A New Chapter Begins: Goodwill Manasota Celebrates Successful Opening of Longboat Key Bookstore & Donation Center
The wait is over, Longboat Key! This week, our community welcomed a wonderful new addition as Goodwill Manasota celebrated the grand opening of its first-ever Longboat Key location—the Longboat Key Bookstore & Attended Donation Center (ADC).
The ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday morning officially opened the doors to this bright, nearly 3,500-square-foot space in the new Brista Commons shopping center (3160 Gulf of Mexico Drive). The event was filled with excitement, marking the beginning of a new hub for literary treasures and community-driven impact.
A Grand Opening to Remember
The celebration kicked off at 8 a.m. with community members and local leaders in attendance. A highlight of the morning was a special book signing and giveaway with celebrated local author Beth Rice, who helped us welcome book lovers to their new neighborhood haven.
“We are absolutely thrilled to be open and serving the Longboat Key community,” said Donn Githens, President and CEO of Goodwill Manasota, at the event. “This location offers a wonderful, constantly refreshed selection of books and an incredibly convenient way to donate. Every item given or purchased directly fuels our Mission of Changing Lives Through the Power of Work.”
Discover Your New Favorite Spot
Now officially open, the store invites you to:
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Browse Thousands of Books: Our inventory, updated multiple times daily, is packed with lightly-used books for every reader. Come find your next great read!
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Donate with Ease: Our drive-thru attended donation center is open and ready. Donating your gently-used items is now faster and more convenient than ever, and every donation creates local job training opportunities.
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Support Local Jobs: This new location has created seven new team member positions, further investing in our local economy.
Your Support Writes the Story of Change
This new store is more than a retail space; it’s a vital part of Goodwill’s social enterprise. Donations dropped off here provide critical funding for job skills training, career coaching, and employment services for individuals in our community facing barriers to employment.
A recent Florida TaxWatch report underscored the immense impact of this community-powered model, with Goodwill Manasota generating $148.4 million in economic output and supporting over 2,200 jobs last year. It all starts with a simple act of donation.
Come See Us Today!
The chapter is just beginning. We invite you to stop by, explore the shelves, and see the easy donation process for yourself.
Longboat Key Bookstore & ADC
Location: Brista Commons, 3160 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key
Hours: 8 a.m. – 8 p.m., Every Day
Your visit and donations help ensure this new location’s story is one of lasting success and profound community impact.
