Location. Location. Location.
It’s one of the key ingredients to making a business successful.
Some restaurateurs saw firsthand a prime location June 25 in Bradenton Beach to fulfill their restaurant dreams. City officials hosted a walk-through of the now vacant Historic Bridge Street Pier restaurant, 200 Bridge St., during a pre-proposal conference.
Proposals are due by 2 p.m. Friday, July 9.
Bradenton Beach Mayor Jack Clarke, building official Stephen Gilbert and BBPD Chief Sam Speciale answered questions.
“We’re looking for knowledgeable restaurant people,” said Clarke, “somebody with the most potential. I’m pretty confident we’ll choose a good tenant.”
The search for a new restaurant began after the eviction of the Cast-n-Cage restaurant from the city-owned pier.
City officials acted on the lease terms after claiming restaurant-owner Roland Pena was late on the monthly lease payments on four occasions.
Hopefuls ranged from seasoned veterans, such as Anna Maria Oyster Bar owner John Horne, who said he wants to return to the island; restaurant first-timers, such as Paradise Boar Tours Capt. Sherman Baldwin and his friend Anna Maria Sailing Adventures Capt. Octavius Utrera, who have a plan for a Cuban restaurant; and 13-year sushi chef Phon Sourivongs of Clearwater.
“The location here is perfect,” said Cuban native Utrera. “We have an excellent menu of seafood we want to present to the people of the island.”
When Baldwin saw the city was seeking requests for proposals, he went to Utrera with an idea for something different.
“Everywhere you look, from the north to the south of the island, it’s all the same food,” Utrera said. “But we can give them something different, something that will bring lots of business here.”
Sourivongs checked every nook and cranny in the space. He and his partner measured every room, inspected electric sockets and opened doors.
“This is a great location right by the water,” he said. “And we need to make sure it has the right space for the sushi grill we want to open.”
Sourivongs is working with his brother in the hope of opening an Asian-fusion sushi grill in Bradenton Beach.
Clarke said once the proposals are filed, the city commission would review them. “We’re looking for three things: one, the owner’s track record; two, their cuisine; and three, the terms of their proposal.”
The RFP instructions can be found at Bradenton Beach’s website.
Final proposals must be delivered by 2 p.m. Friday, July 9, to Bradenton Beach City Hall, 107 Gulf Drive N., to the attention of city clerk Terri Sanclemente.
One vote for the AMOB.