ANNA MARIA – The City Pier Grill & Bait Shop is open.
Operating at the T-end of the new Anna Maria City Pier, in space leased from the city of Anna Maria, the new grill and bait shop opened at noon on Thursday, Dec. 10, and is now open seven days a week, from 7 a.m. until 10 p.m., with shorter operating hours anticipated on some major holidays.
With a pier tenant now occupying the pier, the new Anna Maria City Pier is now open seven days a week during those same business hours. Since the pier opened in mid-June, it had only been only open three days a week until 5 p.m.
With approximately 300 square feet of interior space, the City Pier Grill offers no indoor seating. Shared with the public, the seating consists of wooden tables and benches on the open-air deck that faces the Sunshine Skyway Bridge.
All the seating at the City Pier Grill is outdoor seating. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
The grill and bait shop are operated by GSM Partners LLC, which consists of Anna Maria General Store proprietor Brian Seymour, Dips Ice Cream proprietor Vic Mattay and Nick Graham. Earlier this year, Graham, Seymour and Mattay partnered to open Pine Avenue Bait & Tackle next to the general store that also is home to Dips.
From left, business partners Brian Seymour, Vic Mattay and Nick Graham enjoyed their opening day. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Standing on the pier early after the grill and bait shop opened, Mattay said, “It feels awesome. It was great to open that gate today and see everybody come in with a smile on their face. Nick did the honors of opening the gate.”
“I’m super happy to get it open for the public. It’s time for everybody to come out here and enjoy the food and atmosphere that we bring,” Graham said.
“We’re serving a full menu and kitchen’s open full speed. It’ll be a few more days before we get our beer and wine license,” Seymour said.
Menu offerings
The breakfast menu includes a $5 breakfast sandwich, $4 biscuits and gravy, an $8 American breakfast, $10 bagel and lox and $2 coffee, as well as yogurt, oatmeal, fresh fruit and more.
The menu includes an $8 City Pier Cheeseburger. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
The lunch and dinner menu includes $6 chicken wings, $9 fish tacos, $8 hand-battered fresh Gulf shrimp, an $8 Cuban sandwich, an $8 City Pier Cheeseburger, chicken sandwich or veggie burger, a $4 pier dog or veggie dog, a $14 mahi sandwich, an $18 crab cake sandwich and much more.
The sweet treats menu includes soft serve ice cream with various toppings, gelato or Italian ice, a warm brownie sundae, shakes, malts, floats and snow cones. It also includes Key lime pie, peanut butter pie, brownies and cookies baked up the street at Hometown Desserts.
The sweet treats menu includes soft-serve ice cream and much more. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Seymour, a former city commissioner, said, “I want to thank the mayor, city commissioners, city staff and everyone who helped us achieve everything we set out to do four months ago when we submitted our proposal. We really appreciate their help and support and it’s nice to see this become a reality.”
Sold outside the grill building, the initial bait shop offerings included live shrimp and shiners, frozen squid and sardines and an assortment of tackle. Aaron Graham, Nick’s brother, delivered the shiners by boat as the opening occurred.
“And we have our full-service bait shop just up the street for more extensive needs,” Seymour said.
Barry Jones helps oversee the bait shop operations. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
City Pier Grill & Bait Shop T-shirts are also for sale, with additional apparel, hats and other items coming soon.
Opening day attendees
Seasonal Cortez residents Linda and Chuck Hare were among the first City Pier Grill customers.
Linda Hare was among the first City Pier Grill customers. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
“Our friend Nick is one of the partners,” Linda said while waiting for coffee, her chicken wings and his Cuban sandwich.
“I love it, it’s cute,” she said of the overall setup.
“I think they’ve done a fantastic job,” Chuck added.
While standing in line to order for herself, her husband James and their five children, Holmes Beach resident Katy Roadman said, “I’ve been waiting for the pier to open.”
She said James did the interior renovations for the grill building.
While eating, James said, “We wanted to move to a community that we could get involved with and be a part of. To help build something that everyone can enjoy is really cool.”
Regarding his food, James said, “The blackened mahi is amazing.”
“Delicious,” Katy added.
Tampa resident Les Parker enjoyed the afternoon fishing from the corner of the pier.
“It’s a wonderful day. Catching is the bonus, but fishing is the best,” he said.
Tampa resident Les Parker spent the afternoon fishing next to the new City Pier Grill & Bait Shop. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
The opening day ceremonies also included live acoustic music from The Stockton Brothers.
