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Tag: Island Bazaar

Old Wells Fargo bank building to be demolished

Written by Joe Hendricks on . Posted in Community News, Holmes Beach.

HOLMES BEACH – Anna Maria Island businessman Jake Spooner now plans to demolish the old Wells Fargo bank building at the corner of Gulf Drive and Marina Drive and build a new building in its place. 

He hopes the construction of his building will begin as early as March, if all goes well. 

In December 2024, the Holmes Beach City Commission approved the site plan for Spooner’s mixed-use project that will feature his ground-level Island Bazaar retail store, an outdoor miniature golf course and a small, stand-alone arcade. Some of the ground-level space will be leased to the Fudge Factory candy and ice cream shop and the second floor will be leased to Ben Sato for a 125-seat, family-friendly restaurant and bar called Mingo’s. 

This rendering was presented to the city commission during the site plan approval process in late 2024. – City of Holmes Beach | Submitted

Spooner originally hoped to salvage some of the old bank building’s primary structure, but his engineer recently informed him that constructing a new building is a better option.

When speaking to The Sun, Spooner said, “They originally designed the building to meet FEMA’s 50% rule, but about six months ago we realized we’re not going to meet the 50% rule. Then it was a matter of what part of the existing building do we keep? There was discussion back and forth about retaining the two-story section. The two-story section was built with steel columns, but the second-floor ceilings aren’t the ideal height. 

“Then we needed cost figures for the different options, so we had to wait for that. It was then determined that we have to tear down the whole structure. We’ll have a brand-new, flood-proofed building instead of having a portion of a building that’s 60-70 years old,” Spooner explained. 

“They’re redesigning the project to include the new building and hopefully the design work will be done in a week or two, if all goes well. We’re going to ask the city for a demolition permit so we can remove the old building and we might have that as early as this week. 

“When the city issues us the demo permit, we can start removing the old building. In the meantime, the architect and the engineers will be working on new drawings to submit to the city so we can get a building permit when we’re done with the demolition,” Spooner said. 

“If all goes well, we’re hoping construction can start as early as March and then we’re looking at a 10-to-12-month construction project. Nothing’s being changed on the site plan. It was just a matter of salvaging the existing structure, or not.” 

Spooner emphasized that the city of Holmes Beach has not contributed to the delays in any way. 

“The city and the city staff have been pleasant, nothing but helpful and a pleasure to work with,” he said.

When contacted by The Sun, Holmes Beach Director of Development Services Chad Minor said, “We were made aware of the engineer’s recommendation not to utilize the existing structure.”

Minor said a demolition permit will be needed for the removal of the existing structure.

Minor said if the new plans remain consistent and compliant with the original site plan, then no additional city commission approval would be needed. Minor said he and city staff will review the new plans, when submitted, for consistency and compliance and determine if any additional city commission approval is needed.

Holmes Beach ferry stops explored

Holmes Beach ferry stops explored

Written by Joe Hendricks on . Posted in Community News, Holmes Beach.

HOLMES BEACH – City and county officials hoped to use businessman Jake Spooner’s boat slip in the Wa­terline resort marina as a Gulf Islands Ferry stop, but the current county-owned pontoon boats are too large to safely navigate that limited space.

To be used in conjunction with the Island Bazaar commercial building that Spooner is developing on the former Wells Fargo bank property nearby, Spooner’s boat slip is located in the far southwest corner of the boat basin.

On April 1, Spooner, Holmes Beach Commissioner Dan Diggins and Waterline dockmaster Tom Jones met ferry captains Nick Francis and Jonathan Davis, ferry operators Trisha and Dennis Rodriguez and Manatee County Project Manager Jeff Anthony when they arrived at the resort aboard the pontoon ferry boat that traveled from downtown Bradenton.

Holmes Beach ferry stops explored
Shown here behind the Waterline resort, the current ferry boats are 50 feet long and 15 feet wide. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

With the ferry docked at the rear of the Waterline resort property, the group discussed whether it was safe to bring the ferry boat, which is 50 feet long and 15 feet wide, into Spooner’s slip. Leaving the ferry where it was, the group walked over to Spooner’s slip and quickly determined the navigable space was too narrow for the ferry boat to safely navigate – a space made narrower by the motors projecting from boats docked on either side of the navigation lane.

