St. Petersburg, Florida is experiencing an economic construction boom. Miami, Sarasota and New York are looking to the city's real estate inventory to redevelopment. Unfortunately, this has consequences.
On the Southside near the Sunshine Skyway Bridge, Maximo Marina is located in South St. Petersburg and is has started a much needed renovation. Maximo Seafood Shack is in located at the marina and is danger of being another old Florida victim.
Show Your Support for Maximo Seafood Shack
Twice a year, the sunset is directly down Maximo Channel from Maximo Seafood Shack, located at Maximo Marina, St. Petersburg, Florida. Local communities gather at the "Shack" to celebrate, socialize and enjoy the sun set, which can be seen setting across Boca Ciega Bay behind St. Pete Beach.
In 2015, this occurred in March and September. On March 19, the local communities gathered for the Sunset Social at Maximo Seafood Shack to celebrate the event with fresh seafood and cold beverages, beer or wine. Participants arrived early and reserved a spot on the dock with lawn furniture. While there is no sunset bell to ring, everyone raises cheers when the sun sets!
See the Marina being built in 1961.
P02948 Aerial view of Maximo Moorings Marina on 37th St. at 50th Ave. S., c1960. Fuller Circle lower center. Courtesy of St. Petersburg Museum of History
P00128 Bayway construction, 1961, structure 'A' looking northeast to Maximo Moorings development. Courtesy of St. Petersburg Museum of History.
P00125 Bayway construction, 1961, structure 'B' looking east to Maximo Moorings development.. Courtesy of St. Petersburg Museum of History.
ORIGINAL STORY
Florida is being overrun by new money and encroaching development. Old Florida is facing an uphill battle to maintain its character. However, pockets of “Old Florida” can still be found and enjoyed. This unique experience is available at Maximo Seafood Shack, located at Maximo Marina in St. Petersburg, Florida.
Above, three pelicans wait for the fishmonger to clean grouper and pitch the remains out the window. Across the Maximo Channel is an old 90’ Hatteras yacht, Endless Summer, which has been restored. Maximo Channel empties into Boca Ciega Bay, which connects the Gulf with the IntraCoastal Waterway. St. Pete Beach can be seen on the horizon.
This is where the locals, neighborhoods, boat captains and fisherman come to relax and swap stories. The “Shack” is also popular with Tampa Bay, visitors and snowbirds. The Shack has a reputation for the freshest fish in Tampa Bay and the best grouper sandwich and bites.
Stop in, grab a table and strike up a conversation. The limited menu features grouper, catch of the day, special, or conch fritters. Fresh seafood fillets and stone crab — When in Season — is available by the pound. Try the seafood spread.
Carryout is available for boats, cars, bikes and pedestrians. The Shack is conveniently located on the Skyway Bike Trail. Twice a year, Maximo Seafood Shack hosts a sunset social, when the sun sets directly down the channel. Great way to meet the local neighborhoods!
BIO
Robert Neff is an award winning photographer.He specializes in weather, international events, sports (Rugby, Soccer and Grand Prix), NASA, lifestyle, boats and sailing, nature, wildlife, and travel and tourism. Robert uses photography as a narrative to share his experiences.
Robert has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines. He is also a writer with a published book and articles in newspapers and journals.
ARTIST STATEMENT: Robert Neff’s contemporary art is dynamic and vibrant, and engages the senses. His photography and storytelling are the inspiration and basis for his fine art. Nature and life’s colors, tones, and shapes are transformed into mixed media art work. Design studies are used to explore geometrics, color, and patterns. As your perspective changes, so does the design. His approach changes how your vision interprets everyday experiences.
During his solo show at Art Miami’s Spectrum Miami, art lovers were drawn into his fine art work. His style drew comparisons to Vasarely and the Op Art movement. One collector from Uruguay compared his style to "Constructivism" and the great Uruguay artist, Garcia.
Copyright ©2015 Robert Neff. All Rights Reserved.
Credits:
Copyright ©2015 Robert Neff. All Rights Reserved.