A peaceful protest rally sponsored by H’COLA (Hillside Coalition of Laborers for Apalachicola), will be held downtown this Saturday. The rally is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. at the corner of Market Street and U.S. 98 in downtown Apalachicola. The event is part of the larger Black Lives Matter protest movement. All are welcome to join H’COLA in standing against police brutality, inequality and racism.

Protesters are encouraged to wear masks and to exercise social distancing, and to bring their own signs, although campaign signs, hats and clothing are not welcome. For more information, click here to read the Apalachicola Times article. You can contact H’COLA at 850-323-0544 or visit www.HCOLA.org. To view the event poster, click here.

This edition’s business spotlight is on the Ward family of 13 Mile Seafood. Their retail seafood operation is located right on the Apalachicola River in the heart of downtown. You’ll find fresh fish, shrimp straight off the boat, smoked fish, delicious dips, sauces, and merchandise with their iconic logo. The interesting history of their family seafood business can be found on their website:

What is 13 Mile? Many people ask about our name. It refers to a tiny community 13 miles west of Apalachicola where Olan Buddy Ward and Martha Pearl Ward began the family business in 1957. Back in those days there were little communities along the shore of Apalachicola Bay at 7, 9, 11 and 13 miles west of town. Martha Pearl’s family – the Millers – had a small oyster and fish house right on the bay, and many of the nearby families worked there.

Olan Buddy Ward was a strong, tall man with an iron handshake; he looked others in the eye and lived his life by making his word a bond others could count on. Buddy instilled these traits into his five boys. (Olan, Dakie, George, Tommy, and Joey). Buddy and Martha Pearl were married for more than 50 years, until he passed away in 2006.

The Ward family is very close. Some people say blood is thicker than water, but if you are a Ward you know that blood is thicker than molasses. This closeness is due to the way Buddy was raised.  His father was a tug boat captain on the Apalachicola River during the Depression and times were tough. Many people turned up their noses at the people that worked the waters surrounding Apalachicola. But growing up poor taught Buddy how to work, and he worked hard his whole life. He taught that ethic to his  boys and they have never stopped.

Now Buddy’s granddaughter Sara and grandsons T.J. and Walter Mack are part of the business, too.

If you stop by the 13 Mile oyster house today you might get to see a pair of eagles or a school of porpoise chasing mullet by the dock. Around evening you’d get to watch the sunset on an unspoiled part of Florida that looks just like it did 500 years ago: no houses or cars, just the old oak trees of St. Vincent Island and the big sky stretching out over the Gulf.

The Ward family continues the tradition. Come see for yourself. The Buddy Ward & Sons Seafood Market is located at 227 Water Street in historic Apalachicola, right next to Riverfront Park.

Phone: (850) 653-1399
Email: 13mileseafoodmarket@gmail.com

Website: www.13mileseafood.com

Click here to buy an e-gift certificate!

Apalachicola Main Street is postponing its Independence Eve Celebration, normally held on July 3^rd each year. “In consultation with City officials, local law enforcement, downtown business leaders, and others, we have come to the decision to postpone this event out of respect for public health,” said Board Chair Jim Bachrach.

Governor Ron DeSantis’ executive order 20-139, announced this week, outlines Phase 2 of Florida’s reopening plan. It discourages gatherings of more than 50 people. “We know the community looks forward to this event every year,” said Augusta West, Main Street’s Executive Director, “This was a difficult decision to make, but we feel postponing it is the right course of action.”

Main Street is currently making plans to move this event to Labor Day weekend, to be held on Saturday, September 5. “We will continue to evaluate the status of the pandemic as we move forward,” said Bachrach.

The annual event includes live music, food trucks, a Veteran’s Tribute, the singing of the National Anthem, children’s activities, and a fireworks display reflected in the waters of the Apalachicola River. It has been recognized as an Outstanding Special Event by the Florida Secretary of State and named one of the Top 12 Fireworks Events in Florida. The event draws 8,000 people, making it the largest single-day event in the county. Last year’s speaker was Secretary of the Navy Richard Spencer, who announced the naming of a U.S. Navy transport ship Apalachicola.

