PERRY HOTEL & MARINA BOUGHT BY 2 SEPARATE COMPANIES

FINANCIAL/ OFFICE MGR

SLOPPY JOE’S DOCKSIDE CLOSES SAME DAY AS MARINA SALE

2 Key West athletes compete in 135-mile ‘world’s toughest foot race’

Key West runners Leanne Hood and Taz Davis have been chosen to compete in the Badwater 135, considered the “world’s toughest foot race” through Death Valley, California in July — 135 miles in less than 48 hours. The start line is at Badwater Basin, Death Valley, which marks the lowest elevation in North America. The race finishes at Whitney Portal at 8,300-foot elevation, which is the trailhead to the Mt. Whitney summit, the highest point in the contiguous United States.

‘Florida Keys Traveler’ podcast debuts on global platforms bought

The sprawling Perry Hotel and Marina on Shrimp Road on Stock Island are under new ownership.

A company called Key International bought the Perry Hotel, which includes Matt’s Stock Island Kitchen and the Salty Oyster outdoor bar and restaurant.

A separate company known as Integra bought the adjacent marina on the property, and on the same day as the marina sale was finalized, the popular Sloppy Joe’s Dockside bar and restaurant closed for business.

“We believe we sold this property to a buyer who understands the uniqueness and quirkiness of Stock Island and will carry on our goal to keep improving the property while embracing the community as it gets improved,” said seller Matthew Strunk of FOD Capital LLC. “I believe we accomplished our goals of embracing Stock Island’s uniqueness and trying not to change it for the worse. In 10 years, we have come a long way from a previous junk yard and a road that did not have the best reputation. My favorite memories of the property will be the many Stock Island community neighbors that visit every day for the dog park, coffee shop, fitness classes, art studios and local businesses in the property’s commercial space.”

In a press release announcing its purchase of the hotel and restaurants, Key International said its purchase is “part of an ambitious expansion of its $2 billion portfolio. ‘The addition of the Perry Hotel speaks to our vision to bring together quality brands and memorable experiences with our excellent customer service,’ says Michael Vassilaros, chief investment officer for Key International.’” The release said the purchase builds on the company’s strategy

In a separate deal, of “identifying and adding properties with great brand recognition.”

The Perry Hotel, at 7001 Shrimp Road, has 100 rooms with views of the marina, two outdoor pools that overlook the waterfront and two restaurants including the highly-rated Matt’s Stock Island Kitchen & Bar and Salty Oyster Dockside Bar & Grill.

The marina was acquired in a separate venture by Integra Marinas, a subsidiary of Miami-based Integra Investments; the 288-slip marina will be operated independently.

“As a leading owner, developer and operator of marinas in key coastal growth markets along the East Coast, Integra Marinas continues to expand its marina portfolio in 2023, which is catapulted by the Perry Marina acquisition,” said a press release from Integra.

The Marina is situated on nearly 35 acres, minutes from ‘Old Town’ Key West, the release noted, adding it is the largest deepwater marina in the Keys, with 288 wet slips with floating concrete docks. It is capable of berthing superyachts up to 350 feet in length and provides high-speed gas and diesel fueling, a ships store, captain’s lounge, and resort-style pool.

“The Perry Marina’s location within a world-class destination for domestic and international boaters allows for some of the top fishing and nautical experiences of any coastal location, making this an anchor asset for our growing portfolio,” said Victor Ballestas, a principal with Integra Investments. “Our strategic deployment of capital to the Perry Marina and Integra’s newest development, Wrecker’s Cay, Key West’s largest workforce housing project in over 50 years, are a testament to our commitment to the local community.”

The “Florida Keys Traveler” podcast, a 30-episode series showcasing the continental United States’ southernmost island chain from the early 1800s to the present, has launched globally on more than 25 platforms.

The podcast celebrates two centuries of life in the Florida Keys. The island chain marks its bicentennial in 2023, commemorating the Florida Legislature’s July 3, 1823, establishment of Monroe County.

“Our new podcast episodes paint a colorful portrait of the Keys as a unique, dynamic community with varied ways to experience 200 years of Keys history through attractions, art, literature, nature, adventure and lifestyle,” said Stacey Mitchell, director of the Florida Keys tourism council.

Episodes feature local personalities in each of the Keys’ five districts. They include historians, wildlife experts, environmental leaders, entrepreneurs and adventurers.

Two episodes per week are scheduled to run throughout the spring and early summer of 2023, with the final episode to air Monday, July 3, the 200th anniversary of the Keys.

Woman’s Club, LKMC host baby shower for Wesley House

On April 29, 18 mothers in the Healthy Families program within Wesley House Family Services will be treated to a baby shower hosted by the Key West Woman’s Club and Lower Keys Medical Center. This is the fifth year for the baby shower, whose goal is to provide each mother with all the essentials for their baby’s first 12 months.

Lower Keys Medical Center provides newborn diapers and baby wipes for each mother every year, plus a monetary sponsorship for additional items needed.

Healthy Families is a free, voluntary program, for women who are pregnant or have children 3 months old or younger. It is an at-home parenting support program that focuses on strengthening child development, encouraging parents and facilitating family connections within the community. Healthy Families stays with each family from birth to age 5 and helps the whole family including additional siblings. More information is at wesleyhouse.org/healthy-families. To help in purchasing items for the Baby Shower, visit the Wesley House Baby Registry on Amazon. All items will be shipped directly to the Key West Woman’s Club.

COME FOR THE FOOD. STAY FOR THE VIEW.