STONE HARBOR — Blackfish Restaurant, at the former site of Henny’s Restaurant here, held an opening reception May 8 with borough notables and business owners to kick off its first of two seasons while the long-awaited Shelter Haven Resort is built.
Construction of the resort across the street will begin in September with landscaping and installation of a pond, owner Dr. John Sprandio told the Herald.
Sprandio and his wife, Denise, along with chef and co-owner Charles “Chip” Roman and his wife Amanda, managers Kipper Phelps and Ashley Hess toasted champagne to celebrate the opening.
“I’m more certain now than ever that we have all the components and moving parts in place. It’s been a long-time coming,” Sprandio said referring to the resort that will encompass both the Blackfish property and the vacant corner lot at 96th Street and Third Avenue.
The project is designed to compliment the borough’s recently zoned waterfront business district, he said.
Mayor Suzanne Walters proposed that the borough lease the vacant lot across the street from Blackfish from Sprandio for $1 for the season to make some minor improvements, with financial support of local organizations.
Walters and Borough Council discussed the idea to create a basin-side park where residents and tourist could enjoy outdoor music or movies during closed session May 5, which concluded with the decision to draft a lease agreement for vote at the next council meeting. Walters said she would like the lot to be improved by the end of the month for the tourist season.
Sprandio, who has owned the lot since 1999, said he is excited for the park idea.
Settlement was made to purchase the former Henny’s Restaurant property a year ago and he bought the liquor license last January as Henny’s fourth-generation owners, Steve and Gary Blum, cousins who worked at the family business their entire lives, closed the restaurant/bar with a last call party in November of 2008.
Blackfish was voted Best of Philly 2008 for its restaurant located in Conshohocken, Pa. Roman has been cooking since he was three-years-old and he attended Drexel University’s Culinary Arts program while also earning a business degree, it’s Web site, www.blackfishrestaurant.com, states.
Contact Truluck at (609) 886-8600 ext. 24 or at: ltruluck@cmcherald.com.
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