Community Corner

Will Frenchy's Buy Island Outpost?

Frenchy's may close a deal soon to buy the Island Outpost in Dunedin.

Frenchy's is poised to buy the Island Outpost, a Dunedin restaurant known for its Key West-style dining.

Jen Carlisle, who handles marketing for Frenchy's, confirmed Wednesday that the company is close to purchasing the Island Outpost, 466 Causeway Blvd., in Dunedin. The deal may go through as early as next week.

Frenchy's has several Clearwater Beach properties, and the Dunedin purchase would represent a different kind of expansion for the restaurant/hotel company.

But little else is being said about the pending transaction, after the Island Outpost posted an announcement – prematurely – to Facebook Tuesday. It was quickly and quietly removed from the site Wednesday morning.

That announcement said, in part: "The ISLAND OUTPOST business and building have been sold to another great and local business...FRENCHYS...The transition will take place very soon. We wish Frenchys the best of luck and great success."

The Island Outpost also thanked the "6834 guests who have checked in" over the last three years.

Early reaction was less than positive by people who happened to read the Island Outpost announcement before it was removed from Facebook.

Tina Pierce Combs commented: "So so so saddened by this news!! I like Frenchy's but Island Outpost is soooooooo much better!"

Mechelle Kistner Whalen added: "No !!! We love Island Outpost ! We love everything about the place . Not liking this at all. : ("

Tom Gerber saw a bright side to Frenchy's taking over: "Hopefully they keep the good stuff (Nachos and Tuna is all I liked on the menu) and improve some things like the bar area. I hope they take great care of the staff because they are the best! They work really hard and deserve some improvements."

What do you think about the pending sale?




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