There are so many interesting and exciting people and places in Bradenton, yet many don’t receive the attention they truly deserve. Over the next several months, Discover Bradenton will be uncovering Manatee County’s best “hidden gems” – the locals making waves and must-visit places that are some of the area’s best-kept secrets.
This week, we were thrilled to connect with Tony Dodson, co-owner of Waypoint Bar & Grill. Here’s what he had to say…
Thanks for connecting with us today, Tony! To start with, can you tell us a little bit about Waypoint Bar and Grill?
Well, we’re a craft beer bar with great food. People love our Mexican-style burritos and quesadillas, but we also have grouper, mahi, and shrimp dinners. We have live music every Saturday and host big-name acts several times per year. Plus, we host an artisan market once a month.
Wow! How did you get started? Tell us about your journey.
Dan Harte, my business partner and I discussed building a restaurant on property he owns in Palmetto since perhaps 2010. That long ago north Manatee County was quite rural. He is a general contractor and helped build a restaurant I owned. We decided to build a roadhouse on the Tamiami Trail. We actually built in during COVID, and we opened in August of 2023.
Is your business a family affair, a partnership, or a solo venture? How does this shape your business operations and community interactions?
We’re two great friends who built and started the business. Tony’s girlfriend Lynn Hughes is in charge of music. Dan’s daughter Savannah is in charge of the markets, so it’s pretty much a family affair.
We stay focused on our close neighbors mainly along Moccasin Wallow Road. It’s actually a great location for us, since there are a number of new housing developments but not many services yet.
Why do you love what you do? What is it about your business that makes you passionate?
I enjoy creating public spaces that bring folks together and I enjoy creating a varied menu of original dishes. Now we get to meet folks and learn about their lives. So many are from other places and have chosen to make North Manatee home. Lots of interesting stories among them.
And you give back to the community quite a bit too, right?
We host fundraisers and sponsor agricultural students and their animals at the county fair. We also donate gift cards to many organizations hosting their own fundraisers.
That’s great! Lastly, can you tell me a bit more about the Waypoint Artisan Market? It starts soon, right?
Yes! The first market of the season is scheduled for October 12th from 11 am to 3 pm, then it’s held on the second Saturday of the month throughout season. There are lots of great vendors selling everything from coffee and salsa to plants, pet supplies, candles, and more. We also have live music, free kids’ activities, and it’s pet friendly. We’ve built up a great following and are excited for this year’s season.
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The Waypoint Grill & Waypoint Artisan Market are located at:
11000 US 41 North, Palmetto FL
11:30 am to 8 pm Tues. through Sat.
11:30 am to 7 pm. Sun. Closed Mon.
Website | Waypoint Bar & Grill Facebook
Waypoint Artisan Market Facebook
