Former bank property finds new purpose as a bookstore

Goodwill Manatee purchased the property last year for $1.55 million.

By Amanda Postma
| 4:28 p.m. September 5, 2023
| 2 Free Articles Remaining!

The new Albee Farm location created eight jobs. Pictured are Goodwill Manasota team members Tawnya Edwards, Nancy Buono and Debra Monty.

Manatee-Sarasota

A former bank location in Venice is getting a new purpose.

Goodwill Manasota recently purchased and renovated the space to open the Albee Farm Bookstore. The store will include an attended donation center. It’s located at 400 U.S. Highway 41 Bypass N.

Sarasota County property records show the location was purchased for $1.55 million. The property was previously owned by Truist Bank before switching hands to Stephany Inc., a Florida corporation. The deed shows that Goodwill Manasota purchased the property in July 2022.

Now, books line the 1,700 square foot sales floor space. The opening created eight new jobs, according to the press release.

“The community’s support is critical to the work we do — 2,400 donations enable us to create one full-time job,” Goodwill Manasota president and CEO Donn Githens says in the release.

The Bradenton-based nonprofit also has bookstores in Sarasota and Bradenton. Goodwill Manasota’s reach extends to Sarasota, Manatee, DeSoto and Hardee counties.