Clearwater's homegrown seafood brand Frenchy's is growing again. The restaurant group founded on Clearwater Beach 45 years ago has acquired the former Bar Fly location in Safety Harbor, where it plans to open its sixth restaurant following renovations.

The deal closed July 31, one day after Bar Fly served its last meal at the corner spot it occupied for 14 years. Bar Fly owner Jeff Harrell, 58, said he sought out Frenchy's specifically because of the brand's similar identity.

"Their business model, being really a mom-and-pop and an operation like ours with the seafood and everything else, concentrates on a lot of similar items," Harrell told Tampa Bay Beacons. "For us, looking into it, it was like a better transition than anything."

Michael "Frenchy" Preston opened Frenchy's Original Cafe on Baymont Street on Clearwater Beach in 1981 after spending eight years working in the restaurant industry. The brand now operates five locations across Clearwater Beach and Dunedin: Frenchy's Original Cafe, Saltwater Cafe, Rockaway Grill, South Beach Cafe and Outpost Bar & Grill. The Safety Harbor spot will be its second expansion beyond Clearwater Beach, after the Dunedin Outpost opened in 2013.

Preston, who donated $100,000 to St. Petersburg College's Foundation in 2021 to fund hospitality scholarships, also maintains a Rooftop Terrace Lounge at the Bilheimer Capitol Theatre in downtown Clearwater. The brand's footprint has grown steadily across Pinellas County over four decades.

Frenchy's had not issued a public statement about the acquisition as of Tampa Bay 28's July 31 report.

Workers get severance, option to reapply

Harrell said his staff was a top concern during the sale. As part of the deal, Bar Fly and Frenchy's structured a severance package for employees. Former Bar Fly workers can also reapply once renovations wrap up and the new Frenchy's opens.

Clearwater resident Tamara Poston, 66, a Bar Fly regular, called the spot "the 'Cheers' of Safety Harbor." Bar Fly's Facebook post announcing the closure drew hundreds of comments from regulars mourning their favorite lobster dishes and live music nights.

What's next

Harrell expects the new Frenchy's Safety Harbor restaurant to open in September after renovations to the space. No building permit for the work has been publicly confirmed.

The Harrell family is consolidating around its Palm Harbor location, which opened about a year ago. Jeff Harrell recently signed a lease for the space next door, a former Pizza World, where he plans to open a sit-down restaurant offering 80–90% of the Safety Harbor menu. His 18-year-old son Ethan is joining the family business.