One of Fort Myers Beach’s popular restaurants has been sold. Doc Ford’s owner Marty Harrity has sold The Whale to Mike and Dawn Miller and Greg Von Krumreig. Here’s what Harrity had to say about selling and what the new owners have to say about the future.
Harrity, who owns 4 Doc Ford’s locations (Fort Myers Beach, Sanibel, Captiva and St. Pete) and Dixie Fish Company told Beach Talk Radio News, “If it wasn’t for The Whale, we wouldn’t be here today. It’s near and dear to my heart.” Harrity opened The Whale 25 years ago. He says the new owners will do very, very well.
And those new owners are Mike and Dawn Miller and Greg Von Krumreig. Miller has been in commercial real estate his whole life. Currently his manufacturing plants are producing semi-truck parts. He has two manufacturing plants in Tennessee.
Greg, who will also serve as the new GM of The Whale, has been in the restaurant industry since he was 18 years old. He’s worked every position at a restaurant, in nearly every style of dining. On Fort Myers Beach he’s worked at the Pink Shell Resort and Fresh Catch Bistro. Both the Miller’s and Greg are residents of Fort Myers Beach.
We had a chance to talk to Greg Thursday, during his first long day at his new restaurant. He tells Beach Talk Radio News there is no plan to change the name of The Whale. “We love the history of The Whale and would hate to have to change the name. We have no current plans to rebrand it.”
There will be other changes coming though. “Over time there will be a ton of updates. First will be the easy stuff, like power washing, painting, small repairs. Longer term we’d like to open up the entire downstairs, completely remodel the upstairs, raiaise the rooftop awning 3 feet or so, and put some big TV’s up there.”
And, Greg says, expect some changes to the menu and more live entertainment. “Definitely will be menu changes. I am a big foodie so I will have high standards for food quality. Fresh and local will be major focuses. Upstairs and downstairs live music is absolutely planned in the very very near future. Whether its only a solo/duo act, or potentially full bands again.”
The sale price was $3.65 million which included the business and the property.
Greg will be on Beach Talk Radio tomorrow morning at 10AM
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