Holmes Beach ferry stops explored
The navigation lane leading to and from Jake Spooner’s boat slip is too narrow for the current ferry boats to safely navigate.

Diggins and some of the others then walked over to the northwest corner of the boat basin to examine a large corner slip in the Keyes Marina portion of the boat basin. Dockmaster Jim Keyes told the group the slip that was then vacant is occupied long-term by a boat that departed earlier that morning.

They also looked at a slip located next to the Keyes Marina boat ramp and agreed that none of the options examined that day were viable for the ferry boats, but a smaller boat (30 feet long and 10 feet wide) already owned by the ferry operators might work. Although intrigued by that idea, Diggins acknowledged the smaller boat would pose some logisti­cal challenges as to how and where passengers transition from a larger boat to a smaller boat.

Holmes Beach ferry stops explored
Jake Spooners boat slip is located in the bottom left corner of this photo. – Google Maps | Submitted

The Kingfish Boat Ramp on Mana­tee Avenue has also been discussed as a potential ferry stop. That area would provide ample docking space but would require docking renovations that could cost the county a few mil­lion dollars. The boat ramp is located about a half-mile from Manatee Beach and does not provide the walkability and easy access to restaurants, busi­nesses and other destinations as the boat basin in the heart of the Holmes Beach business district.

Last year, Diggins and Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau Executive Director Elliott Falcione met with Waterline management about using the spacious docking at the rear of the resort as a ferry stop, but for various reasons the resort management doesn’t want that docking space used as a public ferry landing.

With the ferry stop at the hurricane-damaged Anna Maria City Pier currently out of commission, the Gulf Islands Ferry service runs between downtown Bradenton and the Braden­ton Beach Pier in Bradenton Beach. The ferry schedule can be viewed and tickets can be purchased at the Gulf Islands Ferry website.

Mingo’s restaurant coming to Holmes Beach

Mingo’s restaurant coming to Holmes Beach

Written by Joe Hendricks on . Posted in Business, Restaurants | Bars.

HOLMES BEACH – Three years ago, Ben Sato opened his gRub tropical barbeque restau­rant in Anna Maria. He now plans to open Mingo’s Rooftop Restau­rant and Sports Bar in Holmes Beach with his brother, Jason Sato, as his business partner.

Mingo’s name is derived from the word flamingo and a flamingo holding a tropical drink is featured in the restaurant logo.

Mingo’s restaurant coming to Holmes Beach
The Mingo’s logo includes a flamingo enjoying a tropical drink in a tropical setting. – Ben Sato | Submitted

The 125-seat, family-friendly restaurant and bar will occupy the second floor of the former Wells Fargo bank building at the corner of Gulf Drive and Marina Drive, at 5327 and 5325 Gulf Drive.

The former bank building and properties are being redeveloped by Island businessman Jake Spooner. The space leased to Mingo’s will sit atop Spooner’s ground-level Island Bazaar retail store and the space leased to The Fudge Factory candy and ice cream shop. Spooner’s business operations will also include a miniature golf course on the east side of the property and a small, stand-alone arcade.

Mingo’s restaurant coming to Holmes Beach
The diagram illustrates how the Island Bazaar property will be developed. – Smith Architects | Submitted

Ben will oversee the pending interior buildout of the restaurant space and the day-to-day business operations when Mingo’s opens in late 2025 or early 2026. He recently gave The Sun a tour of the vacant space to be trans­formed into Mingo’s.

“I’ve known Jake forever. We grew up on the Island together. It’s a great location and being up top here will give us great visibility,” he said.

Mingo’s restaurant coming to Holmes Beach
The wall behind Ben Sato will be removed and a new wall will be built about where he stands. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

The exterior wall at the south end of the Mingo’s space will be removed so the interior restaurant space can be extended further south towards Gulf Drive, leaving enough space for a covered deck at the south end of the building. In the center of the deck area will be an artificial turf-covered play area where cornhole and other games can be played.

Mingo’s restaurant coming to Holmes Beach
The cinder blocks indicate where the covered deck will be. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

“The footprint of the building’s going to be the same. We’ll have a fun vibe with a turf area outside for the kids to play,” Sato said. “The restaurant concept is elevated bar food – bar food with a little twist on it.”

