Vineyard Vines, family apparel store, opening store in The Mall at University Town Center

Vineyard Vines, a family apparel store with 11 other locations in Florida, is opening a store in The Mall at University Town Center.

Vineyard Vines started when two brothers, Shep and Ian Murray, who share a love for Martha’s Vineyard, started a retail business based on neckties in July 1998. After their initial success with selling the ties, the brothers continued to grow the business. There are now more than 80 Vineyard Vines locations in Bermuda and the U.S.

In addition to ties, Vineyard Vines sells a variety of clothing, outerwear, shoes and accessories for men, women, girls and boys. Pets, office supplies and housewares round out Vineyard Vines’ offerings.

Vineyard Vines in the Mall at UTC will open sometime in early fall, according to company spokeswoman Andie Jodko. The company does not release exact dates in case of changes because of permitting or construction, she said.

“Florida has been a longtime inspiration for vineyard vines,” Shep Murray said in an email. “The community in Sarasota truly embraces our ‘every day should feel this good’ way of life.”

Said Lauren Clark, the Mall at UTC's marketing and sponsorship director: “We're thrilled to be welcoming national, new-to-market retailers Vineyard Vines and Soft Surroundings. These additions to our tenant mix, combined with new text-ahead valet parking and our robust slate of in-center events, are continuing our commitment to providing an exciting, ever-changing shopping experience for our customers."

This story was originally published July 24, 2017 at 5:02 PM with the headline "Vineyard Vines, family apparel store, opening store in The Mall at University Town Center."