Locals gathered for Ms. Newby's 50th anniversary, Chili-Jambalaya Cookoff
BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) – For 50 years Ms. Newby's has been a staple in the local community. Known for its lively atmosphere, cold drinks, indoor liquor store, and unforgettable memories.
Whether it's locals gathering after work or tourists looking for a taste of true beach culture Newby's has been the place to be.
'I come here very frequently for a lot of reasons. As a matter of fact, I've been coming here for about 35 years now. I haven't lived here that long, but every time we come for vacation or spring break, then we always come here. it's friendly and no matter who you sit next to at the bar or a table or meeting outside, you always make new friends,' customer Donna Mason said.
Margaritaville hosted their annual Margarita University in Panama City Beach
Ms. Newby was established in 1974 on the corner of Joan Avenue and Thomas Drive by Melva Newby. What started as a small inside bar with around 10 seats turned into an expansion of 4 locations around Panama City Beach and Bay County.
Officials say the reason the business is running so well is because the community knows where the owner's hearts lie.
'I think people have just gravitated to it because everyone in town knew Melva. Everyone in town knows Charlotte. And they're starting to get to know Will West and I and they know where our hearts are. Our hearts lie in the community. And we believe Bay County, you know, we want everything around us on Thomas Drive to prosper Because whatever is good around us even makes us even better,' Operations Director Lindsey Pickenpaugh said.
Something that has always remained on the top of Newby's bargoers' desires is their famous hunch punch.
For 50 years people have been dying to know the secret ingredient in Newby's classic hunch punch.
Officials say while they can't spill the beans on the punch's secret formula they did reveal one thing. It's definitely surrounded by alcohol.
'Everclear, a rum, and a vodka and so that's what we're able to tell you. Now, the red mix can never tell you. You can keep guessing, but no one has guessed yet,' Pickenpaugh said.
Two arrested following deadly shooting in Panama City
Pickenpaugh says there's always some possibility for another Newby on the west end, but for now, their hands are full.
The other Newby's locations include Newby's Too, Newby's Brew and Booze House, and Newby's Brew on the Bay.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) – Ms. Newby's was established in 1975 on the corner of Joan Avenue and Thomas Drive by Melva Newby. Melva named the business after herself, as one of the first women to open a bar in the area. 'My grandmother she did many things in our early life, and she always wanted to open the bar. And back in the seventies, it was very rare for a woman to be in the bar business. So she was one of the first in Panama City Beach,' Ms. Newby's Owner Will Pickenpaugh said. Niceville man arrested after attempt to sell stolen car online Years later, David Newby opened another business down the road, called Newby's Package and Lounge. It is now called Newby's Too. 'That was my grandfather's. That was David Newby, killer, and it was a strip club, and we decided to turn it into a more, you know, sophisticated kind of bar,' Newby's Too Owner Wesley Pickenpaugh said. The business has stayed in the family, it was passed down to Charlotte Newby. When she retired, the business went to her children, Will and Wesley Pickenpaugh. 'It's really like a family here. You know, so makes it that much more enjoyable to come to work every day,' Pickenpaugh said. They went on to open two other locations, called Newby's Brew and Booze and, Newby's Brew On The Bay. Each location offers a place where you can meet people from all walks of life. 'You'll meet a barber, then you'll meet like a plumber, and you'll meet everyone from all types of work. And they come in to drink, and it's just it's like a surreal moment,' Ms. Newbys's Bartender Sarah Rodriguez said. Enjoy some local state parks for free this summer As Newby's continues to grow, you could see more locations in the future. 'I would have told you we wouldn't have four, so I can't say there's not going to be five,' Retired Ms. Newby's Owner Charlotte Newby said. The 50th anniversary celebration will continue throughout the weekend, with live music and Newby's classic Hunch Punch. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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Locals gathered for Ms. Newby's 50th anniversary, Chili-Jambalaya Cookoff
BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) – For 50 years Ms. Newby's has been a staple in the local community. Known for its lively atmosphere, cold drinks, indoor liquor store, and unforgettable memories. Whether it's locals gathering after work or tourists looking for a taste of true beach culture Newby's has been the place to be. 'I come here very frequently for a lot of reasons. As a matter of fact, I've been coming here for about 35 years now. I haven't lived here that long, but every time we come for vacation or spring break, then we always come here. it's friendly and no matter who you sit next to at the bar or a table or meeting outside, you always make new friends,' customer Donna Mason said. Margaritaville hosted their annual Margarita University in Panama City Beach Ms. Newby was established in 1974 on the corner of Joan Avenue and Thomas Drive by Melva Newby. What started as a small inside bar with around 10 seats turned into an expansion of 4 locations around Panama City Beach and Bay County. Officials say the reason the business is running so well is because the community knows where the owner's hearts lie. 'I think people have just gravitated to it because everyone in town knew Melva. Everyone in town knows Charlotte. And they're starting to get to know Will West and I and they know where our hearts are. Our hearts lie in the community. And we believe Bay County, you know, we want everything around us on Thomas Drive to prosper Because whatever is good around us even makes us even better,' Operations Director Lindsey Pickenpaugh said. Something that has always remained on the top of Newby's bargoers' desires is their famous hunch punch. For 50 years people have been dying to know the secret ingredient in Newby's classic hunch punch. Officials say while they can't spill the beans on the punch's secret formula they did reveal one thing. It's definitely surrounded by alcohol. 'Everclear, a rum, and a vodka and so that's what we're able to tell you. Now, the red mix can never tell you. You can keep guessing, but no one has guessed yet,' Pickenpaugh said. Two arrested following deadly shooting in Panama City Pickenpaugh says there's always some possibility for another Newby on the west end, but for now, their hands are full. The other Newby's locations include Newby's Too, Newby's Brew and Booze House, and Newby's Brew on the Bay. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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