Manatee Democrats welcome members into new headquarters at meeting

Like every move, it may have cost a little bit of money, but Manatee County Democrats are excited for the potential they see in their new headquarters location.

The Manatee County Democratic Party moved into its new headquarters at 435 Cortez Road in the Orange Blossom Trail Shopping Center earlier this month.

The approximately 1,400-square-foot space was once used for retail but has been renovated to include an office and a small kitchen area behind a large meeting room, said Sheryl Wilson, chairwoman of the Manatee County Democratic Party.

Monday night marked the first meeting inside the new headquarters, where Wilson addressed the move with members.

The organization had outgrown its old headquarters at 902 Manatee Ave. E., she told the nearly 60 people gathered inside the room. With just about 800 square feet, there was no room to hold meetings.

“We could not hold a meeting before,” said Edward Kumian, treasurer for the Manatee County Democratic Party.

The old building was also on the market, and the organization was in a month-to-month lease. When a new owner was found for the building, the lease ended and they searched for a new space. Thanks to a member who works in commercial real estate, they were able to find the new location on Cortez Road, Wilson said.

“But we feel like we already have a headquarters that is going to be more useful,” Wilson said. “We’re a little more visible here so we believe that will offset some of the costs.”

Costs that have increased along with the amount of space.

Kumian said the average cost of their old headquarters was $1,500 a month. In the new Cortez Road location, they are paying about $2,200 a month. He noted that it’s an increase but “not a significant challenge.” While fund-raising will be done to help pay for the space, he added that membership also has increased.

On Monday, just a few large posters hung in the windows of the new space to show what was behind the glass door, but Wilson said they will eventually have a sign in front like other stores in the shopping center.

The building will be used to interview candidates, hold larger meetings, debates and training along with campaign, fund-raising and other events, Kumian said. There will be office hours from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday through Friday. However, Wilson expects those will expand when the 2018 election season ramps up.

“We are an expanded, growing, excited party. The Dem party has existed in Manatee quite a long time but we are obviously the minority as far as registrations go, but this gives us a headquarters and a center to work from and we expect that will show up in other areas as well,” Wilson said.

Gubernatorial candidate Chris King spoke about his platform at Monday’s meeting and ushered them into their new space.

This story was originally published July 24, 2017 at 9:03 PM with the headline "Manatee Democrats welcome members into new headquarters at meeting."