It's the end of an era. 

Chiles Hospitality announced today that it's selling its three signature restaurants—Sandbar Seafood & Spirits, Mar Vista Dockside Restaurant and Beach House Waterfront Restaurant—as well as its events department and bakery, Anna Maria Bake House, which is located within the Beach House. The buyer is Pinellas-based Beachside Hospitality Group.

Chiles Hospitality is led by Ed Chiles and employs 350 people. In a press release announcing the sale, the Chiles group said that staff has been asked to continue in their current roles and that Beachside Hospitality Group plans to keep the restaurants open and operating as normal.

In a note to his staff about the sale, Chiles—the son of former Florida governor Lawton Chiles—reflected on his long career and his pride in his restaurants.

"July 5 marked a major milestone for me," he wrote. "Forty-five years earlier [in 1979], I was part of a group, along with my father, that bought Sandbar Seafood & Spirits. Some of you remember what the Sandbar looked like back then. The restaurant was built out of an old Army barracks that they brought in from the Air Force Base in Lakeland, Florida, in 1946. Lakeland happened to be my hometown. The building was placed on pilings with no foundation. We didn't have much beach at all back then, and the water used to wash up underneath the building on high tides, and on strong stormy days we wouldn't seat the first row along the windows because the waves were breaking up against the building. The ceiling was so low I had to be careful not to have too much spring in my step, or I would hit my head. We have come a long way."

Chiles Hospitality bought Mar Vista Dockside Restaurant—whose bait-shack history dates back to 1913—in 1989, and the Beach House in 1993. All three restaurants have since undergone extensive renovations. More recently, Chiles Hospitality has also focused on its sustainability—growing its own organic produce at its Gamble Creek Farms; putting a premium on recycling and composting; and educating customers about its efforts. 

"I believe every business has a story to tell," Chiles continued in his letter. "Thanks to the efforts of all current and former employees over four-and-a-half decades, our story is one I think we can all be proud of.  We have weathered major storms, economic downturns, and the recent pandemic, but we always came through, because of the efforts of our team—always becoming stronger.

"The work we have done together is one of the greatest experiences of my life," he concluded. "I am looking forward to this next chapter in my life where I can spend more time with my grandson and family. I want you all to know how much I will miss your smiles and fellowship, and our interactions. I will miss what we all do daily, as we serve our guests and our community." 

Chiles says he'll continued to be involved with Gamble Creek Farms—which is certified organic and based in Parrish on 26 acres—and with "promoting sustainable projects" at the farm and elsewhere.