A Florida dog bar and restaurant, named a Top 10 dog bar in the country, will close permanently after its National Dress Up Your Pet Day party.
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Following our story on the best bars in the Sunshine State, the USA TODAY NETWORK-Florida Dining and Entertainment Team now turns its focus to a beloved dog bar that is closing for good — but not before hosting a party to celebrate National Dress Up Your Pet Day.
Sarasota’s first and only dog bar and restaurant — named one of the Top 10 dog bars in the country by USA TODAY readers in the publication’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards contest for “canine-centric spots” — has announced it will permanently close later this month.
Boo’s Ice House & Dog Bar debuted in May 2022, occupying the historic Ice House building near downtown Sarasota on Florida’s west coast, just south of Tampa Bay and hugging the Gulf of Mexico.
Boo’s Ice House & Dog Bar in Sarasota is permanently closing
Boo’s billed itself as “Sarasota’s newest place to dine, drink and paw-ty with your pup” and specialized in wood-fired pizza that could be paired with craft cocktails.
The concept of Boo’s Ice House & Dog Bar was the brainchild of co-founders Mindy Kauffman, the Sarasota real estate magnate behind Red Property Management on Osprey Avenue, and her husband, Bobby Boivin, the founder and owner of Gator Creations, a home remodeling and construction company.
Kauffman said she saw a need in the community for a destination designed especially for dogs and people to have fun together. Alas, on New Year’s Day, Boo’s announced its final day of business would be later this month.
“We are terribly sad to announce that we have made the decision to close Boo’s Ice House & Dog Bar,” begins the business’ social media post from Wednesday, Jan. 1. “We apologize to those who came to our wonderful and warm New Year’s Eve celebration. We hated not telling you about our plans last night, but we didn’t want to ruin your evenings!”
‘We will miss all of you, even the barking, the slobber, and the hair!’
The post noted that they had hosted many popular events but weren’t able to draw a large enough crowd on a daily basis. “In order for us to be viable, we would need to make some significant changes and investments, and unfortunately, we do not have sufficient capital or expertise,” Boo’s said in the same social media statement.
“We have hit upon something wonderful for our community, and are deeply saddened that we are not able to sustain Boo’s long enough to see it flourish into what it could have become. But we have been honored to be part of this community of friends and neighbors, and we will miss all of you, even the barking, the slobber, and the hair!”
Boo’s Dog Bar in Sarasota to host National Dress Up Your Pet Day event before closing for good
Boo’s announced that their last day will be Sunday, Jan. 12, when they will celebrate National Dress Up Your Pet Day — though the official holiday date is Jan. 14.
“We can’t think of a more fitting send off,” Boo’s wrote. “Please join us that day or some time before we close our doors to say goodbye!”
If you go
Boo’s Ice House & Dog Bar, which will remain open for business through Jan. 12, is at 1314 10th St., Sarasota. For more information, call 941-960-2669 or visit boosdogbar.com.
Wade Tatangelo is Ticket Editor for the Sarasota Herald-Tribune, and Florida Regional Dining and Entertainment Editor for the USA TODAY Network. Follow him on Facebook, Instagram and X. He can be reached by email at [email protected].
Source link https://www.heraldtribune.com/story/entertainment/dining/2025/01/03/beloved-florida-dog-bar-hosting-national-dress-up-your-pet-day-event-closing-permanently/77406927007/
