Red Bar is not for sale!

Despite rumors, Red Bar staying; one owner to sell share of property
HEATHER CIVIL
Wednesday August 8th, 2007
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GRAYTON BEACH ? Word is getting around that the Red Bar is for sale, but that shouldn?t concern fans of the eatery.

Developer T.C. Cannon owns one-fifth of the land where the Red Bar sits. The Birmingham resident wants to sell his share of the property.

What does that mean for devotees of the eclectic Red Bar?

Nothing, says local attorney and developer Lloyd Blue, one of five owners of the property. If Cannon sells his share of the land, the restaurant will not change, Blue said.

?The Red Bar is not for sale,? he said.


Photo courtesy of The Red Bar

Cannon wants to sell his 20 percent of the land for about $4 million.

The other four property owners have no plans to sell their shares, Blue said.

The Red Bar is a well-known establishment frequented by locals and tourists.

Brothers Oliver and Philippe Petit own and operate the restaurant and lease the property from the five land owners. Phillipe Petit said he has he has no plans to change anything.

?We?re very happy where we are,? he said.

Donna Benitone eats Sunday brunch at the Red Bar every week.

She drives from Destin to Grayton Beach to enjoy the laid-back atmosphere. If the place ever did change, it would be a sad day, she said.

?It?s just like a big family here,? she said.

People love the Red Bar?s tacky d￩cor that includes Christmas lights and cheap chandeliers. They go there to eat, drink and listen to live music.

Cannon calls fans of the Red Bar members of the ?Red Bar cult.?

?They are people that live and plan their lives and vacations and everything else around the Red Bar,? she said.

Matthew Land of Tallahassee could be considered a cult member. He dines there every chance he gets.

?I love the Red Bar,? he said.

Daily News Staff Writer Heather Civil can be reached at 654-6905.