About Manatee River Trading Company
Established in 2012 and originally located on Old Main Street inside the historic Jennings Arcade, this quaint boutique invited visitors to immerse themselves in the beauty of downtown Bradenton, FL — the perfect setting for Manatee River Trading Company, surrounded by shops, restaurants, a museum, and a walking path along the Manatee River.
Our identity has been shaped by my drawing of Mango the manatee, which Kurt Bredt digitized and brought to life, along with some of Mango's beloved friends, including Kiwi the starfish. Kurt is remembered fondly.
Within our walls, a curated selection of home accents, children's beachwear, scented candles, exquisite jewelry, and coastal treasures awaited discovery. The boutique's ambiance was further enriched by the works of local Bradenton artists, candy makers, and seamstresses, whose creations added a touch of community pride to every shelf and wall.
It became more than just a boutique — it became a community gathering place for friends and family.
While the Old Main Street boutique has closed its doors, the spirit of Manatee River Trading Company lives on — now exclusively online and ready to bring a little coastal joy to doorsteps everywhere. Here you'll find a creative selection of coastal-inspired original, unique designs — the same spirit, reimagined for wherever you call home.
I'm a Floridian by birth. My infancy was spent on Anna Maria Island, though my youth took me to Pikeville and Lexington, KY, where I attended college and raised my son. I returned to Bradenton and Anna Maria frequently to visit my grandparents — lifelong snowbirds — and extended family.
After moving back to Bradenton in 2010, my husband Ben traded our shared bicycling hobby for his first love: fishing. With time on my hands, a need for a creative outlet, and a little prayer, Manatee River Trading Company came to life.
Today, Manatee River Trading Company lives online — but the heart of the boutique remains the same. Every piece in our shop is chosen with care, inspired by the laid-back beauty of Florida's Gulf Coast. From Mango's original designs to coastal home accents, beachwear, candles, and jewelry, you'll find something that brings a little piece of the coast into your everyday life.
We hope shopping with us feels like a visit to the boutique — unhurried, joyful, and full of discovery. Welcome to Manatee River Trading Company. We're so glad you're here.
Grab some sunshine,
Lynn
Founder, Manatee River Trading Company