World Traveler Opens New Fine Food and Drink Store

Douglas Gourley has lived and traveled all over the world, trying the best food and drink it has to offer.

Now that he has closed that chapter of his life he lives in Sarasota and owns As Good As It Gets, a “Purveyor of Extraordinary Delicacies,” on Palm Ave.  As Good As It Gets celebrated its Grand Opening on Friday, September 7, with more than 300 people coming through the door over the course of the weekend.  We thought we’d catch up with Mr. Gourley after opening weekend and share his story with our readers.

An interior view of As Good As It Gets

With a Swiss mother, an American father, and born in Mexico, Mr. Gourley is definitely a World citizen.  What’s more, he worked for Pitney Bowes Inc. and 3M for 27 years on international assignments from South America to the Middle East.  His last assignment was as a managing director for one of 3M’s divisions in Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific.  After that he was slated to return to 3M headquarters in St. Paul, Minnesota but, with a little nudging by his wife, decided Florida would be nicer.  So he left “big box” retail and used his vast experience in fine international food and drink to open an exclusive retail store here in Sarasota.

An interior view of As Good As It Gets

Mr. Gourley provides only best in category food, wines, and spirits from around the world.  Visitors can taste the charcuterie, the carnivore’s favorite, with prosciutto and serrano hams, salmon, pate, foie gras, and more.  If meat isn’t your favorite, you can try the more than 35 types of European cheeses that Mr. Gourley keeps in his shop.  The dessert lovers will enjoy the exclusive Belgian and Swiss chocolates that can’t be found in any other area retailer.

An interior view of As Good As It Gets

Mr. Gourley and his staff strive to provide excellent service to match their exclusive culinary offerings.  As Good As It Gets attracts an educated and cultured crowd that knows how to appreciate the finer things in life.  We hope that many of our readers go out and enjoy!

As Good As It Gets is located at 49 Palm Ave, Sarasota, FL.  They can be reached via phone at (941) 373-1839.  They are open from 10-6 Mon-Sat with every first Friday of the month being an “open till they leave” first Friday.

Coming up!  Caviar tasting with paired champagne: October 27, 2012.

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Written by Chris Jaensch

Attorney P. Christopher Jaensch received a Bachelor of Arts degree in History in 1992 and a Juris Doctor degree in 1995 from the University of Florida. While at UF, he was a member of Sigma Chi Fraternity, Phi Beta Kappa Society and Florida Blue Key, the oldest and most prestigious leadership honorary in the state of Florida.

Mr. Jaensch is a member of the Florida Bar, the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) and the Sarasota Bar Association. He has served as President of the Sarasota-Manatee International Trade Club and served as Regional Vice Chair, Tampa Bay, for the Central Florida Chapter of AILA. He was a member of City of Sarasota Charter Review Committee and has been active in several local organizations, including the influential Laurel Park Neighborhood Association in downtown Sarasota.

Mr. Jaensch has over 18 years of experience in the field of immigration and nationality law and focuses his practice on four primary categories (a) investors and entrepreneurs, (b) business executives, managers and professionals, (c) amateur and professional athletes and coaches and (d) performing artists and immigrants with extraordinary ability.