THE VILLAGE BOOKSHOP . . . . . . . . . . . . Monday - Saturday 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. . . . . . . First Fridays 10 a.m. - 10 p.m.

Bookseller, Writer
HOURS: Monday - Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
First Friday's 10 a.m. - 10 p.m.
The Poe Tree

Yes,

The Village Bookshop



property



and business


are for sale.
.

.


See details here:




Real Estate Listing for TVB


.

.


All events and store hours



will continue as listed





until closing

I like the small town flavor, and that you can live in the country and still be close to the beach, or work downtown and enjoy the beautiful Manatee River. I like being in a community of artists where an independent bookshop is valued.
It is also encouraging that in spite of the long history of ingrown, good-ol-boy political governance, this town and county could finally be on its way to growing up and breaking free of the narrow perspectives of the past. It could be that Bradenton's leaders are beginning to recognize the empowering nature of the arts, and how other communities around the country have embraced artists, removed short-sighted individuals who have blocked change, growth and creativity, and fostered a renaissance.
When choices about the future are given back to the people -- especially those who have a vision for a beautiful, healthy human environment in a downtown ravaged by poor building practices, pedestrian-unfriendly traffic flow, greedy developers, and landlords who appear to believe that an abundant concentration of law offices and buildings that remain empty for years are a good thing -- then there is hope for more than a dream deferred.
In the case of the Village, we have yet to see clear executive support for a complete clean-up and renovation of the area designated for the Arts. Absentee landlords continue to let their properties become nests of criminal activity, or charge the poor to live in dangerous buildings that are rotten, infested or overcrowded. I'm grateful for the code enforcement officers who follow up and even volunteer their own time and energy to help residents care for their deteriorating properties. And my thanks to our police officers who have given consistent support to changes for the better, and are quick to answer calls for assistance. We can't give up yet! A new day is on the horizon.