Due to scheduling commitments, Mayor Dan Murphy was not present for the noon opening.
When contacted later that day, he said, “I am elated that we now have a great place to not only enjoy a grouper sandwich and an ice-cold beer, but also sunrises on Tampa Bay, a view of Egmont Key and the Gulf of Mexico sunsets. Our pier is back.”
When contacted, Commissioner Carol Carter said, “It’s a wonderful Hanukkah/Christmas gift for all of us.”
ANNA MARIA – The city of Anna Maria and GSM Partners LLC have reached an agreement that allows Nick Graham, Brian Seymour and Vic Mattay to operate the City Pier Grill on the new City Pier.
Operating in the smaller of two city-owned spaces at the pier’s end, City Pier Grill will offer “family-friendly” takeout food that includes breakfast, lunch and dinner items, ice cream, desserts and beer and wine. The business operations will also include a bait shop that offers live and frozen bait, fishing tackle and more.
Seymour is the owner/operator of the Anna Maria General Store & Deli on Pine Avenue. Mattay operates his Dips Ice Cream shop inside the general store and Graham manages the ice cream shop for Mattay. The three men are equal partners in the adjacent Pine Avenue Bait and Tackle store and they recently formed GSM Partners for their City Pier Grill operations.
Seymour said the trio will share the decision-making responsibilities and he will serve as the managing partner authorized to speak on the partnership’s behalf.
Seymour said they hope to open City Pier Grill the week before Thanksgiving.
Lease contract approved
On Thursday evening, the city commission voted 4-0 in favor of authorizing Mayor Dan Murphy to sign a five-year lease contract with GSM Partners.
“We’ve come up with this contract which I think is very fair and equitable,” Murphy said of the lease terms he and Seymour negotiated.
The lease includes one five-year renewal at the tenant’s option.
GSM Partners agreed to pay the city $6,000 per month in base rent, $500 of which is for the use of additional space inside the larger primary pier building. The building’s future use has not yet been determined.
The space inside the primary building will house a portable cooler and a portable freezer that will both be on wheels and easily relocated if the city later leases the entire primary building to another tenant. In that case, GSM Partners’ monthly rent would decrease by $500.
City Pier Grill will operate in the space on the left side of the pier. The future use of the space on the right side of the pier remains unknown. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
According to the lease, the city reserves the right to negotiate with GSM Partners for the expanded use of the primary pier building, but also reserves the right to lease the entire primary building to another tenant.
Seymour told the commission he and his partners look forward to a lengthy business relationship with the city and they may one day also consider leasing the primary building.
GSM Partners will reimburse the city for 10% of the actual cost to maintain the pier and pier facilities.
“It will never go below 10%, but it could go above 10%,” Murphy said of those costs to be reviewed annually.
GSM Partners will also be responsible for 20% of the total utility bills associated with the pier.
The lease states the tenant has 45 days to complete the interior buildouts and be open for business. Murphy said there’s an incentive in the lease that provides up to 30 days free rent if they open sooner.
“I think it’s a good partnership. I think the right person got the bid. We’re very pleased to have you as a tenant on the pier,” Murphy said.
“I just wanted to thank the commission and the mayor. We think it’s fair for both the city and for us and we’re excited to get started. I’m proud to be a part of it. I think we’re going to make it a great place for everybody,” Seymour said.
“I’m thrilled that we have a resident of the city Anna Maria who’s heading up this partnership,” Commission Chair Carol Carter said.
Carter noted the city also has some commitments to fulfill as its share of the interior buildout process.
“We have to do the drywall, the hood and the grease trap,” she said.
Seymour said the $25,000 grease trap the commission previously approved as part of the city’s anticipated buildout costs won’t be necessary.
“There is a need for a grease trap, but not a big one buried on land. We only need one under the three-compartment sink, before the drain, to keep the grease in the trap. The grease trap the commission approved was for a full-service restaurant,” Seymour said when contacted later that night.
Seymour said the kitchen will have a flattop grill, a charbroiler and a deep fryer; the grease from the deep fryer will be recycled in a separate container.
“I have a cooking oil company that comes and collects all the used cooking oil,” he said.
“Amen and namaste,” Commissioner Jon Crane said during the meeting, before making the motion authorizing Murphy to sign the lease.
“This relationship is benefitting several businesses and several people, all who have close ties to the city of Anna Maria,” Commissioner Mark Short said.
“That influenced my vote as well,” Commissioner Joe Muscatello said.
