SRQ | Living Bradenton Area May 2022

BRADENTON AREA + THE BARRIER ISLANDS | LIVE LOCAL, LOVE LOCAL

PUBLISHED BY SRQ MEDIA | SPRING 2022

LIVING BRADENTON AREA TM

FIVE HOT NEIGHBORHOODS KEY ROYALE | DOWNTOWN BRADENTON NORTHWEST BRADENTON | RIVERVIEW BOULEVARD | THE RIVER DISTRICT

ANNA MARIA ISLAND

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Below: Five neighborhoods in the Bradenton area are getting hotter by the minute. Find out where the real estate heat is.

May/June 2022

LIVING BRADENTON AREA TM

Bradenton Neighborhoods Thriving The joy of the Bradenton lifestyle truly comes into view in the five neighborhoods that we celebrate in this edition of Living Bradenton Area. We put special focus on the friendly porches of the Bradenton River District, water-access of the Riverview Boulevard, and the vibrant urgency of Downtown Bradenton, among others, but it’s really the marvelous mixture that makes Bradenton the hometown that it is. Our new neighbors are flooding into Bradenton from places far north, and it is beholden on us to welcome them, and at the same time, showcase the wonderful lifestyle that we already enjoy. It’s hard to find a true local on the Gulfcoast (although we do exist!) and maybe that is part of why our communities tend to be so welcoming. Most people remember when they were the newly arrived snowbird, changing plumagetrading heavy jackets for short sleeves. So next time you are in a hometown favorite like Oscura Cafe, if you see a car pull up with plates from far away, maybe introduce yourself to a new Bradenton family and let them in on the promenades and haunts that make our gorgeous coast “home” for you.

W E S R O B E R T S SRQ MEDIA | Executive Publisher

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WRITTEN BY DYLAN CAMPBELL | PHOTOGRAPHY BY WYATT KOSTYGAN

Back in Action

For many restaurants across the country, the COVID-19 pandemic was catastrophic. But for Oscura Café, Bradenton-favorite coffee shop and live music venue, the slow down of business turned out to be a blessing in disguise. It offered a chance for renewal and transformation—for the quaint coffee shop to blossom into something that would allow it to fulfill its full potential as a cultural hub in Bradenton.

“OUR ORIGINAL SPACE WAS VERY OLD BUT POLISHED IN WAYS THAT MADE IT QUAINT. We had restored the

original terrazzo floors from when it was Foster’s Drug Store and had leaned into a minimalistic aesthetic which worked well with the very large windows that surrounded the building. An old PA that I used to practice with once upon a time served as our every-day equipment,” says Ben Greene, one of Oscura Cafe’s original owners.

When their lease on their original location was up in November of 2020, co-owners and longtime friends, Ben Greene and Keith Nasewicz, didn’t renew it. Instead, they shut down operations and took some time to breathe, with one simple promise to their loyal customers: “This isn’t goodbye, this is see you later.”

“We just thought there’s really no point in resigning and going through it—we were already looking for something larger. Our cafe’s food and beverage programs were doing well, but our biggest draw was our live events,” says Greene. “We were packing out every concert and event.”

The turning point had occurred during a sold-out show prior to the pandemic. “On December 22, 2019, we put on a show featuring Worst Party Ever, Photofire, Camp Trash, Cherish This and a few others,” shares Greene. “Usually, a packed show for us was around 100-150 people, but this show was well into the 200plus range and we had to limit our capacity. We sold out of beer within a couple hours, we were serving food until we had to stop as the crowd began dancing, which caused us to brace the partition wall from falling over.”

That overflow, coupled with the downtime of the pandemic, led to the reimagining of Oscura at its new location (816 Manatee Ave E, in the burgeoning Bradenton neighborhood of Old Manatee). Greene and Nasewicz partnered with Ben Bakker, Wade Hamilton and Richard Krause to bring their vision of a larger, more live-event oriented, Oscura to life. Bakker and Hamilton are board members of Realize Bradenton—the nonprofit dedicated to revitalizing downtown Bradenton—and also contributed to launching Independent Jones, a

Left to right: Ben Greene and Keith Nasewicz clink glasses to celebrate Oscura’s reimagined new location in downtown Bradenton—replate with a locally sourced menu and beverage program, not to mention industrialcool, modern-rustic renovations.

