In the Fall of 1979 James Sawyer left Macon, GA and moved to Panama City Beach with his wife and youngest child/only daughter, Angela. It did not take long for him to make a name for himself on Panama City Beach and soon opened James Sawyer Refrigeration Service Company. Many of the popular, long standing restaurants in the area that you have come to know and love, were among his customers. While
working in commercial refrigeration in the early 80's, one of his customers dubbed him Mr. Cool because he always kept the ice makers, walk-in freezers and a/c's running smoothly. Cool is also Mr. James from Walmart and later Culver's on Panama City Beach. After his beloved wife of 47 yrs passed away in 2004, he sold his refrigeration business and took a job at the Front Beach Road Walmart (the only Walmart location on Panama City Beach at the time). With his bubbly personality and knack for bringing a smile to just about anyone's face, he quickly became the favorite Greeter of locals and vacationers. After Walmart announced changes in the job description for its Greeters, he was offered a job with Culver's greeting their diners; however, after COVID affected local businesses and restaurants, including Culver's, had to temporarily close their dining rooms, Mr. James decided to officially retire...but not for long. Today, along with his son, Rusty, Mr. Cool has grown his pepper products from five to twenty mouth watering sauces, salsas and syrups. On Saturdays, you can find Mr. Cool, with the help of his children and grandchildren, offering his pepper products at the Grand Lagoon Waterfront Farmers Market from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. He can also be found at the Market on the Meadows the first and third Tuesday of each month from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. You will want to check our page regularly for posts from Mr. Cool himself as he gives personal accounts of how a commercial refrigeration mechanic developed his signature pepper products.
