If your greatest aspiration in life is to be a beach bum and you live or visit Anna Maria Island, you've landed in the right place. At least that's what Bill and Linda Staley think. After living their "real" life in Brandon from Monday to Friday, on weekends they head to their second home and shop in Anna Maria transforming into beach bums.

Bill Staley purchased Beach Bum Billy's in July of 2005, after eighteen years of visiting and enjoying Anna Maria's laid-back lifestyle. He offers just about everything you need to make your vacation complete, entertain your winter visitors or remind you that you still live on an island.

Beach Bum Billy's is more than just a place to rent bikes and kayaks. You can buy all kinds of beach supplies, skim boards, chairs, umbrellas, snorkel gear, sandals, float toys, cameras, gifts, T-shirts and hats and even cold drinks. The Staleys can also arrange a sailing or fishing charter as well as trips to Egmont Key and as they say much, much more.

If it is a bike or kayak you want, they have very flexible rental arrangements, and best of all, they have a complimentary delivery service. Kayaks can be rented for a half or full day, weekly or monthly. Bikes can be rented hourly to monthly. Beach Bum Billy's will also take your picture and post it to MySpace.com, so everyone can see what a great time you're having. There also are gift certificates, a great birthday or anniversary present for some of your winter guests.

During the week, Darrell Kee and Ryan Stroh run the shop, and Staley makes the point of saying they all go out of their way to serve their customers, many of whom keep coming back year after year. In fact, Staley is so happy with the way his business has grown that he is making plans for another location in the near future.

As Bill Staley says, "we run a user friendly beach shop, that's convenient, fair and flexible. What better way to spend your day than helping people have a good time." Beach Bum Billy's will provide the right "stuff" to make your time on the Island fun or the next time the urge to be a beach bum strikes.

Beach Bum Billy's
Island Beach Store
427 Pine Avenue
Anna Maria
(941) 778-3316
9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily
Major credit cards accepted
www.beachbumbillys.com