There is a reason for everything… the reason why I began this segment of writing called Flagler’s Finest is because of a particular person who represents the special-ness of Flagler Beach and it’s residents. If she lived in Hollywood, you’d think they named the town after her. Hollie Mahoney is indeed one of Flagler’s Finest people and she has the most awesome laugh to prove it.

I first met Hollie through her son Jeremiah, who is now my dentist. They were a family of five living in a two bedroom, 750 square foot apartment. Downstairs was their meat market, which was the hub for all the town chatter. Her husband Bug, who is also her high school sweetheart and three kids, migrated down from Minnesota for a life at the beach. They resided in her sister’s garage until they purchased the market and upstairs apartment. With a hundred dollars in the register and 28$ in the bank they embarked on an adventure that would affect more lives than just slicing a person a fine cut of beef.

The Mahoney apartment was like a clubhouse, as kids would pop in and out throughout the course of the day. Bug and Hollie were like surrogate parents to most of the children living in Flagler, and if you didn’t know them you would definitely think they had more than just two daughters and a son. Their business also reflected their close family life as every customer that came in had a story to share and there was nothing like a meat market sub!!

Things have changed but Hollie has stayed the same wonderful person that everyone loves. She has brought her charisma and warmth to City Hall and gifted Publix with her skills behind the sub counter; and let me add that her fantastic laugh can be heard from across the aisles, bringing an instant smile to your face. Her personality and sense of humor are something that I count as a true life possession. And of course I asked her what her favorite thing about Flagler Beach is and she replied, “We just love driving over the bridge and I always say how lucky we are!”

Thank you Hollie for being an inspiration in my life!!