A familiar Sarasota retail building could soon have an entirely new purpose, with plans underway to transform the former Big Lots at 501 N. Beneva Road into a large antique and collectibles marketplace.
Florida’s Antique Mall is planning to open a second location inside the approximately 42,000-square-foot building, bringing together independent vendors offering antiques, vintage furniture, collectibles, artwork, and unique merchandise.
The company already operates a location in Inverness, Florida, which has grown to approximately 350 vendors and more than 400,000 items.
Interest in the Sarasota expansion is already building. During a recent vendor event, more than 170 people attended, and over 40 prospective vendors placed deposits to secure spaces.
Rather than operating as one traditional retail store, the antique mall would provide individual vendors with opportunities to showcase and sell their merchandise under one roof.
The company is targeting an opening by the end of 2026, although plans for the property are still being finalized and an official opening date has not been announced.
For Sarasota residents, the project could bring new activity to a former big-box retail space while creating opportunities for local collectors, artists, and small businesses.
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