Historic Pine Ave with Roser Church
The half mile stretch that runs from the Gulf of Mexico to Tampa Bay is home to about 25+ Pine Avenue shops and businesses. It comes with a lot of history. The first island settler George Emerson Bean called the island his home in 1892 and started developing streets, sidewalks and installing a water system. In 1911 the Anna Maria City Pier at the end of Pine Avenue was built to ferry island day visitors from nearby Tampa. Bean’s contemporary John Roser built the first church on Pine Avenue in 1913. Shortly after came a school that lead to the beginning of an island community. A jail was built just down the street from the church in 1927 for the drunk and disorderly visitors. The roof was lost a long time ago and it now serves as popular photo op. It is part of the historic museum complex which displays many highly interesting island memorabilia.
In 1921 the first wooden bridge was built connecting the island to the mainland passing the fishing village of Cortez. Part of the original bridge is now used as the Bradenton Beach Pier. With the help of a bridge more people visited the beach and the new island era began. Skip close to 100 years and the face of the island has changed a lot. The entire land has been developed and about 8500 residents call the barrier island their permanent home. There are families, children, singles and retirees all living here together. Let’s not forget how Anna Maria Island has become a vacation favorite among local, national and international travelers. From honeymooners to Hollywood film crews, youngsters to the young-at-heart, people from around the world have discovered this slice of paradise.
Shopping Pine Avenue
With the steady flow of visitors many new shops and businesses opened up along Pine Avenue. Since many of them use environmentally-friendly practices it is also called “The Greenest Little Main Street in America”. There is even a community garden that features several edible boxed gardens located outside certain Pine Avenue destinations. Each box has an information card and a scannable QR code. Local landscape designer Michael Miller helped installing the garden which goal is to encourage people to learn more about, see and eat exotic-sounding vegetables like Okinawa spinach, edible hibiscus or moringa. There are eateries like The Donut Experiement, Poppa’s Taqueria, Burns Pizza, Hometown Dessert to name a few. The General store, Olive Oil Outpost, Spice Merchant are other great stores to find unusual food items. Several boutiques and artsy stores like Bella by the Sea, The Island Cabana, Shiny Fish Emporium, Pink&Navy, Emerson Studio and Tide and Moon make a stroll interesting. BeachBums is a quirky rental store that offers beach merchandise and rental equipment like bikes, golf carts and surreys. Technically not on Pine Ave but situated at the end of Pine Avenue stood the Anna Maria City Pier for more than 100 years. Hurricane Irma in 2017 caused severe damage and the pier had to be torn down with plans to be rebuilt and completed in 2019.
Duncan Real Estate is also located on the historic stretch with the address 310 Pine Avenue.
Pine Avenue Events
Trick-or-Treaters at Duncan Real Estate
Pine Avenue is a popular street for festivals and has seen its share of a lot of fun over the years. The Easter Parade is the first event of the year. It features a large than life size bunny that leads the group of kids from the SandBar Restaurant to fun, games and Easter bonnet contest to Pine Ave.
A Saturday in May was reserved for “Food and Wine on Pine” for several years until is was discontinued in 2017. It was all about celebration of food and wine found all over the island from about 20 of the area’s finest restaurants plus music, art and kids activity area.
Bayfest is a staple and the most anticipated island event. Since its inauguration in 2000 the all-day street festival has lots to offer. The classic car show always draws a big crowd starting as early as 10 am. The family friendly atmosphere features arts, crafts, music, food and a kids zone.
Holiday Walk 2017 Realtors Martha Jones, April Green
The Trail of Treats celebrates Halloween for the little ones. Businesses are welcoming Trick-or-Treaters in the afternoon hours on October 31.
Another larger street celebration is the Christmas Walk in December. Pine Avenue becomes a pedestrian zone and businesses open their doors to showcase their products and offer snacks, treats and winter themed goodies.
The yearly 4th of July, Veterans and Christmas parades also run along Pine Avenue with crows lining the street.
Vacation Rentals close to Pine Avenue
Duncan Real Estate Office
Duncan Real Estate has a convenient location along historic Pine Avenue. We opened our doors in 2001 and offer real estate and vacation rentals. If you like to stay close to this area of Anna Maria Island consider one of the following Duncan Real Estate vacation rentals:
AMI Du Soleil
207 Spring Ave, Anna Maria
Bodacious Oasis
514 Magnolia Ave, Anna Maria
Haupia House
315 Hardin Ave, Anna Maria
Manatee Cottage
149 Crescent Dr, Anna Maria
Sea Mist
512 Magnolia Street, Anna Maria
For these or other Duncan Vacation Rentals on Anna Maria Island please contact our local team at 941 779 0304 or send us a quick message.
