Stephanie Brown

Pop’s Sunset Grill

“Working for Stephanie is like having Mary Poppins for your general manager, but with a much bigger magical bag.” —David Dolby, bartender at Pop’s Sunset Grill.

Pop’s Sunset Grill is:

A) A 4,000-square-foot tiki structure with an elevated bar, multiple seating levels, fire-pit tables, giant TVs, a gift shop, and a 180-degree view of the intracoastal waterway.

B) A newly remodeled upscale indoor dining room with unparalleled water views.

C) A courtyard and live music lounge with dockside seating options and a waterfront bar.

D) All the above and more!

The answer is D and so much is included in the “and more”: Pop’s is open seven days a week. Pop’s serves breakfast, lunch, dinner, and (on the weekends) brunch. Pop’s features live music every day and on Saturdays there’s live music in both the courtyard AND the tiki bar. Pop’s is open 363 days a year, closing only on Thanksgiving and Christmas (even though this year the catering team offered Thanksgiving dinners to go). Pop’s will soon be opening a pizza shop called Pop’s Pizza. Pop’s recently purchased a food truck.

It takes a special kind of person to conduct the orderly chaos of this beloved behemoth of a local landmark, while still retaining its Old Florida charm. That special person is the general manager of Pop’s Sunset Grill, Stephanie Brown.

Stephanie has lived in Sarasota since she was 9 years old, she attended Ashton Elementary, The Out of Door Academy, and Sarasota High School (go Sailors!). Stephanie attended Stetson University in Deland, where she double majored in psychology and painting. Her first job was at Outback Steakhouse in Sarasota, but it was never meant to be a career choice. “I discovered that I loved the energy of the industry and I never wanted to leave.” Stephanie went on to be a manager, a trainer, and an opener for various restaurant chains and local restaurants before finding her dream job at Pop’s. “The culture at Pop’s is family oriented. We have team members that have worked here for more than 20 years. It’s a fun place to be and to work and we have great regulars. The musicians become family and the vendors become friends.”

“Stephanie joined us as general manager and immediately began to shepherd us to a higher level of culinary and event experiences. She is an essential member of the leadership team of our family business.” —Kristen and Joe Farrell, owners of Pop’s Sunset Grill

Stephanie has recently been named to the board of the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association, which she considers, in her humble way, to be an opportunity to make a greater impact on factors affecting the hospitality industry.

“Stephanie Brown’s passion and energy for the hospitality industry is on display daily through her relationships with guests and staff. She values her vendor relationships and makes running a restaurant the size of Pop’s look easy and does it with a permanent smile on her face! I have a lot of respect for her.” — Nick Doyle, executive vice president at Mahalo Spirits Group

> Pops Sunset Grill: 112 Circuit Rd, Nokomis; 941-488-3177; popssunsetgrill.com