Two national restaurant chains moved a step closer to opening at a major new shopping center in Sarasota County, following a vote earlier this month by the Venice Planning Commission.
The Venice Planning Commission approved the site plans for bothChipotle and Texas Roadhouse at Venice Crossing, an 83-acre development anchored by Walmart and Home Depot on Laurel Road.
Chipotle’s site plan, for a 2,453-square-foot restaurant with a drive-thru, was approved with little discussion.
The Texas Roadhouse site plan, which included additional parking spaces to accommodate the restaurant chain’s service model, prompted more discussion.
The Venice City Council must also approve site plan variances for rooftop flag poles that would exceed the allowed 35 feet
in height and LED lighting.
The planning commission did approve the increase in the number of parking spaces to 173.
What is Venice Crossing?
Venice Crossing, once known as “the Hurt Assemblage,” is being developed by SteeleHarbour Capital Partners andMidCity Real Estate Partners.
With both Walmart and Home Depot committed to the commercial center, it would be the location of the first two big-box stores in Venice city limits.
The Venice Planning Commission approved the site and development plan for Home Depot in January 2026. Walmart, which bought 22 acres of the property in July 2025,has yet to submit an application.
Other commercial businesses committed to the site include Mavis Tire & Brake and Lightning Fast Car Wash.
Laurel Civic, which had hoped to relocate to the commercial center, which is across Laurel Road from Laurel Nokomis School, has recently sought a lease extension from Sarasota County for the Sandra Sims Terry Community Center.
How many restaurants are planned for the shopping center?
A total of five national restaurant chains have shown interest in locating at Venice Crossing. Panda Expresshas already received site plan approval,while site plans for Chick-fil-Aand Whataburger are being reviewed by the city of Venice.
The Texas Roadhouse and Whataburger restaurants would be the first for each chain in Sarasota County.
Texas Roadhouse has operated a restaurant in Lakewood Ranch off of State Road 70 and is in the process of building one in Charlotte County, adjacent to the city of North Port.
Whataburger opened a Fort Myers restaurant on Sept. 10.
Whataburger previously had plans for a restaurant in Sarasota that would replace Cafe Baci on U.S. 41, south of Bee Ridge Road.
Earle Kimel primarily covers local governments in Sarasota County as well as land development and environmental issues for the Herald-Tribune. Follow him on Facebook and X. He can be reached by email at earle.kimel@heraldtribune.com. Support local journalism by subscribing.
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: 2 popular restaurant chains move closer to opening in Sarasota County
