KAPA‘A — A popular BBQ restaurant in Kapa‘a is not closing, but will eventually relocate to a different location. “I’m not closing,” said Scott Phelps of Scotty’s Beachside BBQ, in reaction to a recent news story that his business would
KAPA‘A — A popular BBQ restaurant in Kapa‘a is not closing, but will eventually relocate to a different location.
“I’m not closing,” said Scott Phelps of Scotty’s Beachside BBQ, in reaction to a recent news story that his business would close once the building in which it is currently housed is sold. “This is just incredible.”
Phelps is the operating partner and part owner of the BBQ eatery, which features his name and has been serving patrons for a decade.
Phelps said things are “business as usual,” at his restaurant, located at 4-1546 Kuhio Highway in Kapa‘a.
The building was placed on the market last week by local publisher and author Andrew Doughty.
“Scotty’s will go on,” Doughty said. “Just not in that location.”
He said Scotty’s BBQ will continue operations but “in a different manner, as well as offering catering,” adding that catering will be a “big part of the future” for the restaurant.
The 3,000-square-foot building and a surrounding 9,000-square-foot lot is up for sale, but Doughty said he would also consider leasing it to another restaurant.
Doughty said the oceanfront property is “better suited for a different type of restaurant.”
In a Pacific Business News (PBN) article, Realtor Allan Beall of Coldwell Banker Commercial Pacific Properties was quoted as saying “The restaurant is not for sale, nor could a tenant carry it on. Once the building is sold, Scotty’s will close down.”
According to Beall, Phelps and Doughty are brothers-in-law. Doughty bought the property more than a decade ago and leased it to his sister, Corona, and her husband, Scott Phelps.
“(Doughty) would prefer to sell the property,” Beall said, “but if a good tenant came along with an existing restaurant, he would consider leasing the property.”
“It might not sell for a year,” Phelps said of Beall’s comments in the PBN article. “This is really disappointing. We have a relatively successful business. This could really hurt us.”
Phelps said his plans include relocating the BBQ eatery once the building is sold, but notes that in this economy that could take some time.
“I’m not close to closing any doors,” Phelps said.
