Bar Fly Saltwater Grill set to move into closed Crispers site at 100 Main St.
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The downtown Safety Harbor business scene has been somewhat stagnant for a while now, a subject that received a lot of attention in the recent municipal election.
But if just a few of the latest projects, proposals and promises that are currently in various stages of development became a reality, business in the downtown district could soon be thriving again, and not just during special events and every Third Friday of the month.
A key component in the resurgence of the downtown business scene is set to become a reality soon, following the March 25 closing of the Crispers in the corner suite of the Harbor Pointe Complex at 100 Main Street.
The Lakeland-based fast-casual eatery reportedly vacated the space directly across from the Safety Harbor Resort and Spa due to an expiring lease, but the prime location won’t be vacant for long, as the Bar Fly Saltwater Grill will move a few doors down and take over the 5,400-sq.-ft. spot early this summer, according to owner Jeff Harrell.
“We celebrated our fifth anniversary on March 16, and we announced the big news that we would be moving during the celebration,” Harrell told Safety Harbor Connect by phone this week.
“So I guess the news became official then, but it’s just starting to spread around town now.”
Harrell, whose original Bar Fly bar and subsequent addition, the Saltwater Grill restaurant, both feature a laid-back, island vibe highlighted by tropical beers and drinks popular seafood dishes, said it’s always been his dream to have a place at or near the water.
Now, following five years of steady growth, he’s getting his wish.
“I had always liked that spot, and I said to (wife) Celeste how cool it would be to be in that spot and overlook the bay someday,” he said.
“Our concept was made to be on the water.”
“So at this point we’ve done everything we could have done with the business—added food, music, full liquor—but what’s the one piece that’s missing? You can’t look out at the water and enjoy a drink while listening to music with a cool breeze blowing in your face. Now we feel we’ve completed the last piece of the puzzle.”
Harrell said he hopes the transition from a pair of narrow spaces totaling about 1,700 square feet and a galley kitchen to a somewhat cavernous spot with a huge, fully-equipped kitchen and several separate drinking and dining sections, will be quick and relatively painless.
“Originally we were only going to lease a small portion of the space, roughly 3,500 square feet, which would’ve doubled our current size,” Harrell explained. “But after discussions with the property manager, the deal maker was there is already a full kitchen built in the back, so that will cut down on our expenses and timeframe dramatically.”
“We were looking at August or September with the original plan, but now that we don’t have to build a kitchen, we’re planning on opening the new place in late June or early July,” he said, adding the transition from the old location to the new would take 2-3 days, ensuring a minimal interruption in business.
Harrell, an avid fisherman who is currently conducting a road trip version of his popular fly-tying nights, said the new space will allow him to maximize his bar’s popularity without sacrificing any of its unique style.
“We have the capability of doing so much more at the new location, with the outdoor patio and separate drinking and dining areas,” he said. “And with a full kitchen we’re going to experiment with the menu a little bit.”
“But I want to stress that we’re going to focus on being simple and very much like the original Bar Fly, from the fish-scale bar to the colors to the fly-tying nights, details that people don’t even notice will be in there.”
And while there’s no denying this is a huge step for all the Bar Fly Saltwater Grill employees and patrons, Harrell wanted to assure everyone that he will be bringing the exact same feel, flavor and island style fun people enjoy at their current home to the new location.
“We’re taking the same thing we do—a simple menu with high quality dishes and the same music, same décor, same vibe, same service—and doing the same thing, except it will be a lot roomier for people to enjoy it,” he said while acknowledging Bar Fly’s popularity has led to long waits and sidewalk congestion out front.
“Everyone is always saying we need a destination place to help put Safety Harbor on the map, and we want to create a spot in the community that’s a laid-back place to go with friends and family near the water that can become a destination point in Safety Harbor.”
