Chiles buying Island's End restaurant
By Rick Catlin
Islander Reporter
Sandbar restaurant owner Ed Chiles said his company has entered into an agreement with Bistro Blanton Holdings LLC, owners of Island's End restaurant, and its officers Sean Murphy and Lise Blanton to purchase that restaurant and the accompanying five lots. The purchase of the Anna Maria restaurant at the corner of Gulf Drive and Pine Avenue is expected to close March 6, Chiles said.
Chiles was looking to solve any anticipated parking problems with his Sandbar restaurant site plan currently before the city's planning and zoning board. Some board members had questioned the number of spaces provded in the site plan available for restaurant patrons ( The Islander , Feb. 9).
The Island's End comes with ample parking that can be used by Sandbar patrons, he said.
"We think it's a great purchase of property. There was a question of parking at the planning and zoning board meeting, so this takes that issue off the table," Chiles said. "There's a lot of extra parking there that we can use."
Murphy will continue to use Island's End for scheduled special events after the sale is completed, said Chiles, but he has no long-term plans for the restaurant, other than for special events.
Details of the purchase will be available after the closing, he noted.
Island's End has been used solely for special events and functions for the past six months. Murphy also owns the Beach Bistro restaurant in Holmes Beach. |
