Sitting at the back bar at Siesta Key Oyster Bar, surrounded by Sharpie-covered dollar bills, abandoned license plates and a healthy amount of Chicago Bears swag, co-owner Beth Owen-Cipielewski can’t help but smile as she explains that it all started 10 years ago with the search for the ideal setting to cheer on their home football team in Sarasota.
Living in Dallas at the time, she remembers receiving a phone call from her sister, Jill Pedigo, who had just moved from the Chicago suburbs to Sarasota.
“We have to buy this bar,” said Pedigo, referring to Siesta Key Oyster Bar, which was for sale and in great need of remodeling. “Wouldn’t it be great to have our own place to watch the Bears?”