Bradenton Mayor sends invite to hotel lovebirds

Bradenton Mayor Wayne Poston was so impressed with our story about Jim and Arline Smyth, the elderly couple from Massachusetts that found love at Bradenton's Manatee River Front Hotel back in the 1940s, he has personally invited the lovebirds to the groundbreaking ceremony for the $15 million renovation of the hotel on Thursday at 4 p.m.

The hotel, now purchased by Widewaters Bradenton LLC, will eventually reopen as a Hampton Inn and Suites featuring 115 rooms, which will include king- and queen-sized suites, along with traditional rooms.

Commonly known as The Pink Palace for its exterior color, the Smyths, who now live in Englewood, met at the hotel as co-workers in 1947. 

The hotel is located at 309 10th St. W in downtown Bradenton.