Liquor store on tap for Whitney Beach

The Longbeach Village has had a long dry spell.

It has been without a liquor store since late 2010, when Longboat Key Liquors closed. But that dry spell could end within two or three months.

Bradenton real estate and banking attorney Ryan Snyder, who co-owns the north-end Whitney Beach Plaza with Rich Juliani, principal of Boston-based JKI Investment Capital LLC, said he plans to open a liquor store in the building where Longboat Key Liquors originally operated next to Tiny’s of Longboat within the next 60 to 90 days.

“Knock on wood,” Snyder said. “I know for the past two years or so, people have been hearing 60 days, 90 days.

“It’s been a slow process getting that place to where it’s supposed to be,” he said, describing renovations at the plaza.

Contractors began renovating the interior of the space last week after the town issued building permits. Now, a sign in the building windows advertises that LBK Liquors is coming soon. Attorneys are in the process of activating the liquor license for the property that’s been in escrow since 2010. Manatee County Realtor Glen Schloneger will operate the liquor store that Snyder is temporarily calling LBK Liquors — although he is open to suggestions.

“It should be good for the plaza and hopefully good for Longboat,” Snyder said, noting that the closest liquor stores to the north end are Publix Liquors, located mid-Key, and Hurricane Liquors on Holmes Beach. “There’s about a 10-mile void there without any liquor store.”

Of course, Key barflies are constantly abuzz about the possibility of Tiny’s re-opening. But Snyder plans to focus on the liquor store — for now.

“We’ve had quite a bit of interest at the plaza, but folks have been reluctant because they’re waiting to see what’s happening,” he said.

Last June, Juliani told the Longboat Observer he was in discussions with two potential partners for a bar venture but said he couldn’t yet disclose names until they signed a lease.

Snyder is optimistic that a liquor store will increase traffic to the property and draw more interest in the bar space. The property’s liquor license allows for both a liquor license and bar as long as they share an entrance.

Contractors will install coolers in the space this week. Snyder anticipates that renovations will take four to six weeks. Upon completion, the store will offer a beer cave, larger-than-usual wine selection, cigarettes, lottery tickets and mixers such as Coca-Cola and cranberry juice in addition to spirits.

Attorneys are also researching whether the store could legally make deliveries to boaters and Jewfish Key in a pontoon boat.

Longbeach Village Association President Michael Drake was pleased to learn about plans to open a liquor store.

“I know the Villagers will be excited to see something sustainable go in there,” he said.

Longtime plaza tenants Design 2000 and Bayou Tavern continue to operate in the plaza.

In the fall, Engel & Volkers Florida, Linen Locker and attorney Christopher Caswell moved into the plaza.
Juliani’s company purchased the shopping center and assets in a commercial short sale for $3.7 million. In November 2012, he formed a new corporation with Snyder that owns the plaza. In the past year, the property has gone through approximately $2 million worth of renovations.

Currently Open for business
The following businesses are currently open in Whitney Beach Plaza:

• Bayou Tavern, 6814 Gulf of Mexico Drive
Type of business: Italian restaurant and bar

• Caswell Legal Longboat Key office, 6842 Gulf of Mexico Drive
Type of business: Law firm focusing on wealth planning, estate administration, business law and real estate transactions

• Design 2000, 6840 Gulf of Mexico Drive
Type of business: Hair and nail salon

• Engel & Volkers Longboat Key, 6824 Gulf of Mexico Drive
Type of business: Real estate agency

• Linen Locker, 6826 Gulf of Mexico Drive
Type of business: 24/7 laundry and dry cleaning kiosk

On the market
Ian Black Real Estate agents Nick DeVito II and Deborah Anglin are the listing agents for Whitney Beach Plaza, located at 6840 Gulf of Mexico Drive.

Total space available: 25,588 square feet

Available spaces: 785 square feet to 10,138 square feet

Monthly rent: $1,046 to $13,517

Rental rate: $16 per square foot, annual

Contact Robin Hartill at [email protected]