[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 9 (Wednesday, January 16, 2019)]
[Senate]
[Pages S271-S272]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    RECOGNIZING INDIAN PASS RAW BAR

 Mr. RUBIO. Mr. President, today I would like to highlight the 
hard work and unique entrepreneurial spirit that can be found across my 
home State of Florida. As chairman of the Senate Committee on Small 
Business and Entrepreneurship, each week I recognize a small business 
that exemplifies hard work and dedication toward the local

[[Page S272]]

community. Today, it is my distinct privilege to honor Indian Pass Raw 
Bar from Port St. Joe in Gulf County, FL, as the Senate Small Business 
of the Week.
  Indian Pass Raw Bar has deep historical ties to the Florida Panhandle 
along the coastline of the Gulf of Mexico, tracing its roots to a 
commissary store founded in 1903, for workers in the then-booming 
turpentine industry. It is located in the same building as the original 
Indian Pass Trading Post that opened in 1929, where Mrs. Gypsy McNeil 
established her talent with her delicious seafood gumbo.
  In 1986, Hurricane Kate struck the Florida Panhandle and destroyed 
the Indian Pass Trading Post. The McNeil family showed resilience after 
the storm and recovered by converting the general store into an oyster 
bar, setting the stage for business to skyrocket.
  Twenty-three miles from Apalachicola, FL, Indian Pass Raw Bar serves 
the panhandle's world-famous oysters and iconic seafood dishes, such as 
steamed shrimp and crab legs. Drinks are served on an honor system 
where customers keep their tabs to turn in at checkout, treating 
customers like trusted friends. It has become a renowned location for 
Floridians and tourists alike to enjoy time with family. Southern 
Living magazine once described Indian Pass Raw Bar as ``quite possibly 
the best seafood shack in existence.'' It has also received praise from 
the Garden & Gun magazine as one of Florida's ``Hidden Hotspots.'' 
Indian Pass Raw Bar's success continued with the opening of a second 
location in June 2017, in downtown Port St. Joe, FL.
  In October 2018, category 5 Hurricane Michael devastated the Florida 
Panhandle, including Gulf County. The storm severely damaged Indian 
Pass Raw Bar, as high winds blew off the front door, forcefully removed 
the air-conditioning system, and threw its iconic street sign hundreds 
of yards away. However, just as they did after the 1986 storm, the 
McNeil family is rebuilding and looks forward to continuing to serve 
their world-famous oysters again this spring. Upon reopening, they will 
welcome visitors to the gulf coast of Florida for their 90th year in 
business.
  The Indian Pass Raw Bar became what it is today partly because of 
Hurricane Kate in 1986. The McNeil family understands how devastating 
these storms truly are and the impact they can have on small business 
and working families. To help their community, the McNeil family 
enthusiastically opened their facilities as emergency supply 
distribution centers to their neighbors in need, despite having their 
own difficulties. Meredith McNeil said in October 2018: ``This whole 
area, the whole Gulf, we've done this before. We're all resilient.''
  This is the kind of commitment to community that is unique to 
American small business. During a catastrophe, the Indian Pass Raw Bar 
helped bring their fellow citizens together by offering emergency 
supplies in order to help their customers and to give back to the 
community that has supported their business. Indian Pass Raw Bar is an 
example of Florida's exceptional entrepreneurship, continuing a 90-year 
history, being resilient and innovative in its approach to challenges, 
and giving back to the community during a time of need. I would like to 
congratulate the McNeil family and all the employees at Indian Pass Raw 
Bar for being named the Senate Small Business of the Week for the week 
of January 14 to 18, 2019. I wish them continued success in their 
future endeavors.

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