CORTEZ – Demolition of the Seafood Shack, a Cortez waterfront restaurant and events venue since 1971, began on April 21 to make way for the future Cortez Marina.
“The Seafood Shack Marina, Bar & Grill has been a Cortez landmark since 1971,” according to the former Seafood Shack Marina, Bar & Grill Facebook page: “Accessible by both land and sea, the Seafood Shack has a 68-slip marina, a bar and grill with an outdoor waterfront patio and a private 6,000 square foot banquet space to hold up to 425 guests. Come for the food and stay for the view. The Seafood Shack’s mission is to ensure that each and every guest receives fast and friendly service, to always sell fresh, delicious seafood and to preserve that Old Florida Feeling.”
Historical photos and postcards from the Manatee County Historical Records Library show and describe the Seafood Shack and the 110-foot-long Seafood Shack Showboat from the 1970s and 80s.
“The Seafood Shack Marina was built in 1971 and in 1972 a restaurant was added called The Seafood Shack Bar & Grill. In 1983 the pictured Showboat was added to the Seafood Shack operation, which provided patrons with a leisure cruise around the Intracoastal Waterways,” according to the Historical Records Library.
The Showboat hosted leisure cruises and sunset dinners until 2006…