The first stores in SARASOTA SQUARE opened in August 1977, with an official dedication being held in September. At this time, the mall spanned around 547,800 leasable square feet and featured fifty-seven stores. A third anchor (indicated as "Future Development") would join the fold in October 1979.

SARASOTA SQUARE TENANTS 1977:

MAAS BROTHERS (with Beauty Salon and Suncoast Restaurant) / J.C. PENNEY (with Beauty Salon, Coffee Shop and attached Auto Center) / J. BYRON / Aladdin's Castle video Arcade / Baker's Shoes / Baskin-Robbins Ice Cream / Camelot Music / Carlysle & Company / Casual Corner / Carousel Snack Bar / Chick-Fil-A / Clearwater Federal Savings & Loan / Colony Shop / Davidson Rexall Drugs / Fantasia Music Center / Florida Wig Fashions / Flower World / Ford Shoes / Foxmoor Casuals / GNC / General Telephone Electronics / Girard's Jewelers / Helyn Brown ladies' wear / Hickory Farms of Ohio / Kay Jewelers / Kinney Shoes / Lerner Shops / Lido Tuxedo / Merle Norman Cosmetic Studio / Morrison's Cafeteria / Morrow's Nut House / Mr. Dunderbak's Bavarian Pantry / National Shirt Shops / Nello's men's wear / Paperback Booksmith / Pearle Vision Center / Petique Pets / Piercing Pagoda / Playland Toys / Pop Tops / Potpourri / Radio Shack / Red Cross Shoes / Regis Hairstylists / Robby's Sporting Goods / Sarasota Square 6 / Smoke 'n Snuff / Susie's Casuals / Susie's Gifts / The Big Apple Unisex Apparel / The Gap / The New Yorker / The Salad Garden / Tiffany's Bakery / Thom McAn Shoes / Travelog Gifts / Wrangler Wranch Casuals / Write Occasions Cards