New Weekly Market From Coquina Beach Organizer Launches In Osprey

OSPREY, FL — After Manatee County abruptly ended its contract with the organizer of the Coquina Beach Market last summer, she’s launching a new weekly market in Osprey on Friday.

The Market at The Point kicks off Friday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and runs weekly Jan. 13 through April 28. The Point restaurant is located at 131 Bayview Drive in Osprey.

Nancy Ambrose, who ran the Coquina Beach market for nine years, said the county caught her off guard when it terminated its contract with her without cause on Aug. 1. The market ran from November through the end of July last year.

“It came from someone I had never even heard of,” she told Patch. “The commissioners didn’t even know what was going on. We were all ready to go with our tent. We were all set to go. It blindsided me totally.”

In July, Ambrose met with various county departments for their annual review of the market, which ran

“Everything was good,” she said. “Nobody had any problems with the market.”

When Patch reached out to the county’s information outreach manager, he didn’t have a comment about the contract termination.

The market was actually thriving at the time the contract was terminated and had remained busy throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Ambrose.

“Believe it or not, COVID was actually good for the vendors, as far as sales go,” she said. “People were working from home. Kids were going to school from home. Where were they going? Anna Maria Island and they were going to the beach. And it was safe going to the Beach Market. There was social distancing at all booths, everybody was wearing masks and we were outside.”

And the vendors, who closed down for three months from March through May of 2020 because of the pandemic lockdown, “were thrilled to be back in business,” she added.

When her contract with the county was first terminated, Ambrose’s initial concern was about her vendors.

“My first thought was, ‘What’s going to happen to them?’” she said.

She relaxed a bit when she learned that the county would take over the market and began wondering if it was maybe a good time to retire.

“At the time, I felt good about it because I thought the vendors would have a place to vend still,” she said. “I’m like a mama bear. You don’t mess with them. Those are my kids. Unfortunately, as time went by, it appeared more and more likely that there wasn’t going to be a market.”

And the market the county talked about organizing was scaled down to 50 or less vendors. Under Ambrose, the market ranged from 120 to 180 vendors.

When asked about the current timeline for the beach market, Logan told Patch, “There is no information to share at this time regarding the Coquina Beach Market.”

The market was initially set to open Nov. 1, but was delayed because of damages from Hurricane Ian, which hit the Gulf Coast at the end of September, the Anna Maria Island Sun reported.

Ambrose sprung to action to find a home for her vendors.

“We were like a family,” she said. “We were all doing well there. They loved it there.”

While some vendors found spaces at other markets, many events had long waiting lists, she added. So, she began seeking a venue, searching several counties – Sarasota, Manatee, Charlotte, Hillsborough and Pinellas – for the ideal host.

Her biggest concern was parking. Not only was enough parking for her vendors required, there also needed to be substantial space for shoppers to park.

Eventually, she connected with The Point in Osprey, which has a restaurant and tiki bar by the water, as well as boat dockage at Channel Marker 38.

The market, featuring more than 100 vendors, will set up in the grassy area closer to U.S. Highway 41.

Shoppers will find a range of 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! Come and watch local artisans creating and find that perfect souvenir of your trip to Florida.

There will also be entertainment throughout the day, including the Market String Band and roaming clowns strolling the market.

“We’re excited about it and the best part is just getting our Beach Market family back together,” Ambrose said.

For more information, join the Facebook group for The Market at the Point.