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This is great news and congrats to Jeff and Celeste. I remember when that building was being built, the “teasers” we heard was that a “great anchor” establishment will be located on the corner. That all came to a great but “WHAT?” when Crispers was announced. I always thought that end location would be a great spot for something like “Frenchy’s on the Bay” or another Palm Pavilion type place. Safety Harbor is a destination, the new Bar Fly will add to that. The only potential issue now is, once that beast of a building gets built, the new high dollar residents will complain of the noise….till then, I can’t wait to enjoy the new Bar Fly.
Beast of a building? Anti-growth attitudes will keep small business owners revolving out of downtown. Unless you get some feet on the street, Safety Harbor will continue to languish. And those “high dollar residents” (what is wrong with that? What’s wrong with getting more tax dollars in the city?) are needed to support and grow downtown. I’ve lived in Safety Harbor for 37 years and have seen a lot of great restaurants, food stores and shops go out of business for lack of customers and it’s a shame when we have such a unique town.
Lynn and I are so excited to see Barfly move down the block. We have been a fan since Barfly opened…love their unique, tasty Lobster Rolls. And their style of decor with patio dining will be a perfect match for our great, small town’s Main Street. We can’t wait!@!!
What a perfect fit for this space. Bravo Bar Bly!
Congrats guys, from all of us at Happy Grasshopper! Proud to be part of the Safety Harbor community!!
As a new resident in Safety Harbor, I applaud any effort to promote local businesses and the entrepreneurial spirit. The quaint, Main St. “feel” was no small part of our decision to locate here and we look forward to seeing progress that is focused on maintaining that ambiance. I wasn’t a big fan of Crispers and believe an expanded Bar Fly will make a much better statement about who and what Safety Harbor stands for. Congratulations, Jeff and Celeste, on your move and the fantastic opportunity you have to become a real Safety Harbor “destination” establishment.
I loved Crispers and was really sad to see the only one in Pinellas County leave. I think it will be a great location for Barfly and I’m hoping they do well. I’d like to see some sort of reasonably priced deli/lunch spot take the place where Barfly currently is, though. Or are they staying there, too? I wasn’t clear about that part.
Terrific, come on Safety Harbor let’s get out and support these folks.
Great news! Congratulations, and best of luck.
And I like Caryl’s idea if having a separate private meeting room; doesn’t have to be large.
Wow! Awesome! I never understood why there was a chain lunch place in the best location in Safety Harbor. Having a Safety Harbor original restaurant where people can eat, drink and hang out into the night can only making things better. Best of luck to Jeff and Celeste!
Couldn’t happen to better people. Congratulations Celeste and Jeff! The harf work has paid off!
So incredibly it’s not a chain AND a great local stop we frequent … CONGRATS Barfly
Yay! An authentically Safety Harbor restaurant in this prime retail space is what the community envisioned from the beginning of Harbor Pointe. Thank you to the Bar Fly owners for betting once again on Main Street and reinforcing downtown as a regional destination. People who visit downtown love our local, independent businesses. Harborites must also step up to help these businesses thrive by making downtown our first choice for shopping and dining. Have to admit, we have many excellent choices. Cheers!
That is great news. I was disappointed when Crispers decided to move out but I’m really glad to see that Bar Fly will be moving in. Aside from the great food, part of Bar Fly’s success has been the ambience and overall vibe of the establishment. That will be difficult to duplicate in the larger new location. However it sounds like the owner is well aware of that and has a plan to accomplish it. If so, they will easily double their sales. Hopefully something good will move into the old location. This is all good news for Main Street.
Cheers to Bar Fly.
A positive, early step toward saving Downtown Safety Harbor and making us a vibrant and walkable community.
Good news! I am betting you will be very successful in the new location and it is a bonus that you are not a chain franchise.
That is a great situation for Bar Fly and I am happy to see them grow from a few taps, a dozen bar stools, and some crackers in a bowl to a great, full service restaurant in such a great location. Congratulations and we will be sure to stop in. Yet another win for our downtown business area!
Create a private meeting space and watch them flock to it. Safety Harbor needs more meeting space.