Travel Detour Through Starke

Detour Through Downtown Starke

BY FABRIZIO GOWDY

Since opening in 2019, a bypass around Starke, Florida on US 301 has saved travelers about 5 minutes on their drive. But for those with enough patience to bypass the bypass, Downtown Starke’s historic Call Street is a great place to get out and take a stroll.

When you turn off 301 and on to East Call Street, fast food restaurants and auto shops give way to all the hallmarks of small town America—mom-and-pop businesses, tidy shopfronts, and a charming Norman Rockwell feel. For 75 cents, you can still read a copy of the Bradford County Telegraph, headquartered on Call Street and operating since 1893. A clock tower topping the old county courthouse and large columns in front of the old county bank greet you as you stroll down the street, home to 23 historic buildings.

One of Starke’s most prominent structures is the Florida Twin Theater, towering over the circular brick intersection of East Call and Walnut streets with its art deco style and light blue neon lights. Family-owned and operated since 1941, the theater plays new releases on its two screens. With $7 movie tickets and a $3.50 large popcorn, it’ll be your cheapest trip to the movies in years; the cash-only biz helps keep costs low.

Call Street’s dining options include Tony and Al’s Deli, a cozy Italian place with authentic food and hearty portions that won’t leave you hungry. Sapp Station Coffee shop and the Call Street Cafe are both open until early afternoon and are a good option for breakfast, lunch, and coffee. If you’re craving a frozen treat after dinner, Dink’s Place is a highly rated frozen yogurt shop just around the corner from Sapp Station. Another option is Powell’s Dairy Freeze, a Starke staple—think Dreamette but even cheaper. The waiters at Powell’s come to you and take your order from your car. Enjoy a $1.65 ice cream cone or try Powell’s famous footlong steak sandwich, if you’re feeling glutonous.

Next time you’re on 301, don’t settle for a bathroom break and a bite to eat at a McDonald’s—experience small town charm and throwback prices in Downtown Starke. Swing by Call Street for dinner, a movie date, or even just a quick walk to stretch your legs.. u

Cheeseburgers On Paradise

Jimmy Buffet is more of a brand name than a musician these days. From hotels to RV resorts to tortilla chips, his name is stamped on them all, including the Margaritaville at Sea Paradise, a 658-cabin cruise ship that sails out of the Port of Palm Beach. Relatively small by today’s cruise standards, the ship runs 3-day, 2-night trips between Florida and Freeport in the Bahamas. Pools, fitness center, spa, casino, shops and restaurants—it has all the standard passenger amenities, as well as the 5 O’Clock Somewhere Bar & Grille and a theater showing the “Tales from Margaritaville: Jimmy’s Ship Show” written and produced by the lead Parrothead himself. Rates start at less than $150 per person.

LUCKY STRIKE

Fort Screven on Tybee Island was established in 1897 to serve as a defensive position at the mouth of the Savannah River, a valued service it provided until the end of World War II. Today, the old fort site is home to one of Tybee’s more unusual guest lodgings. Originally built in 1910 as a library and bowling alley for personnel stationed here, The Alley has been renovated by the husband-andwife team Brent and Rebecca Watts as an Airbnb rental to feature six bedrooms, four full baths, kitchen, laundry and heated pool. Plus, it is equipped with its very own Brunswick bowling alley, complete with automatic ball return, pin setter and scoreboard. It sleeps up to 14 guests for approximately $500 per night. Who’s got next?