The Path to Pain-Free Healthy Living Begins at Sarasota Neuropathy Center
(941) 347-9434 Diabetes and Neuropathy Treatment in West Bradenton, FL
Living with neuropathy and diabetes is a challenge that millions of Americans face every day. Neuropathy - which comes in several forms and manifests in many ways - can affect any person. In the United States, neuropathy and diabetes often go hand-in-hand, with about 50% of people with diabetes suffering from the condition. In fact, the number of people with neuropathy is only increasing as diabetes becomes more common and the population ages.
People who suffer from these conditions must endure painful and disruptive symptoms, such as:
- Intense Bouts of Sharp, Burning Pain
- Numbness, Prickling, or Tingling in the Hands and Feet
- Decreased Muscle Strength and Paralysis
- Trouble with Balance and Coordination
- Unusually High Sensitivity to Touch
- Digestive and Bladder Control Issues
While some patients are at a greater risk of developing certain types of neuropathy, it doesn't discriminate between sex, race, age, or medical history. Fortunately, neuropathy and diabetes awareness are growing. By proxy, so are new and exciting treatment options that show dramatic improvements in both conditions.
If you've been suffering from the symptoms of diabetes or neuropathy and are in search of a truly effective solution, Sarasota Neuropathy Center can help. Unlike some clinics, our commitment is to offer more than temporary relief. As a diabetic and neuropathy treatment specialist in West Bradenton, FL, we aim to rectify the distinct root causes underlying each patient's symptoms.
But to understand how we're able to accomplish that goal, you've got to first understand the nuances of neuropathy and diabetes.
There are several types of diabetes of which you should be aware:
Other types of diabetes can include:
- Monogenic Diabetes
- Cystic Fibrosis-Related Diabetes
- Secondary Diabetes
Service Areas
Neuropathy 101
Neuropathy is a medical condition that arises when the peripheral nerves, which are responsible for transmitting signals between the brain, spinal cord, and other parts of the body, fail to function correctly due to damage or disease. These nerves are essential for detecting sensations such as warmth, cold, and pain, as well as regulating muscle movement and carrying out automatic processes like digestion and heartbeat without our conscious involvement.
What Causes Neuropathy?
When patients speak with a nerve pain doctor for the first time, they have a lot of questions, and rightfully so. At Sarasota Neuropathy Center, one of the most frequently asked questions we hear centers around the factors causing neuropathy. If you're reading this article, chances are you have similar questions. While we can't pinpoint what's causing your neuropathy without proper testing, here are a few of the most common factors that can cause neuropathy to manifest:
Diabetes
Diabetes is one of the leading causes of diabetes in adults - especially when a person has dealt with high blood sugar levels over long periods of time. When diabetes harms your nerves, it can lead to diabetic neuropathy and create a recurring trigger for this type of nerve damage.
Lack of Vitamins
Your nerves require certain vitamins, including B1 (thiamine), B12, B6, and vitamin E, to function correctly. Without a balanced diet or supplementation, deficiencies in these vitamins can lead to nerve damage over time.
Autoimmune Disorders
In certain instances, a person's immune system accidentally attacks its own cells, including nerve tissues. When this happens, neuropathy often follows. Diseases such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and Guillain-Barré syndrome come under this category, where the immune system's misguided attack on nerves causes dysfunction and pain.
Genetics
Neuropathy can be inherited in some families, meaning it is passed down from one generation to another. When this occurs, peripheral nerves can be affected by genetic forms of the condition, such as Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease.
Infections in the Body
There are certain viruses and bacteria that have the ability to attack nerve tissues and also cause conditions that can result in nerve damage. Examples of such infections include Lyme disease, HIV, and hepatitis C. These illnesses have the potential to either initiate or worsen existing neuropathy.
Physical Trauma
Physical injuries, whether caused by accidents, repetitive movements, or falls, can lead to nerve damage. Such injuries can result in neuropathy, causing loss of function and painful sensations in the affected region of the body.
What are the Different Types of Neuropathy?
