Gas pumps were soon installed and a general store occupied the front building to service the growing number of tourists arriving in the Keys. In the late 1940s, retired navy man Captain Eddie got hold of the place and opened “Eddie’s Fish Basket.” Catering mainly to sailors and the few locals, it wasn’t long before it became known as a great spot for a cold beer and a quick meal. The men often locked the place up themselves before heading back to base after a long night of drinking and gambling. This went on for decades, and after Eddie passed on and the gas pumps were removed, the buildings fell into a state of disrepair.
In 1979, Gary and Nancy Bell were no strangers to the restaurant business. The Tennessee couple used to spend their winters at the campground across the highway. Recognizing a great opportunity, they completed some renovations and were soon open for business. Despite the fact that the place had no sign or even a name, they were met with immediate success. The locals can be credited with naming the place after Gary’s fishing skiff, the “Mangrove Mama,” that usually sat out front. With the birth of their second child, the Bell’s decided to return to Tennessee and sold Mangrove Mama’s in 1988.