October 7, 2015
I had just sold Cru and we opened the doors at Harold’s in a rinky dink strip mall south of everything and everyone. The impetus being Julie was very ill and I wanted to spend as much time with her as possible. We were open 4 nights a week, closed the month of September, closed for 2 weeks over Christmas with 9 tables and I had a chef. Needless to say, I accomplished the goal and had a thousand great moments. Having been on the islands and in town so long our reputation helped bring folks to us, for which I am ever grateful. It was tightly packed, much like tables off the beaten path in New York or Boston. But most people didn’t complain one bit, just enjoyed what we did. I decided from the start to change the menu weekly, mostly so I didn’t get bored, but the other benefit is guests got something new each time they dined with us. Lot’s of long time relationships with farms, ranches and fishermen in the area and across the country helped keep product fresh and innovative. It wasn’t always rosy, when in October of 2017 Julie passed, I was self medicating pretty hard and didn’t know what else to do but work. So I buckled down and with just myself a salad girl, TR and Ruthanne really tried to up our game. Shortly thereafter we really started hitting our stride and we were full a couple months in advance. So much so, it was time to expand. Shut down for 5 months, knock out some walls, claw tooth and nail for a liquor license and viola, tripled the size. Full bar, expanded wine list, expanded menu, 25 staff members and no more 2 month wait. Gulfshore Life just sent me a note asking if it had been 10 years and I snapped up with Holy Sh$T it is! Still can’t believe it. I’m so lucky. This town and all the incredible people I’ve met and get to make smile, well I don’t have the words. I do know that I’m grateful and I know Julie’s proud of who I’ve become and what we’ve done. Thanks to all of you and hopefully see you all sometime this year!
Deepest of gratitude,
Harold