The All-New Lido

Fuse Lenses is so excited to announce the launch of our all-new Lido Sunglasses. Lido Key is an island located off the coast of the Gulf of Mexico. Our Lido Sunglasses were inspired by the island’s beautiful sunsets and outdoorsy lifestyle. These frames are lightweight, customizable, and more durable than ever with a triple barrel hinge that keeps your sunglasses firm and locked in for longer. In honor of this launch, we thought we’d tell you a little bit more about the island these shades are inspired by. 

History

The history of the island can be traced back to the early 1900s when Thomas Martin Worcester arrived, now known as the island’s first property developer. Worcester spent his time constructing a palace on Lido Key which garnered tons of media attention and alerted the public of the island, which was otherwise a hidden spot until then. The palace was built for Worcester’s wife and described it as “labor of love”. After three years of construction, the palace was opened with a formal reception which gained a lot of media attention. This opened the island up to attract many more visitors, developers and businessmen. 

After a while, the island came into possession of John Ringling, the famous circus entrepreneur who combined Barnum and Bailey’s circus with his own Ringling Bros World’s Greatest Show. While this story cannot be confirmed, it is rumored that Ringling won the island with a series of other islands in a poker match. Regardless of how the island came into his possession, Ringling took development of the island seriously and had big plans to renovate. 

Ringling began rolling out plans for new buildings, businesses, landscaping and art installations. While many of his developments did not stand the test of time, Ringling’s influence and overall vision is still felt on the island today. 

St. Armand’s Circle, adjacent to Lido Key, was also owned and developed by Ringling. Through his development, it is now one of the most popular destinations on the island. Present-day developers have paid tribute to Ringling through continuing his 1920s renovation visions and naming streets after him. The circle is surrounded by 33 statues, with a third of them said to be from Ringling’s personal collection. In 2007, the Save Our Statues project launched as an effort to beautify Sarasota and was inspired by Ringling’s legacy. 

Today Lido Key still remains popular and attracts many tourists and developers to the area. It is the home to one of the most well-kept beaches in Florida and is a home for sunset cruises, eco-tourism, marine life watching, sailing, and deep sea fishing. The main attractions include shopping and the beaches. 

Fun Facts

1. The main attraction on Lido Key is St. Armand’s Circle, which is a large roundabout surrounded by 130+ retail stores, dining establishments, art galleries, and more. 
2. St. Armand’s Circle, adjacent to Lido Key, was actually named that due to a spelling error of the first resident Charles St. Amand. The misspelling has carried on to the present day. 
3. The most popular watersports on the island are kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding. 
4. Traveling by kayak or paddleboard, you can see the protected mangroves, sea manatees, and Florida wild birds. 
6. Restaurants such as The Columbia, Crab & Fin, and Cafe L’Europe have been present on the island almost since it’s beginning. 
7. The island features a park called “South Lido Park”, which has a beach and woodland trail. 
8. It wasn’t until 1926 that Lido Key opened to automobile traffic. 
9. The first casino on the island opened in 1926. In the 1950s, poor upkeep of the casino led to its deterioration and it was demolished in 1969. However, it was rebuilt and modernized by 1970. 
10. Aerosmith guitarist Joe Perry, writer Stephen King, and actress Jane Lynch all own homes in the area. 
11. Lido Key is the home to the Mote Marine Lab Aquarium, which features an up-close look at local wildlife and the ongoing conservation efforts in the area. 

Overall, Lido Key has a rich and eccentric history. Throughout the past decade, they have developed into one of the top spots in Florida, thanks to the help of John Ringling. Their beautiful beaches and outdoorsy lifestyle is what drew us to name our newest sunglasses after this wonderful island. Become a part of the history of Lido Key and shop our all-new Lido Sunglasses.