BRADENTON BEACH – As Bridge Street comes back to life with merchants reopening businesses following back-to-back hurricanes, the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) discussed their vision for the area, including Christmas on Bridge Street.
“We had already paid to complete the pergola, and we know that’s an important vision for the street, and in talking with Chief (John) Cosby one of the goals and objectives we have that ties in with is that we are going to be open and supporting Christmas on Bridge Street,” City Attorney Ricinda Perry said at the Oct. 17 CRA meeting. “That is not an option, that is going to happen.”
She said Bridge Street merchants have been working hard to get up and running by Nov. 23.
“It is my goal to execute what we’re going to call our Table of Hope, and that is going to be our kickoff to Christmas on Bridge Street,” Perry said. “The Table of Hope we put together for everybody who’s been a part of this experience, we’re going to shut Bridge Street down, line it with tables, get a bolt of fabric, we’re going to write what we want on that fabric and we’re going to hang that banner over our street for everybody to know that we are strong, that we are standing and that we are a hopeful community.”
The date for that event has not yet been determined.
“Mayor and I are going to be working with the decorators,” Perry said. ”It may not be pretty but it’s going to be something and we’re going to celebrate that heart of the city. “
She invited community members to reach out with thoughts and ideas.
“The merchants are certainly pressed to get where they need to be,” she said, noting that multiple businesses in Bradenton Beach have already reopened including Daiquiri Deck, Anna Maria Oyster Bar on the Pier, SALT Bar and Table, Bridge Tender Inn, Circle K (north location open with fuel, south opens this weekend), and Smoqe House (opens Oct. 21).
Staff at Drift-In AMI, Blue Marlin, Island Time and Island Creperie, among others, told The Sun that they are working to get back up and running as soon as possible.
The CRA board unanimously approved Christmas on Bridge Street and the Table of Hope.
