Boathouse continues to tweak its offerings
The new Boathouse Tiki Bar & Grill at the Cape Coral Yacht Club is still making some tweaks to its beach location, and has also learned quickly what its customers want.
That’s why it is continuing its hot dog initiative that started this month, and also is considering new ideas as the business gains more traction.
Among the ideas they have started comes from the former K-C’s River Stop playbook, by offering quick and easy foods for beach-goers for a smaller price.
“K-C’s was basically a hot dog stand. When we started building, they brought in a hot dog lady and that filled the spot for the beach goers,” said Mickey Ferry, general manager of the Boathouse. “Our fare is more than K-C’s ever offered, but there was a hole where the hot dog people were. They’re (park users) not always interested in a full menu.”
On weekends, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., The Boathouse, which opened in late May, is setting up a grill and canopy by the beachside and grilling up burgers and dogs, soda and water, at a lower price to fill more the niche, and to be more convenient.
“I’ll do a combo meal for $5, where you can get a dog, chips and soda. These people want something quick and easy. They don’t want to deal with the deck thing,” Ferry said.
Ferry said he may expand to offer a full barbecue, with beer, on the venue’s slice of sand, since it’s the only place where alcohol is allowed off premises.
“These are ideas we’ve had all along, but as we can, we develop one, then another, until we get the whole package together.” Ferry said.
Ferry said the Boathouse has been adding facets as they go, such as the Ship’s Store, where they will add a bait tank and freezers and expand an area near the dock with a patio and another freezer where they can sell ice and even a 12-pack of beer, since the Boathouse has a package license.
“I may even put in a little bistro area with a refrigerator with soda and beer in it, so if someone wants fuel, they can sit down in the shade and have a cold beer,” Ferry. “I’m slowly adding things as I go.”