By Stan Karpf, GSAC Board Member
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As I was walking through The Village on Venetian Bay I noticed a sign at the entrance to T-Michael’s Steak and Lobster House inviting neighborhood residents to a Tenth Anniversary and Christmas Party on December 23 from 6-9 PM.
The next day before the restaurant opened for business I stopped in to see the owner, Ty Ernst whom many of you know to congratulate him on his ten years of operations.
Ty explained to me that ten years ago he heard the business was for sale and decided to take a ride to Naples to take a look at it. At the time he owned a restaurant in Ft Lauderdale but was always intrigued by the idea of living on the West Coast of Florida.
Upon his arrival he saw the view, met the neighbors, and could not understand why the business was not doing well. He quickly came to the conclusion all that was missing was a good operator in this beautiful location.
He immediately realized this was a rare opportunity and purchased the business.
The business quickly became a big success exactly as he anticipated, then seven years later, the pandemic hit our shores.
Thankfully during the pandemic, a strong take out trade and out door dining business kept the restaurant alive.
Soon after the fear of Covid ended, a rapid recovery of indoor dining took place. Then another catastrophe happened, Hurricane Ian struck which resulted in the business being closed for forty seven days.
The restaurant sustained heavy damage requiring the interior to be remodeled and the restaurant to be refurnished, thankfully business picked up quickly.
Over the years Ty has supported the community in many ways such as donating meals on Mothers Day to The Shelter for Abused Women and Children, and providing free meals to Veterans on Veterans Day and First Responders on 9/11. This year Ty fed more than 1500 Veterans for Veterans Day as well as provided Thanksgiving Dinner to all Naples City Police Officers working on Thanksgiving.
Neighborhood residents, after Hurricane Ian, saw their beloved friend Ty toiling in the aftermath of the storm trying to get his business back open, they generously purchased dozens of gift cards and told him to throw them out never intending to use them which provided him with much needed financial support to get the business back open quickly.
He will be forever grateful to all the neighborhood residents who were so kind to him.
As a thank you to all his wonderful customers who through tragedy, have become good friends, he will be hosting a Ten Year Anniversary and Christmas Party on December 23 from 6-9 PM.
The celebration will be held in a tent located in the parking lot in front of the restaurant, there will be live entertainment featuring four electric violinists playing both Christmas and popular music, free Champagne and Appetizers will be served.
Valet parking will be offered.
If you can’t make the December 23 party he will also be open Christmas Eve 3-10 PM and Christmas Day 12-9 PM.
Ty invites you to stop by his restaurant and say Merry Christmas and remember, Ty “will be waiting at the door for you” as his radio advertisements have said for the past decade.
Congratulations Ty on your Tenth Anniversary, we love having you in the neighborhood!
T-Michaels Steak and Lobster House
4050 Gulf Shore Blvd N
Naples FL 34103
