Fish Tales has shuttered after serving the St. Petersburg community for almost two decades. Earlier this week, the waterfront landmark at 1500 Second St. S. announced the closure in an update to its Facebook page.
"It is with a heavy heart that I have to write this, but write it I must," the post reads. "After a 5 year legal battle, fighting tooth and nail and exhausting every legal avenue that we could think of, our landlords have won the legal fight to evict Fish Tales Seafood House... Dan, Peggy, their family and their employees have put their heart and soul into this place for so many years. But as of the time this notice has been posted, and as hard as it is to say, I must sadly tell you that Fish Tales Seafood House is officially closed."
Founded in 1999 just south of downtown St. Pete, Fish Tales was started by Dan and Peggy Wesner in a marina on the banks of Salt Creek. The owners transformed a little space into their popular outdoor restaurant and bar, which built a loyal following for seafood and burgers as much as its cocktails.
A prime location gave Fish Tales its hard-to-pass-up feel of Key West, and the place featured everything from tables overlooking the water to thatched roofs.
The Wesners' dedication to their family and employees kept patrons coming back, too.
"We want to thank all of our family, our employees and especially our customers for the honor and experience of serving you. You're all very simply the best that anyone can have!" continues the post.
Luckily for fans of Fish Tales, the update goes on to say that this may not be the restaurant and bar's final chapter.
"There just might be a strong possibility that Fish Tales just might pop up somewhere else in the St. Pete area, in this form or maybe another...we'll just have to wait and see, and you'll just have to keep your eyes peeled. But for now, we say thank you to the best people in the world...and so long for now."
