AMI Outfitters Coastal Gear & Apparel has surpassed big-box retailers in the Anna Maria Island/Bradenton area to achieve the 2018 “Best Outdoor Sports Store” Award. This is the shop’s third consecutive annual award in their category.
The award recognizes their high quality gear for fishing, paddleboarding and kayaking, along with their top brands of technical apparel for men, including exclusive Patagonia and Simms AMI-branded sun shirts and sun hats. Unique features of their merchandise include portable fishing kits and inflatable paddleboards, which travelers are able to enjoy while vacationing on the Island and then easily transport home.
Founder and proprietor Steve Traves specializes in saltwater fly fishing, offering locally- tied flies, fly tying materials, tying classes and casting lessons, as well as both fly and spin charter trips daily.
Now in his sixth year of business, Traves recently launched a new venture within the shop, curating a special collection of local and regional craft beers. He is introducing outdoorsmen visiting the Island from all over the country to a variety of Florida brews they can’t find back home. His shop now carries 25 IPAs, golden and dark ales, pilsners and wheat beers from Bradenton, Sarasota, Tampa, St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Plant City, Delray Beach, Miami and Islamorada.
“Shopping small and local is extremely important to the grassroots outdoor industry, so we decided to represent Florida entrepreneurs who are members of the Independent Craft Brewers Association,” Traves says. “Regional and local craft beers are a perfect fit with our Florida-crafted fishing gear, like Nautilus fly reels made in Miami, Tibor fly reels hand-crafted in Delray Beach and Renzetti vises for fly-tying, made in Titusville.”