Anna Maria businesses form merchants group

The merchants and business owners of Anna Maria City, on the north end of Anna Maria Island, recently joined forces and formed the NEMO group—the North End Merchants Organization. With a clown fish as their logo, NEMO’s mission is “to connect the community and businesses of the city of Anna Maria.”

So far 25 out of the 59 existing businesses in Anna Maria are members of NEMO with more expected to join. To accomplish this, NEMO is planning several events to bridge the gap between the two entities and to let the community know the businesses of Anna Maria are there to support their citizens.

A cleanup effort took place July 5. After a weekend of holiday visitors, NEMO went to work along the beaches, shorelines and streets to clean up any trash left from the holiday weekend. Wearing ‘NEMO at work’ t-shirts, about 30 volunteers collected more than 50 full bags of trash.

NEMO has several upcoming events, including participation in the Oct. 29 Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce’s Trail of Treats. Anna Maria City businesses will be open until 7 p.m., handing out candy to trick-or-treaters.

Through their membership and fundraising efforts, NEMO will also help to raise funds for the Pier Centennial banners that will be displayed throughout the city.