“Especially looking forward to your desserts,” Muscatello added in reference to Anna Maria-based Hometown Desserts providing the dessert offerings in addition to Mattay’s ice cream offerings.
“We look forward to working with you and I think all the residents and visitors will be thrilled to have the grill and bait shop open on the pier,” Carter said.
Eager to start
After leaving city hall, Seymour said, “We’re already in the process of getting the final designs from our designer. We’ve got our equipment purchase list done. We need to hire a general contractor so we can start the permitting process and start building the space out. We’ve already been contacted by at least a dozen local hospitality workers who are interested in being part of this. We’re going to put together an excellent team that’s got a lot of experience right from the start.”
ANNA MARIA – Mayor Dan Murphy says the City Pier grill and bait shop lease negotiations are going well with Brian Seymour and his partners, Vic Mattay and Nick Graham.
On Thursday, Sept. 10, Murphy told the city commission he’s still on track to present them with a proposed lease contract on Thursday, Sept. 24. Next Thursday’s commission meeting will begin immediately after the conclusion of the 6 p.m. final budget hearing.
During last week’s commission meeting, Murphy said he and Commissioner Jon Crane had their first fact-finding meeting earlier that week and planned to have their second meeting the following day.
“I think we’re on target, and I committed to coming back to you with a contract on the 24th. It looks pretty good. We made some significant progress in terms of getting organized. The next major step is for the city attorney to provide a draft of a contract.”
City Attorney Becky Vose told the mayor and commission she’d been working on the lease contract for three days and would finish it that night and send it to Murphy.
Murphy said he and Crane would look over the contract and send it to Seymour and his partners to review.
“And then, we can hopefully come to some agreement. We’re on track for the 24th,” Murphy said.
Crane said he echoed the mayor’s comments.
“I found the group, the three of them, to be very cooperative, very helpful. The questions they asked of us were astute and few, and they really seemed like they’re ready to get going and put out a good product out there. I was reviewing their menu again today and my mouth started watering. It was a good meeting,” Crane said.
On Tuesday, Sept. 1, the city commission deemed the group consisting of Seymour, Mattay and Graham its top choice to operate the City Pier grill and bait shop.
Seymour’s group proposed paying $6,000 per month in rent, with an annual 2.5% rent increase. The trio anticipates spending an additional $41,350 to complete the interior buildout of the city-owned building.
From left, Nick Graham, Brian Seymour and Vic Mattay are forming a partnership to operate a grill and bait shop on the Anna Maria City Pier. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Seymour owns and operates the Anna Maria General Store & Deli in leased space on Pine Avenue. Mattay owns Dips Ice Cream, and shares space inside the general store. Graham manages Dips and he and his brother, Aaron, own and operate Graham Slam fishing charters in Cortez.
Seymour, Mattay and Graham are equal partners in the Pine Avenue Bait & Tackle store adjacent to the general store and are forming a similar partnership for their anticipated pier-based business operations. Seymour recently told The Sun he hopes to open the grill and bait shop before Thanksgiving.
The commission favored the Seymour group’s proposal over the proposal submitted by FP Growth Partners, who proposed paying $5,500 per month in initial base rent or 6% of gross revenues, whichever was higher. FP Growth Partners also offered to take the bait shop building as is and complete the interior buildout at no additional expense to the city. Murphy said that could save the city $50,000 to $75,000 in upfront costs.
FP Growth Partners owns and operates multiple Poppo’s Taquerias, including the Pine Avenue location.
The city currently has no plans to seek a tenant to operate a full-service restaurant in the larger of the two City Pier buildings.
ANNA MARIA – The group consisting of Brian Seymour, Vic Mattay and Nick Graham is the city commission’s top choice to operate the City Pier grill and bait shop.
During Friday’s emergency meeting, the commission favored the proposal Seymour presented over the proposal Mike Coleman presented on behalf of FP Growth Partners LLC.
Mayor Dan Murphy is now authorized to negotiate a five-year lease with Seymour for the group’s operation of a grill and bait shop in the smaller of the two city-owned buildings at the T-end of the new City Pier. The initial five-year lease will provide Seymour’s group with an option for one five-year renewal.
Murphy hopes to present a negotiated lease for final commission approval on Thursday, Sept. 24. If lease terms cannot be reached with Seymour’s group, Murphy will seek commission authorization to negotiate a lease agreement with FP Growth Partners.
