Newest addition to The Centre Shops offers sophisticated picnic supplies

Where do you turn when you're putting together a picnic basket to enjoy at one of Longboat Key's beaches or parks? There's a new place to assemble provisions for your next excursion, aptly named Longboat Key Provisions.

Owner Jason Bond is holding the shop's grand opening at 2 p.m. Dec. 19. The new business replaces David Gregory Salon, which closed this summer.

Bond said the location at The Centre Shops is ideal because patrons can easily stop by on their way to the beach, and he appreciates the business community there. His vision for Longboat Key Provisions is to be "the upscale general market of the community."

Photo by Dana Kampa

He hopes to contribute to making The Centre Shops a place where shoppers can meander and peruse unique offerings. He's focused on bringing in local products and featuring goods from nearby providers.

"Curating a friendly environment is my biggest priority," he said. "I want to create something where people don't just come once to get something they need but feel welcomed back as regulars. Since I've been here, the warmth all the other owners have is something I want to be a part of."

The shop features a variety of snacks and features a display case with artisan cheeses, meats and baked goods from St. Armands Baking Co. Also featured are picnic baskets, blankets, coolers, wooden boards, wine bottle openers, Longboat Key-themed apparel and everything else a picnic planner could need.

Bond said he is offering customized boards and plans to provide services to completely set up a picnic, whether for a date night, surprise proposal or for any other event.

Putting together the new shop has been a family effort. Bond's mother, Donna DeLuca, is a designer, and she brought her expertise to give the space a new look.

"This has, from the ground up, all been done in 30 days," he said in an interview the day of the soft opening on Dec. 7.

Bond moved to the area about five years ago, and he decided to open the store after gaining experience working on the restaurant side of the food industry for 15 years as a chef.

"My big drive is to be as involved with the community as possible," Bond said, noting he is a Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce member. "I want to be sponsoring as I can, and I want to do fun things for the community."

Photo by Dana Kampa

The family looks forward to exploring ideas for growth after the holidays, potentially even offering customized, healthy dog treat charcuterie boards.

"We feel like we've made great progress, but still more to do," DeLuca said.