logo
104 year old business owner's legacy courses through Downtown Panama City

104 year old business owner's legacy courses through Downtown Panama City

Yahoo22-05-2025
PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WMBB) – Tucked between downtown Panama City's renovated storefronts and decades-old facades, sits Collectibles Etc.
The man behind the counter is proof that time can sometimes stand still.
At 104 years old, John Natoli still comes to work every day, greeting customers, dusting off memories, and sharing his love for beautiful things in his store.
It's like his business, Collectibles Etc., is frozen in time. However, John has lived his life like a man in motion.
U.S. Postal Service unveils new delivery vehicles and upgraded facility
He started his journey working at a stockyard in Jersey City, then found his voice in media working for a radio program called 'The Answer Man.'
That led him to ABC Paramount's record company. He eventually made his way west, settling in Arizona until 1976, when life brought him to Panama City.
'Came to town looking for a location to do a flower shop. We found the building next door, opened it Bay Flowers Etc. And we were lucky as hell,' Natoli said.
The shop was extremely successful. However, 10 years of hard work took a toll on John and his partner Fred.
He said they were worn out and ready for a new adventure.
'At that point, we always had the business right next door, 318. And we always had this place for storage. So when we got rid of the flower shop, it rented out, you know, to somebody we opened this as collectibles,' Natoli said.
As successful as Bay Flowers was, John noticed the shop's gift section was also doing big business.
'If somebody wanted a birthday thing for their daughter. Well, why do just a thing of flowers? Why not incorporate a doll, so we got into that sort of thing. So I made use of the collectibles that way,' Natoli added.
After more than 10 years, Collectibles Etc has been a downtown Panama City staple.
The opera and theater lover said his only regret is the possibility he won't see the Martin Theater reopen.
Northwest Florida Airport celebrates 15 years of exceptional service and growth
'I strongly regret and hate the fact that the powers that be have not got the Martin Theater landmark back after eight long years, eight long years. I don't regret anything. I was an optimistic person, which is why I'm probably still around. But that is the only thing I'm sorry not to have,' Natoli said.
John's one piece of life advice?
'Don't get old. Do not get old. It ain't worth it,' Natoli said.
John said he has no plans to retire soon. In fact, he said he doesn't make many plans at all. As he sees it, he's not just preserving the past, he's proving that purpose doesn't retire.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

President of European Commission meets Swinney ahead of Trump visit
President of European Commission meets Swinney ahead of Trump visit

Yahoo

time14 hours ago

  • Yahoo

President of European Commission meets Swinney ahead of Trump visit

First Minister John Swinney welcomed the President of the European Commission to Scotland ahead of her meeting with Donald Trump. Ursula von der Leyen travelled to Glasgow on Saturday ahead of her meeting with the US president at his Trump Turnberry resort in Girvan, Ayrshire, to discuss maintaining trade relations. However, she met with Mr Swinney on Saturday evening to discuss the UK's relationship with the European Union, and the wars in Gaza and Ukraine. Mr Swinney said: 'I was pleased to welcome the president of The European Commission Ursula von der Leyen to Scotland. 'During our meeting, I outlined Scotland's continued support for the European Union's leadership in demanding free and safe humanitarian aid in Gaza, alongside efforts to bring an end to the unbearable suffering unfolding. 'I also took the opportunity to reiterate Scotland's steadfast commitment to Ukraine and the country's commitment to work with European partners on key issues, including energy.' On Friday, Ms von der Leyen announced her plans on X, formerly known as Twitter, and wrote: 'Following a good call with @Potus, we have agreed to meet in Scotland on Sunday to discuss transatlantic trade relations, and how we can keep them strong.'

