Fort Pierce city commissioners voted to terminate their lease with the former operator of Crabby’s Dockside, citing unpaid bills and plans to find a new operator for the waterfront restaurant.
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. —
Fort Pierce city commissioners voted unanimously to end their lease with the former operator of Crabby’s Dockside and begin searching for a new operator for the waterfront restaurant.
The restaurant, located along Avenue A at the Fort Pierce Marina, closed in February. The city said its operator, Winking Starfish, owed more than $418,000 in rent, taxes, and late fees. After recalculating the balance, the city now says the amount owed is nearly $334,000.
Winking Starfish identified a potential new operator for the restaurant, but city officials said the proposal sought favorable terms.
City Manager Richard Chess told commissioners that the city would allow interested restaurateurs to compete for the location.
The city plans to set requirements for potential operators, with the city commission making the final decision.
“Our marina is very, very successful, and we’re very proud of it, and that location, that Crabby’s location, is a very critical part of the marina,” Mayor Linda Hudson said.
Chess also said during the meeting that a new agreement would combine rent and other payments into one amount, based on the property’s market value.
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