Commissioners Carol Carter, Jon Crane, Joe Muscatello and Mark Short each said this was a difficult choice to make.
“I think both parties, both proposals were outstanding. We couldn’t go wrong, and it was a very hard decision,” Short said.
Two finalists named
Friday’s meeting was preceded by an emergency meeting on Tuesday that resulted in the commission unanimously naming Seymour’s group and FP Growth Partners as its top two choices. This eliminated from further consideration the proposals submitted by Harry’s Continental Kitchens and the father-daughter tandem team of Sherman and Sarah Baldwin.
Harry’s Continental Kitchens proposed paying $1,500 per month in base rent or a percentage-based rent to be negotiated. The Baldwins proposed $2,000 per month in base rent, plus up to 10% of gross revenues.
The mayor and commission expressed concerns about the risks associated with percentage-based rents and the four bidders did not address the commission on Tuesday.
Carter expressed concerns about Coleman’s public criticism of the city commission in a recent letter to the editor that ran in a local newspaper. The letter referred to an amended alcoholic beverages ordinance the mayor later vetoed. Carter said it’s important for the city to have a good working relationship with its pier partner.
Seymour’s group proposed paying $6,000 per month/$72,000 per year in base rent, with an annual 2.5% increase. Seymour’s group anticipates spending an additional $41,350 to complete its share of the interior buildout for the bait shop building.
Seymour is the owner-operator of the Anna Maria General Store & Deli on Pine Avenue. Mattay owns Dips Ice Cream, which shares space inside the general store. Graham manages Dips and he and his brother, Aaron, own and operate Graham Slam fishing charters in Cortez.
Seymour, Mattay and Graham are equal one-third partners in the Pine Avenue Bait & Tackle store that opened next to the general store earlier this year and the trio plans to form a similar partnership for their City Pier business operations.
FP Growth Partners proposed paying $5,500 per month/$66,000 per year in initial base rent or 6% of gross revenues, whichever was higher.
FP Growth Partners offered to take the bait shop building as is and complete the interior buildout at no additional expense to the city. Murphy said that could save the city $50,000 to $75,000 in upfront costs.
FP Growth Partners operates multiple Poppo’s Taquerias, including the Pine Avenue location.
In the mid-2000s, Coleman and restaurateur/businessman Ed Chiles completed the Pine Avenue Restoration (PAR) project along Pine Avenue that continues to provide retail, office and vacation rental/residential space.
Coleman presentation
On Friday, Coleman and Seymour were each given 10 minutes to explain and elaborate on the written proposals the commissioners reviewed prior to Tuesday’s meeting.
Going first, Coleman touted the success of the PAR project and Poppo’s Taquerias.
“If you want to find out what somebody’s going to do, take a look at what they’ve done already,” he said.
Coleman said his sons Casey and Patrick and Patrick’s wife, Rowen, founded Poppo’s.
“They own 60%. I own 10%,” he said.
Coleman estimated the pier grill and bait shop could gross up to $1.5 million per year and 6% of that would equate to $90,000 in rent for the city.
“The promise is $5,500. The opportunity is 6% of $1.2 to $1.5 million. As the business does better, the city does better,” he said.
Coleman reiterated the group’s willingness to take the bait shop as is and spare the city those buildout costs.
Mike Coleman presented FP Growth Partners’ proposal. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
FP Growth Partners’ proposed menu included $3-5 breakfast sandwiches, $4-9 fresh ground beef burgers, $5-8 fried clam bellies, $8-12 wild-caught fish sandwiches, hand-cut fries fried in duck fat, seasonal soups, soft drinks with no high fructose corn syrup, $4-6 draft and local craft beers and $6 sangria.
Coleman said the menu items remained open to discussion, but his group would not compromise on Poppo’s quality standards and use of fresh ingredients.
Coleman also said FP Growth Partners spent the past 18 months testing an app-based delivery system and automated ordering kiosks.
“If you’re fishing halfway down the pier, we’ll bring the food to you. If you’re coming on your boat, place an order on your app,” Coleman said.
His group’s proposed bait shop offerings included live shrimp, frozen shrimp, frozen squid and possibly fresh fiddler crabs and pinfish.
Coleman addressed Carter’s previous concerns about his relationship with the city. He noted he previously paid for a half-page ad in which he praised the city’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I don’t want my kids’ opportunity to be canceled because someone took a personal objection to something I said,” Coleman said.
He also noted his group’s willingness to also lease the larger pier building originally intended for use as a full-service restaurant.
