(Sun reporter Joe Hendricks contributed to this report)
CORTEZ – Before closing the doors of Slicker’s Eatery after five years in business, Bob Slicker greeted hundreds of well-wishers and friends at a Friday, Jan. 30, pig roast and send-off party.
“My only wish is I hope the love continues. I hope people carry the last five years with them the rest of their lives,” Slicker said.
Beginning at 3 p.m. and taking place inside and outside, the send-off party included musical performances by Tanya McCormick and Steve Paradis. Throughout the evening, many attendees did ceremonial shots with Slicker as he made the rounds while still overseeing the final evening of his regular business operations.
At one point, Amy Moriarity and Amber Tipton stepped to the microphone, joined by Slicker, to present the “Be Like Bob” T-shirts they had made as a final and still ongoing fundraiser for three of Bob’s favorite non-profit organizations: The Blessing Bags Project, the Florida Institute for Saltwater Heritage (F.I.S.H.) and The Rotary Club of Anna Maria Island’s youth reading program.
The front of the T-shirt features a photo of Slicker and says, “Be Like Bob.” The back of the shirt includes five “Bobisms” he frequently shared: “143 (code for I Love You),” “Love each other,” “Look for where you can help,” “Choose kindness” and “Much Love.”
The “Be Like Bob” shirts are $25 and can still be purchased by emailing BeLikeBobShirt@gmail.com and including the size and quantity of shirts wanted.
As the farewell festivities began winding down shortly after 9 p.m., Slicker cut a cake, shared pieces of the cake and grabbed the two airplane bottles of liqour on the cake and did another shot with a longtime friend.
When asked how he felt now that his five-year run was almost over, Slicker said, “After five years of love, hard times and great times here at Slicker’s, it’s sweet to see so many people come out and share their love tonight, and during the past few weeks. Our business motto was “to not look the other way,” our slogan was “For goodness’ sake” and for five years that’s what we did.”
Having sold out most of their remaining stock, Slicker’s Eatery was closed on Saturday and the business operations concluded with a catered event on Sunday, Feb. 1.
SLICKER’S EATERY
Slicker’s Eatery opened at 12012 Cortez Rd. W. in February 2021. In September 2024, the leased building and its contents were badly damaged by Hurricane Helene’s storm surge and floodwaters. Following the hurricane, Slicker found tables and chairs askew and floating, freezers flipped over, a dumpster pushed into the middle of Cortez Road and an ice machine broken in two and wedged against the door.
With the help of his staff, he reopened the doors to the restaurant in February 2025, 128 days after Hurricane Helene.
During the time Slicker and his team were working on putting the restaurant back together, while also repairing damage to his own home, he found time to engage in several charitable activities.
On Thanksgiving Day, 2024, hundreds of people gathered under tents in front of Slicker’s Eatery to enjoy a free turkey dinner with all the trimmings.
Slicker was also involved in Rotary Club of Anna Maria Island initiatives to give away bicycles, donate cars and provide refrigerators to those impacted by the hurricanes.
He said he now plans to get some rest, spend some time with his grandchildren and catch up on his reading.
