[David]

Navarre siblings revive pier's past

By: Louis Cooper, PNJ

Brother and sister will work at new fishing pier, much like their parents did in '60s and '70s.

When the new Navarre Beach Fishing Pier opens this spring with, sister and brother, Dorothy Slye and Everett Ratcliff Jr. at the helm, an old tradition will be born anew.

"Back in the late '60s, my mom and dad opened a gift shop at the old pavilion adjacent to the pier," Slye said. "My dad actually worked at the old pier helping to collect the gate back in the early '70s. It's something that's always been in our blood."

Slye is a longtime Navarre Realtor and member of the Santa Rosa County Tourist Development Council. Ratliff is an employee of Holley-Navarre Water System and an avid fisherman.

Last week, the Santa Rosa County Commission selected their management proposal from six submitted to the county. The exact terms of the agreement still must be negotiated and adopted by the commission.

The 1,500-foot pier is about 78 percent complete, and construction should be finished by the end of May, according to county engineer Roger Blaylock.
The old pier was damaged beyond repair by Hurricane Ivan in 2004 and Hurricane Dennis in 2005. The Federal Emergency Management Agency is providing most of the $8.5 million to build the new pier.

County Commissioner Gordon Goodin said the admission fee will be set in the next few weeks.

At the old pier, the fee was $5 for adults and $2.50 for children ages 6 to 12 to fish. Those not fishing paid $1 each to walk on the pier. Children younger than 6 could access the pier for free.

Slye said the concession will be ready to open by the time the pier opens. She and her brother are considering naming the shop "Pete and Ellie's" after their parents but haven't made a final decision.

"We're going to have a little shop with everything that fishermen need to survive on the pier that they might leave at home," Slye said. "It's going to have a snack bar and the sort of thing you would see at other piers in the surrounding area. Down the road, I would like to see a seafood restaurant there, something more than just the snack bar."

In 2009, Slye opened "Sandy Bottoms," a gift shop and art gallery that also offers tackle on Gulf Boulevard on Navarre Beach.
_________________
David
Fishing Report

[PensacolaKid]

I can understand the sentiment in wanting to name it after their parents. However, I hope they at least consider perhaps having people send in their thoughts and choices and then choose from all. I also echo their sentiments that an eatery, be attached or in very close proximity to the pier. Personally, I think it needs to be predominantly a Shrimp/Oyster Bar but maybe have the typical hamburgers and such. Again, if it were up to me, I would have a firm idea as to what, "signature" dish would mark the place. Make it famous, so to speak!! Maybe Gumbo, maybe the best cheesburger on the planet. Maybe Red Beans and Rice, maybe the best, "blackened Shrimp"....who knows, the world's it's oyster...no pun intended! I would suggest, a jalapeno/bacon wrapped shrimp PoBoy w/ thick, homecut/sliced, fried potato chips instead of fries! Just one chef's opinion!

[EastBayBabe]

Sounds like a good fit for you P'Kid! Come on over!
_________________
Life is beautiful, slow down and savor it.

[PensacolaKid]

I wish EBB! If I were single or my daughter was grown and married....I would! I also would make the place famous! I can see things like big open windows similar to the Lucky Snapper down in Destin. Maybe a shuffle board table or two. Maybe a few big screens. Pictures of the history of Navarre covering the walls. Maybe notes written by folks who have very fond memories of Navarre, placed on the walls. Ya know, like some restaurants put dollar bills....this would be notes. Unlimited possibilities!

[David]

Sounds great P'cola but I believe the folks will be limited to the pier house as it is unless they later work out something with the county to extend the building into the parking lot. Existing rules probably would not allow extending toward the beach (not any further than the codos are allowed).

Remember, they have a short term agreement (looked at then for a long term consideration) and they get none of the gate. The short agreement will/should limit investment in restaurant equipment etc..

Consider that it will contain admisions, tackle shop, bait frezzer, bagged ice freezer, soda coolers, snack racks, ice cream (display freezer), probably some beach supplies, etc. All these are/were necessarry large volume things for the pier and beach. The display freezers and coolers, and racks can be supplied free by the vendors for thier products.

There is already a built in (walled) office space, supply room (inventory storage), and storage/utility room with sink that barely had extra freezer space for bait.

Leaving out display and storage of the extra beach and tourist items that we had previously still leaves little room for even a short order type eatery that also needs freezer/cooler/storage space to operate not to mention seating needed, even considering the picnic table area outside on the deck leading to the rest rooms.

Maybe, if they are successful the first year, the county will extend thier contract and a admissions/bait and tackle/ice, etc. could be enclosed/built on the pier itself since it has more width than before. That would leave more room for a larger eatery.

I wish them the best of success with whatever thier decisions allow.
_________________
David
Fishing Report

[PensacolaKid]

Yes, David....I was basically referring to a, "if we could or if it were possible" scenario. I know many things would have to come together for it to happen. Just dreaming I guess.

I have, for many decades, wished for just such a place. Don't get me wrong, Juana's is a cool place and I love hanging out there. I just would like to see some place literally right on the beach or at least where folks could sit, enjoy looking out at the water and have nice food and drink. The Okaloosa Pier in Fort Walton has something similar but I would up the quality quite a bit, if I had the opportunity to do it at the Navarre Pier

[David]

All the time I was in the restaurant business from a high end (recipient Golden Spoon Awards and in top 100 in state), through private clubs, and all the way to family seafood restaurants in Destin; what I really wanted was to own or lease a small, very simple limited menu, but with character, oyster/shrimp bar on the water called "Willey D's". Could never find property cheap enough to justify any thing that limited and simple though did run 2 places that overlooked the water, staying to busy paying the bills to enjoy the view.

P'cola, you don't really want a restaurant. It is an enjoyble but tough business with long hours, a small bottom line, and an extremely high failure rate that would not allow you the fishing time you would want and need.
_________________
David
Fishing Report