Peripheral neuropathy is a condition that can affect one nerve, a group of related nerves, or multiple nerves in different parts of the body. The symptoms can vary depending on which type of nerve signals are affected. Keep reading for a closer look at the various types of neuropathies and how they affect you. If one of the categories below sounds familiar, make a mental note to discuss it with your diabetic and neuropathy treatment specialist in West Bradenton, FL.
Peripheral Neuropathy:
Nerve Pain in Your Arms and Legs
Of all the different types of neuropathies, this is the kind that you're probably most familiar with, as it's the most common form treated in the U.S.It occurs most often when the nerves responsible for transmitting messages of touch and movement between your brain and your extremities don't function properly.
Symptoms can include:
- Sensations of Pins and Needles
- Numbness
- Soreness
- Cramping
- Shooting Pains
As the condition progresses, muscle weakness can occur, making it difficult to perform precise movements and walk without assistance. Balance problems are also common.
Focal Neuropathy:
Nerve Pain in a Specific Area
Focal neuropathy can sometimes result in damage to a single nerve or a cluster of nerves in a particular region, leading to localized pain or weakness. For instance, carpal tunnel syndrome can affect the wrist, causing numbness or weakness in the hand. Similarly, Bell's palsy can impact the face, resulting in droopiness or stiffness on one side of the face.
Other symptoms can include:
- Muscles Don't Work Correctly
- Sharp Pains
- Localized Pain and Weakness
Autonomic Neuropathy:
Nerve Pain That Controls Automatic Body Functions
This type of neuropathy affects the nerves that control involuntary bodily functions, such as heartbeat, digestion, and bladder control. When these nerves are damaged
You may experience symptoms such as:
- Dizziness When Standing Quickly
- Issues with Sexual Intercourse
- Constipation
- Issues Regulating Body Temperature
Compression Neuropathy:
Nerve Pain from Your Nerves Being Squeezed
This type of neuropathy happens when a nerve is pinched or squeezed. It happens most often when you are injured or have to repeat actions over and over again for work or sports purposes. Some examples include Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and sciatica. Symptoms can include:
Symptoms can include:
- Sharp Shooting Pain
- Weakness in the Affected Body Part
- Numbness
Whether you or someone you love are trying to live with neuropathy, you know that it can significantly alter lifestyles, making it difficult to perform day-to-day activities, work, or engage in hobbies. That's why it's so important to understand the underlying causes of your nerve pain, so that you can receive appropriate treatment and improve your quality of life. Taking care of the root problem, as well as managing the pain and other symptoms, is key to helping you stay active and comfortable. That's where working with a diabetic and neuropathy treatment specialist in West Bradenton, FL, becomes crucial.
Addressing the Root Causes of Your Neuropathy
Sarasota Neuropathy Center is a nerve pain clinic that provides patients with a comprehensive, rewarding journey toward healing. It begins with a thorough evaluation that involves in-depth laboratory tests and analyses. This introductory step helps us identify the specific factors that contribute to your peripheral neuropathy. Our team of neuropathy treatment specialists then creates a personalized treatment plan tailored exclusively to your body and symptoms.
By providing you with a wide range of strategies aimed at addressing the root causes of your condition, you can achieve lasting relief and may even be able to reverse the effects of peripheral neuropathy.
Our advanced therapeutic options include:
Nerve Regeneration Equipment
We use cutting-edge machinery like laser light therapy and electromagnetic impulses to stimulate your nerves, encourage repair, and foster nerve tissue regeneration.
Vaso-Pulse Technology
This FDA-approved treatment sends signals through your feet and around your spine, which helps us highlight and rectify areas where nerve and vascular damage are present.
Antioxidants
By incorporating antioxidants into your treatment plan, we can better mitigate nerve damage and counteract oxidative stress.
Anti-Inflammatory Treatments
Inflammation exacerbates nerve damage and pain. Our neuropathy specialists use anti-inflammatory agents to help alleviate your symptoms
Minerals and Vitamins
Nutritional deficiencies impact nerve health. We supplement those deficiencies with vitamins and minerals to help nerve repair.
Immunomodulators
For neuropathies linked to autoimmune disorders, we employ immunomodulators that help regulate the immune system's activity to prevent it from attacking the body's own nerve tissues.
Lifestyle and Diet Changes
Changing your diet and incorporating exercise into your daily routine are two of the best ways to support nerve health.
