Grand Opening of The Market at the Point this Friday

OSPREY, FL – A new vendor market is coming to Osprey’s The Point Restaurant and Tiki. Nancy Ambrose, former manager of the Coquina Beach Market, has announced the new market location will kick off its grand opening this Friday the 13th, and return each Friday through the end of April.

After Manatee County unexpectedlyterminated its contract with Ambrose for the Coquina Beach Market (you can read more about that here), the market manager began efforts to find a new location to host the artisan vendors bizarre for residents and visitors to Florida's Gulf Coast.

Responding to numerous calls from vendors and shoppers, Ambrose created a Facebook group called "Where's the Market," where she began posting updates of her planning. The social media group quickly grew to more than 2,000 participants anxious to hear where they could find Ambrose's new market. In mid-December, Ambrose announced the market's grand reopening at its new Osprey location.

In an email to TBT, Ambrose shared her excitement to have the market family together again.

"I am very excited and extremely grateful to have a fabulous new venue for the displaced Coquina Beach Market vendors since their livelihood was taken away," Ambrose wrote. "The Point has a great view of the bay, restaurant and tiki bar, dockage, and tour boat."

The Market at the Point will be held outside of The Point Restaurant, at 131 Bayview Drive, from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., every Friday through April 28, 2023–weather permitting.

Ambrose hopesvisitors will make a day of their trip to visit the new market at the Point, "Come out and shop the market, explore Historic Spanish Point, relax at Nokomis Beach with its natural tortoise habitat and enjoy all the area has to offer."

Vendors of all types will display their unique items for purchase, including many of the former Coquina Beach Market’s favorite vendors. Shoppers will find local artists, arts and crafts, jewelry, fresh produce, baked goods, assorted foods, apparel, pottery, purses, collectibles, woodworking, health and beauty items, unique gifts, and more!

Visitors can even enjoy watching some of the local artisans creating their wares while shopping for that perfect trinket, gift, or souvenir. "There will be something for everyone," wrote Ambrose.

The talented Market String Band will also return to the event. The band performs while strolling the booth pathways. Don’t miss the extra smiles from the roaming clowns from 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

After the market, relax with eats and drinks overlooking the bay at The Point Restaurant and Tiki. There will be plenty of free parking or arrive by boat at Channel Marker 38.

The Market at the Point is proud to be a pet-friendly event.

For more information and to stay up to date on the latest market news, follow the market on Facebook @ Market at The Point.