The Seafood Shack Restaurant in Cortez has closed re-opened.
The waterfront restaurant has been in business for 38 years serving grouper sandwiches, clam chowder and burgers but succumbed to the combination of high taxes, high insurance, economic downturn, and an upcoming bridge repair.
The humpback bridge on 127th Street is closing for repairs and Seafood Shack owner, Ham Jones, said he faced bankruptcy trying to stay open with low patronage, or close and lay off staff. He kept open the possibility of reopening in November if the bridge repairs are completed by then, and if the Anna Maria Island bridge repair closures reroutes traffic to Cortez bridge as scheduled for October – November.
The 700-seat restaurant has been on the market for some years, with contracts that fell through in 2002 and 2004.
The restaurant also operated a paddlewheel Showboat for dining and excursions, but was recently sold off.
The adjacent Seafood Shack Marina remains open.
UPDATE: The Seafood Shack Restaurant is reopening Monday December 15th. Hours are 11:30 a.m to 9:00 p.m. Telephone: 941-794-1235
A beautiful day on Tampa Bay last weekend brought out sailors and boaties taking advantage of the breeze and perfect temperature to enjoy a day on the water.
Sailing out of northern Anna Maria Island presents no barriers or bridges into Tampa Bay, the Intracoastal Waterway, and to the Gulf of Mexico. Tampa Bay is one of few Florida deep water bodies of water, along with Charlotte Harbor, where keeled sailboats can enjoy unencumbered cruising without too much fear of running aground on shoals and dredged spoil banks.
Sailing under the Sunshine Skyway Bridge is a treat and navigation is little constrained up to St Petersburg.
Out in the direction of the Gulf of Mexico the ship channel is around 90 feet deep but care must be exercised to avoid being in the path of frequent merchant ships, towed barges, and cruise ships.
Within the protected Tampa Bay area close to Anna Maria Island we enjoyed a close reach up to De Soto Point, and return toward Bean Point, with a couple of broad reaches toward Manatee River and back to Anna Maria Island at the Galati Marina entrance.
Noted by its absence is Passage Key, until recently a favorite anchoring spot for pleasure boaters, sun bathers, and a protected bird sanctuary, but now under water, as a consequence of shifting sands.
Thanks to Ed for an ideal way to enjoy lunch and company for a few hours, get away from home chores, and appreciate the dolphins and seabirds.
On Jan 15 the US Coast Guard begins its new winter schedule for the timed raising of the 2 bridges that connect Anna Maria Island to the mainland.
The summer schedule allowed for on-demand raising at 20 minute intervals: on the hour, 20 past, and 20 ’til, if required by a boat during daylight hours.
The winter schedule now in force from Jan 15 to May 15 is for 30 minute intervals: on the hour, and the half hour, on demand, during daylight.
The fewer scheduled raisings are expected to alleviate traffic delays during the busier winter tourist season, which peaks at around Presidents’ weekend.
In case of boating emergencies, the bridges may also be raised at any time.
The Longboat Pass Bridge connecting Anna Maria Island to Longboat Key is raised for boats at any time on demand, all year.
Florida Department of Transportation announced that the start of the Anna Maria Bridge renovations has been delayed until Feb 4. A new contract with Quinn Construction Co of Palmetto calls for the bridge on Manatee Avenue, or State Road 64, connecting Anna Maria Island to the mainland and Bradenton, to be closed completely to vehicles for 45 days.
Originally announced last year to begin April 1, the closure was to be 75 days, but
The Seafood Shack Restaurant in Cortez has 
