- February 4, 2026
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A business that has been serving Sarasota for more than 20 years is winding down its brick-and-mortar operation over the next few months. Sarasota Architectural Salvage will close its warehouse in the Rosemary District by the end of April.
Owner Jesse White says he will continue to offer salvage sales and other services in a “less overhead-intensive” capacity after the storefront closes.
Since its founding in 2003, Sarasota Architectural Salvage has become known for selling one-of-a-kind treasures ranging from lumber and ironwork to antiques and memorabilia, based out of a warehouse at 1093 Central Ave.
“We have always specialized in the world of ‘unique,’ unusual items,” White says in an email. “While I have favorites over time — like a clown car which had been adorned with architectural salvage as decor, historic doors from Sarasota landmarks, and the collection of painted beams that were salvaged from the John Ringling Towers — my personal favorites are the less sexy but truly valuable bones of houses that we have saved like doors, windows, flooring and beams.”
In thousands of cases, he says, these items have been given new life as tables, wall coverings or shelves.
“It’s the saving of materials for future use that most excites me,” says White, whose background before Sarasota Architectural Salvage was in environmental consulting.
The Florida Retail Federation named White Florida Retailer of the Year in 2011, recognizing him for his variety of products, work with preservation groups and historical societies and dedication to his employees, the Business Observer reported at the time.
His clients are mainly homeowners seeking specialty materials for unique projects, in addition to professional remodelers, renovators and contractors. The business also serves a couple of niche audiences. One is restaurateurs seeking to make statements in their spaces, White says, while another is collectors and decorators looking for "know-it-when-they-see-it" pieces.
After 23 years in business, White says he made plans to shutter the storefront when he decided to sell the Central Avenue building. An LLC registered to White purchased the warehouse for $462,500 in 2018, according to Sarasota County property records.
Closing is set for June 1, while other details of the deal, including the future use of the building, will remain confidential until after the transaction is complete, according to White.
Sarasota Architectural Salvage will continue to operate without a storefront, with White offering mobile services, including estate and storage cleanouts; salvage and mitigation plans for historic properties; on-site salvage operations for demolitions and remodels; and specialized personal shopping for rare architectural elements.
“Moving forward, I'm going to do salvage sales directly from properties that are being demolished,” White says in the email. “The materials will be available for a limited time at lower cost, and people will have to act fast, because when the sale is over, the building will be demolished. Since my goal has always been landfill diversion combined with profitability, I believe this approach will actually save more materials because I won't be burdened with the process of removal and storage, and this will allow me to handle more materials overall.”
As a mobile operator, White says he plans to explore how AI can help complete salvage assessments and materials inventories and list items in the equivalent of a digital warehouse.
“I’m not retiring,” White says in a statement. “I’m refocusing.”
Sarasota Architectural Salvage will conduct a liquidation sale starting Feb. 6, with items starting at 50% off at its warehouse, outside yards and off-site trailers.
