Sarasota Restaurant Reopened Under New Ownership

The former Kolucan Mexican Bar & Grill has resumed operations as Garibaldi Bar & Grill in the Gulf Gate neighborhood.

Updated on Sept. 19, 2026 in Openings & Closings

Bold vector illustration of a whole grilled fish on a plate next to a water glass, representing a new restaurant menu.
Garibaldi Bar & Grill has reopened at 6644 Gateway Ave. in Sarasota under the leadership of owners Guillermo Larios and Margarito Rosas. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Following an abrupt closure earlier this month, the restaurant at 6644 Gateway Ave. has officially reopened under new management. Owners Guillermo Larios and Margarito Rosas have rebranded the establishment as Garibaldi Bar & Grill.

Why it matters

The reopening restores a dining option to the Gulf Gate area just two weeks after the previous venue shuttered its doors. The transition marks a strategic pivot for the 10,220-square-foot facility under new leadership.

The restaurant occupies a 10,220-square-foot facility located at 6644 Gateway Ave. The adjacent Frida Lounge at 6630 Gateway Ave. remains closed for renovations.

The players

Guillermo Larios

He is one of the new co-owners who facilitated the acquisition and rebranding of the restaurant.

Margarito Rosas

He is one of the new co-owners overseeing the transition and menu updates at the location.

The details

New owners Guillermo Larios and Margarito Rosas have implemented a menu shift that focuses more heavily on seafood dishes. The establishment transitioned from its former identity as Kolucan Mexican Bar & Grill to Garibaldi Bar & Grill during the reopening process.

Timeline

  1. September 4, 2026: Kolucan Mexican Bar and Grill closed.

  2. September 15, 2026: Reopening and grand-opening announcement posted.

  3. September 18, 2026: Restaurant reopened and held grand-opening celebration.

Market Landscape

This transition reflects the ongoing turnover and adaptation of hospitality businesses within the competitive Gulf Gate restaurant district. The changeover allows the new owners to reposition the large facility against established local dining rivals.

Patrons can expect a refreshed menu with a stronger focus on seafood offerings at the new Garibaldi Bar & Grill. While the main restaurant is open, diners should note that the neighboring Frida Lounge remains closed for renovation.

The takeaway

When local establishments change ownership, residents often see menus adapt to emphasize different culinary specialties. Diners looking for specific venue amenities should monitor the status of connected businesses that may remain under renovation.

Further reading

For more updates on local business activity, visit the Openings & Closings section.

Source note: This article includes information reported by Sarasota Herald-Tribune.

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In your area, are you generally confident when new owners take over local restaurants?