Mark Ainslie says every day was different during 15 years at Flora-Bama

Mark Ainslie says every day was different during 15 years at Flora-Bama

Mark Ainslie, who recently retired after punching the clock for 15 years as a manager at the Flora-Bama Lounge, said he has enjoyed every job he has held, including cutting meat at Winn Dixie for eight years and the 23 years he spent between Southwest and Continental airlines doing everything from working on ground crews to being a flight attendant. But it was only at the Flora-Bama where every day was an entire new experience.
“I’ve been really fortunate. I’ve had some good jobs,’’ Mark said from his RV overlooking King Lake in Defuniak Springs, just up the road from his sister’s homestead in rural Northwest Florida. “And it’s funny that when I was in the airline business, I spent a lot of time drinking at bars. But when I got in the bar business, I didn’t drink very much. I realized what I must look like.’’
Mark ended at the Bama through working at the Pensacola Airport with Sheryl McClellan, the wife of Flora-Bama co-owner Pat McClellan. Mark was living in Pirates Cove on his boat and would help Paul Mueller with the bar there. He would also help his friend Jack West when there was a big event at Judge Roy Bean’s, which he said was a mini-Bama.
“I thoroughly enjoyed the variety of people that would come through the Flora-Bama. I don’t think any day was the same,’’ Mark said. “I guess Joe and Pat said it best years ago when they described it as a place where bikers and billionaires can both hang out.
“I had some health issues, and I felt like it was time to ease out before I fell out,’’ he added. “But while I was there, I was fortunate enough to work for some of the finest people I’ve ever known. Pat (McClellan), Joe (the late Joe Gilchrist), Cam Price, John McInnis, and John’s dad, Mr. Mac. They are all incredible people, and I love them all to death.’’
Mark said he will start taking RV trips in the fall, but he is content right now to live life at a slower pace. “I am enjoying the heck out of it,’’ he said. “I always wanted to wake up and say, ‘Cool. I don’t have to go to work today, tomorrow or the next day.’’
The Frank Brown Songwriters Fest, the surprise sets from visiting Nashville stars. The children’s events like the Easter Bunny and Santa Claus parachuting in. Mark’s favorite memories of the Flora-Bama are many. And when he says the Flora-Bama is a blessed place, he means it literally.
“One of the best things the Flora-Bama ever did was allowing the church in there. That was 13 years ago and to this day it is a truly blessed bar,’’ he said. “There have been so many baptisms in the Gulf. There are a lot of people that are never going to be reached if you don’t take it outside of church walls.’’
Almost one month into his retirement, Mark said he didn’t realize how much fun it was just to simply relax by a lake and watch Westerns on TV. “It’s like every day is Saturday, and if I go to church that day, it must be Sunday,’’ he said.