Brandon Twp – It took a handshake for John Hagar and David Watts to seal the deal.
Then it took another three months of grappling with township officials, lawyers, and Lansing before Hagar could call it a deal.
‘Now that this is behind us we’ll move forward as soon as the license is approved in Lansing,? John Hagar, owner of Bullfrog’s Restaurant.
On May 19, the township board motioned to deny a request for the transfer of Brandon’s Landing liquor license from Watts, the owner, to Hagar.
The board denied the request because neither Hagar nor Mike Watts appeared to support the resolution submitted by the Liquor Control Commission.
The transfer was also denied because of alleged residential privacy and noise violations by Bullfrog’s.
A June 26, letter from Hagar’s attorney supported that Hagar has resolved operation conflicts with Bullfrog’s and requested a reconsideration of the denied liquor license transfer.
On July 7, the township board unanimously approved (6-0) the transfer recommendation and forwarded the recommendation to the State Liquor Commission to seal the deal.
‘I’m confident John will abide to the ordinances of the township,? said Township Supervisor, Ron Lapp.
‘I’m excited with what he’s going to do (with the boat bar) and confident with what he’s done with Bullfrog’s.?
‘He has an excellent establishment with Bullfrog’s and it’s a great place in the community,? Lapp said.
Once known as The Boat Bar, Brandon’s Landing is the new object of Hagar’s attention and he’s anxious to renew the old legendary land vessel.
‘I don’t know what we’ll do with Brandon’s Landing until I get in there,? said Hagar.
‘I’m excited to be there,? said Hagar, who will not have the chance to scope out renovation plans until after the transfer of the liquor license and completion of the sale.
‘It took eight months to renovate Bullfrog’s,? he said.
‘After the paperwork is complete we’ll need to get an architect to re-face and go forward.?
‘But I’ll let you know when we get the architectural plans,? Hagar teased.
Hagar also met with the president of Bald Eagle Lake Association, Roger Duval, and agreed there will be no speakers or live bands placed outside the facility, no docking of boats will be allowed by non-residents, the bar docks will be replaced and maintained, the lake access ramp will be permanently removed, and no marine access to the lake will be provided to non-residents of the lake.
Giving a crustacean of a crab shack clue, current owner David Watts is equally excited about Hagar being the purchaser of his old friend the boat bar, but hopes Hagar will not change the name.
‘He’s in a great setting for a little crab shack,? said Watts, ‘but I’d hate to see him change the name.?
‘It’s been the ‘boat bar? for over one hundred years, but progress is progress.?
‘There is a lot of history here and I’d hate to see him change the name of it.?
Referring to the long run of Bullfrog’s crowded parking lot, Watts said Hagar knows how to make a business run.
‘He’ll do well, as a young man,? said Watts.
‘He’s been in business for a couple of years and I’m happy with it.?
‘I wish him all the luck in the world.?
With an air of regret, Watts said after having three heart attacks he’s decided it was time to retire, along with his wife. He said the couple will not go far from home after retirement, they just want to stay at home with and enjoy their yard.
At Christmas Hagar approached Watts to purchase the bar and Watts agreed.
‘John agreed to pay what I wanted and we made the deal on a hand shake,? said Watts.
‘So far he’s lived up to his bargain.?