When Florida's scenic highway, the Tamiami Trail, was constructed in the 1920s, the early developers of Englewood were disappointed that the roadway moved away from their Gulf-front properties and lemon groves, taking with it the promise of speculators investing during the Florida land boom.
Their loss is now our bounty. Over the years, Englewood remained a small fishing village and today a stroll down Dearborn Street is a step back in time, without the trappings of a “re-creation” of the past.
Here in Olde Englewood Village, there are no streetlights, only four-way stops. The few signs in the area are usually hand-painted. At the farmers' market on Saturdays, neighbors discuss small-town happenings. An evening spent at the community theater is reminiscent of a New England-style town hall meeting during intermission.
Dearborn Street awakens in the early morning hours with boaters headed west to Indian Mound Park, where the brilliant Intracoastal waters lap at the grassy shoreline. There is a boat launch and the palm-shaded picnic area overlooks Manasota Key. A drive beneath an umbrella of Manasota Key Road offers spectacular Gulf views.
Back downtown, the barber and beauty shops prop open their doors and breakfast is served at Village Diner (470 W. Dearborn St.) under a canopy of live oak trees. Up and down the street are specialty shops that feature organic soaps, hand-blown glass and jewelry.
Antiquing and art collecting are popular in Englewood as well. In a tiny yellow building, you'll find Lemon Tree Gallery (420 W. Dearborn St.), which features local artists' work, including paintings, jewelry and handmade goods. The Blue Pineapple (445 W. Dearborn St.) is another fixture, where the windows of the antiques shop are ever-changing with décor, textiles and furniture.
Englewood Art Center is less than a mile south of Dearborn Street on McCall Road. Pottery, drawing and painting classes are offered here. Throughout the Village you'll find more evidence of the artists’ touch with a series of murals highlighting the rich history of Englewood.
At the Lemon Bay Playhouse (96 W. Dearborn St.), local theater is alive and well. The little stage regularly draws sell-out crowds and debuted the farce "Sin, Sex and the CIA" by playwright Michael Parker, who lives in the area.
In the evening, choose from a number of restaurants, including a tapas and wine bar, a pizzeria and a Mexican hot spot.
For such a small town, there is always something to explore.