Through a personalized, natural, and comprehensive treatment plan from Sarasota Neuropathy Center, reclaiming your life doesn't have to be a dream - it can be a true possibility.
Diabetes 101
Diabetes is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by elevated levels of sugar in the blood. This happens when the body is unable to produce or use insulin effectively. Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas that helps regulate blood glucose levels by facilitating its absorption into cells for energy or storage.
There are several types of diabetes of which you should be aware:
Type 1 Diabetes
Type 1 Diabetes is a condition in which the immune system attacks and destroys the beta cells in the pancreas that produce insulin, resulting in little to no insulin production. This condition usually develops in childhood or adolescence but can occur at any age. Patients who suffer from Type 1 Diabetes have to depend on daily insulin administration to manage their blood sugar levels.
The exact cause of this autoimmune reaction is not fully understood, although it is believed that genetic and environmental factors may contribute to it. Contact your diabetic and neuropathy treatment specialist in West Bradenton, FL to learn more about this disease.
Type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 Diabetes is the most common form of diabetes and is mainly caused by lifestyle factors such as obesity, physical inactivity, and poor diet. In this condition, the body either doesn't produce enough insulin or the cells don't use insulin effectively, leading to high blood sugar levels. Unlike Type 1 Diabetes, Type 2 Diabetes can sometimes be managed or reversed with lifestyle changes, although some people may still need medications or insulin therapy.
Gestational Diabetes
Gestational Diabetes is a type of diabetes that occurs during pregnancy and typically goes away after giving birth. However, it can give an indication of a woman's future risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. The condition is caused by hormonal changes during pregnancy that make the body's cells more resistant to insulin. It's important to manage Gestational Diabetes to prevent complications for both mother and baby.
Other types of diabetes can include:
- Monogenic Diabetes
- Cystic Fibrosis-Related Diabetes
- Secondary Diabetes
Genetics
You can have genetic links to both Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes. These links make you predisposed to the condition.
Lifestyle
Poor diet, lack of exercise, and obesity all contribute to insulin resistance, which causes diabetes
Autoimmune
Your immune system mistakenly targets and eliminates insulin-producing beta cells in your pancreas, leading to insufficient insulin production and Type 1 Diabetes.
Insulin Resistance
The most prevalent type of diabetes - Type 2 Diabetes - arises when cells resist insulin's effect, causing a spike in blood sugar levels.
What Are the Symptoms of Type 2 Diabetes?
Many patients who speak with a diabetic and neuropathy treatment specialist in West Bradenton, FL assume they have Type 2 Diabetes, but aren't 100% sure. At Sarasota Neuropathy Center, we would need to conduct tests to verify whether you have the disease. With that said, the following symptoms often manifest when you have Type 2 Diabetes.
Neuropathy
Type 2 Diabetes can cause nerve damage, which in turn causes tingling and numbness, especially in your feet and hands.
Tiredness
Chronic fatigue happens when your body can't utilize glucose for energy in the right way.
Excessive Urination and Thirst
When you have high blood sugar, your body's natural response is to eliminate excess fluids. This can cause you to urinate frequently and can also cause you to feel very thirsty.
Slow-Healing Wounds
High blood sugar impairs your body's ability to heal itself and resist infection.
Vision Changes
When your blood sugar spikes, it can cause visual disturbances that can blur your vision.
Unexplained Weight Loss
In uncontrolled Type 1 Diabetes, the body may begin to break down muscle and fat for energy, leading to unexplained weight loss.
If you believe you may have Type 2 Diabetes, it's important to get checked out ASAP. Regular health screenings and glucose monitoring are important for early detection and effective management of Type 2 Diabetes, as symptoms may not be apparent in the initial stages.
The Sarasota Neuropathy Approach to Diabetes Care
As a diabetic and neuropathy treatment specialist in West Bradenton, FL, we are committed to offering a groundbreaking approach for Type 2 Diabetes, which focuses on reversing the condition by addressing the root causes rather than just managing the symptoms. Our innovative strategy goes beyond conventional treatment paradigms and delves into the underlying factors that contribute to Type 2 Diabetes.
