November 20, 2025 • 6 mins
A major Clearwater Beach business is caught in a “Succession”-style family feud, creating turmoil behind the scenes as legal and financial tensions spill into public view. Tampa Bay Business Journal Editor-At-Large Ashley Kritzer joins us with the details on that and Big Storm Brewing's latest big problems.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Let's go to the hotline and bring in Tampa Bay
Business Journal Editor at large, Ashley Kreutzer. You can find
oliver work and a whole lot more at Tampa Bay
Business Journal dot com and you can also follow her
on Instagram at Ashley Kreutzer. So, Ashley, We've got a
lot to talk about this morning, and let's start with
this really interesting story at a Clearwater Beach. It involves
a family feud bankruptcy. Tell us about that.
Speaker 2 (00:22):
Right, So, I think this is an attraction most of
us who have been to Clearwater Beach can easily imagine.
It's the Captain Bly Landing and it's a mini golf course,
and they have some really prime real estate in Clearwater Beach.
It's two acres on Golf Feud Boulevard. But this family
has filed an eviction lawsuit. One of the members of
the family has fought in a viction lawsuit to assert
(00:42):
his control and ownership of that property.
Speaker 3 (00:45):
But he's actually his children that are challenging him.
Speaker 2 (00:47):
So it is a fascinating story of family drama and
real estate.
Speaker 3 (00:52):
I mean, what more could you want?
Speaker 1 (00:53):
This is like the Clearwater Beach real estate version of succession.
Speaker 3 (01:01):
I think we could make that comparison.
Speaker 2 (01:03):
Yeah, we're talking about a two acre mini golf course
on Clearwater Beach, But I think their portfolio on the
show is a little more impressive. But hey, I mean,
like I said, this prime real estate and now you
have family.
Speaker 3 (01:14):
You know, it's this family is fighting it out in court.
Speaker 4 (01:18):
What does everyone want here?
Speaker 1 (01:19):
Did the kids want to get rid of the mini
golf course and put up something different because it's very
valuable piece of land.
Speaker 4 (01:26):
Is the father looking to do something different?
Speaker 2 (01:28):
So what they want to do isn't clear, But they
are claiming that their father wrongfully sought to take over
the property to tear it down and make way for
a hotel. So I think there is interest from at
least some members of the family and developing that property.
Speaker 1 (01:41):
All right, now, let's talk about Big Storm Brewing because
the problems they just continue for that brewery.
Speaker 2 (01:48):
Right, So the Big Storm Brewing story, I mean talk
again to talk about drama, and it goes all the
way back to a story that's now a couple of
years old with the Center for Special Needs Trust and
Leo Gavoni, who was overseeing that trust, was accused of
swindling money out of it and basically robbing the trust
(02:08):
was set up for people with special needs.
Speaker 3 (02:10):
You know, if you get a.
Speaker 2 (02:11):
Settlement a car accidents, say, and then your money is
put in that trust to invest. And that's what Cavani
was supposed to be overseeing, and instead he funneled money
out of that, I believe to fund his own businesses,
what he's been accused of. So one of those businesses
was Big Storm Brewing went through a Chapter eleven bankruptcy
to try to save it after everything went down with
the Center for Special Needs Trust, but that Chapter eleven
(02:34):
reorganization was not successful. Usually that means they couldn't find
a buyer. So now its assets will be sold in
a liquidation auction.
Speaker 1 (02:41):
Do you find that interesting that they couldn't find a
buyer just because one time brewing was such a big
deal here in the Tampa Bay area. I still think
it is to a certain extent. And also Big Storm
Brewery it's a big name, you know.
Speaker 2 (02:56):
I think that it is a valid point that the
craft brewing industry is certainly challenge right now. I think
it got a little bit overbuilt, and we're seeing some
brewers pivot do more THHC. Type Seltzers, So I think
that is part of it, yes, But we're also seeing
other brewers that go out of business. We're seeing new
breweries pop up and use their real estate. So it's
(03:16):
hard to say if it's reflective of the craft beer
industry or if people are aware of that tie to
what happened with the Special Needs Trust.
Speaker 1 (03:24):
And what about another big name in the local brewery scene.
You've got Cigar City Brewing now heading to Ebor City.
Speaker 2 (03:32):
Yeah, so everyone knows Cigar City is really the kind
of that og micro brewery for Tamba. It's not a
micro brewer anymore, but craft brewing for Tampa kind of
started that movement here in the twenty tens. It was
always the signature brewery and it was founded by Joey Redner,
whose son of the Strip Club mogul and free speech
activist Joe Redner. And even though Joey Redner sold his
(03:54):
controlling share of that brewery years and years ago, the
brewery was still in a property owned by his So
it seems like their lease is expiring and they're going
to move to Ebor City, which is a good.