New steakhouse to open in downtown Minneapolis next week
New steakhouse to open in downtown Minneapolis next week

Yahoo

timea day ago

  • Yahoo

New steakhouse to open in downtown Minneapolis next week

New steakhouse to open in downtown Minneapolis next week originally appeared on Bring Me The News. A new restaurant is ready to move into the historic Farmers and Mechanics Savings Bank building — part of the Westin Minneapolis — in Downtown Minneapolis. Stock & Bond will officially open on July 31. It will focus on steak and American whiskey, serving breakfast and dinner daily. The restaurant, a multi-million-dollar project, is a new concept from the national restaurant brand Apicii, led by Tom Dillon. The restaurant group operates dozens of restaurants across the country, including Breva Bar & Grill and Masa & Agave in Hotel Ivy. 'This restaurant is a tribute to Minnesota's rich culinary heritage – honoring the farmers, ranchers and distillers who define the spirit of steak and whiskey," says Dillon. "Opening in such a storied landmark only deepens our connection to the city and its legacy." The kitchen is led by executive chef John Sobojinski, who returned to Minnesota in 2021 following six years in New York City restaurants and spent time at the Wood & Paddle at the Royal Sonesta Hotel in Downtown Minneapolis. Some of Stock & Bond's featured cuts will include Heritage Black Angus beef, sourced from Linz Heritage Angus, as well as Fellers Ranch Magyu, served as skirt steak and New York Strip. Also on the menu are appetizers like Caviar Tots and Heritage Pork Buns with a bourbon maple glaze, cucumbers, and pickled vegetable salad. Its raw bar is crowned by a Chilled Seafood Tower with oysters, shrimp, Maine lobster, and yellowfin tartare. Other dishes include Poached Halibut, Short Rib Ravioli, and 16-Layer Chocolate Cake. The drink program is led by Bar Manager Ross Nelson, formerly of Daniel Del Prado Hospitality and Tilia. It will offer more than 350 American whiskeys, bourbons, and ryes, with a cocktail list that, unsurprisingly, leans heavily into whiskey cocktails. It'll also offer an expansive wine list and local craft beers. Stock & Bond, at 88 South 6th St. in Minneapolis, will begin serving breakfast and dinner daily on July 31. Shortly after the opening, it will begin serving lunch, offering a mix of salads, sandwiches, and steaks, including a Wagyu Beer story was originally reported by Bring Me The News on Jul 26, 2025, where it first appeared. Solve the daily Crossword

Australia, Britain sign 50-year AUKUS submarine partnership treaty
Australia, Britain sign 50-year AUKUS submarine partnership treaty

Yahoo

time2 days ago

  • Yahoo

Australia, Britain sign 50-year AUKUS submarine partnership treaty

SYDNEY (Reuters) -Australia's government said on Saturday it signed a treaty with Britain to bolster cooperation over the next 50 years on the AUKUS nuclear submarine partnership. The AUKUS pact, agreed upon by Australia, Britain and the U.S. in 2021, aims to provide Australia with nuclear-powered attack submarines from the next decade to counter China's ambitions in the Indo-Pacific. U.S. President Donald Trump's administration announced a formal review of the pact this year. Defence Minister Richard Marles said in a statement that the bilateral treaty was signed with Britain's Defence Secretary John Healey on Saturday after a meeting in the city of Geelong, in Victoria state. "The Geelong Treaty will enable comprehensive cooperation on the design, build, operation, sustainment, and disposal of our SSN-AUKUS submarines," the statement said. The treaty was a "commitment for the next 50 years of UK-Australian bilateral defence cooperation under AUKUS Pillar I", it said, adding that it built on the "strong foundation" of trilateral AUKUS cooperation. Britain's ministry of defence said this week that the bilateral treaty would underpin the two allies' submarine programmes and was expected to be worth up to 20 billion pounds ($27.1 billion) for Britain in exports over the next 25 years. AUKUS is Australia's biggest-ever defence project, with Canberra committing to spend A$368 billion over three decades to the programme, which includes billions of dollars of investment in the U.S. production base. Australia, which this month paid A$800 million to the U.S. in the second instalment under AUKUS, has maintained it is confident the pact will proceed. The defence and foreign ministers of Australia and Britain held talks on Friday in Sydney on boosting cooperation, coinciding with Australia's largest war games. As many as 40,000 troops from 19 countries are taking part in the Talisman Sabre exercises held from July 13 to August 4, which Australia's military has said are a rehearsal for joint warfare to maintain Indo-Pacific stability. Britain has significantly increased its participation in the exercise co-hosted by Australia and the United States, with aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales taking part this year. Solve the daily Crossword

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store