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Capt. Hiram's has grown with Sebastian

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Contributed by: Debbie Batteiger/YourHub.com on 3/8/2006

On any given Saturday night, if you walk into Capt. Hiram's Resort you are bound to find the place packed with people enjoying food, drink and song. Twenty years ago this year - when they just opened their doors - you would have found a raw bar with a few stools. Today, the raw bar has grown into a resort with restaurant, bar, sandbar, marina and the Key West Inn to add to its label.

'We've got a great location, its a homey Cheers like atmosphere," said Debra Janssen, director of marketing for the resort.

Janssen added that because the principal owners - Tom Collins and Martin Carter - still own Capt. Hiram's after 20 years, that small bar feel remains.

"We retain that Mom and Pop feel. I think it's because Capt. Hiram's grew with Sebastian," she said.

Carter said he would agreed, as he walked around his 20-year history at Capt. Hiram's, pointing out where expansions have been made over the years and where Hurricanes Jeanne and Frances left their mark in 2004.

"Jeanne was the real deal, we lost the roof on the restaurant and it dumped water througout the place," he said. "We have 160 employees here and about three-quarters of them that were still in town came and moved debris, stick by stick. It was a real show of human perserverance."

It is that perserverance that has kept the resort growing over the years. One of the things Carter said he is proud of is his staff.

"I have about two dozen that have been with me from the beginning - from waitresses to managers. We have a core group here," he said.

Providing live entertainment, Carter said, also has contributed to the restaurant's appeal.

"On any good Saturday, we'll do 3,000 meals," he said.

Janssen said that bringing name talent from Orlando is a crowd pleaser. Recently, the resort hosted Yellowman, an Orlando-based reggae band to play at the establishment. She said about 700 people attended the Thursday evening event in February.

"We bring first rate entertainment to our own backyard," she said.

The secret to the success of Capt. Hiram's though is Carter's partnership with Tom Collins, he said.

"The two of us own the business but my partners creativity and my tenacity is a good mix. To have a successful enterprise you need diverging views," he said. "He coming up with some good ideas. It's a good balance."

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Submitted By: Kandi Phillips

posted on 9/14/2008 @ 8:01:40 PM

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We love Capt Hirams and tell everyone about it. My husband and I grew up in Indian River so we have seen how it's grown. It's the best place to listen to bands while looking over the river.

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Submitted By: Celeste McWilliams

posted on 8/3/2007 @ 6:56:13 AM

Rated Story

Amen to that. Hirams is wonderful!

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Submitted By: Celeste McWilliams

posted on 7/3/2006 @ 1:15:09 PM

Rated Story

We couldn't agreee more! Hirams is the best way to escape the real world! It's like having paradise right down the road.

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Showing 1-3 of 3 comments