A Sustainable Cafe in a Recycled Building, on a pioneering Green Development, sets a Global Example of how to Embrace the Past and Welcome the Future!
We took a run-down 98-year-old cottage called the Rosedale, added state of the art sustainable technologies including solar thermal panels, geothermal cooling and heating systems and high performance water equipment and set the foundations for one of the most sustainable cafes in Florida.
The Vilage Cafe at Rosedale opened its doors for the first time on April 9th 2011, and is the first business to open on the Historic Green Village.
But it;s not just the recycling of the building itself and the use of the wide range of technologies that demonstrates how sustainable this development is. The Village Cafe is striving to work toward a greener menu, introducing organic and additive free choices and working closely with suppliers to minimize the use of plastic and other packaging.
As owners and developers of the Green Village and the Village Cafe at Rosedale, we want to run a successful business that is completely and utterly green. We want a complete picture here, and for us, that's the big challenge now, to make is seamless..seamlessly green!
The Rosedale Cottage building, which is now the Village Cafe at Rosedale, stands proudly in its new environment and has been painted in low-emitting paints, sealants and solvents in a coastal mauve, reflecting its colourful history on the Island.
A notable early resident on Anna Maria Island, was Captain Mitch Davis. As well as becoming the first and one of the most admired mayors of Anna Maria, holding office for over 4 years from 1925, Mitch built the Rosedale Cottage and the Roser Church (across the street). Both buidlings using the same moulded concrete blocks that were shipped in from Tampa. Mitch was also responsible for many other buildings on the Island, including the icehouse, the Anglers Lodge and the City Jail.
The Cottage was originally built for George W. Bean, the son of George Emerson Bean, the first settler on the Island, who came to Anna Maria in 1892. George W founded Anna Maria City, and with a number of high profile associates created the Anna Maria Beach Company. From 1910 they surveyed, laid out streets and sidewalks and built houses. Colorful brochures pictured deep-flowing wells with a combined capacity of more than two million galons daily of pure artesian water. They built a dock, the same City Pier, which attracts fishermen and tourists today at the end of Pine Avenue. Large steamers would bring supplies, mail and visitors to the Island.
In the early 40's, the J Hartley Blackburn family lived in the house, which then became lovingly known as Cozy Corner. Betty and Hartleywere schoolteachers and active trustees of the church. They taught Sunday school and when classes became too large, they moved the children to the front porch of Cozy Corner. Their daughter Betty Lou Blackburn Huth recalls happy times in Cozy Corner. "We bought the house after Gulf waters washed away the land under our house on Magnolia Avenue. Cozy Corner was a wonderful place to grow up. We had a horse paddock in the back and would ride horses to the beach and let them swim in the Gulf. Mother and I would even ride them to school"
In 1951 Norman and Kay Rosedale moved into Cozy Corner, which is when it because known as the Rosedale Cottage. "When we purchased the house it was in deplorable condition" Kay recalled. "After a complete renovation it still maintained the old look". Norman was an Island builder and Kay played the piano at Roser Church and for Island organizations. They had one son, Dick.
The remarkable building now shares its history; through information and photographs showcased inside the Cafe. A large deck area is set within beautifully landscaped gardens and local artists works is displayed and for sale throughout the Cafe. The menu consists of delicious, freshly prepared salads, hot and cold sandwiches including the popular 'Rosedale', made with turkey, cheese, fresh apple slices and fig jam, and a mouthwatering breakfast selection. The Village Cafe at Rosedale is already establishing itself as a must stop for tourists and residents alike.
The Cafe is open from 7am to 4pm every day of the week. It will also soon host special community events on Friday's and Saturdays between 6pm and 9pm.