Up-and-coming business celebrates wins at Meet Greet Eat

By Dana Kampa
| 5:00 p.m. April 11, 2025

Longboat Key
Neighbors

It has been a busy couple months for Three Island Monkeys, which opened in early January. Owner Brigette Kubin said she was glad to be among the 28 local organizations that connected directly with community members at this year's "Meet Greet Eat."

"We just finished our first quarter, and we're happy to report we beat our budget," Kubin shared, which she said was especially rewarding to see as the business community rebuilds from the 2024 hurricanes. "It's exciting for us, but also for our local artists we carry because they got exposure."

The Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce has hosted the free community event for nearly 20 years. President and CEO Kim Verreault said they happily presented a wide variety of booths this year, particularly those designed to help community members prepare for future hurricane seasons.

Ramin Mesghali, who works in commercial and residential sales with Jack Dean Flooring, provided a live demonstration of how products they carry can help provide a waterproof seal for floors, which he said many residents learned during last year's storms can be an important investment.

Storm-related services went beyond the home. Dr. Kitt Hill from AcuMed Wellness & Acupuncture guided attendees through some grounding exercises they can do when faced with anxiety brought on by storms or other stressors.

Other featured businesses included Mary Lou Johnson Photography. The namesake artist shared her latest product — two-sided puzzles showcasing her photography.

Longtime residents Tom and Jackie Michaelides said they appreciated the variety of booths at this year's event, especially Johnson's and that of Telfair Chiropractic.

"It's great to see what's right on the Key," Jackie said.

Attendees had plenty of opportunities to hear from the businesses as they circulated to the booths, getting their event passports stamped by each for a chance at a prize giveaway.

Kubin thanked everyone who attended and for that patrons who continue to support her business, and through that, the exclusive local artists it features. She looks forward to continuing to bring new energy to the north end of the Key.

Brigette Kubin, owner of the newly opened Three Island Monkeys, shows off the new sweaters the boutique is carrying during this year's "Meet Greet Eat."

Pianist Timmy Phelan returns to tickle the ivories at Meet Greet Eat 2025.

Longtime Longboat Key residents Tom and Jackie Michaelides said they especially enjoyed the booth by Mary Lou Johnson Photography.

Mary Lou Johnson stamps an event passport after sharing information about her new two-sided puzzles featuring her photography.

Evan Hall and Ashley Becker of Cadence Bank said they were glad to answer attendees' questions on available rates, especially considering the institution's focus on community.

Servpro's Debbie Shaffer, Paul Schott and Sierra Nunn educate attendees on the services they offer, particularly for treating stormwater damage.

Ramin Mesghali, who works in commercial and residential sales with Jack Dean Flooring, mixes up a solution for protecting floors from water seeping in.

Realtor Tryla Brown Larson of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices said clients get the advantage of working with a stable nationwide company combined with her local knowledge of the market as a full-time resident of six years.

Connie Darrah from the Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce helps attendees with their event passports.

Dee Newberry from Youthful Aging Home Care said some guests weren't aware they could take advantage of their services, which she was happy to outline at the event.

author

Dana Kampa

Dana Kampa is the Longboat Key neighbors reporter for the Observer. She first ventured into journalism in her home state of Wisconsin, going on to report community stories everywhere from the snowy mountains of Washington State to the sunny shores of the Caribbean. She has been a writer and photographer for more than a decade, covering what matters most to readers.