Coastal Breeze News Features Amanda Jaron and the Bayshore Arts District

https://www.coastalbreezenews.com/articles/bayshore-arts-district-vibrant-and-unique/

 

Bayshore Arts District – Vibrant and Unique

Photos by Maria Lamb | Amanda Jaron, of A. Jaron Fine Jewelry with her light blue building wrapped in a “mermaid with diamonds” mural – neighborhood symbol of “let’s do this.”

“I live in Bayshore and look how beautiful it is.” ~ Amanda Jaron

Bayshore Arts District is a vibrant community of artists, restaurants, small businesses, a boutique hotel and the Naples Botanical Garden. It is located on Naples Bay, only 15 minutes away from the Gulf, and offers biking and walking opportunities, with easy access to Old Naples and Marco Island.

Amanda Jaron of A. Jaron Fine Jewelry moved to Bayshore Arts District from North Naples. Coming from New York City, she loves the idea of helping to re-invent the neighborhood. Amanda’s light blue building is wrapped with a mermaid mural surrounded by diamonds. The mermaid has become a neighborhood symbol of “let’s do this!”

Mike Sherman is another visionary who is transforming Jeepers Drive into a neighborhood of “Old Florida” or “Island Cottage” style homes. Sherman is emphatic that Jeepers Drive is NOT “franchise row.”

Behind Jeepers Drive is a 17-acre parcel owned by Collier County. According to Sherman, the county is actively working to get Florida Gulf Coast University to build an art and science community. The end of Jeepers Drive will connect to Sugden Park, creating additional access to biking and running.

The newly renovated Gardenia Hotel is best known for its iconic, delicate light pink façade with large colorful floral murals. Owner Diane Sullivan’s vision for Bayshore includes a small-town feel with a strong sense of a walkable and friendly community, more of a “flip flop, take-it-easy kind of a neighborhood.”

Bayshore Arts District is attracting young entrepreneurs such as Denise Rivers-Forges of Hair4You Studio. Melody Teague just opened the Bean to Cup Coffee Lounge offering organic Colombian coffee. Both businesses are located at the Gardenia Hotel.

Soon to open at the Gardenia Hotel is the Made in Naples Bayshore Artist Co-op. Everything in the gallery will be made in Naples. The Bayshore Arts and Business Association, a not for profit 501(3)(C), is a collection of business owners and artists representing Bayshore.

Newly opened, The Best Popcorn Company with brothers John and Kevin are cooking up their gourmet popcorn and fudge. Matt Novak of Black Fox Barber Shop offers “high level grooming,” with services such as black carbon mask, hot shave and shoe shining. The small yellow building on Bayshore offers the best Mexican tacos at Taqueria San Julian.

Coming soon: Ankrolab Microbrewery & Pub is hopeful for a mid to late April opening. The interior has indoor seating and a big bar area with 40 taps and will have a beer garden out back.

The 2019 U.S. Open Pickleball Championship, the Wimbledon of pickleball, is scheduled for April 27-May 4, 2019 at the East Naples Community Park on Thomasson Boulevard and will kick-off with a Margaritaville Party in the Park.

For Amanda Jaron, it is more than just “bringing a bunch of people to Bayshore, but giving the people that live here a happier place to live.”

 


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