Kim Doleatto

Wild Times

How a Bizarre Promotional Gimmick Changed Local Radio

“We were such idiots. What you heard on the radio? We were that dumb.”

06/02/2025 By Cooper Levey-Baker

The Future of Fish

Proposed Aquaculture Facility in the Gulf of Mexico Draws Opposition from Sarasota Environmentalists

A federal judge has now blocked a nationwide permit that would have allowed for the creation of industrial fish farms off Sarasota's coast.

05/01/2025 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Power Up

The 25 Most Powerful People in Sarasota

From business leaders to activists, elected officials and philanthropists, these are the people shaping Sarasota’s future.

04/02/2025 By Kim Doleatto, Lauren Jackson, Cooper Levey-Baker, and Megan McDonald

At the Movies

Flashback: 'Honky Tonk Freeway' Set, 1980

A critical and box office failure at the time of its 1981 release, the comedy "Honky Tonk Freeway," which was partly filmed in Sarasota, is due for reappraisal.

03/06/2025 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Unity Awards

Lee DeLieto Sr. Helps Young People Thrive

“We’re teaching woodworking, plumbing, electrical. That’s crucial, because many of those families need as much income as they can bring home.”

03/03/2025 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Unity Awards

Meet the Winners of Our 2025 Unity Awards

Eight people whose commitment to bringing us together will leave you hopeful and inspired.

03/03/2025 By Kim Doleatto, Lauren Jackson, Cooper Levey-Baker, and Megan McDonald

Unity Awards

David Shuel Helps People Find Work and Support After Being Incarcerated

“These guys come here and they’re wounded. They’re hurt. They have fear. They’re uncomfortable.”

03/03/2025 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Neighborhood Guide

The Best Restaurants in Downtown Sarasota

From French to Vietnamese, there's something for every palate in downtown Sarasota.

02/06/2025 By Cooper Levey-Baker and Lauren Jackson

Gronk the Great

Rob Gronkowski Tackles His NFL Days, Competitive Upbringing and Post-Retirement Career in Wide-Ranging Sarasota Talk

The retired tight end was in town as part of the Ringling College Library Association's Town Hall lecture series.

02/04/2025 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Flashback

Photo: Venice Drive-In Church, 1955

Designed by architect Victor Lundy and built in 1955, it was featured in a photo spread published by Life magazine in April of that year.

01/17/2025 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Essential Intelligence

The Sarasota Shell Club's Annual Show Happens in February

Here's how it became such a big deal.

01/13/2025 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Love Where You Live!

11 Local Neighborhoods Where Everything Is Changing

Our region has grown like crazy in recent years, but growth can look very different depending on your neighborhood.

01/13/2025 By Kim Doleatto, Lauren Jackson, Megan McDonald, and Cooper Levey-Baker

The Secrets of Longevity

At 95, Joe Floersheimer Is More Active Than Many People Half His Age

Floersheimer swims daily, plays tennis two or three times a week and still drives and rides a bike.

01/10/2025 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Q & A

Outgoing Tax Collector Barbara Ford-Coates Looks Back on a Half-Century of Public Service

Ford-Coates joined the tax collector's office in 1975 and has served as its elected leader since 1984.

01/02/2025 By Cooper Levey-Baker

2024 Year in Review

A Look Back at Some of Our Best Stories of 2024

Editor in chief Cooper Levey-Baker selects his personal favorites.

12/19/2024 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Wiener Worthy

We Got to Hang Out on the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile and It Was Epic

You can catch the wienermobile—and grab a wiener whistle—on Dec. 13 on Main Street in Lakewood Ranch.

12/12/2024 By Lunchmeat Lauren Jackson