Column: After 49 years of servicing fishing community, Messer’s will close down

  • Messer’s Westside Bait & Tackle manager Jimmy Darby (left) engages in conversation with store customer Curtis Aleshire Friday morning. (MARK BLUMENTHAL / Palatka Daily News)
    Messer’s Westside Bait & Tackle manager Jimmy Darby (left) engages in conversation with store customer Curtis Aleshire Friday morning. (MARK BLUMENTHAL / Palatka Daily News)
  • Store manager Jimmy Darby scoops up bait from one of the tanks at Messer’s Westside Bait & Tackle Friday morning. Today marks the final day the store will be open in its 46-year existence. (MARK BLUMENTHAL / Palatka Daily News)
    Store manager Jimmy Darby scoops up bait from one of the tanks at Messer’s Westside Bait & Tackle Friday morning. Today marks the final day the store will be open in its 46-year existence. (MARK BLUMENTHAL / Palatka Daily News)
Friday morning was run of the mill for store manager Jimmy Darby. A longtime patron of Darby’s business walked to the register along with Darby to pay for a number of Coors Light and Pabst Blue…

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