No matter how many individuals appear in the pages of each edition of Keys Weekly, there are always so many more of our community members who deserve to be recognized. In an effort to shine a spotlight on more of the incredible individuals who live and work in these islands, Keys Weekly is proud to present our Neighbor of the Week feature, dedicated to celebrating a community member with each issue.
Our neighbor of the week is Michael “Mikey” Shaner, who is the general manager and butcher at Grassy Key Land and Sea Market. When he’s not working he likes to fish or go golfing. You can also catch him at Bongos hanging out with his dog, Jade.
MIKEY SHANER
Grassy Key Land & Sea Market
How long have you been in the Keys and what brought you here? I’ve been in the Florida Keys for a year and eight months, and I moved down to help open Grassy Key Land and Sea with Matt Sexton.
What’s the most ‘steak-tacular’ compliment a customer has ever given you? The best compliment I’ve ever gotten is when a customer told me, “That steak was so good, it made me want to slap my mama.”
What’s a local business you couldn’t live without? Definitely Keys Strength and Conditioning. I’m there six days a week and they’re open 24 hours, so it works well with my schedule.
What’s a talent you wish you had? I wish I was better at kiteboarding.
If there was one chore/regular task you could have taken away from you forever, what would it be? The one sure thing that I could do without is folding laundry. I absolutely despise it.
What is your current state of mind? Currently, my mind is at ease. I’m in good health, my family and friends are in good health. Business is good, and the weather is beautiful. Can’t ask for much more.
What is your favorite cut of meat? That would be a tie between the fifth cut porterhouse steak or a tri-tip.
What’s something you’re really proud of? I’m really proud of my work ethic. My parents and my grandparents instilled that when I was young and something that I’ve always taken pride in.
Would you rather: A) Every stop light you ever come to for the rest of your life is red when you first get there, or B) Once per year for 24 hours, you turn into a loaf of bread? I would most certainly turn into a loaf of bread for 24 hours.
What do you most value in your friends? The quality I find best in friends is loyalty. Not much better in this world than a loyal friend.
Which three famous people would you invite to a dinner party and why? I would invite both Josh Allen and Jim Kelly because they were both quarterbacks for my favorite football team, the Buffalo Bills. The third one would probably be Scottie Scheffler. He’s the best golfer in the world and I’d probably pick his brain about golf and have him help me with my swing.
What’s a simple pleasure that brings you joy? Taking a five-minute break in the morning, going out behind Grassy Flats and sitting in the hammock and just staring at the water. It makes the rest of my day much more enjoyable.
If you had a time machine, would you travel to the future or to the past? I would most certainly travel to the past. I would want to go to certain points in history, but I would probably like to visit the great pyramids when they were being constructed.
What’s a secret about you that people might be surprised to learn? I almost joined the Marines when I was 17 and kept it a secret from my family until the recruiter called my house. Then I almost joined the Air Force when I was 27 and never told anybody about it until just now.
Know someone who would be a good “Neighbor of the Week?” Email keysweeklyjen@gmail.com.