The Mingo’s menu will include “Tachos” (nachos made with tater tots), other types of nachos, chicken wings, seafood tacos, flatbreads, salads and more. gRub sells beer and wine but not liquor, so liquor service will be a new experience for Sato; and he’s already developing some signature frozen cocktails with a focus on tequila-based drinks.

“We’ll have full liquor but it’s not going to be a party atmo­sphere. This concept will be more focused on kids because of the miniature golf course and that’s how I approached the menu, the layout and the vibe,” he said.

Mingo’s will open at 11 a.m. and close at 10 p.m., when the miniature golf course closes.

“We won’t have late-night hours,” he said.

Mingo’s restaurant coming to Holmes Beach
The former Wells Fargo bank building will be transformed into the Island Bazaar, The Fudge Factory and Mingo’s. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

The south end of the expanded interior space will feature an accordion-style door that can be opened to create an open-air feel inside the restaurant.

“We’ll open it up so it’s basically indoor-outdoor seating with a breeze,” Sato said.

Mingo’s will have a tropical appearance and feel that high­lights the pink and teal colors often associated with Florida. The exposed “wave ceiling” will have cloth hanging from it that creates a wave effect when the breeze moves it.

“I learned a lot opening gRub and I’m excited to open Mingo’s,” Sato said.

 

Inconsistent noise levels spark debate

Inconsistent noise levels spark debate

Written by Joe Hendricks on . Posted in Community News, Holmes Beach.

HOLMES BEACH – The daytime 50-decible noise limit restriction imposed on Jake Spooner’s pending Island Bazaar development remains a topic of debate at Holmes Beach City Hall.

On Dec. 17, city commissioners approved the major site plan appli­cation submitted by Spooner and architect Mark Smith. In addition to Spooner’s ground-level Island Bazaar retail space, the approved development project will include a miniature golf course, the Fudge Factory candy and ice cream shop, an arcade, a tour boat landing and a 125-seat second-story indoor/outdoor restaurant.

Inconsistent noise levels spark debate
The Island Bazaar in Holmes Beach will feature a retail store, mini-golf, the Fudge Factory, a restaurant and more. – City of Anna Maria | Submitted

When discussing the site plan application, Mayor Judy Titsworth suggested a lower daytime decibel limit be imposed on that property because the mini-golf course’s ambient music will be played from opening to closing seven days a week. Commissioner Dan Diggins suggested the 50-decibel limit that Spooner agreed to and the commission approved.

The Jan. 15 issue of The Sun included a letter to the editor from Holmes Beach residents and frequent city meeting attendees Margie and Dick Motzer.

“The reduction to 50 decibels during the day in this resolution was noteworthy; it will be great for the mayor and her family who live nearby. That level of protection is now only in this one geographic region. Considering that the 14th Amendment grants equal protection, we think the city needs to take action to apply that same daytime 50 decibel level city-wide,” the letter says.

The letter led to an impromptu noise ordinance discussion initi­ated by Planning Commissioner Lisa Pierce during the planning commission’s Jan. 15 meeting.

“I would say what’s good for the goose is good for the gander. That sounds like a good idea everywhere,” Pierce said of the 50-decibel threshold.

“I think 50 (decibels) is really low,” Planning Commissioner Richard Brown countered.

The planning commission requested that additional noise ordinance discussion be included on the agenda for their Feb. 5 meeting.

The impromptu planning board discussion prompted Titsworth to request a noise ordinance discussion during the Feb. 11 city commission work session, after the regular city commission meeting at 2 p.m.

Minor’s memo

The Feb. 3 memo that Director of Development Chad Minor sent the mayor and city commissioners says, “At the mayor’s request, staff was asked to research and provide examples of dBA (decibel) limits from other communities to how the city’s current ordinance compares.”

Minor’s memo notes the Holmes Beach noise control ordinance al­lows 65 decibels between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. and drops to 50 decibels between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m.

Regarding the stipulation placed on the Island Bazaar development, the memo says, “Amplified outdoor music shall be limited to the outdoor miniature golf course/outdoor recreation area between the hours of noon and 10 p.m., not to exceed 50 dBA as measured per the city’s noise ordinance.”

Inconsistent noise levels spark debate
Demolition work is underway at the former Wells Fargo bank property. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

The memo includes the decibel limits imposed by six coastal cities on Florida’s east coast: Cocoa Beach, Flagler Beach, Ormond Beach, Indian Harbour Beach, Hollywood and Boca Raton. The daytime decibel limits in those cities’ residential areas ranged from 55-65 decibels during the day and evening, 50-60 decibels later at night and overnight and 60-80 decibels in commercial/non-residential zones. Minor’s memo does not reference any cities on the west coast of the state or elsewhere on Anna Maria Island.