We use a holistic methodology that includes comprehensive lifestyle interventions, nutritional counseling, and personalized medical oversight. This approach has consistently demonstrated remarkable efficacy in significantly reducing blood glucose levels among our patients.
Key highlights of our diabetes treatment include:
Book Appointment
The Path to Relief Starts with a Diabetic and Neuropathy Treatment Specialist in West Bradenton, FL
At Sarasota Diabetes & Neuropathy Center, our mission is to empower you to overcome neuropathy, Type 2 Diabetes, or both by embarking on a transformative journey to wellness. By integrating advanced medical care with comprehensive lifestyle interventions, we help you achieve better health outcomes and a renewed sense of hope and control over your journey to a healthy life.
Latest News in West Bradenton, FL
When will Target open in West Bradenton? Records give sneak peek at new store’s progress
James A. Jones Jr.https://www.bradenton.com/news/local/article285087472.html
From the moment that Target confirmed in 2020 that it planned to open a new Bradenton store, fans have had questions.Such as “when?”And, “what’s taking so long?”Target hasn’t said.What we know is that when paperwork was first filed with Manatee County Development Services in December 2021 — in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, supply chain problems and a labor shor...
From the moment that Target confirmed in 2020 that it planned to open a new Bradenton store, fans have had questions.
Such as “when?”
And, “what’s taking so long?”
Target hasn’t said.
What we know is that when paperwork was first filed with Manatee County Development Services in December 2021 — in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, supply chain problems and a labor shortage — it was to renovate 49,000 square feet of space in a former Kmart in the Beachway Plaza, 7350 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton.
In April 2023, those plans were amended to increase the planned Target to 76,000 square feet.
While Target has not said how much grocery space the store will have (most, if not all, Target stores carry grocery items), it will have a CVS pharmacy, a wine and spirits store and an order pickup area, according to sign permits.
The most recent building permits were for a closed circuit TV security system and data cabling, and to remove defunct air conditioning units from the rooftop.
Target’s 1,956 stores come in a variety of sizes, from much smaller than the Bradenton Beach store to much larger.
“Sizes range from several thousand to over 200,000 square feet,” the Target web page says.
Justin McDonald, an economics instructor at State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota, said there could be several reasons for Target to increase the size of its planned store.
“If the population growth and demand weren’t there, they wouldn’t have done it in the first place,” McDonald said.
With a larger footprint, Target should be able to achieve an economy of scale and a smaller per-unit cost, he said.
In addition to Target’s trademark red color and the red-and-white bulls-eye logo, shoppers can also probably expect to see local touches reflecting the Bradenton Beach name.
“Big or small, our newest stores reflect their neighborhoods through decorative touches and localized assortments. For example: our murals featuring The Notorious B.I.G. and Aaliyah at Brooklyn Kings Plaza in New York and celebrating the vibrant Inglewood neighborhood in Los Angeles,” the Target web page says.
In 2023, Target opened 21 new stores in the U.S.
“As we open more stores, we’re also improving our ability to get you, our guests, everything you need, when and how you want it, with enhancements to our fast and free fulfillment services like Drive Up, Order Pickup and same-day delivery — and investments in our best-in-class supply chain network, bringing next-day delivery to more neighborhoods,” Target says.
As for specifics about the Bradenton Beach store, a Target spokesperson said: “As we get closer to opening the store, we’ll have more specific details to share – including how the shopping experience will be tailored to serve local guests and the grand opening date.”
It’s unknown whether Target has started hiring for the Bradenton Beach store.
Target currently has only one store in Manatee County at 6150 14th St. W., in Bayshore Gardens.
In 2006, the company opened a Super Target at 101 N. Cattlemen Road in the University Town Center shopping district, just south of the Manatee County line.
Last week, Target confirmed it had plans to open what would be its third Manatee County store at 725 Lighthouse Drive in the Marketplace at Heritage Harbour shopping center.
The planned store on the northeast corner of Interstate 75 and State Road 64 East is planned for nearly 150,000 square feet.
“At Target, we continuously explore possible locations for new stores. I can tell you we are pursuing the opportunity to reach guests in the Bradenton Heritage (Harbour) area, but at this time, we’re not at a point where we can share any new store plans,” a Target spokesperson said in an email last week.
