BRADENTON BEACH – The Anna Maria Oyster Bar (AMOB) took a few more steps in the ongoing process to make several improvements to its Bradenton Beach Pier-based operation.
Led by company president John Horne and operating its Bradenton Beach location as We’re Back Inc., AMOB, since late 2015, has operated in the pier building leased from the city.
We’re Back Inc. also leases the two smaller buildings located next to the main pier building. The yellow-colored space is subleased to Paradise Boat Tours. The salmon-colored space was previously subleased to two retail tenants.
AMOB wants to use that vacant space as a to-go food pickup kiosk that also serves ice cream, alcoholic beverages and more.
When presenting this request in January, Horne also requested the city’s permission to allow alcohol purchased at the to-go kiosk or in the restaurant to be consumed on the Bradenton Beach Pier. An existing city ordinance currently prohibits alcohol consumption on the pier, but alcohol consumption is allowed inside the AMOB restaurant and on the restaurant’s open-air patio.
We’re Back Inc. wants to install three or four tiki hut-like covered high-top tables along the pier railings directly south of the restaurant building.
We’re Back Inc. also wants to install a $60,000 crab trap and buoy-themed decorative fence along the northern end of the pier property, between the pier parking lot and the Pines Trailer Park. The trailer park side of the fence will be plain wood and will not feature the decorative crab traps.
Horne’s previously requested pier improvements were discussed again at the April 5 CRA meeting and the April 6 city commission meeting.
CRA approvals
During the April 5 CRA meeting, Horne secured from the CRA board a $15,000 contribution for the fence installation. Through the CRA board, he also secured an additional $15,000 in matching funds from Manatee County.
In 2021, the Manatee County Commission approved up to $850,000 in matching funds for the CRA’s yet-to-be-completed floating dock expansion project and the completed dinghy dock replacement project. The county’s $15,000 share of the decorative fence costs will be rolled into the previously approved dock project.
CRA member David Bell requested more time to consider Horne’s requests, but City Attorney Ricinda Perry said the county match expires on Sept. 30 and any additional delays could impact those matching funds. Bell then cast the only opposition vote to Horne’s funding request.
Commission approvals
On April 6, Horne and the city commission resumed their discussion about the requested pier improvements.
According to Horne and Perry, We’re Back Inc. is paying $45,894 in base rent in 2023. The city also receives 2% of We’re Back Inc.’s total gross revenues for its Bradenton Beach operation.
Perry noted the city owns the pier and the city commission must approve any improvements made to it. She said the proposed changes must also be addressed in an amended version of We’re Back Inc.’s existing lease with the city.
After much discussion, the commission unanimously supported We’re Back Inc.’s request to extend its current lease until 2045.
“It’s a long time. I’m happy with their performance, but I’m a little reserved about doing it for the rest of my lifetime,” Commissioner Jake Spooner said before expressing his support for the extension.
At the commission’s request, the amended lease will include language that states the extension only pertains to We’re Back Inc. If Horne, 61, retires, but We’re Back Inc. continues to run AMOB’s Bradenton Beach location, the extended lease remains in effect. If someone else buys We’re Back Inc. and continues to conduct business as We’re Back Inc., the extended lease remains in effect. If We’re Back Inc. is no longer the entity in charge of the pier-based operations, the city commission can terminate the extended lease.
Alcohol consumption
Perry noted an existing city ordinance currently prohibits any alcohol consumption on the pier and that ordinance must be amended before alcohol can be consumed on the pier. We’re Back Inc.’s lease agreement will also have to be amended accordingly.
Horne’s request to allow alcohol consumption on the pier pertains only to alcoholic beverages purchased from AMOB’s new outdoor kiosk or the existing bar inside the restaurant. The alcoholic beverages are to be served in cups bearing the AMOB logo. Alcoholic beverages purchased elsewhere will not be allowed on the pier.
At the request of Police Chief John Cosby, open containers of alcoholic beverages would not be allowed on the floating dock adjacent to the pier. Alcoholic beverages purchased from AMOB and served in sealed to-go containers could be transported from the restaurant area to a boat tied up at the dock.
Before these changes occur, Horne must provide the city with a detailed diagram that shows exactly where alcohol will be sold and consumed on and near the pier.
If the alcohol consumption allowance becomes problematic, the city commission can revoke it. The city commission can also temporarily suspend the alcohol allowance during a children’s fishing tournament or some other family-friendly event taking place on the pier.
None of the commission-supported pier improvements and changes will take effect until the amended We’re Back Inc. lease is finalized and the alcohol ordinance is amended.
