This is the last weekend for the Maximo Seafood Shack. Itinerary is below, but first I want to thank everyone for their support and kind words for Margaret. When I shared a photo or helped, she always said, “Thank you!” Don’t get that downtown! The neighborhoods are loosing a place where we could meet and share. With all the hype about the Skyway Marina District and the Mayor’s effort to help small businesses, they were silent. But build a Burger King and they were there to tout the grand opening. What was also missing were the local TV Stations who prefer to cover crime. These are the negative things we will remember. Here are today’s memories I want to share. 1. I met a retired couple who didn’t know the Shack was closing. They live on Anna Maria Island and always stop at the Shack when traveling to and from the airport. They said there is nothing like this! 2. I met staff from Ceridian who had a table and had signed the petition. They said we look forward to stepping out and enjoying a real seafood spot with a great setting. This was a loss. 3. This week, Margaret lost her cook and is back to cooking. Tonight (Friday) she closed early and we sat outside. The flow of people stopping expecting to enjoy a fresh grouper and beer was continuous. Instead of walking away disappointed, they sat and chatted. 4. One person was here for the first time. We made him feel welcome. 5. Some were here because they could not make it Saturday. There is a loss of humanity when out-of-state investors have no regard for a local community. They don’t live here so they don’t know and don’t care. But we have over 26,000 supporters who care! I have included a few of their comments below. Sorry, there is not enough room to post over 2100 comments. ITINERARY: ON BOTH SATURDAY AND SUNDAY, Shack memories will be available for purchase. SATURDAY — Last day open, last happy hour, and last sunset together. SUNDAY — 10 AM - 5 PM or longer! At 1 PM, pulling up the sign out front. This is a POTLUCK, so bring a dish and refreshments. Ends at 5... Maybe? Island Global Yachting supplied two Port-A-Potties which will be cleaner than Maximo Marina’s bathrooms. Can't miss them. They are in the parking lot. Next Thursday, Island Global Marina Yachting meets with City Zoning. We believe this is for the condos Bixby Bridge Capital wants to build so the Marina can be flipped. Will update everyone when we have more information. MAYOR UPDATE St. Petersburg Mayor Kriseman has been reaching out to small businesses yet can’t reach out to the economically depressed Southside’s woman-owned, veteran-owned small business. St Petersburg Mayor and a bunch of staffers “have been visiting local businesses in an effort to open communication and let merchants know that the city wants to hear their concerns.” Source: Marxent Labs Article: Mayor Kriseman reaches out to businesses in effort to cut red tape http://www.tampabay.com/news/politics/local/st-petersburg-mayor-reaches-out-to-small-businesses-other-city-leaders/2166698 WATCH THE FILM TRAILER and Help #SaveTheShack: https://youtu.be/GLvFJOB5U_k The documentary will be submitted to local, national and international film festivals. See you in Sundance, Tribeca and Cannes Film Festival! HOW CAN YOU HELP? We need our 26,000+ supporters to message (1) Bixby Bridge Capital, (2) IGY Marinas, and (3) St. Petersburg Mayor Kriseman CALLING on them to “Save the Shack” and please add your comments: 1. IGY Marinas a. Twitter https://twitter.com/igymarinas b. Facebook —https://www.facebook.com/IGYMarinas c. NYC Headquarters for Island Global Yachting (IGY Marinas). - Email them online.http://www.igymarinas.com/contact/ - Phone Global Headquarters in NYC: 212-705-5000 2. Chicago Owners Bixby Bridge Capital’s David Colburn and Steven Fass a. Email online:http://www.bixbybridgecapital.com/contact-us/ b. Phone: 847-313-6454 3. St.Petersburg MAYOR KRISEMAN Contact Mayor Kriseman via email atmayor@stpete.org Only time we heard from the St. Petersburg's Democratic Mayor Kriseman was when he was quoted in the Tampa Bay Times article, “"While the City encourages and appreciates investments into our community, and especially into the Skyway Marina District, this is ultimately a private matter between the owners of the marina and the seafood shack," the mayor wrote, adding that the city's focus is on "building up small businesses, not tearing them down." Yet, Mayor Kriseman has no problem calling the President of the Tampa Bay Rays and asking them to stay in St. Petersburg! 4. St.Petersburg City Council Contact City Council Member via email atcouncil@stpete.org COMMENTS Los Angeles, CA — I frequent St. Pete beach a lot. I would hate to see more and more of the character of this place eroding at the hands of developers who don't take the time to include local culture into their projects. Of course big chains are helping finance developments -but creative developers can construct a place that locals AND financiers can agree on! Cape Coral, FL — Help the people who are the back bone of this country the mom and pops business. Ashland, OR — Individually owned small businesses are vital to our society. Billion-dollar enterprises all seem exactly the same -- soulless. GROVE, OK — I LOVE the local places when I travel. I want those quaint places with ambiance, NOT the big chain restaurants or uppity-type places to eat. Why ruin a good thing???? Canton,, IL — Keep Florida authentic! Don't take away the livelihood of the people or the culture of the area. St. Petersburg, FL — Ok Bixby and IGY - all of these petitioners carry the money that feed this business and make it a great part of this community. If you care nothing about this community I presume you care about $$$$. We will take it elsewhere if you knock this place down. Pause for a moment please. There is a solution here is a win for everyone. St. Petersburg, FL — Keep Florida authentic! Don't take away the livelihood of the people or the culture of the area. Altadena, CA — Just because your big doesn't mean you have more rights. St. Petersburg, FL — Saving a little old florida is important to me. This little business has a huge heart. STATS 26,098 Supporters 2103 Comments Reached all 50 States 1022 Cities reached in the United States. 11 Countries — Australia, Canada, Denmark, Faroe Islands, Hong Kong, Luxembourg, Ireland, Norway, England, Scotland, United States Regards, Robert Neff Independent Investigative Journalist @5wa on Twitter, https://twitter.com/5wa Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/rcneff Linkedin, https://www.linkedin.com/in/rcneff