This story was originally published February 5, 2024, 3:30 PM.
One of Sarasota and Bradenton's top restaurant openings of 2024 is this week
Wade Tatangelohttps://www.heraldtribune.com/story/entertainment/dining/2024/05/08/enrich-bistro-bradenton-opens-may-10-2024/73601394007/
Wade TatangeloOne of the res...
One of the restaurant openings in Sarasota and Bradenton that I'm most excited about for 2024 is happening this week. Technically, it's a reboot. After nearly a four-year absence, it stands out as one of the most significant restaurant comebacks in recent memory, easily rivaling any highly anticipated brand-new eatery opening.
Gifted chef and owner Rich Knowles' enRich Bistro delighted a loyal following of discerning diners with its "elevated American entrees and small plates" for about six years before closing in July 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and strained lease negotiations. Now, the restaurant will once again welcome guests at a new, larger, and more alluring location in West Bradenton, surpassing its previous spot nearby.
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Chef Rich Knowles' enRich Bistro opening this week in West Bradenton
The new enRich Bistro is at 5239 Manatee Ave. W., in the same Fairway Center shopping plaza as the impressive pizzeria Agrigento. The restaurant previously operated just down the road on Manatee Avenue West.
EnRich boasts 140 indoor seats, up 40 percent from the previous location. There's seating for about 30 more guests in the partially covered patio area on the west end of the building. In addition, enRich offers a private event space that seats about 15 people and a larger banquet room that seats 45.
Guests will also note that the chic new bar seats 20, which is twice the size of enRich's previous bar, which was among the trendiest drinking destinations in Manatee County. Like before, enRich will specialize in craft cocktails.
The food menu at enRich will include past favorites such as the tuna poke with wonton chips and wasabi kale slaw, calamari salad with wasabi vinaigrette, and the bestselling buttermilk-fried chicken breast with honey truffle butter. Knowles, who has remained busy in recent years with his Innovative Dining catering company, as well as being co-owner of the Bradentrucky Grub Truck, will also debut new dishes such as a black garlic-crusted skirt steak, which is one of several steaks on the menu including a ribeye, chateaubriand and filet.
"I’m just overwhelmed with joy to finally be returning to this part of town and reopen my original baby,” Knowles said by phone.
EnRich Bistro in Bradenton to offer full-liquor bar, with late-night menu on Fridays and Saturdays
Knowles is hosting private events at enRich this week ahead of a sold-out grand opening dinner on Friday (May 10). The restaurant will then close on Saturday ahead of its Mother’s Day Brunch on Sunday (May 12). Beginning Monday (May 13) and continuing through May 28, the plan is for enRich to serve dinner 5-11 p.m. Monday through Thursday and then stay open until 1 a.m. Friday and Saturday with a late-night bar menu. Starting May 29, enRich also plans to start serving lunch at 11 a.m. The restaurant will be closed on Sundays, following the Mother's Day Brunch.
In addition to Knowles, the leadership team at enRich includes Tammy Troxler, general manager, and Larry Lane, executive chef. Knowles worked with Lane at his Innovative Dining catering company and credits Lane with new menu items such as the Maple Leaf Farms Duck Duo featuring a cast-iron seared half breast and whole confit leg.
"Larry is a Florida native but honed his skills in California," Knowles said. "He brings a lot of skills and experience."
EnRich Bistro is at 5239 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton. For more information, call 941-289-1299 or visit facebook.com/enrichbistro.
Wade Tatangelo is Ticket Editor for the Sarasota Herald-Tribune, and Florida Regional Dining and Entertainment Editor for the USA TODAY Network. Follow him on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. He can be reached by email at [email protected]. Support local journalism by subscribing.
Residents offer input on Cortez Road study
Joe Hendrickshttp://www.amisun.com/2023/10/30/residents-offer-input-on-cortez-road-study/
BRADENTON – The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) recently hosted a workshop seeking community input on the development of a Cortez Road corridor vision and action plan.The Oct. 18 workshop at American Legion Post #24 in west Bradenton drew about 50 community members, FDOT personnel and staffers from the Renaissance Planning consulting firm conducting the workshop.The Cortez Road corridor extends from 121st Street Court West in Cortez to U.S. 301 in Bradenton/West Samoset. The corridor project is a partnership b...
