Boat concert to benefit Low Key Tiki employees
Doing it up “island-style,” Matlacha resident and business owner Jim Frock will demonstrate his compassion for his neighbors this weekend with a party.
On learning about the arson fire that destroyed Low Key Tiki in St. James City, Frock, owner of Seven Seas Bait and Tackle, sought a way to help. After speaking with the owners of Low Key Tiki, Barb and Scott Adams, Frock learned that perhaps the greatest loss as a result of the blaze were the jobs held by several of the business’ employees.
“We will be back, after sifting through the red tape and dealing with the county and insurance company, we will be fine and will begin to rebuild. Those suffering most in the meantime, will be our employees,” Barb Adams said. “During these tough times, it will be very difficult for them to find new jobs while waiting for us to rebuild, but with Jim’s help, it is our hope that these wonderful people will be able to get by for now.”
Frock has rallied the support of other business owners on the island and Sunday, Nov. 7, they will host a Boat Concert to benefit the employees of Low Key Tiki. Frock and his crew of volunteers will set sail for Picnic Island, just off the southern tip of St. James City, to throw a party and collect funds for the fire victims.
The event will take place from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and will offer attendees six hours of live music, as well as food fresh off the grill and cold beverages for a modest donation.
“Eric from Woody’s will be loading his cooker onto a boat to join us and cook up food to sell throughout the afternoon,” Frock said. “At this point, every business I have approached to help out has been ready and willing to pitch in, but somehow that doesn’t surprise me because that is what we islanders do.”
The sponsors for the event include the Lazy Flamingo, Woody’s Waterside, the Waterfront Restaurant, Ragged Ass Saloon, BMI Dock Builders, Island Boat Works, the Matlacha Hookers, Inurhole Fishing Team, Bert’s Bar and Grill, Seven Seas Bait and Tackle, Monroe Canal Marina, Disaster Restoration, York Road Marina, Froggy’s, Old Pine Island Marine and Bob and Annie’s Marina.
In 2007, Bob and Annie’s had also fallen victim to arson which destroyed the boat yard of the facility.
“We feel it is very important that we contribute to the Low Key Tiki fund-raiser,” Randy Fowlds, a spokesman for Bob and Annie’s, said. “I remember the generosity of this community when we had our fire, and I personally feel that this means a lot to me to be able to help our neighbors in their time of need.”
Providing music throughout the event will be the groups Strange Arrangement and Deb and the Dynamics.
All proceeds collected during the Boat Concert will go directly to those who lost jobs due to the arson at Low Key Tiki.
For more information, call Jim Frock at Seven Seas Bait and Tackle at 283-1674.