For updates, please visit www.july3fireworks.com.

Apalachicola Main Street is a non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing downtown Apalachicola through economic development in the context of historic preservation. For more information please email info@downtownapalachicola.com or call 844-272-2523.

We’ve had a lot of inquiries about whether downtown shops and restaurants are open, and the answer is yes! Restaurants have been adapting to the regulations concerning distancing tables and limiting capacity. The City recently authorized temporary usage of the parking spaces on the north side of Avenue D for outside dining. Tamara’s Café and the Owl Café now offer outdoor dining under tents in this area in addition to their indoor tables and takeout service.

The Chowder House has expanded its patio area into an adjacent lawn and created not just outdoor dining, but also a beer garden! Others such as Up the Creek Raw Bar, Up to No Good Tavern, Half Shell Dockside, and the Apalachicola Seafood Grill also offer outdoor tables in addition to their indoor dining areas. Retailers are following guidelines about limiting the number of guests in their shops to help maintain social distancing.

Looking for some tranquil sites to take in the scenery while social distancing? There are several great places to enjoy our beautiful surroundings after a delicious meal, some shopping, and a stroll through town. Riverfront Park is always a favorite. It’s central downtown location and view of the river, bay, and shrimp boats makes it a favorite for photographers. You can sit in the swing at Battery Park or enjoy a walk down the pier overlooking the marina and Apalachicola Bay. The River Ramble trail is a gorgeous boardwalk trail that leads to a beautiful deck overlooking Scipio Creek and Turtle Harbor. The Chapman Botanical Garden also offers a nice place to take a walk. Look for the osprey nest atop the water tower.

Franklin County boat ramps and beaches are also now open.

Enjoy your visit to Apalachicola! Please help us protect our downtown workers and locals by following CDC guidelines. We want everyone to stay safe and healthy as Florida reopens.

To see Gov. DeSantis’ Phase 1 Reopening information, please click here.

Lately we’ve been highlighting the interesting people and stories behind downtown Apalachicola’s storefronts. Today’s Business Spotlight is on SGI Threads, located in the High Cotton building on Commerce Street. Check out what managers Jon and Michelle Brubacher have to say about the vibe and vision of this lifestyle shop, in their own words.

“When you visit SGI Threads in downtown Apalachicola we hope that you not only find a welcoming Floridian shopping experience sipping a cold drink and chatting up the days events with us, but that you discover our curated collection of vintage-inspired classics offering the effortless ease and timeless character of an island lifestyle.  SGI Threads brand creators, Stephen and Cathy Hull, were inspired by St. George Island’s pristine beaches, unhurried pace and unfussy style that offers a carefree contrast to modern living.  They searched for a way for them—for everyone—to access this island, this feeling, on a daily basis. 

  Their vision for each custom design piece is meant to evoke their memories of mornings on SGI. The sunlight is soft, the house is quiet, the coffee is strong. The plan for the day is to have no plan at all, to naturally follow the ebb and flow of the island. Maybe you search for sand dollars on the shore, or go into town for a catch-of-the-day lunch. Maybe both. Maybe neither. Smiling at the pure pleasure of such blissful choices. You’re on vacation with windblown hair, sandy toes, easy laughter.  Every well-made, well-fitting piece of our apparel evokes comfy, breathable beach style with subtle, surprising details and work-to-weekend versatility, turning your closet into a never-ending vacation.   Because every day is your day in the sun.

  If you can’t make it into to our store, please check out our SGI Threads brand items online at www.sgithreads.com. You can always order online or call the store for a truly personal shopping experience with additional brands not available online.  We have something for everyone!”

Click here to buy an e-gift certificate from SGI Threads through our online marketplace ShopApalachicola.com!