….and the best part was getting my autographed Brian Dawkins jersey.
As a student at the University of Central Florida, I often frequented Friendly Confines– a neighborhood sports bar in the Waterford Lakes Plaza / Outdoor Shopping Mall. Their specials were outstanding, including the original ‘Nickel Beer Night’. Friendly Confines was practically a monument for UCF Alumni, as was one of the original bars that didn’t fall into the category of typical ‘UCF College Bars’ with sticky floors, vomit in the trashcans, and the smell of rotten wood soaked in beer. This was a class-act establishment that had a great reputation, and solid food.
In September of 2015, my partner Tony Blair and myself sold the business to a new group. We represented both sides of the transaction, and worked with the Washington Prime Group, a subsidiary of Simon Property Group, in one of the most challenging deals that I have worked on yet. The deal was signed in April and closed 5 months later after numerous obstacles and curve balls, however the deal fared well for both sides. Carmen Jordan, president of C. Jordan Enterprises (which owns all 4, now 3, locations of Friendly Confines) will continue his plan to expand the franchise into a large blueprint with new stores coming soon. Jamie Feldman and Eric Isolica, partners in the Orlando Hospitality Partnership, the Buyers in this deal- will be bringing an upscale sports bar and social environment to the old Confines Space. They are bringing a new concept called “The Social House”, and I’m excited to see what it evolves into.
It was an honor to represent both groups, in truly what was my most memorable sale in business brokerage to date. I will keep this blog updated on developments on both sides.
As a side note, Carmen owns a sports memorabilia business, and as an expression of gratitude, he offered Tony and I a signed autograph jersey from our favorite athletes. I obviously chose Brian Dawkins.