Muscatello asked Coleman what he had in mind for the larger building.
“Our personal vision for that is more of a historic reminder of who we are. I think you could have a great, low-impact retail operation over there that’s both educational and profitable,” Coleman said.
The future use of the larger pier building on the right remains unknown. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
FP Growth Partners proposed operating the grill and bait shop from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Murphy asked Coleman who would serve as the group’s main point of contact.
“I handle site selection, lease negotiation, financials, all that kind of stuff,” Coleman said.
He said once that initial process was complete, his office manager would be the main point of contact.
Seymour presentation
Seymour said his group plans to use approximately 36 square feet of the larger pier building for a portable refrigerator and a portable freezer. He said those two appliances would be on wheels and could be easily relocated if the larger building is leased to another tenant.
“We can do this because within a block of the pier we have our three brick and mortar businesses. And I have a massive walk-in cooler there already. We’re not going to run out of product,” Seymour said.
He also noted much of the grill prep work could be done ahead of time at the general store.
Seymour said his group is also interested in the larger pier building that could possibly provide additional indoor seating, but that was not the primary focus of the city’s request for proposals for a grill and bait shop.
Regarding his group’s proposed menu, Seymour said, “We have added items that are pier-friendly, keeping in mind that we are not a full-service restaurant – nor do we want to compete in the future with a potential full-service restaurant right next door.”
The proposed menu includes a $4 breakfast sandwich, a $7 American breakfast, a $5 yogurt, granola, fresh fruit parfait, a $7 City Pier Burger, a $3 Pier Dog, an $8 Cuban sandwich, chicken wings, chicken tenders, clam strips, shrimp, a wedge salad and more. It also includes $2 domestic draft beers, $3 canned beers, $4-5 craft beers and $4-6 glasses of wine.
The menu notes orders could be placed ahead of time by phone.
Regarding the pier bait shop, Seymour said, “We’ll build our own live well. We’re going to stock tackle that we know is going to sell – hooks, line, leader.”
Seymour said the bait offerings would include live shiners, shrimp and pinfish when available. The frozen bait offerings would include shrimp, squid, sardines and sand fleas.
“All the things we currently have – and we have that shop a block away to support that bait shop on the pier,” he said.
In response to questions from Muscatello, Seymour estimated $1.3 to $1.4 million in potential annual gross revenues, and said he planned live acoustic music from 5-8 p.m. and the installation of removable shade sails above the picnic tables and deck area behind the bait shop.
In response to a question from Short, Seymour said he envisions the window facing the shore for ice cream service, the windows facing the Rod & Reel Pier for the snack shop and beer and wine service and the rear window for the bait and tackle sales taking place mostly outside using a handheld point of sale device.
Seymour’s group hopes to have the grill and bait shop open before Thanksgiving. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Carter asked Seymour about staffing. Seymour envisions three to five employees working at any given time and a total staff of 16-20 people, including some current employees who would like to work on the pier.
Seymour said the grill and bait shop would be open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. in accordance with the commission’s previously expressed desires.
Seymour said he would be the main contact, but Mattay and Graham would also be available.
“We’re not and have never been absentee owners. Our vision for the City Pier is to once again become the number one tourist destination and local destination for Manatee County. We promise to be good stewards of the pier and we’ll work tirelessly with this city,” Seymour said.
Short made the motion to select Seymour’s group. Crane said he was leaning toward Coleman’s group because of Poppo’s food quality and fresh ingredients, but he later supported Short’s motion. Sensing Carter’s support for Seymour’s group, Muscatello said, “To make it unanimous, I’ll say yes.” Carter then made the vote unanimous.
From left, city commissioners Mark Short, Jon Crane, Carol Carter and Joe Muscatello said their decision was difficult but their options were excellent. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Final thoughts
“We’re looking forward to partnering with the city and quickly getting this pier back open seven days a week for locals and visitors alike,” Seymour said after the meeting ended.
“My goal is to be open before Thanksgiving if everything goes smoothly,” he said later.
“I’m excited to get this thing going,” Graham said.
“All three of us are excited about the bid we have for that pier and we’re going to make it a great place for everybody to visit,” Mattay said.
On Saturday, Coleman provided the following statement via text message: “We congratulate Brian and his team on their excellent presentation. While we sincerely believe we offered the best short- and long-term proposal for the city and its taxpayers, the commissioners, in their prerogative, selected Brian and his group, whom we respect and have supported for years. We wish them the best.”
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