BRADENTON – The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) recently hosted a workshop seeking community input on the development of a Cortez Road corridor vision and action plan.
The Oct. 18 workshop at American Legion Post #24 in west Bradenton drew about 50 community members, FDOT personnel and staffers from the Renaissance Planning consulting firm conducting the workshop.
The Cortez Road corridor extends from 121st Street Court West in Cortez to U.S. 301 in Bradenton/West Samoset. The corridor project is a partnership between FDOT, Manatee County and the Sarasota-Manatee Metropolitan Planning Organization, with Renaissance Planning gathering input from the public and other stakeholders.
The primary goal is to identify ways to make the Cortez Road corridor safer for pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists and others. The study and resulting action plan also will address the connection between the roadway and the development occurring along the corridor. In the coming years, more than 8,500 new homes and residential units are expected to be constructed near Cortez and Anna Maria Island.
Large-scale land clearing is progressing along Cortez Road between El Conquistador Parkway and 86th Street West. This work is for the 1,300-acre Lake Flores development, which is expected to include 6,500 homes, 2 million square feet of retail space, 1 million square feet of office space, 500 hotel rooms, and a 19-acre man-made lake. The Lake Flores development is expected to continue along the east side of 75th Street West, 53rd Avenue West and El Conquistador Parkway.
According to the Manatee County Property Appraiser’s Office, ownership of the Lake Flores property currently being cleared was transferred from Whiting Preston’s LF Manatee LLC to the Chicago-based Cortez75W Investors LLC in March 2022. It appears that LF Manatee LLC still owns the large area of undeveloped farmland between 53rd Avenue West and El Conquistador Parkway.
Construction is already occurring along El Conquistador Parkway at developer Carlos Beruff’s partially completed Aqua development. Abutting Sarasota Bay, the Aqua development was approved for more than 2,800 residential units, including single-family homes, multi-family dwellings and a limited number of high-rise buildings.
Preston’s pending Peninsula Bay development near the Sunny Shores neighborhood in Cortez is approved for approximately 2,000 residential units, a boat ramp and marina basin, and commercial, retail and office space.
According to the property appraiser’s office, Preston’s Pen Bay 1 LLC owns the two large agricultural properties slated for development as Peninsula Bay. The county sewer line to provide future service to the Peninsula Bay community is currently being installed along Cortez Road.
Near the foot of the Cortez Bridge, construction is well underway on developer Marshall Gobuty’s Hunters Point development, which will include 86 solar-powered homes.
These current and future developments were mentioned during the workshop.
Workshop discussions
Sitting in small groups, attendees participated in board game-like planning and visioning activities. In the first exercise, attendees were asked to place transparent overlays atop a long, scroll-like corridor map. The overlays represented neighborhoods, town centers and employment hubs.
Cortez resident and former county commissioner Jane von Hahmann’s workgroup noted the Lake Flores development is expected to be developed in a town center-like style that includes stores, restaurants, coffee shops and other establishments and amenities accessible by interior roads.
In the comments section provided for that exercise, von Hahmann summarized her group’s desires and wrote: “Looking for livability, walkability and sense of neighborhood. Have shops, restaurants and services within walking, biking and golf cart distances. Safety for pedestrians and bikes. Provide natural spaces and areas to gather as a community.”
At another table, San Remo Shores Association Past President Lynda Einspar said, “How are you going to build anything if there’s no space?”
During another exercise, participants created their ideal streetscapes, factoring in right-of-way elements that included sidewalks, bike lanes, bus stops, building setbacks and landscaping.
During the final exercise, participants placed colored dots on photographs of various corridor elements they deemed most important.
District 3 Manatee County Commission candidate Tal Siddique’s workgroup listed limited growth, increased safety, nature conservancy and landscaping as corridor priorities.
“I live through this traffic,” Siddique said. “I go to the Island almost every day. I’m seeing Lake Flores and Peninsula Bay coming online and whatever’s done at the other end of Cortez Road with the DeSoto Mall is going to involve more density. A lot of people are upset about the growth that’s happening, and quite a few of them don’t know how many new homes are coming to Lake Flores alone.
