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2 major Palm Harbor restaurants packing up

Sam Seltzer's is consolidating locations; the owners of Hooters won't say why it closed its doors.

By NICOLE JOHNSON
Published January 25, 2007

PALM HARBOR - In the past week, two major restaurant chains in highly visible locations have closed their doors in Palm Harbor.

The Atlanta-based Hooters and Tampa-based Sam Seltzer's Steakhouse restaurants, both along U.S. 19, shut down operations within days of each other.

Sam Seltzer's operates 10 restaurants in the area. The Palm Harbor location was built in June 2005 next to the Best Western Hotel at 37611 U.S. 19 N.

"It's an economic decision," said Ken Cox, chief financial officer for Sam Seltzer's. "We felt we cannibalized some of our other business from the Port Richey and Clearwater locations. We have plans to grow substantially over the next five years. This ultimately is part of the plan."

The restaurant employed about 50 people who will be relocated to locations in Pasco County and Clearwater, Cox said.

Hooters is not saying why its Palm Harbor restaurant at 36091 U.S. 19 N closed.

Restaurant representatives declined to give any information on the closure, and the landlord could not be reached for comment this week.

Gary Taylor, who co-owns the Pit Boss Bar-B-Q restaurant in the same shopping center as the former Hooters, said the restaurant left shortly after owners of the strip mall announced they would raise the rent several hundred dollars per month.

"I'm sure that's going to affect the plaza," said Taylor, who after 10 years at the location said he would not renew his lease in April.

"I've noticed business starting to dwindle down a bit."

Taylor, who also operates restaurants in Spring Hill and Pasco County, said he is looking to relocate the Palm Harbor business to the Anclote area.

With soaring insurance rates and consumers tightening their purse strings, it's no surprise that eventually even chains and well-established restaurants could feel the brunt.

Other departures from the Palm Harbor dining scene in recent memory include the Palm Harbor Ale House and Fred Fleming's Famous Bar-B-Q.

Still, Greater Palm Harbor Area Chamber of Commerce president Connie Davis is optimistic, citing an influx of new restaurants in the area.

"We want our businesses to thrive and they are," said Davis, citing the arrival of restaurants like Wild Fish and Dagwood Deli.

"And that's not just in Palm Harbor, but in the entire community."

Nicole Johnson can be reached at njohnson@sptimes.com or 727 445-4162.

[Last modified January 24, 2007, 23:16:14]