Goodwill gains East County retail space

EAST COUNTY — As Manasota Goodwill President Bob Rosinsky stands in front of the former Sweetbay location on State Road 70 and looks toward the vacant space, he sees a dream fulfilled.

Goodwill is just months away from realizing a 15-year vision to open a retail center in the Lakewood Ranch community. The nonprofit expects to open in the more than 40,000-square-foot space in Ranch Lake Plaza in March.

“We’re thrilled to get a retail presence in Lakewood Ranch,” Rosinsky said. “The people who live and work in Lakewood Ranch have been coming to our donation centers in Lakewood Ranch since we opened them and asking when we are going to open a retail center.”

The new facility, which is undergoing interior demolition and renovations, will be a full retail center with a community room and job connection area. It also will have a special training area for individuals with special needs.

“This is going to open up retail to a whole new customer base,” Rosinsky said, noting Goodwill patrons span a variety of socioeconomic levels. “We’re excited. It’s close enough to the Lakewood Ranch business area. That gives us a doorway into a compelling retail area.”

Goodwill Manasota currently operates about 35 locations, including donation and retails centers, spanning from Sarasota to Arcadia. However, the closest retail center to the proposed location is the Sarasota Goodwill Boutique at 1704 N. Honore Ave., Sarasota, about 10 miles away.

In the East County, Goodwill has one book store location in Tara, at 7200 55th Ave. E., Bradenton, and donation centers at: 2563 Lakewood Ranch Blvd., Lakewood Ranch (Crowder Plaza); 9126 Town Center Parkway, Lakewood Ranch; 8490 Lockwood Ridge Road, Sarasota; and 4720 State Road 64 E., Bradenton.

Goodwill opened its new corporate campus, which includes a retail store, an international training center and administrative offices, near the intersection of U.S. 301 and State Road 70 over the summer.

Rosinsky said Goodwill began negotiating for the former Sweetbay space shortly after Sweetbay closed in February 2013. He had hoped to open the space to customers in late 2014, but negotiations took longer than expected.

Rosinsky said interior demolition is underway and remodeling should start soon.

“You’ve got issues with floors and ceilings and lights and technology and paint and walls,” Rosinsky said. “It’s like remodeling a house, but 100 times more complicated.”

The East County area has been on Goodwill’s long-range plan as a location for a retail store for at least 15 years, he said.

Contact Pam Eubanks at [email protected].

New Goodwill Manasota Retail Center
Where: 8750 State Road 70 E., Bradenton
Size: 40,000 square feet
Details: Located in the former Sweetbay Supermarket space in Ranch Lake Plaza, the new Goodwill location will be a full retail center with a community room and job connection area.
Opening: March 2014