ANNA MARIA – Rod & Reel Pier owner Oliver “Oli” Lemke hopes to rebuild the iconic pier and restaurant building that was badly damaged by Hurricane Helene and then destroyed by Hurricane Milton.
On the evening of Sept. 26 and the morning of Sept. 27, Hurricane Helene pounded the privately-owned wooden pier and restaurant building with high surf and powerful waves leaving the pier walkway in tatters but the restaurant building at the end of the pier still standing.
On Oct. 9, Hurricane Milton’s high winds smashed to pieces what remained of the Rod & Reel Pier and scattered its remains in the waterfront yards of several houses northwest of the pier. All that remains now is the famous Rod and Reel Pier sign, the locked front gate, and the skeletal remains of some pilings and deck supports.
At one point during Hurricane Milton, the Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport measured a 120-mph wind gust and some locals suspect a tornado or waterspout may have inflicted the fatal blows upon the Rod & Reel Pier while also wiping out a significant chunk of the nearby Anna Maria City Pier walkway.
Lemke, a Germany-based brewmaster, brewery owner and restaurant owner, bought the Rod & Reel Pier from fellow German and longtime Rod & Reel Pier owner Mario Schoenfelder last November. He now faces the monumental task of rebuilding his investment.
When communicating with The Sun via email on Oct. 15, Lemke said, “There’s no definite plan on how to proceed yet. Right now, we are gathering information trying to assess our situation. We will do everything within our means to rebuild the pier, but there are many issues to conquer.”
When asked if the Rod & Reel Pier was insured, Lemke said, “There is no insurance whatsoever. The former owner never had the pier insured for hurricane or flood. I really tried hard to change that. Unfortunately, it’s impossible to get insurance on a building like this, over water.
“This is by far the worst blow I’ve had to take in my 25 years of business life. There’s not only a lot of money lost that we’ll have to pay off for many years to come, but it’s also terrible because I waited for many years to get the opportunity to invest in a U.S. restaurant that fit me so well, personally and business-wise,” Lemke said in his email.
No cost estimate has been provided yet for the potential Rod & Reel Pier replacement. In 2017, Hurricane Irma badly damaged the nearby city-owned Anna Maria City Pier. That pier replacement project completed in 2020 cost $7.3 million.
Help needed
After Hurricane Helene, Lemke organized the “Help Us Rebuild Rod and Reel Pier” GoFundMe online fundraising page. As of Oct. 17, there were 497 donations totaling $45,275.
The updated post-Milton GoFundMe page now says, “The pier has been an iconic part of this community for over 75 years – a place where locals and visitors alike come to enjoy fresh seafood, stunning Gulf views, great fishing and a taste of ‘Old Florida.’ But recently, our Island faced a devastating blow. Hurricane Helene hit hard, followed by Hurricane Milton which finished what Helene had started. On a Thursday morning, I got the heartbreaking call from our manager, Adina. The pier was gone. Seeing the photo of the destruction was one of the most difficult moments of my life. I know so many of you here understand what that loss feels like. It’s not just a building, it’s a place filled with memories, history and the spirit of Anna Maria Island.”
“We’re determined to rebuild the Rod & Reel Pier but we can’t do it alone. There’s no insurance to cover the damage, no big investor to back us up. It’s just us – the community, the visitors, the people who love this place – and we need your help to bring it back. This isn’t just about rebuilding a restaurant. It’s about restoring a piece of the Island’s soul and helping our team of over 40 employees get back on their feet. The pier is more than wood and nails: it’s a gathering place for generations of families, a spot where memories are made, and we want to ensure it continues to be that special place for generations to come,” the GoFundMe page says.
“To show our appreciation, we will engrave the names of those who donate $100 or more on a new wall of honor at the pier as an everlasting reminder of the community spirit that made this possible. Your support, whether financial or through spreading the word, will help us make the Rod & Reel Pier stronger than ever. Together, we can bring this beloved part of Anna Maria Island back to life,” the GoFundMe page says.
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