Risdon on 5th Resident Feature: Cherie and Kaz Kazenske
The Rosemary District welcomes two new residents. Meet your Risdon on 5th Neighbors, Kaz and Cherie Kazenske.
We had to pleasure of talking to the Northeastern couple about why they’re leaving the Chesapeake Bay area this winter and moving into Sarasota’s fastest growing neighborhood.
Read more about Kaz and Cherie below…
We’ve heard that the Chesapeake Bay area in Virginia is beautiful, why buy a second home in Sarasota?
C: We had been spending our winters in Key West, which we really liked. We didn’t really want to buy there though because it didn’t have all of the amenities we wanted. It wasn’t as much of the city-type feel that we were looking for. One day coming home from Key West we were just driving around Florida and decided to explore Sarasota. We had some friends that lived there, so we decided to stay for a few days and look around. We really just fell in love with it. It still has kind of a small town feel to it, but at the same time feels like a city. It has a lot of amenities and wonderful beaches. Not to mention, we love the arts there. It probably has more artistic culture than any other place in Florida.
After you decided on moving to the Rosemary District and you found Risdon on 5th, how did you know that was the place you wanted to call home?
K: That was all Cherie. We were tired of renting and decided it was time to buy something. We just started looking online and Risdon on 5th came up. We loved the architecture and the look of the building and it reminded us of South Beach. It was beautiful. When we decided to buy, we knew we wanted to be in a city (we spent our careers in D.C.). We love Virginia in the summer, but when the winter comes we always leave. So finally we talked to our financial advisor and he recommended that we buy a second place. This way we don’t have to upkeep it the rest of the time and we have a place to stay every winter.
What are your feelings on Risdon’s Garden that is being built next to Risdon on 5th?
K: I see some green space, a little park environment with a place to sit and relax. Maybe something like you’d see in New York if you have a row-house with little pocket parks. I imagine benches where people can sit and have a cup of coffee or wine while getting to know their neighbors. A little community garden with some green space, we love the idea of it.
How do you feel about the all the changes happening in the Rosemary District?
C: We like it, I know a lot of people don’t. We’ve talked to some people who’ve lived here a while and it can be a bit controversial. But, it’s new to us and we’re getting a new space so I don’t think it’s a bad thing. Bringing more businesses in, such as the restaurants and galleries, make it feel like that part of the city is being rejuvenated.
There’s been chatter that the Rosemary District is like the Brooklyn of Sarasota. What are your thoughts on that?
K: We hadn’t heard that, but that’s really great! Brooklyn is the place to be now in New York, there’s so much culture. Coming from a city like Washington D.C., we really like the diversity and that there are so many different cultures coming into the Rosemary District. You miss those different thoughts and views when you live in small-town America.
The Rosemary District prides itself on being a creative hub. Creatively, how do you think you two will fit into the vibrant community as a couple?
C: It’s kind of funny, we spent three months there this past winter. Even though we rented a place on Lido Key, we were spending a lot of time in the Rosemary District. I was taking ballet classes in the Rosemary District, right down the street from where Risdon is being built. Also, Kaz dabbles in painting. We like to see the galleries and go to openings. Last winter, we went to several at Alfstad&, they were pretty great. We also went to a lot of the performing arts centers there as well, it’s nice that they’re all going to be within walking distance.
You mentioned you enjoy the walkability of the neighborhood. What are some of your favorite Rosemary and downtown local places?
C: Well aside from ballet, we were going to Lolita Tartine several times a week and getting to know the people who work there. I was going to the Yoga Shack, which I plan to continue doing once we move. We also love that we’ll be able to grab our pushcart to walk over to Whole Foods or walk downtown and get dinner, there are so many restaurants to choose from.
What are you most looking forward to once moved into your new home?
K: Well we look forward to leaving the cold. Cherie’s first thing will be to go to the Ballet studio, she’s kept in touch with the instructors and the students, so she’ll be happy to see everyone again. My first endeavor will be to get a tee time and go golfing with our friends. We’re really looking forward to the move!