“I heard some people discussing a monorail or light rail service from downtown Bradenton to the Island. That was kind of interesting. Nobody wants the extra traffic and the growth that’s happening but you can’t stop or slow growth unless you say ‘no’ to developers,” he said.
Consultant insights
Renaissance Planning consultant Frank Kalpakis said, “My hope is that we can capture the desires of the community and their vision for this corridor that’ll serve as a blueprint for how we design the road. It’s important that we have a transportation system that is aligned with the growth in the corridor. How can growth be organized on the corridor, and how can it be made safer and more walkable?”
Kalpakis doesn’t envision more travel lanes being added to Cortez Road anytime soon.
“We’re really not looking at that yet,” he said.
He mentioned multi-modal transportation options, including automobiles, bikes, pedestrians, low-speed vehicles, mass transit, water transit and more.
“I think there are several opportunities for multi-modal strategies and transportation strategies that provide choices for people to get up and down the corridor,” he said.
“The visioning process will go through January. After that, it’s probably a six-month phase for the action plan and developing strategies for the corridor. The action plan will lay out the implementation strategies and help create an implementation schedule. Based on funding, we’ll lay out the implementation sequence. It’s a collaboration between FDOT, the county and the city of Bradenton,” he said.
Parting thoughts
At the conclusion of the workshop, Einspar said, “I came because I want to support my community, but I didn’t have a lot of hope for this workshop because there’s just no way you can impact the number of cars going back and forth on Cortez Road. They can’t make the road wider. It’s not going to happen. Safety is the biggest thing. We have a blind gentleman who lives in our community and he has a terrible time crossing the street to catch the bus.”
Einspar also participated in the public input process that FDOT initiated several years ago on the replacement of the Cortez Bridge drawbridge. Despite public support for a new and higher drawbridge, FDOT decided to construct a fixed-span bridge that provides 65 feet of vertical clearance. Bridge construction is expected to begin in 2026.
When asked if she thinks the public input provided during the corridor workshop will factor into FDOT’s decision-making, Einspar said, “I think they’re going to do what they want to do.”
Regarding the workshop, von Hahmann said, “It was interesting, but I don’t know how you turn what’s already existing into a new vision. I’m a little gun-shy given how much input we gave for the bridge and then FDOT just did what they wanted anyway. I hope the remarks we wrote down resonate, but they’re just trying to put a whole lot more people into a very small space.”
Learn more about the corridor study and visioning plan at the project website.
A Detwiler’s Farm Market is coming to Bradenton. Grocery store announces opening date
Michael Moore Jr.https://www.bradenton.com/news/local/article282569613.html
A new Detwiler’s Farm Market will open in West Bradenton in December, the company announced Friday afternoon.The popular local grocery store announced that it will beopening its sixth location in the Sarasota and Manatee County area with the new West Bradenton store set to open Thursday, Dec. 14, at 8 a.m.It will be the first Detwiler’s in Bradenton.The store is located at 3500 53rd Ave. W. in Bradenton.“We are so excited to serve the West Bradenton community,” said Henry Detwiler, the stor...
A new Detwiler’s Farm Market will open in West Bradenton in December, the company announced Friday afternoon.
The popular local grocery store announced that it will beopening its sixth location in the Sarasota and Manatee County area with the new West Bradenton store set to open Thursday, Dec. 14, at 8 a.m.
It will be the first Detwiler’s in Bradenton.
The store is located at 3500 53rd Ave. W. in Bradenton.
“We are so excited to serve the West Bradenton community,” said Henry Detwiler, the store’s founder, in a news release. “We can’t wait to give our customers our farm market experience and offer new departments to make grocery shopping even more fun. Our commitment to providing the best products at the best prices and giving customers a great experience will not change even as we grow.”
The store will be Detwiler’s second in Manatee County and the sixth overall. The company has stores ranging from Palmetto in the north to Venice in the south.
The first Manatee County location opened at 1800 U.S. 301 N., Palmetto, in 2019.
The Bradenton location was first announced in February, when Benderson Development announced that Detwiler’s signed a 50,000-square-foot space in Marketplace West in the 3500 block of 53rd Avenue East.
