Months after hurricanes Helene and Milton devastated the island, Anna Maria’s business community is making headway.
But it’s not back to full strength yet.
Darcie Duncan, owner of Duncan Real Estate, told The Islander July 17 that the company was set to return to its main office at 310 Pine Ave. by July 25. The company buys and sells property on the island, as well as operates a roster of vacation rentals.
While Duncan was at the head of community recovery efforts following last year’s storms, her company’s return to its Pine Avenue office has been a slow one.
The storms left both that office and Duncan’s flex office on Marina Drive in Holmes Beach with extensive flood damage.
The flex office was quickly restored and reopened last November, so the company’s employees could get back to work. The restoration of that workplace allowed Duncan to spend more time rebuilding the main office to a new and improved level. The rebuild included the addition of raised concrete floors, installation of impact windows and improved stormwater management.
The building’s square footage also was increased in the rebuild. Duncan said that extra space will make the flex office superfluous, so it will be leased out following her company’s move back to Pine Avenue.
“Instead of just slapping it back together, we said ‘OK, we have to do it right,’” Duncan said. “We rebuilt it back right, so it took a bit longer. … It has been a process to say the least.”
Duncan said it would be an understatement to say she and her employees are excited to return to the main office. “I am very excited to get back in,” she said. “I’m excited for all of us to be together under one roof and work together again and be cohesive as a team. We need that. So we’re all excited.”
Duncan Real Estate’s return to Pine will bring the city’s business community one step closer to full strength.
Paul Foster, who owns Ginny’s and Jane E’s, 9807 Gulf Drive, with his wife, Tammy, told The Islander July 17 that they were happy to be one of the many Anna Maria businesses back in action following last year’s storms.
The cafe and retail store was closed for three months after it took on flooding so its old plywood floor and roof could be replaced. The business reopened last December and, so far through 2025, Foster said the business was having a “decent” year.
“We’re steady and that’s all we can hope for,” Foster said. “We’re thrilled that we’re open. … I feel pretty blessed, to be honest with you.”
However, not every business in the city — including one just upstairs from Ginny’s and Jane E’s — has had the same luck. Body & Sol Spa and Wellness, 9805 Gulf Drive, located on the second floor of the old IGA grocery store building owned by the Cagnina family, was left with extensive damage.
Spa owner Amanda Escobio told The Islander July 17 that she has been determined to reopen the day spa despite its prolonged closure due to damages.
Escobio said the building’s roof failed during Hurricane Helene, so a temporary one was quickly installed — but it was not built to deal with Hurricane Milton. As a result, there were leaks that resulted in water damage throughout the second floor.
While the roof has been replaced, Escobio said she is still working with the property owner to restore the property’s damaged ceiling, walls and floor. She said there is no projected timeline for reopening.
“Good things are usually worth waiting for,” Escobio said. “We would like to see it reopen.”
Escobio said she has a couple of sister spas across the island that are back in operation, including Sea-renity Beach Spa and Boutique in Bradenton Beach.
Escobio stressed that while many local businesses are back on their feet, they still need the community’s support to return to full strength.
“I think a lot of people don’t realize how much island businesses still need support and that we’re still recovering from losses,” she said. “Island small businesses are definitely still relying on support from locals and visitors.”