About Forgotten Coast Cottages

Founded in 2019, Forgotten Coast Cottages is owned and operated by Susan Reeder and family. The cottages are located on the former site of Fred’s Best Seafood, a family-owned seafood market that served the area for nearly 40 years. Susan’s father, Fred Millender, was the founder of the business.

A Colorful Family History

The Millender family has been working in the Eastpoint seafood industry for nearly 70 years. At one point, the Millenders owned three different seafood houses along the bay. Born in Carrabelle in 1929, Fred Millender started working on the bay when he was just a young boy. His parents, Marion and Willie Mae, moved the family to Eastpoint in 1942 to open a seafood house.

In 1949, Fred married the love of his life, Minnie Varnes from Apalachicola. He and his brothers worked in the business with their father until Fred decided to open his own seafood house, Fred’s Best Seafood. The seafood industry was booming in Eastpoint, and Fred had 29 boats harvesting oysters for his seafood house. Despite hurricanes and plenty of other obstacles, Fred always fought to keep the business afloat.

His daughter Susan eventually took over every day operations for the seafood house, but Fred kept a hand in the business. A colorful man who never met a stranger, Fred was somewhat of a celebrity around Eastpoint. Folks were enchanted by his big personality and contagious smile. On any given day, he could be found chatting with friends or smoking mullet for local fisherman at his roadside stand. Fred was a gifted story-teller, singer and a friend to every person he met. He always had an interesting tale to tell or a song to share.

Fred passed away in 2014 at the age of 87. A few years later, Susan opened Forgotten Coast Cottages on the property where Fred’s Best Seafood used to stand. She hopes to honor her father’s memory by welcoming visitors with open arms—just like her father always did.

Escape to Our Cozy Cottages

Located on Patton Drive in Eastpoint, Florida, our charming waterfront cottages overlook peaceful Apalachicola Bay. They are right next door to a public boat ramp and seafood market, a block from a bait and tackle shop and less than a mile from some of the area’s favorite restaurants and breweries. Considered the hub of Florida’s Forgotten Coast, Eastpoint is centrally located and only 10 minutes from Apalachicola, Carrabelle and St. George Island. When you stay at Forgotten Coast Cottages, you’re just a short drive from all the fun activities and events our wonderful area has to offer.

Our rentals combine the privacy and tranquility of a vacation home with the charm and affordability of a small cottage. The property includes three beautiful cottages as well as one RV space. Just steps from the bay, our cottages feature breathtaking views, quick and easy water access and unparalleled relaxation.