Detwiler’s will join Dollar Tree, Petland, Fresca Pizza and Pasta and Mountain Comforts Coffee Café in the West Bradenton shopping center.
In preparation for the new location, Detwiler’s held a job fair on Oct. 4 at the new store.
At the time, the company said it was looking to hire over 100 people to staff the new store, as well as its other five locations and warehouses.
In addition to the farm fresh produce, meat and seafood, bakery and groceries that the store has come to be known for, this new location will also feature new departments for Detwiler’s, such as hot foods and fresh baked pizzas.
Detwiler’s is a family-owned and operated grocery chain that started out as a roadside produce stand in 2002.
To learn more about Detwiler’s, visit detwilermarket.com.
This story was originally published December 1, 2023, 3:03 PM.
New Bradenton restaurant opens with southern comfort food and a sports bar. Take a look
James A. Jones Jr.https://www.bradenton.com/news/local/article283008108.html
Two Bradenton men who became best friends a decade ago when their daughters were 12-year-old sports teammates have opened a new west Bradenton restaurant.Five Nine Grill & Tavern, 5718 Cortez Road W., opened Dec. 4 in the Cortez Commons shopping center.In its first eight days, the restaurant, which serves southern comfort food and is also an upscale, family friendly sports bar, has exceeded expectations, say partners Mike Degirolamo and Quincy Watkins.Degirolamo is a graduate of Bayshore High School and Watkins is a ...
Two Bradenton men who became best friends a decade ago when their daughters were 12-year-old sports teammates have opened a new west Bradenton restaurant.
Five Nine Grill & Tavern, 5718 Cortez Road W., opened Dec. 4 in the Cortez Commons shopping center.
In its first eight days, the restaurant, which serves southern comfort food and is also an upscale, family friendly sports bar, has exceeded expectations, say partners Mike Degirolamo and Quincy Watkins.
Degirolamo is a graduate of Bayshore High School and Watkins is a graduate of Manatee High School.
They were attracted to the Cortez Commons shopping center for its west Bradenton location and the promise of a national grocery planned as an anchor. The name of the grocery has not been announced.
The partners describe Five Nine Grill & Tavern as “a high-energy, new American local tavern offering contemporary takes” on steaks, seafood, burgers and wings, with some southern classics and comfort food in the mix.
They also say it is “a great place to watch a game, enjoy a bite and local craft beer.”
Although the restaurant is new, Degirolamo and Watkins are already laying claim to having the best burgers in town.
Degirolamo has 30 years of experience in the culinary arts, and Watkins, who has worked primarily in trucking, also owned a smoothie franchise in St. Petersburg.
Degirolamo’s wife, Holly, previously worked in Watkins’ smoothie shop, and now works at Five Nine Grill & Tavern, along with Degirolamo children, Christina and Dominic.
From the beginning, Degirolamo and Watkins were on the same page with what they wanted in the restaurant. The biggest problem was settling on a name, they say.
Five Nine Grill refers to its proximity to 59th Street on the west side of the shopping center.
The restaurant offers daily specials Monday through Friday, ranging from $8 to $14.
“With the economy the way it is these days, we wanted to give our guests a bang for their buck,” Watkins said.
The “family favorites” part of the menu looks especially interesting. Among the offerings are the Backyard Shrimp Boil (shrimp, andouille sausage, red skin potatoes, sweet corn and red onion) at $22, Jambalaya at $17, Almond Coconut Chicken at $16.
What would a southern comfort kitchen be without fried green tomatoes? It has that, too, for $9, along with other starters such as spicy avocado dip and loaded nachos.
Rounding out the menu are flatbreads, craft burgers, mac and cheese, greens and wings.
“It turned out really well,” Holly said of the 122-seat restaurant with a full-bar. “It’s a cozy, clean place where people can enjoy good food with their family and friends.”
Name: Five Nine Grill & Tavern
Address: 5718 Cortez Road W., Bradenton
Hours: 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Sunday
Happy hour: 11 a.m.- 5 p.m. seven days a week
Online: www.fiveninegrilltavern.com/
Phone: 941-251-3086
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