MURRELLS INLET, S.C. (WBTW)- A Murrells Inlet staple is closing after 44 years.
Captain Dave’s Dockside will close Sunday. There’s four more days to enjoy a piece of the Inlet’s history before it closes its doors and officially becomes Catfish Johnny’s.
“It’s definitely a little bittersweet,” said John Hanva, who works at Capt. Dave’s and Bubba’s Love Shak.
Brothers Kenneth and Frank Owens opened Capt. Dave’s dockside in 1974.
The restaurant has continuously been owned and operated by the same family.
“Know where to go to get a good meal and good service and with Bubba’s its really the center of night life on weekends and summer time,” said Hanva.
Starting Sunday at midnight, it will now be owned by Jonathan Angell the president and ceo of JPA management group who owns several restaurants in the area including J Peters and the Rusty Anchor.
“We’re not going to step on any toes. We’re just going to come in here quietly and softly and execute and try to make it as pleasant experience for everybody,” said Jonathan Angell.
Bubba’s love shak will see a bit of a change as well. They shared a kitchen with Capt Dave’s and with the new ownership will come a new menu.
“We’re going to have a Catfish slash Love Shak menu and a Catfish Johnny’s menu. What we’re going to do is bring a little something different to the marsh walk. We’re going to have seafood, steaks, sandwiches, salads,” said Angell.
Workers say they’re looking forward to something new. We spoke with Murrells Inlet 2020 who says the Marshwalk is seeing a surge of people.
“All of those businesses have seen lots of growth. Some of the biggest days they’ve ever had in their history have been this year,” said Meredith Millen, the executive director Murrells Inlet 2020.
That growth is expanding past the Marshwalk.
“There”s some new restaurants that have popped up on the north end of 17 and the south end of 17 and across the street so it’s not just right here,” said Millen.
Catfish Johnny’s will officially open next Wednesday at 11:30.