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LIVING BRADENTON AREA local live music and entertainment company. Krause is the owner of local company Richards Plumbing and Electric. “It was like this perfect assembly of forces. The other partners were regulars at the shop—they saw the potential in us and were willing to align themselves to make it happen,” says Greene.

To fulfill Oscura’s full potential, however, required a radical transformation—from quaint, local coffee shop to full scale live entertainment venue. Oscura’s new location, at 3,000 sq-ft, is more than double the size of the original cafe. Replete with a full bar and stage, the space is much more suitable for live events. “You walk through our main doors and the first thing you see is just this giant stage,” says Greene. “It’s a venue first, that also has a decorated food and beverage program.”

With Greene and some of the other partners having experience in the live music industry, it was important to them that the new location was as musician-friendly as possible. “We really dialed in on the music equipment and the stage itself,” he says. “We have a green room that’s actually attached to the stage. It’s curated for convenience and quality for these musicians.”

The expansion to the new location doesn’t just benefit Oscura’s ability to host live events, however. While maintaining Oscura’s beloved lineup of coffees, teas and non-alcoholic drinks, the addition of a fully-stocked liquor bar allows Nasewicz to build upon a repertoire of low alcohol content cocktails and serve the classics all night long. Additionally, a larger kitchen gives Nasewicz the freedom to expand on the “variety and hyperlocality” of the food program while still touting fan favorites like their Cuban sandwich and avocado toast.

“We want to highlight and represent Bradenton. All of our ingredients are locally sourced—as much as they can be,” he says. “Same with our creators and musicians that will be occupying the event space. We’re trying to keep it as local as possible while also diving into the Sarasota and St. Pete markets as well.” Although the size and location of Oscura has changed, the same local brand that the cafe established over two years ago remains. But what started as a coffee shop operating on a shoe-string budget, has now morphed into a full-swing live music venue and bar.

“Our goal is to offer a place for the local music scene to not only exist but to flourish,” says Greene. LBA

Left to right: Greene, Nasewicz and the team plan to utilize Oscura’s new, expanded space to offer live event offerings such as stand-up comedy, listening room performances, ticketed concerts, open mic nights and other community events.

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WRITTEN BY ABBY WEINGARTEN | PHOTOGRAPHY BY WYATT KOSTYGAN

Burgeoning Neighborhoods Five neighborhoods in the Bradenton area are getting hotter by the minute. From the Bradenton River District, Riverview Boulevard and Northwest Bradenton to Downtown Bradenton and Anna Maria Island’s Key Royale, each corner of Manatee County has its own signature charm and in-demand market.

Bradenton River District North of Manatee Avenue, positioned between historic Fogartyville and Wares Creek, is a tranquil, oak-treelined section of Bradenton known as the Bradenton River District. This district encompasses the area between the 1900 Block and 26th Street West, with the Manatee River at the ends of the streets. Homes in this area range from early-1900s construction to brand-new structures, and residents soak in views of Wares Creek, Point Pleasant, Palmetto and Downtown Bradenton. Some of the original settlers of Bradenton even called this area home.

“This district is a very hot neighborhood, and most Bradenton people called it ‘Old Bradenton’ for many years. In 2001, I named it the Bradenton River District, because I’m a strong believer in naming something for more value,” says Brenda Boyd May, the owner of Boyd Realty LLC, which was established in 1952 in Manatee County. “Several local people have started moving

down to the exciting River District, and lots of houses have been remodeled or torn down and rebuilt. All of the streets have historical street lights and lead to the Manatee River. It is a lovely times-past neighborhood that is very hard to get into.”

The proximity to Downtown Bradenton, and the fact that the area is just minutes from the beaches, makes the Bradenton River District one of the most sought-after locations in Manatee County. It is within the Bradenton city limits yet not limited by deed restrictions, which lends the district to an eclectic array of homes. There are no cookie-cutter structures in this vicinity.

“Majestic oaks and established vegetation provide a bucolic setting found in this small area of town,” says Lynne Callahan, a realtor with Michael Saunders & Company. “A sense of neighborhood, front porches, dog walkers and even ducks call this area home.” LBA

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LIVING BRADENTON AREA Below: Bradenton Riverwalk overlooing the Manatee Rivber is a favorite spot for locals.

