Italian bakery, cafe coming to Sarasota this summer

A Canadian teacher is switching careers and launching a new bakery in Sarasota. Entrepreneur Tracy Calabrice recently signed a lease at 2139 Siesta Drive, where she plans to open Amalfi Bakehouse this summer.

Calabrice is immigrating through the E-2 Treaty Investor visa, which allows entrepreneurs to live and work in the U.S. by investing an unspecified “substantial amount of capital” in a U.S. business.

“I’ve always loved teaching, but I felt like it was time to make a change and pursue another passion of mine,” Calabrice, who lives in Montreal and has been a teacher for 18 years, says in a statement. “I thought to myself, why not take my passion for baking and my love of the Amalfi Coast and create a business that will bring something distinctive to the area?"

Amalfi Bakehouse will offer homemade cookies, a full espresso bar and desserts like cannoli, zeppole and affogato, among other items. Items will be baked fresh daily.

In the weeks to come, the 1,170-square-foot space where Amalfi Bakehouse will come to fruition is set to undergo a full buildout, according to a statement from Ian Black, the commercial real estate firm that helped negotiate the deal. Plans call for a Mediterranean interior inspired by the Amalfi Coast, incorporating mosaic tiles, vibrant colors and lemon accents.

Courtesy image

“The idea for the bakery started with just cookies, and it’s grown into a full concept inspired by Italy and the feeling you get when you’re there,” Calabrice says in a statement. “We want every guest to feel like they’ve escaped, even if just for a few moments.”

Amalfi Bakehouse will be in the shopping plaza across Siesta Drive from grocer Aldi.

“This location offers strong visibility, accessibility and a complementary mix of nearby businesses, making it an ideal setting for a new concept and unique concept like Amalfi Bakehouse,” Senior Associate Cameron Wilson of Ian Black Real Estate says in the statement. 

Wilson and Sales Associate Lauren Dixon of Ian Black Real Estate represented Calabrice in the lease transaction.

“A lot of people think I’m crazy to leave a secure job and do this, but I see it as an opportunity to build something meaningful,” Calabrice says in the statement. “This is about more than just baked goods — it’s about creating an experience and sharing something I truly love with the community.”

Amalfi Bakehouse is expected to open in August.