Motzer comments

The agenda for the Feb. 5 planning com­mission included a noise ordinance update from Minor. He noted the city commission would discuss the noise ordinance on Feb. 11 and staff was asked to provide examples of other cites’ decibel level allowances.

When offering public input, Margie Motzer said, “We were thrust into the noise issue 10 years ago. Our quality of life eroded and over time we learned the city was receiving between 250 and 300 noise complaints annually. We also learned it was a contributing factor to residents leaving, so that concerned us. For years we were told that it was just splish-splashing in a pool even though our residents had recordings to show otherwise. We were told by several city officials that we should expect it because we live in a resort zone. That was a defining moment for me because I knew I lived in a residential zone. The resort zone is between 52nd and 74th Street, along Gulf (Drive),” she said.

Reading verbatim from the city’s comprehensive plan regarding the resort zone, Motzer said, “Intended to limit the development of intense multi-family residential/seasonal tourist development to that area adjacent to the Gulf of Mexico, thus ensuring that such development will not intrude into or be incompatible with existing residential neighborhoods.”

Motzer said the stipulation imposed on Spooner’s development was meant to protect nearby residents but “creates fundamental inconsistencies because no one outside of that cherry-picked geographic region has that same level of protection.”

In closing, she said, “I would also suggest that it’s inconsistent with the comp plan if one business or geographic region in a C-3 (zoning district) has a lower and unique decibel level. The protections need to be consistent. The overriding issue is equal protection.”

Related coverage: 
Letter prompts noise ordinance discussion
Letter to the Editor: Residents insist on equal protection in noise ordinance

Letter prompts noise ordinance discussion

Letter prompts noise ordinance discussion

Written by Joe Hendricks on . Posted in Community News, Holmes Beach.

HOLMES BEACH – Written by Holmes Beach residents Dick and Margie Motzer, a letter to the editor that recently appeared in The Sun resulted in an impromptu Holmes Beach Planning Commission discussion about the city’s noise ordinance.

The letter pertained to the city commission’s recent approval of the Island Bazaar site plan at Gulf and Marina Drives. The commission approval includes a stipulation that limits the volume of the miniature golf course’s ambient music to 50 decibels.

“That level of protection is now only in this one geographic region, at the old Wells Fargo location,” the Motzers’ letter said. “We think the city needs to take action to apply that same daytime 50-decibel level city-wide.”

Planning Commissioner Lisa Pierce mentioned the letter during the planning commission’s Jan. 15 meeting.

“I would say what’s good for the goose is good for the gander. That sounds like a good idea everywhere,” she said.

Holmes Beach Director of Development Services Chad Minor noted that the city’s standard daytime volume limit is 75 decibels.

City commissioners did not amend the noise ordinance when approving the Island Bazaar site plan, they simply included a volume stipulation specific to that property, he said.

The planning commission’s primary assignment is to review city matters for compliance with the city’s comprehensive plan, the document that sets forth the city’s overall vision for future development and redevelopment.

Minor said the city’s noise regulations are addressed in the Land Development Code (LDC) and the planning commission would need city commission authorization to review regulations contained in the LDC. Minor said the planning commission could send one of its members to a city commission meeting to request that authorization.

“I think 50 (decibels) is really low,” Planning Commissioner Richard Brown opined.

Planning Commissioner Steve Oelfke praised Island Bazaar developer Jake Spooner for being receptive to the city commission’s volume request, but he said other developers may not be as accommodating. Oelfke expressed support for reviewing the noise ordinance as it relates to the comprehensive plan.

The planning commissioners agreed to place Minor’s suggestion on the agenda for formal discussion at their Wednesday, Feb. 5 meeting.

Letter to the Editor: Holmes Beach residents lament development vote

Written by SUN contributor on . Posted in Letter to the Editor, Opinion.

We would like to extend a special thank you to all who spoke during public comment at the public hearing for the extensive site plan application for the former Wells Fargo property in Holmes Beach City Center.

