Opening of Craft Brewery in Bradenton Approved by City Council

BRADENTON – At Wednesday's meeting, the Bradenton City Council gave the green light to one of the two craft beer breweries that are planning to open in Bradenton within the next few months of the year. Frank and Denise Tschida will open Motorworks Brewing in the old 2-story brick building on 1014 9th Street West. Motorworks will be located just north of McKechnie Field, neighboring the Village of the Arts, and was touted as offering a financially-symbiotic relationship with the stadium and village as well as other businesses in the area.

"We believe the brewery has an important role to play in the continued growth of the area," said Ann Altman, a consultant for the Tschidas, during the meeting.

Altman said at the meering that they had looked at a number of areas in Minnesota and Florida before deciding on the planned location.

"But when this location in Bradenton was found, with concrete slab floors and the original red-brick construction - we knew we had found a building whose characteristic contruction was perfectly suited to a brewery operation," she said. 

The brewery will feature a taproom with outdoor patio, a beer garden, live music and private events.

"We anticipate adding 30 new jobs over the next several years, and, as is the case with most craft brewers, we plan to be involved in the community, and with our neighbors," said Altman. 

All stipulations in the Department of Planning and Community Development's evaluation report on the Tschidas' plans were approved, including operation of a tasting room and lounge and beer garden that would be open until 2 a.m., as well as live music that would cease at 10 p.m. Operation of the facility as a brewery and beer lounge, as well as an alcohol license, were approved unanimously by the council.

One question that was raised at the meeting by Councilman Gene Brown was whether Motorworks was planning on providing transportation for visitors walking from the parking garage 2 blocks away from the building. Altman said that the company is planning on eventually implementing a "very easy and inviting corridor" through the Village of the Arts.

Councilman Patrick Roff added that at a recent Metropolitan and Planning Organization (MPO) meeting, a plan for a pedestrian crossway on 8th Avenue was discussed, which he said would be conducive to the brewery as well as the Village. He also said that the brewery's opening "will bring a new crowd of people with disposable income, who I expect will tour the Village before and after visiting Motorworks." 

Frank Tschida mentioned to the council that once a month, local beer distrubutors "intend to bring in (out-of-county) people that will be selling our product," such as restauranteurs and liquor store owners and other vendors. "This would provide an excellent opportunity to get some of the for-sale signs off existing vacant properties ... and to bring more commerce to the area," he said. 

Talks have already taken place between Motorworks and the owners of McKechnie about selling the future brewery's craft beers during games at the stadium, and Trevor Goodby, General Manager of McKechnie Field, was in attendance to support the Tschidas' plans. "When we brought the Marauders to the city four years ago, our hope was bringing more business to the area ... and so we're in full support of the Tschidas," Goodby said.

None present at the council meeting spoke in opposition. Speaking after the meeting, Mr. Tschida said that while an opening date has not yet been determined, they hope to have the facility up and running as early as May. Another Bradenton craft brewery in the making, Little Giant Brewery, has also stated it plans to open this year.