Seagrove Village Market Cafe celebrated 75th anniversary with a taste of deep fry

WALTON COUNTY, Fla. ( WMBB ) – Seagrove Village Market Cafe off Highway 30-A hosted an event to celebrate its 75th anniversary.

Since its beginning in 1949, the cafe has been a cherished destination for locals and visitors offering a taste of deep-fried love.

“We had the fried po’boy. We went back three days a week until we bought the place and had that. It’s just the best-fried shrimp and the best grilled and fried grouper. And I was actually in here buying a coke one day when the owners at the time were tired and decided they wanted to retire. I saw an opportunity. And so, for the last 25 years, we’ve been having more fun than the law allows. So that’s why today is so special,” Co-owner George Hartley said.

The cafe offered samples of their grouper, hush puppies, shrimp, key lime pie, and gumbo to eventgoers.

Customers say the food isn’t the main reason they always come back.

“Obviously the food’s good, but really, the reason why I’ve been coming for this long is because of the people here. And I actually was coming before the Hartleys even owned the village market with the original owners. But as long as the Hartleys have owned it, it’s just been great. The staff they put together and sort of the neighborhood environment that they create,” customer Tyler Nunn said.

Pairs challenged each other during a four-pound po’boy eating contest while others set off on a cafe scavenger hunt to learn more about the area and win prizes.

“So just kind of celebrating the history like, you know, just the food, the memories, a chance for people to share. We’re doing a scavenger hunt where I kind of go over some of the history of Seagrove. And it’s just this is just celebrating the community because you don’t make it 75 years without just great customers,” Nunn said.

The cafe hopes to continue providing a place for customers to gather, tell stories, and eat.

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