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Save Willie's:The Place for Seafood! Valrico, Fl

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Willie's: The Place for Seafood has been serving the Greater Brandon community for 45 years as a fish camp style restaurant. The building was constructed by Mr.  Lubeck Brandon in 1915 in the heart of downtown Valrico and was used as a general store.  In 1922, Mr. A.L. Porter purchased the building and continued operating as a store until 1941 when he sold out to his daughter and son-in-law, Zaidee and Henry Sharrar.  The store was operated by them as a general store selling groceries, dry goods, fuel, feed and in the words of Zaidee Sharrar, "anything that would turn a dollar."   During this period, it also housed the U.S. Post Office.  They sold the building in 1970 to the Russell family who converted it into a restaurant.  In 1975, it was purchased by William "Bill" Robinson to become the home of Fat Willie's Fish Camp. In 1998, Mr. Robinson sold the restaurant, but it was reacquired by the Robinson family in 2000 and renamed "Willie's: The Place for Seafood."

Recently with COVID-19 restrictions, economic downturns, and building maintenance needs, the Robinson family made the difficult decision to shut down Willie's: The Place for Seafood. However, the community has spoken loud and clear that Willie's is not just the best seafood restaurant around; it's a community center that offers a critical gathering place especially during these difficult times. It is a piece of everyone's history offering a sense of stability that is so important in the unknown present and future. Through discussions and social media posts, we have heard the heartfelt pleas to do something, anything to stay open.  The Robinson family would also like to continue to employ the many dedicated, long term employees while serving the freshest, best darn seafood around!  

While the Robinson family takes very seriously the social/emotional needs of our community,  a business at heart is an economic machine. The family has examined the various economic needs in order to re-open.  Bill Robinson's nephew, Chris Pate, and close family friend, Roy Mireles, are stepping up ready to carry the mantle of the Willie's Legacy. They are investing their money, time, and talents to rejuvenating the property, building, and restaurant.  Family and friends have donated sweat equity working in the building to clean and organize; however, the 106 year old building needs serious repairs in a few areas that we are struggling to accomplish economically.  One specific area is the flooring throughout the kitchen and dining area. It needs a lot of repair and replacement to be functional and safe. We need a dependable, trustworthy contractor along with funds to make it happen.  

This is where we all come in. We, the community, can raise funds and donate time and talents to keep this historic building strong.  Your help means that the employees will still have jobs, the freshest, best darn seafood will still be served, and you all can come spend time with each other every week telling stories about the good old days while creating new memories with your family and friends. 

While the next few months will continue to be difficult due to COVID-19, we can see light at the end of the tunnel and as long as the customers keep showing up, we can keep operating if we can repair the immediate needs of the building itself.  The Robinson Family thanks and appreciates every one who has shared words of encouragement and their personal history with not only the restaurant, but also the building. We are grateful for any donation to preserve our little bit of history in Valrico Village for future generations.


https://www.facebook.com/WilliesThePlaceForSeafood

Organizer

Amanda Faulkner Peterson
Organizer
Valrico, FL

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