PCB restaurateurs buy Owl Cafe, Longbills

A pair of veteran restaurateurs out of Panama City Beach have bought the Owl Cafe in Apalachicola, and LongBill’s on Cape San Blas.

Shannon Posavad and Sean Carruth, whose restaurant group together own six restaurants in Florida – four in Panama City Beach and two in Fort Lauderdale Beach – closed the deals last week to buy both the Owl and LongBill’s, as well as the properties they are on.

LongBill’s on Cape San Blas [ longbills.com ] The sale prices were not disclosed. According to the office of Gulf County Property Appraiser Mitch Burke, the LongBill’s property at 7650 Cape San Blas Road was purchased on Jan. 12 from HBL Longbills LLC to Cape SB LLC for $600,000.

Carruth said the Owl deal started a little over a year ago, when they were looking at acquiring the old Lookout Lounge just outside Mexico Beach.

“While we were out there a realtor got us in contact with White Sands,” Carruth said, referring to the investment group led by Apalachicola businessman Steven Etchen that owned the Owl.

“Coming out to Apalachiola it didn’t take but two seconds to see the opportunity presented there,” he said. “Everybody I talk to (says) the Owl and Apalachicola are one and the same. We look at this as more of a response to the community to give the Owl the attention it deserves and needs. It’s a symbiotic relationship for sure.

“The locals are the backbone of a restaurant like this,” Carruth said. “Yes, it’s a heavy tourist market, but it has to start taking care of locals first. This is the only restaurant (of ours) that is literally entrenched in a community as the Owl is. It’s heavily dependent on the trust and support of locals here.”

“We’re looking back at what has always made the Owl a staple. We want to enhance when we have; we don’t want to veer too much off course,” he said.

Carruth praised the support Etchen has provided with the deal and the transition. “I can’t say enough good things,” he said. “They continue to help us. We’re only two days into this and we have a road ahead.”

He said current plans are to retain Patrick Lee as manager and Chef Jamie at the Owl, and to make only slight changes in hours, so that the Owl will now be open Mondays as well. The Tap Room, adjacent to the Owl, will remain open seven days a week.

“All the hours are staying the same,” Carruth said.

The restaurateurs began their partnership in 2013, starting with Harpoon Harry’s Beachfront Restaurant, and then adding Longboards, The Big Easy and the Saltwater Grill, all in Panama City Beach.

In Fort Lauderdale Beach, the men own the Beach House Los Olas and the Rock Bar.

PCB restaurateurs buy Owl Cafe, Longbills

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