A landmark family-owned Jacksonville-area fish camp for six decades featuring a popular waterfront restaurant, boat marina, RV campground, bait shop and live music venue is for sale.
Whitey’s Fish Camp, along Swimming Pen Creek adjacent to Doctors Lake on Fleming Island, is the oldest restaurant in Clay County as well as one on that waterfront.
Covering nearly five acres, the fish camp at 2032 County Road 220 is known for its restaurant specializing in Southern fish camp cuisine — fresh seafood, fried catfish, gator tails and frog legs — family hospitality, live music and hosting charity events that benefit residents. and the community.
It is also known as the longtime favorite restaurant of Lynyrd Skynyrd lead vocalist Ronnie Van Zant before he died in a plane crash in October 1977.
Billy Ham, co-owner with his sister Elaine Cassala and brother Luke Lawley, told the Times-Union they put the fish camp on the market in preparation for retirement. The three siblings range in age from 60 to 74. Concern about potential health issues is also a factor, he said.
But there are no immediate plans to close, Ham stressed.
“At this point, Whitey’s is not closing. We’re not planning to close the doors or anything like that. If we can’t sell it, we’ll look at other options,” he said.
Whitey’s appearance on the market comes about seven months after its competition of about 50 years — Clark’s Fish Camp at 12903 Hood Landing Road along Julington Creek — sold for $1.4 million. The veteran restauranteur and construction manager who bought Clark’s told the Times-Union he plans to restore and reopen that restaurant.
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‘Business is better than ever’
The family put the fish camp on the market for an undisclosed price in December. But recently the Colliers real estate listing has gained attention on social media.
The decision, Ham said, was not easy. But they believe the timing is right, he said.
“We just felt in the market, our business is as good as it is and as strong as it is, it’s time to try to get out,” Ham said, noting the “business has been better than ever.”
He said they hope a company will come in and keep the fish camp as it is and “be a part of the community like we have been for the last 60 years.”
Ham says his philosophy for any new owner is “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”
“Obviously, this business is not broken. We’ve been here 60 years and we’re thriving,” he said. “If someone comes in here and makes a lot of changes it’s almost silly when a business is doing well,” he said.
‘The place to be since 1963’
Whitey and Ann Ham founded the fish camp in 1963 while he was working in the US Navy. Back then, the fish camp was little more than a tackle shop with nine bar stools, a toaster oven, sandwiches, beer and soft drinks, according to the restaurant’s Facebook page.
In 1969, the couple renovated the building to include a full-service kitchen, dining room, bar and outside deck. Then in 1970, they added 16 sites for mobile homes. In the 1980s, they turned the campground into a site for 44 recreational vehicles, according to Explore Clay County, the county’s tourism website.
Whitey Ham passed away in 1997 followed by Ann Ham in 2007.
On March 30, 2002, a fire destroyed the kitchen and consumed the restaurant. They rebuilt and renovated and reopened the restaurant in February 2003.
Whitey’s Fish Camp complex
Although the fish camp’s asking price has not been made public, the 2023 taxable value of Whitey’s Fish Camp is listed as $1,067,200, Clay County property tax records show.
The restaurant, which will seat about 650 people inside and out, will be at least 9,476 square feet including 851 square feet of office space on the second floor. The covered outdoor dining area covers at least 7,760 square feet, the Colliers real estate flyer shows.
There is also a 21-slip non-residential commercial docking facility. In addition, the RV campground includes 40 spaces along with related buildings such as restrooms, showers and other amenities, according to the flyer.
Whitey’s restaurant hours are 3 to 9 pm Monday, 11 am to 9 pm Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, 11 am to 10 pm Friday and Saturday, and 11 am to 9 pm Sunday. Bar hours may vary, its website shows.
Teresa Stepzinski is the dining reporter for the Times-Union. Follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, @TeresaStepz or contact her by email at [email protected].
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