SARASOTA, Fla. (WWSB) – The Anna Maria General Store, a 50-year fixture on the island, will be honored by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Sunday’s home game for its community service during last year’s hurricanes.
Store owner Brian Seymour, who has operated the business for 15 years, said the store donated time, energy, products, ice, and water to the sheriff’s department and deputies during hurricane recovery efforts.
“We donated time, energy, products, ice that we were getting ready to lose because we didn’t have power, water to the sheriff’s department, deputies, and everyone cleaning up,” Seymour said. “And where we could, once we got power back, we provided food as needed.”
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The recognition comes through the Glazer Family Small Business Fund, created by the Buccaneers team owners to support local businesses. The fund has distributed $1.2 million across the greater Tampa Bay community to nearly 300 small businesses.
The Manatee Chamber of Commerce received $150,000 from the fund, which was divided among 30 businesses. The Anna Maria General Store received a $5,000 grant.
“We’ve developed relationships and a customer base with our clientele where they come in here and have lunch or buy necessities five, six times a week,” Seymour said.
The store’s deli accounts for 50 to 60% of its business, according to Seymour.
Ryan Williams, who has worked on the island for 10 years, said the general store staff has consistently helped local workers.
“We work right across the street. They’re always there for us if we ever need any kind of help,” Williams said. “And they’ve been like that since the beginning, since I’ve been here, even before the storm.”
Seymour said receiving the honor feels unusual but meaningful.
“It’s a little weird for me. I’m not used to accepting accolades and things like that,” he said. “But to be honored, it truly is an honor of a lifetime.”
The Buccaneers play the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday.
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