A second Ruth’s Chris Steak House is opening in the Bradenton-Sarasota area
A second Ruth’s Chris Steak House is coming to the Bradenton-Sarasota area.
“We are pleased to announce the signing of a lease with Ruth’s Chris Steak House in Casto’s new Center Point project,” Brett Hutchens, president of Casto Southeast Realty Services, said in a press release.
Center Point is a multi-use development in Lakewood Ranch on 50 acres south of University Parkway east of Lakewood Ranch Boulevard and west of Business Boulevard.
Previously announced restaurants coming to Center Point are Olivia’s, a modern Italian restaurant, and Owens Fish Camp.
“Ruth’s Chris brings a fine dining compliment to the cuisine offering of seafood by Owens Fish Camp and modern Italian by Olivia,” Hutchens said.
The planned Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse will occupy 6,500 square feet at 6490 University Parkway. Construction is scheduled to begin in mid‐2022 with opening to follow in the first half of 2023.
Ruth’s Hospitality Group, Inc., headquartered in Winter Park, has more than 140 company‐owned and franchisee‐owned restaurants, specializing in USDA prime grade steaks.
Currently, the only Bradenton-area Ruth’s Chris Steak House is at 6700 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota.
Joining in the announcement, Cheryl Henry, president and CEO of Ruth’s Hospitality Group, said “Brett and I have been working on a second area location for quite some time. We’ve enjoyed success in the Sarasota/Bradenton market and are excited to create a second location to serve the explosive growth of the area in and around Lakewood Ranch.”
The restaurant will feature its signature sizzling steaks, handcrafted cocktails, award‐winning wine list, seafood and other specialties, soups, salads, and house‐made desserts, the press release said.
A frequently asked question is how did the restaurant company get such an odd name?
The Ruth’s Hospitality Group website explains how the company started in New Orleans in 1965:
“Looking for ways to increase income, 38-year-old single mother Ruth Fertel spotted a local restaurant for sale in a classified ad. Against advice from her banker, lawyer, family and friends, she mortgaged her house and bought the 60-seat Chris Steak House.”
Months after opening, Hurricane Betsy brought devastation to New Orleans and knocked out power for a week. Rather than letting her steaks go to waste, Fertel cooked and served them to relief workers and residents.
“After 11 years of success, a fire destroyed the steak house and Ruth was forced to find a new location. Her contract wouldn’t allow her to keep the original restaurant name so she added hers to it: Ruth’s Chris Steak House.”
That same year, 1976, she began to franchise the company. In 1997, Fertel sold Ruth’s Chris Steak House to a private company. She died in 2002 at 75.
Casto has a long history with Lakewood Ranch. The company developed Lakewood Ranch Main Street, which opened in 2005.
Other local Casto holdings include North River Village, Ellenton; SR-64 Center, Bradenton; River Club Plaza, Shops at Bayshore, and US 301 & Oxford, Parrish; and the Shops at Summerhouse, Lakewood Ranch.
Casto, a national real estate company based in Columbus, Ohio, has a portfolio that includes over 4,000 residential units throughout the Midwest and Southeast.