What was previously a “sleepy” bank at an already tenuous intersection where there was a recent fatality, there will now be retail, indoor and outdoor dining, miniature golf, an arcade, a tour boat, an ice cream shop and storage facilities. It will have 125 seats, 93 parking spaces, six golf cart spaces, and 36 bicycle spaces.

There were multiple knowledgeable speakers addressing obvious issues – traffic, safety, noise, parking, exodus of residents from overdevelopment, etc. We were pleased to even have a speaker from Anna Maria, an articulate one we might add, just like the others. Thanks to all!

Regardless, the application passed unanimously. It was reminiscent of the county’s Aqua by the Bay hearings, or the county meeting where wetland barrier protections were rolled back. We will be forthright in adding that all of this has been on the heels of buzz about the applicant’s contributions to the recent mayoral campaign.

When is intensity too much intensity? Commercial zoning is not an unlimited license for special exceptions for development. One speaker said succinctly, “Is there any weight for the residents? The city needs to please the residents, not the developers, tourists and contractors.”

So residents, please hang on. Bridge Street is “coming soon to a theater near you,” smack dab in the middle of Holmes Beach City Center. You might want to heed a bit of advice from a former city commissioner: “Never underestimate how far a 5-year-old can hit a golf ball!”

Dick and Margie Motzer

Holmes Beach

Former bank to be new hot spot

Former bank to be new hot spot

Written by SUN contributor on . Posted in Community News, Featured, Holmes Beach.

HOLMES BEACH — A new family-friendly complex is coming to the corner of Gulf and Marina Drives now that city leaders have approved the site plan.

Business owner Jake Spooner is planning a second Island Bazaar at the new location with a putt-putt course, a fudge shop, a candy shop, an arcade and a second-floor restaurant with indoor and outdoor dining. The original Island Bazaar is at 3304 E. Bay Drive. Spooner’s Bridge Street Bazaar is at 107 Bridge St. in Bradenton Beach.

The site covers 1.3 acres and is planned to feature three separate buildings – one where the former Wells Fargo bank building is, a smaller one where the drive-through lanes were located on the east side of the bank, and a third for storage and the arcade. The smaller building will be home to a candy shop on the bottom floor and a fudge shop on the top.

The restaurant, which Spooner said would be leased to an independent operator, is planned to have 26 outdoor seats and 100 indoor seats.

Former bank to be new hot spot
This aerial rendering shows an overview of all the planned improvements and buildings for the former Wells Fargo bank site in Holmes Beach. – Submitted

The putt-putt course is planned for the area previously paved for the drive-through bank lanes. Mark Smith, who presented the plan for the property to commissioners, said a 6-foot tall fence would be installed to prevent golf balls from going into traffic and being a hazard on the road. The property is also planned to be surrounded by landscaping to reduce noise and potential hazards.

While commissioners and city staff spoke in favor of the project, noting that it ticks all of the boxes to receive a special exception as laid out in the city’s ordinances and land development code, residents weren’t as enthusiastic.

Resident Margie Motzer questioned the amplified music planned as background music for the putt-putt course. She said she felt the project would cause disruption for nearby residents.

Adjacent residential property owner Dan Howl said he felt it was a very intense use for the area and doesn’t want to see parking for the entertainment facility overflowing into adjacent parking lots or onto his street, Sunrise Lane. Howl said he’d like to see the traffic study that was completed for the project.

City Engineer Chad Minor noted in his staff report approving the project that he saw no significant traffic impact to the area as a result of the installment of the planned entertainment facility.

Resident Debbie Danziger said she’s concerned that the project will adversely affect residents and significantly impact traffic flow along Marina and Gulf drives.

“You’re just asking for trouble,” she said.

“I love the idea. I love the presentation. I’m just not sure we can accommodate it physically,” Anna Maria resident Perry Parkman said.

“All of the people involved in this project are Island residents,” Jason Sato said in defense of the planned complex. “Jake (Spooner) wants to be a good neighbor. Traffic is always going to be bad. It’s a bigger problem than one business.”

“I approve the project,” Commissioner Carol Soustek said during comments. “I think it’s a good one.” She said she has some concerns about the multitude of businesses planned for the site but thinks those issues will resolve themselves once construction gets underway and the project owners see what demand there is in the city for the planned services.

Once the vote was taken, Spooner stood to address commissioners and members of the public assembled for the meeting.

“Thank you very much,” Spooner said. “We’re going to be good neighbors.”