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Left to right: Need caption.

Riverview Boulevard While most West Bradenton neighborhoods are located north of Manatee Avenue, the Riverview Boulevard area extends all the way to De Soto Memorial Highway and De Soto Memorial Park. Riverview Boulevard has always been one of the most prestigious streets in Manatee County, with its winding, tree-lined stretches from Northwest Bradenton to Downtown Bradenton.

The majority of homes along Riverview Boulevard were built in the 1950s and 1960s, though many have been extensively renovated or torn down and rebuilt.

The north side of the Boulevard is lined with waterfront estates along the Manatee River—most with dazzling water views, located on deep-water parcels with direct Tampa Bay and Gulf of Mexico access via the Manatee River. The south side of the Boulevard has a diversity of homes on large lots and, in many instances, these homes have a peek at the Manatee River.

“Riverview Boulevard has more multi-million-dollar houses than any other location in Bradenton,” May says.

Kathy Valente, a realtor with Michael Saunders & Company, adds that Riverview Boulevard homes also have access to the Warner’s Bayou boat ramp (which is situated on a deep-water bayou and has a boat launch).

“You can go kayaking, paddle boarding, jet skiing, or simply enjoy a day of fishing from the boat ramp,” Valente says. “The boater enthusiast will relish life on the Manatee River with its easy access to the Gulf waters, with no bridges.” The Riverview Boulevard area is also close to hospitals, shopping districts, the Bradenton Country Club, public and private schools (including Saint Stephen’s Episcopal School and IMG Academy), De Soto Memorial Park and Robinson Preserve. The Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport is less than a half-hour drive away.

The neighborhood is ideal for serious anglers and beach lovers because of its proximity to area waterways.

And the fact that there are no deed restrictions in the Riverview Boulevard area is another benefit to buyers.

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Northwest Bradenton When it comes to Northwest Bradenton—the area north of Manatee Avenue West—there are plenty of single-family homes with an Old Florida vibe, as well as small sections of condos and villages. Of the latter, one of the newest developments is Harbour Isles, which offers a mixture of vacation-style condo living and single-family, carriage-style homes with a clubhouse overlooking Anna Maria Sound.

New commercial construction is booming and family-centric amenities—like local farms, parks and beaches—are right around the corner from Northwest Bradenton homes. “Northwest Bradenton has that small-town feel of family-oriented demographics, but it also has a level of vacationing families at the same time,” says Gregory Zies, a realtor with Michael Saunders & Company.

Primarily, this area is a well-established neighborhood but there is still a sprinkling of newer construction, Zies says. One of the main perks of living in Northwest Bradenton is the nearness to Palma Sola Bay, Anna Maria Island, Holmes Beach and Bradenton Beach, as well as the Robinson Preserve, De Soto Memorial Park and two public boat ramps. Northwest Bradenton is also home to Palma Sola Botanical Park, as well as Geraldson’s Family Farm (an 11-acre farm that is open to the public for picking fresh fruits and vegetables). The area continues to expand around these local gems.

“It’s been several years since we’ve seen the amount of commercial activity in Northwest Bradenton that we are seeing right now. Target is currently in the process of renovating our old Kmart, located at Manatee Avenue West and 75th Street Northwest, which is also marketing for additional anchor stores,” Zies says. “We also have a number of restaurants going through permitting and construction, as well as other commercial projects breaking ground.”

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Downtown Bradenton Downtown Bradenton is undoubtedly in rebirth mode.

The area offers a mix of condominiums, apartments and single-family homes (many of which are historic bungalows). And there are plenty of small and large condo communities with Manatee River views.

“Downtown Bradenton will climb vertically in the future with hotels and condos. Point Pleasant is the home of Tropicana Founder Anthony Rossi, and it is a beautiful point on the Manatee River with turn-of-the-century houses and mid-century condos,” May says. “The architecture is a graceful reminder of the past. And the Bradenton River District can be seen across the Manatee River.”

Debbie Vogler, a realtor with Michael Saunders & Company, says that the residences in Downtown Bradenton (100-plus-year-old homes right near newer structures) exemplifies the diversity of it buyers.

