Regulars assemble, tears flow for Annie’s
The Annie’s Bait & Tackle building is demolished by a Manatee County contractor April 16. County commissioners voted March 4 to take down the 70-year-old Cortez landmark, citing significant hurricane damage. Annie’s is part of the Seafood Shack parcel purchased by the county for $13 million for a public marina. Islander Photos: Lisa Neff
Emotions run high as Annie’s regulars, employees and patrons assemble to observe the county-ordered demolition of the building.
A sign at the demolition site in Cortez contains messages for Annie’s owners.
The Seafood Shack, 4110 127th St. W., Cortez, remains standing April 16 but with rubble in the foreground.
Annie’s Bait & Tackle proprietor Bruce Shearer is comforted by a friend April 16 as the Cortez business is demolished. Manatee County commissioners voted March 4 to take down the 70-year-old Cortez landmark, citing significant hurricane damage. Annie’s is part of the Seafood Shack parcel purchased by the county for $13 million for a public marina. Islander Photos: Lisa Neff
A construction worker pauses during demolition April 16 to save a sign from Annie’s Bait & Tackle property, 4334 127th St W.
Demolition of the Annie’s Bait & Tackle building April 16 reveals the interior of the establishment, exposing a bar that had been in place for more than 70 years.
With the now total destruction of Annie’s, and the Seafood Shack, it should be totally clear to all citizens in Manatee County that the repairs were never intended for any of the property purchased. Just another boondoggle by our county commission. And no, they may not blame it upon FEMA or any rules, the rules are only adopted as a Manatee County Ordinance they are not law and never were until local government passed them as law, which they follow as with any local law, how they think it benefits themselves.