HOLMES BEACH – A local favorite for more than two decades, Peach’s Restaurant in the Anna Maria Island Shopping Center will close its doors for good on Sunday, June 16.
The Father’s Day closure was announced on social media on May 22 along with the news that a second Peach’s location in Ellenton would also be closing its doors on the same day. The shopping plazas where both restaurants are located are owned by Benderson Development.
Management for the local restaurant chain said that the decision to shutter both locations was made by Benderson, which refused to renew leases for the two locations, citing their plans to move in a different direction with both plazas. Representatives for Peach’s said that the leases both expire on June 30. They added that the closure of both locations affects approximately 40 employees who will be relocated to one of the chain’s six other area restaurants, if possible.
The Holmes Beach Peach’s has been open since 2001 with the Ellenton location opening in 2002.
While the restaurant’s management said they’re actively looking for new locations, nothing has been decided yet.
Representatives for Benderson did not return calls for comment by press time.
Fans of the Holmes Beach restaurant took to social media to express their dismay at the unexpected closure.
“Oh, we are heartbroken to hear this news,” Angie Blunt said, adding that Peach’s is her family’s favorite restaurant on Anna Maria Island and that the staff is like an extended family.
Resident and local activist Laurel Nevans offered to get signatures for a petition or help arrange a protest if the restaurant’s management thought it would help them hold on to the Holmes Beach space. The restaurant’s management replied that while they appreciated the help, they were told a new lease had already been signed for the space by an undisclosed tenant.
“We never imagined it wouldn’t be renewed,” they said of the lease with Benderson.
“This is so sad,” Island visitor Lisa Roberts said. “Visiting Peach’s for breakfast on the first and last morning of our holiday has been a family tradition every time we have visited Anna Maria Island/Holmes Beach from the U.K. over the last 20 years. We would also treat ourselves to lunch at Peach’s Ellenton on our shopping trip. So sad for you all. I do hope you find new locations. We return in April and hope to see you.”
“Have been visiting the Island for over 30 years and Peach’s is always a ‘must do’ on our list,” Debby Reed Howard said. “So very sorry to lose this landmark on AMI.”
“We are sad that we have to close, and we will miss making memories with everyone,” the restaurant’s management said. “AMI is a very special and unique Island, and we are so grateful to have been a part of it!”
The remaining Peach’s locations are at 3201 Manatee Ave. W. in Bradenton, 7315 52nd Place E. in Bradenton, 4292 Bee Ridge Road in Sarasota, 5240 State Road 64 in Bradenton, 6386 N. Lockwood Ridge Road in Sarasota and 1230 Jacaranda Blvd. in Venice.
