ANNA MARIA – More than a dozen restaurateurs are potentially interested in leasing the new City Pier restaurant and bait shop.
Last week, the deadline to submit proposals in response to the city’s request for proposals (RFP) was extended from March 10 to April 8. This was done at the request of the interested restaurateurs, including those who attended the RFP pre-bid meeting at Anna Maria City Hall on Wednesday, Feb. 26.
The city commission approved the submission extension on Thursday, Feb. 27. Before doing so, Commissioner Mark Short asked Mayor Dan Murphy how the extension would impact the restaurant opening.
“You’re still looking at probably the fourth quarter (of 2020) to the first quarter of next year for a restaurant to be operational,” Murphy said.
During Wednesday’s pre-bid meeting, Murphy said he expects the pier itself to open to the public in March or April.
According to the pre-bid meeting sign-in sheet, an additional list provided by Murphy and additional research by The Sun, the following parties attended Wednesday’s meeting and/or expressed to Murphy interest in leasing the city-owned pier buildings:
- Julian Botero and Gabriella Hoock from the Gulf Drive Café in Bradenton Beach;
- Hal Christensen and Jessica Stevens from Harry’s Continental Kitchens in Longboat Key;
- Rod & Reel Pier manager Rockey Corby, representing current City Pier tenant Mario Schoenfelder’s TCPR Inc.;
- Gabriel Davila and Darlene Ruth from Seabreeze Concessions, the former concessionaire at Lido Beach in Sarasota;
- Buddy and Cate Foy, owners of Cate’s Italian Garden in Bolton Landing, N.Y.;
- Chef Marcos Fernandez from the upscale Nineteen61 restaurant in Lakeland;
- Joseph Guli III, CEO of the Sarasota-based Tableseide Restaurant Group whose brands include Libby’s Neighborhood Brasserie, Muse at The Ringling and Oak & Stone;
- Kimberley Mancini, from Michael’s On East in Sarasota;
- Brian Mathae, owner of Hurricane Hanks in Holmes Beach;
- Sean Murphy, owner of the Beach Bistro in Holmes Beach;
- Greg Novack, hospitality consultant and founder and former owner of Sharky’s on the Pier in Venice;
- Steve Rose, owner of Bortell’s Lounge in Anna Maria;
- Mike Ross and Thad Treadwell from the Ugly Grouper in Holmes Beach.
When contacted Friday, Schoenfelder said he has not yet decided whether he’ll respond to the RFP. In January, the city commission rejected his offer to pay an initial base rent of $8,000 per month.
Meeting Q&A
During Wednesday’s meeting, Murphy spent 50 minutes fielding questions from potential bidders.
He told attendees the city seeks proposals from those interested in leasing the pier buildings and completing the interior build-outs of the exterior shells at their own expense.
He said the potential bidders can schedule a tour of the pier and pier buildings.
Murphy said the tenant will lease the restaurant and bait shop areas and share the use and maintenance costs for the common areas that include the pier walkway, boat landing, T-end decking and public restrooms.
In response to questions posed, Murphy said:
- The pier buildings provide 4,600 square feet of total interior space;
- Leasing additional portions of the shared common areas is negotiable;
- The tenant is not obligated to sell live bait at the bait shop, and the current tenant stopped doing so long ago;
- The city expects the tenant to acquire a fishing license that allows anyone to fish on the pier;
- The number of parking spots provided will be based on city code requirements, gated parking is negotiable and valet parking at nearby Bayfront Park is possible;
- Live music and/or outdoor speakers in the common areas is negotiable.
Murphy said the city doesn’t have any information to provide regarding past pier revenues, foot traffic or the number of pier visitors. He said one consultant estimated that location could potentially generate a maximum of $3.5-$4 million in annual revenues with a restaurant, bait shop and souvenir and merchandise sales.
“It’s the most visited attraction in Manatee County. It’s a high visibility location. It’s a great view. That’s a big part of the attraction,” Murphy said.
Attendees asked several questions about utility lines and connections, lighting, drain locations and other technical details. Murphy could not provide specific details in every instance, but those details are included in the 65 written questions and answers posted at the city website. The updated submission schedule and the RFP are also posted there.
“We were pleased with the number of interested attendees at the meeting,” Murphy later said. “Most importantly, it was apparent there is a great deal of interest from our local restaurateurs in operating on the pier – successful businesspeople who know the Anna Maria City Pier’s potential. Attendees came from a wide range of niche markets in the hospitality industry, ranging from family-oriented to upscale and gourmet.”
