LOUISE BOLGER | SUN
New owners Sharon Evans and Brian Mathae welcome
locals and visitors to Hurricane Hanks.
It may be March, but there’s a new hurricane that just blew into town, only this one isn’t fueled by warm ocean temperatures. This one is fueled by old friendships, devotion to food and love of Anna Maria.
Hurricane Hanks restaurant and Hurricane Liquors next door have been in Holmes Beach for many years. The restaurant has been a magnet for locals and visitors alike with repeat long time customers, and the full-service liquor store also conveniently located dead center on the Island, stocks the largest selection of beer, wines and spirits on Anna Maria. So, it was no surprise that when they became available for sale it was quickly snapped up by Island loving partners.
Sharon Evans and her husband, Mark, bought a second home in Holmes Beach three years ago. While these Winnipeg, Canada, natives were vacationing in Naples, they decided to take a ride to Anna Maria Island. As soon as they crossed the bridge from Longboat Key, they knew they were never going back to Naples, and they didn’t. After checking into one of Anna Maria’s charming Gulffront hotels, they were totally convinced this was the place for them and bought a house the next day.
Brian Mathae became friends with Mark Evans in high school and with Sharon Evans in college. He took a trip to visit his old friends on Anna Maria in April last year, his first trip to Florida’s west coast. After returning to Winnipeg, he decided that he didn’t want to wait to retire to live in paradise. He resigned his position as director of sales for Blue Cross, and he and Sharon Evans started looking for a viable business on Anna Maria. In December, he moved to the Island, and in January this year, Sharon Evans and Brian Mathae became the new owners of Hurricane Hanks and Hurricane Liquors.
Mathae was originally in the restaurant business, moving up the restaurant ladder to the management level before he decided to go back to school and become a CPA, but his first love was always restaurants. He runs the day to day operation of both Hurricane Hanks and Hurricane Liquors, working every day, and as Sharon Evans says, hardly ever leaving the Island. Evans travels back and forth between Winnipeg and Anna Maria to oversee her ladies’ boutique in Winnipeg and keep track of the kids.
The transition from the old owner was seamless, all of the staff stayed on and the customers haven’t missed a beat, encouraging the new owners not to change a thing. Hurricane Hanks has a full bar and two different happy hours, Tiki Happy Hour between 2 and 4 p.m. every day and their new Retro Cocktail Hour between 10 p.m. and midnight where they will have a small late night menu and retro cocktails from your parent’s era. The lunch menu will also start to feature some healthier options.
Hurricane Hank’s menu choices range from soups, salads, sandwiches and burgers to beer battered baskets, entrees like stuffed grouper, shrimp and scallops or beef choices like ribeye steak and a killer beef filet mignon. There's something for everyone at competitive prices, and take out is available.
Hurricane Liquors has an enormous inventory and Mathae is reviewing the wine list with an eye to both higher end and everyday wine choices. They are considering adding delivery from the liquor store, which also stocks beer and soft drinks.
Evans and Mathae have given the restaurant a face lift and started upgrading equipment, but have not increased prices in either the restaurant or liquor store. They look forward to getting more involved in local charities and community events and are thankful to the loyal Hurricane Hanks customers who have made them feel welcome. They can rest assured that the Hank’s vibe will not change, and their goal is to make everyone happy and comfortable.
Great beaches, great restaurants and great people – that’s what these old friends have discovered on Anna Maria. They’re into the Island life and not going back; something most of us already knew.
Hurricane Hanks
5346 Gulf Drive
Holmes Beach
941-778-5788
Sunday to Thursday:
11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Friday & Saturday:
11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Tiki happy hour:
2 p.m. to 4 p.m. every day
Retro cocktail hour:
10 p.m. to Midnight every day
All major credit cards accepted
Hurricane Liquors
5344 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach
941-779-2337
Open Daily: 9 a.m. –10 p.m.
All major credit cards accepted