“This combination of old and new is reflected in the demographics of the residents—from active retirees to young professionals,” Vogler says. Downtown Bradenton has everything from the Manatee Performing Arts Center to the Village of the Arts to LECOM Park for the Pittsburgh Pirates’ spring training and the Bradenton Marauders’ minor league baseball games. The downtown Riverwalk is rife with walking paths, a playground, a water play area, an amphitheater, day docks, a fishing pier, a sand volleyball court and a skateboarding park.

“Plenty of restaurants, bars and shops downtown make for a vibrant feel,” Vogler says. “The many activities, including the public market on Saturdays and the annual blues fest, draw people to Downtown Bradenton, and many buyers want to live there for the convenience and entertainment.”

Left to right: Along the Downtown Bradenton waterfront.

The historic Pelot’s Rexall Pharmacy. Bradenton City Hall building. The Bishop Museum of Art & Science exterior.

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LIVING BRADENTON AREA Key Royale on Anna Maria Island Downtown Bradenton is undoubtedly in rebirth mode.

The area offers a mix of condominiums, apartments and single-family homes (many of which are historic bungalows). And there are plenty of small and large condo communities with Manatee River views.

“Downtown Bradenton will climb vertically in the future with hotels and condos. Point Pleasant is the home of Tropicana Founder Anthony Rossi, and it is a beautiful point on the Manatee River with turn-of-the-century houses and mid-century condos,” May says. “The architecture is a graceful reminder of the past. And the Bradenton River District can be seen across the Manatee River.”

Debbie Vogler, a realtor with Michael Saunders & Company, says that the residences in Downtown Bradenton (100-plus-year-old homes right near newer structures) exemplifies the diversity of it buyers.

“This combination of old and new is reflected in the demographics of the residents—from active retirees to young professionals,” Vogler says. Downtown Bradenton has everything from the Manatee Performing Arts Center to the Village of the Arts to LECOM Park for the Pittsburgh Pirates’ spring training and the Bradenton Marauders’ minor league baseball games. The downtown Riverwalk is rife with walking paths, a playground, a water play area, an amphitheater, day docks, a fishing pier, a sand volleyball court and a skateboarding park.

“Plenty of restaurants, bars and shops downtown make for a vibrant feel,” Vogler says. “The many activities, including the public market on Saturdays and the annual blues fest, draw people to Downtown Bradenton, and many buyers want to live there for the convenience and entertainment.”

Above left: As Anna Maria Island’s only private membership golf community, Key Royale on Holmes Beach boasts an enviable waterfront setting and lovely deep-water canal. Serenity abounds in this highly sought-after enclave of Sarasota, Florida real estate. A true paradise along the Gulf Coast, it is an ideal locale for boaters, anglers, yachtsmen and golfers. The community’s clubhouse is a welcoming gathering space for dining, cocktails, and good company and the Key Royale Club restaurant features fresh cuisine and homemade desserts. Homes for sale in Key Royale range in style from Old Florida to Mediterranean architecture and include single-family residences and estates with a few homesites still available for purchase. Perfectly positioned near Sarasota, the barrier island and seven-mile strip named Anna Maria Island is a welcome escape from the hustle and bustle of city life. Its laidback lifestyle and Old Florida charm invite all to savor sun-filled days. Outdoor recreation is plentiful, and residents and tourists alike enjoy cycling, fishing, swimming and boating along the azure waters of the Gulf of Mexico. A unique destination, Bridge Street features souvenir cottages, galleries, boutiques and lively bars and restaurants. The nearby Bridge Street Pier highlights the breathtaking views of Sarasota Bay. Known for its fresh seafood, the island showcases a variety of top dining options and delectable culinary creations. The area known as Holmes Beach is the largest of three communities within Anna Maria Island and it offers three miles of stunning white sand beaches. Moments from a vibrant cultural mecca, homes for sale in Key Royale are just a short distance from a lively arts scene, fine shopping and world-class entertainment in Sarasota. From live music and exciting nightlife to private golfing and wildlife preserves, there is something for all to enjoy when selecting a home among Key Royale luxury real estate. Courtesy of Premier Sotheby’s International Realty.

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