The Anna Maria Island Sun Newspaper

Vol. 15 No. 1 - October 29, 2014

FEATURE

25 years and counting for Bridge Tender Inn

Anna Maria Island Sun News Story

joe hendricks | sun

Bridge Tender Inn owner Fred Bartizal gets in the
Halloween spirit with managers Sue Shinka, at left, and
Shannon Dunnan.

BRADENTON BEACH – The Bridge Tender Inn & Dockside Bar will celebrate its 25-year anniversary with the Bridgestock street festival on Saturday, Nov. 8, from noon until 6 p.m.

Taking place Veterans Day weekend, and “celebrating 25 years of great food and fun,” the family-friendly celebration will feature free admission, food and drink specials, raffles, contests, prizes and live music by Paul Duffy, 12:15 p.m.; Brigid’s Cross, 2:15 p.m.; and BearLee Sober, 4:15 p.m.

Proceeds from the anniversary party will benefit VETSports, Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch, and the Vintage Paws senior dog sanctuary. With a regional organization in Tampa, VETSports provides recreational opportunities for military veterans nationwide.

“It’s great the number of charities that are taken care of by the Bridge Street business owners. They’re really active, and we all do different charity work that helps various causes; that’s a big deal,” Bartizal said.

Manager Sue Shinka said 400 $10 raffle tickets will be sold,with a cruise offered as the grand prize, and many other great prizes donated by Bridge Street merchants and other Island businesses.

Reflecting on his establishment’s origins, the retired gynecologist said, “When we started this thing in 1989, and it was something I always wanted to do. When I was in school, I tended bar on Rush Street in Chicago, so I always wanted to open a bar, and that’s what I did,” Bartizal said.

The property located at 135 Bridge Street in Bradenton Beach first caught Bartizal’s eye when he and Mike Norman passed by on a boat and noticed the for sale sign out front. He purchased the property, and the rest is local history.

“In the 1950s, there used to be a bait shop there, so that brought back some memories because I used to visit, and rumor has it that it was gambling house with a brothel up above before that,” he said.

The Bridge Tender Inn continues to evolve under Bartizal’s ownership. Located across the street from the main building, the outdoor Dockside Bar opened three years ago. Next on the company to-do list is establishing an open air dining space along Bridge Street.

“When I retired in 2006, I became an active participant in this, which was the never the case before, and I think that’s helped a lot. I spend a lot of time here and I have three great managers that I love dearly. They do a great job for me, and the employees have really become a family, and we’re all having fun,” he said.

“And thanks to our patrons for standing with us and for coming to the Packers’ games,” the Wisconsin native added.

Over the years, the surrounding business community has also evolved.

“Bridge Street has really changed. I remember buying the Beach Lounge and tearing it down just to help clean Bridge Street up. There’s more continuity on Bridge Street than there’s ever been before,” he said.

For more information on Bridgestock, visit www.thebridgetenderinn.com, or visit the Bridge Tender Inn on Facebook.


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