The devastation caused by last year’s storm season uprooted some Holmes Beach businesses.
But several new shops are now growing in their place.
According to city records, 62 business tax accounts were closed following hurricanes Helene and Milton, while 14 new tax receipts were issued after the 2024 storms.
Silena Hammond, owner of Distractions on the Island, 5306 Holmes Blvd., Suite 800, told The Islander July 18 about her paint-your-own-pottery art studio’s start in the city.
It is Hammond’s second studio, with the first located in High Point, North Carolina.
Hammond grew up in Bradenton and spent many days running around the island as a kid. After several years away, she returned in 2020 and began looking for a studio location.
Last December, she moved Distractions into a “perfect” spot between the Freckled Fin Irish Pub and The Doctor’s Office, a restaurant and craft bar.
Hammond said business started slow, as the island was recovering from the storms, but gained steam.
“I don’t really know what our first year will be like in the sense that it’s not what you would call a typical or normal year,” Hammond said. “So this is definitely a good year as a new business to be like, ‘OK, we’re going to learn and grow as we go here and see what next year holds for us.’”
However, she said the fact that the space flooded during last year’s storms had her holding her breath heading into the thick of this year’s hurricane season.
“We hope for the best and deal with what comes,” Hammond added.
The nearby Love That Permanent Jewelry, 5306 Holmes Blvd., Unit #720, also is new in town.
The business opened in May and offers “permanent” jewelry created with chains and charms custom-fitted for customers and welded without clasps.
Owner Paige Cogar missed spring break but said the business was off to a “great” start.
“I love doing it,” Cogar said. “I still kind of pinch myself that I have a little beach boutique. It’s always been the dream.”
Janalee Gallagher, owner of AMI Beach & Dog Supply Co. in the Island Shopping Center at 5402 Marina Drive, told The Islander July 25 that her business also was doing well since moving from Pine Avenue in Anna Maria for more foot traffic.
The pet store reopened on Pine last November despite sustaining damage and losing merchandise to the 2024 hurricanes. While Gallagher’s store had a successful holiday season, other nearby businesses — and the usual foot traffic — had not returned by early 2025.
“We thought that we probably needed to make a drastic move to make sure that we were going to be successful this year,” she said.
When Gallagher found space at the Island Shopping Center, she jumped at the opportunity.
AMI Beach & Dog Supply Co. opened its Holmes Beach location in May, around the same time as several other center businesses reopened, including True Value Hardware, the Sun & Surf Beach Shop and the Feast Restaurant.
“We all got here and opened around the same time, and it was perfect,” Gallagher said. “It was all we needed to kind of kick things off down here.”
The store’s new location also comes with other benefits, according to Gallagher.
She said its proximity to other businesses that operate into the evening allowed her store to stay open until 8 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.
“Since (Small Town Creamery) is open and the Feast is right here and the Doctor’s Office is right across the street, we do a decent nighttime business now, which we did not have before,” Gallagher said.
Nevertheless, she added that she — like Hammond — was “anxious” to make it through hurricane season.
“We’re anxious to get through this season and see what fall and winter bring for this new location,” Gallagher said.
