Escape from New York: noted restaurateur ditches home state for Florida

Buddy Foy believes state authorities gave him the proverbial finger when it comes to doing business there during the pandemic. Florida, on the other hand, raised another finger: thumbs up.

  • By Mark Gordon
  • | 6:00 a.m. January 22, 2021
  • | 0 Free Articles Remaining!
Mark Wemple. In late December, Buddy and Jennifer Foy opened The Chateau Anna Maria in the former Eliza Ann’s Coastal Kitchen space inside Waterline Marina Resort on Anna Maria Island.
Mark Wemple. In late December, Buddy and Jennifer Foy opened The Chateau Anna Maria in the former Eliza Ann’s Coastal Kitchen space inside Waterline Marina Resort on Anna Maria Island.
  • Entrepreneurs
  • Share

When now Sen. Rick Scott was governor of Florida, he famously cold-called executives in Cleveland, Chicago and New York on blustery winter days. The pitch was simple: Ditch the Midwest and Northeast, and come down to Florida, where the weather is nice, and state taxes are nil.

 

Continue reading your article
with a Business Observer subscription.
What's included:
  • ✓ Unlimited digital access to BusinessObserverFL.com
  • ✓ E-Newspaper app, digital replica of print edition
  • ✓ Mailed print newspaper every Friday (optional)
  • ✓ Newsletter of daily business news
Subscribe

Already subscribed? Sign in.

Latest News

  • December 4, 2025
450-unit Nokomis apartment complex opens near Legacy Trail
  • December 4, 2025
Developer proposes Tampa's tallest building: 70 stories at $650 million
  • December 4, 2025
Airline adds flight from Fort Myers to upstate New York
  • December 4, 2025
50-year-old Tampa education-tech firm receives $350M investment

Sponsored Content