Zoom scratches an itch,  but waving to a friend through a computer screen never quite takes the place of a real-life hug. Good Fortune Juicery and Kitchen—an outdoor, fresh-air hub of hangouts and good vibes in Bradenton’s Village of the Arts—rebuilds that sense of in-person community. Bri Dine-Stisser, the owner and chef behind Good Fortune’s vegan eats, teamed up with Andrew Schroeder of Adobe Graffiti Lounge and Kava Bar to create this mindfulness mecca.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY WYATT KOSTYGAN

“People tend to stick around all day and get to know each other,” Dine-Stisser says. “It’s an open-minded and open-conversation kind of place.” On any given day, you’ll find Schroeder serving his alcohol-alternative Kava cocktails to visitors in the cozy firepit surrounded by couches, and Dine-Stisser whipping up cult favorites like her Portobello Reuben—the plant-powered version of a classic deli sandwich, featuring grilled marinated mushrooms on classic rye with a house-made aioli and requisite sauerkraut.

ECLECTIC AND EYE-CATCHING GRAFFITI MURALS COVER WALLS, FENCES AND HOUSES IN BRADENTON’S VILLAGE OF THE ARTS. PHOTOGRAPHY BY WYATT KOSTYGAN

Surrounded by commissioned graffiti and colorful pop art of local artists, patrons soak up the eclectic vibe—from tabletop game night to art markets and yoga accompanied by an ever-rotating schedule of live music. Saturday nights host DJs like Titus, who spins house music with beatboxing performances from local artist Karim Manning. Drop by for Freestyle Open Mic Night and you’ll catch a tight-knit group of traveling fire spinners twirl flaming ropes.

DRAGON FRUIT SMOOTHIE BOWLS AND TOFU STIR-FRY ARE POPULAR PICKS FOR THIS PLANT-BASED HAVEN.PHOTOGRAPHY BY WYATT KOSTYGAN.

For more mellow moments, enjoy acoustic open mic on Thursday nights, and holistic sound healing sessions or tarot card readings on Saturday afternoons. Dine-Stisser is close to seeing her all-vegan menu go completely local as well, mixing and matching produce from four different farms to fill her fruit and veg needs—one farm even has a dedicated plot of land to grow products just for Good Fortune. Aside from sitting down to eat in a cabbage patch, that’s about as farm-to-table as it gets, folks. The spiritual free thinkers who frequent this fortuitous destination know it’s a place serving much more than just food or drink. “People looking for a place to go have found a little bit of a home here,” Dine-Stisser says.  SRQ 

Good Fortune, 1302 13th Ave. W., Bradenton, 941-920-1556, weregoodfortune.com, @good_fortune_kitchen