New managers want Olde Fish House Marina to be the ‘go-to’ place for islanders, visitors
A new management team recently took over a restaurant that has been a part of Matlacha for quite a few years.
The Olde Fish House Marina operating manager Lisa Dence said her husband, Darrell, closed on the property on Feb. 3. She said they have three investors behind them for the property, one of which is local.
The goal for the Dences was to find a place on the island that would be a go-to place for locals and the snowbirds.
“They are the reason we are here, without their support we wouldn’t be here,” she said about their customers.
All of her employees live on the island – half of which were not employed before being hired there.
Dence said they are currently undergoing a rezoning process with Lee County for a full service restaurant, which will not affect any of the other services offered.
The Olde Fish House includes a fresh fish market, restaurant, convenient store and marina for its customers.
Dence said the Hawaiian and Magic catch various kinds of grouper and snapper for the market and local fishermen catch mullet for them. Local fisherman, Mike, also supplies them with fresh shrimp, along with fishermen from Fort Myers Beach.
She said the take-out restaurant serves everything that comes through the seafood market as well.
The seafood market is open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., seven days a week.
All of the rest of their ordering goes through the White House Plantation Nursery on the island.
The only ingredient that is not purchased from a local business is meat for the bison burgers they serve, which comes from South Dakota.
“We are trying to be different from everyone on the island,” Dence said.
The goal of the Olde Fish House is to be unique, she said, which is accomplished through their fish market.
Dence said they want to be able to give back to the community that supports them.
Another way they give back to the community is through benefits and tournaments that are held at the Olde Fish House Marina. Two events – The Benjamin Benefit Bash and Save Our Servicemembers – were held the same weekend at the business.
The Pine Island Elementary School fishing tournament, along with the Matlacha Red Fish Challenge, will be held at the Olde Fish House Marina.
The convenient store, Dence said, sells such things as cigarettes, beer, milk and bread. The store is open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m., seven days a week.
There are still boat slips available at the marina, along with ethanol free gas. A boat ramp is also available behind the Olde Fish House Marina.
The restaurant is open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m., Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, and from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Wednesday and Friday.
Every Wednesday from 5:30-9 p.m., the Olde Fish House hosts bike night. Live music is performed every Friday night and Sunday afternoon.
The Olde Fish House Marina is located at 4530 Pine Island Road in Matlacha.