Longbeach Café opens; LBK Liquors on tap

The parking lot of Whitney Beach Plaza had more cars than usual April 2, when Longbeach Café celebrated its grand opening.

According to Longbeach Café co-owner Jeff Daly, diners began entering the restaurant shortly after it opened for breakfast at 7 a.m. Wednesday. By lunchtime, most tables at the restaurant were filled.

The restaurant is located at 6836 Gulf of Mexico Drive, where the former Isabelle’s Eatery operated until 2007. The menu includes many of the same items that Isabelle’s served. Daly co-owns the new restaurant with Pete and Colleen Collandra, who was part owner and manager of Isabelle’s.

“We loved it and missed it when we left, and we’re happy it’s back,” said Gail Heltzer, who stopped in for lunch Wednesday with her husband, Arnie.

Whitney Beach Plaza remains mostly vacant, but soon, it will be home to another business that could draw customers to the shopping center.

Bradenton attorney Ryan Snyder, who co-owns the plaza, confirmed in February plans to open LBK Liquors in the space where Longboat Key Liquors originally operated next to Tiny’s of Longboat, which closed in 2010.

“Right now, we’re shooting for the first or second week of May,” Snyder said Monday.

Snyder expects to have interior work completed by Friday. He is seeking approval from the Florida Department of Agriculture to use the liquor license, which is in escrow, at the location.

Snyder is optimistic that LBK Liquors and the Longbeach Café will draw more traffic to the plaza and make other tenants more willing to commit to the location.

“There’s been an immense amount of interest, but people have been, frankly, scared to pull the trigger,” Snyder said. “A couple of prospective tenants have heard the same song and dance, and the plaza looks the same as it did seven years ago. They say, ‘Show me the traffic.’”

If the new businesses generate sufficient traffic to the plaza, Snyder hopes to open a bar or restaurant in the former Tiny’s space within three to six months.

In the past year, Whitney Beach Plaza has gone through approximately $2 million worth of renovations.
Since last fall, Engel & Völkers Florida, Linen Locker and attorney Christopher Caswell moved into the plaza. Longtime Whitney Beach tenants Design 2000 and Bayou Tavern remain open for business.

Contact Robin Hartill at [email protected]