In the idyllic community of Hammock Bay, Angelo and Sofia Michaels have embraced their new life with open arms. Originally from the northern suburbs of Chicago, the Michaels made their dream of living by the beach a reality when they relocated to Hammock Bay in March 2021, leaving behind the hustle and bustle of city life for a more relaxed, small-town lifestyle.

 

Their journey to Hammock Bay began as a vacation. "We first visited in March 2019, and then again in March 2020," Sofia recalls. "We fell in love with the area and thought, 'Why wait to retire here? Let’s make the move sooner!' So here we are, and we couldn’t be happier."

 

Angelo and Sofia’s love story is just as charming as their new home. They met 26 years ago at Sofia’s father’s restaurant, where Angelo was working for Kraft Foods and Sofia was waiting tables while she awaited her pharmacy position. Their bond was immediate. “We’ve just celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary,” says Angelo with a smile.

 

Education and career paths also played a significant role in their lives. Sofia earned her doctorate in pharmacy from the University of Illinois at Chicago, while Angelo studied at DePaul University. Their careers in food service and pharmacy were fulfilling, but a new chapter awaited them. "We decided to bring a bit of Chicago with us," Sofia explains. "We opened a pizza restaurant here in Freeport." Their restaurant, At’s A Chicago Pizza, has quickly become a local favorite. "Our mission was to bring Chicago food that we grew up with and love to the people of the panhandle," Angelo adds.

 

Family is at the heart of the Michaels’ lives and they are very connected to the community. They have four children: Elizabeth, 24, is married and lives in Chicago while pursuing nursing school; Patricia, 22, works at the pizza restaurant; John, 17, is a student at Freeport High School; and Dimitri, 13, attends Freeport Middle School and plays football. The Michaels also attend St. Markella and Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church in Mary Esther.

 

One of their favorite family traditions is celebrating Greek Easter together. They celebrate by making a lot of Greek sweets and coloring Easter eggs all red. They then crack their eggs together to see whose egg survives uncracked. The person with the uncracked egg is said to have good luck for the year!

 

When they’re not working, the Michaels family enjoys the simple pleasures of Hammock Bay and a few favorites in the surrounding areas. "On our days off, we love going to the beach, biking the trails, and relaxing by the pools," Sofia says. They also make the most of their time by renting jet skis and pontoon boats. Their favorite local spots include Baytowne Wharf, Pier Park, and HarborWalk Village.

 

As the Michaels family continues to thrive in Hammock Bay, their journey from Chicago to Florida stands as a testament to their adventurous spirit and commitment to family. Their seamless integration into the community, combined with their dedication to bringing a taste of Chicago to their new home, exemplifies their love for both their roots and their new home. With a blend of family traditions and newfound favorites, the Michaels are not only enjoying their dream life by the beach but also making a lasting impact on the Freeport community they now proudly call home.