BRADENTON – A landmark coffee shop in Downtown Bradenton poured its last cup of coffee Saturday after 17 years in business.
“It’s been a really good run, the customers have been good to us, the city of Bradenton has been good to us, it’s just time,” said Co-Owner of B’Towne Coffee Co., Mike Gold.
B’Towne Coffee Company, a staple on Bradenton’s Old Main Street, closed its doors for good Saturday.
“We’ve been there since the start of the river walk and we’ve seen downtown grow, but it just seems like the perfect storm has happened here in the past couple of years with everything COVID related, being in business that long, and letting equipment be replaced, building upgrades that need to be done,” said Gold.
Gold says, with many working from home, B’Towne has seen less traffic in the past months.
“We just decided it was time, and we would go on our own terms and announce this rather than being forced out,” said Gold.
Paul Puckett has been a regular since 2013.
“They kept up with it as much as they could, but when the shutdown came, it is what it is, people still drink during stuff but not necessarily expresso,” said B’Towne Coffee Co. Patron, Paul Puckett.
For others, their summer job is coming to an end.
“All of the regulars that come in are so nice, and absolutely amazing I’m definitely going to miss seeing them, especially buddy, buddy the dog, absolutely, and Paul,” said B’Towne Coffee Co. Staff, Riley, Anastasia, and Sadie.
“Whenever something like this happens, it makes you realize how much more important smaller places are, ill definitely miss it,” said Puckett.