One of the best restaurants for a sandwich in Sarasota reopens at new location this week

One of the best restaurants for a sandwich in Sarasota has announced the opening date for their new location.

In December, Michelle Connor Ettinger informed me that her Michelle's Brown Bag Cafe would be again relocating. The breakfast and lunch restaurant made its downtown Sarasota debut in 2010 at 32 S. Osprey Ave. Michelle's Brown Bag Cafe relocated around the corner to the first floor of the Sarasota City Center at 1819 Main St. in 2013.

For the past decade, the cafe has delighted downtown workers like myself with delectable breakfasts and lunches. However, the time has come for Michelle's Brown Bag Cafe to bid farewell to Sarasota City Center.

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Michelle's Brown Bag Cafe to reopen at new downtown Sarasota location this week

Ettinger said in December the plan was for her Brown Bag Cafe to close in mid-January and then reopen about a month later approximately one mile away in the Burns Court District at 630 S. Orange Ave. The building formerly housed Fresh Start Cafe.

"It's appealing because something similar was there prior to us and they did solid business," Ettinger told me in December. "And I thought that area would be convenient for locals in the neighborhood there, and we still won't lose our catering because it's not that far from our original location."

Michelle's Brown Bag Cafe served its last customer at their old City Center location on Jan. 12. This week, they will begin welcoming guests at their new home in Burns Court. There will be a "soft opening" on Wednesday (Feb. 14) and then "Friday is the day" it opens fully, Ettinger informed me earlier this week.

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The new Michelle's Brown Bag Cafe location to offer patio seating and its own parking lot

The new location has indoor tables, as well as al fresco seating on the "beautiful outside patio," Ettinger said. Perhaps more importantly, the Burns Court location boasts its own parking lot. As for the menu, the cafe will continue to offer the same popular breakfast and lunch items, including fresh omelets and her 11 signature sandwiches. Additionally, the new location will introduce beer and wine, providing Ettinger with the opportunity to showcase her sommelier skills.

Also, whereas the old location only offers counter service, guests at the new Michelle's spot will be able to choose between counter or full service. The new location is open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday.

"I have to admit that today is very bittersweet," reads the Michelle's Brown Bag Cafe social media post from Jan. 12. "After sharing 10 years with you, we have come to adore our building residents — knowing everything from their favorite sandwich to their grandchildren's names. We were honored to not only feed you but to know you.

"We are excited about our new location and hope to see you all there in February (beginning this week). Thank you all for listening to Jim's stories and always supporting the cafe."

Michelle's Brown Bag Cafe is at 630 S. Orange Ave., Sarasota. For more information, call 941-365-5858 or visit michellesbrownbagcafe.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 Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. He can be reached by email at [email protected]. Support local journalism by subscribing.

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Sarasota restaurant Michelle's Brown Bag Cafe opens at new location