Speaker 3 (04:04):
Thing for Ebor.
Speaker 2 (04:05):
It's another destination there that's not a nightclub.
Speaker 1 (04:08):
And we've had a lot of bad news coming out
of Ebor City over the past two weeks, so it's
good to see something good happening in that area.
Speaker 4 (04:15):
All right, let's get to one final story.
Speaker 1 (04:17):
We're joined by Tampa Bay Business Journal Editor at large
Ashley Kreutzer.
Speaker 4 (04:21):
What's going on with West Chase Town Center.
Speaker 2 (04:23):
So, the West Chase Town Center, I think you could
argue it's an iconic suburban property, right. Usually we don't
refer to suburban retail properties as iconic, but the West
Chase Town Center, I think everyone can picture it.
Speaker 3 (04:35):
It's just a special property.
Speaker 2 (04:38):
And the original developer of that property, that bought the
land in two thousand and four has sold it off
after owning it, after building it and then owning it
for twenty years. And interestingly, it's staying in a local
the hands of a local company, which we don't often
see with big sales of these commercial properties. It's usually
some group out of New York or Atlanta, but this
group was out of Temple Terra's.
Speaker 1 (04:57):
Does that mean that it's likely going to stay as
is or could changes be coming to the town Center.
Speaker 3 (05:03):
I think this is almost certainly going to stay as is.
Speaker 2 (05:05):
It is a cash flowing, successful, well occupied retail center
surrounded by rooftops, there'd be absolutely no need to redevelop it.
But usually when a new owner comes in, they make
some improvements and look for ways to raise the rent,
So you could expect superficial improvements, but I don't think
anything like a redevelopment is on top.
Speaker 1 (05:23):
I feel like sometimes we talk so much about places
like Water Street or downtown Saint Pete, these different locations
that have a lot going on, a lot of cool
things at night, But like the West Chase Town Center
and just some of those areas around West Chase, there's
a lot happening there that like, if people haven't been
(05:45):
there in a long time, it's worth checking out because
it could be a really good time.
Speaker 3 (05:51):
Oh. I agree.
Speaker 2 (05:52):
In that Citrus Park area that's not too far away,
there's a lot going on there and there's development to
come after the Big Cat Rescue are our famous Carol
Baskin kat Rescue where they sold off some of that
land for development.
Speaker 3 (06:04):
So there is a lot going on.
Speaker 2 (06:06):
If you are one of those people, which sometimes I
have a tendency to be of not leaving that South
Tampa bubble. There is a lot going on north of
Kennedy these days, all.
Speaker 1 (06:15):
Right, Tampa Bay Business Journal Editor at large, Ashley Kreizer.
You can find all of her reporting and a whole
lot more at Tampa Bay Business Journal dot com, and
you can follow her on Instagram at Ashley Kreutzer.
Speaker 4 (06:27):
Ashley, thanks so much. We'll talk to you soon.
Speaker 3 (06:29):
Thanks for having me
Let's go to the hotline and bring in Tampa Bay
Business Journal Editor at large, Ashley Kreutzer. You can find
oliver work and a whole lot more at Tampa Bay
Business Journal dot com and you can also follow her
on Instagram at Ashley Kreutzer. So, Ashley, We've got a
lot to talk about this morning, and let's start with
this really interesting story at a Clearwater Beach. It involves
a family feud bankruptcy. Tell us about that.
Speaker 2 (00:22):
Right, So, I think this is an attraction most of
us who have been to Clearwater Beach can easily imagine.
It's the Captain Bly Landing and it's a mini golf course,
and they have some really prime real estate in Clearwater Beach.
It's two acres on Golf Feud Boulevard. But this family
has filed an eviction lawsuit. One of the members of
the family has fought in a viction lawsuit to assert
(00:42):
his control and ownership of that property.
Speaker 3 (00:45):
But he's actually his children that are challenging him.
Speaker 2 (00:47):
So it is a fascinating story of family drama and
real estate.
Speaker 3 (00:52):
I mean, what more could you want?
Speaker 1 (00:53):
This is like the Clearwater Beach real estate version of succession.
Speaker 3 (01:01):
I think we could make that comparison.
Speaker 2 (01:03):
Yeah, we're talking about a two acre mini golf course
on Clearwater Beach, But I think their portfolio on the
show is a little more impressive. But hey, I mean,
like I said, this prime real estate and now you
have family.
Speaker 3 (01:14):
You know, it's this family is fighting it out in court.
Speaker 4 (01:18):
What does everyone want here?
Speaker 1 (01:19):
Did the kids want to get rid of the mini
golf course and put up something different because it's very
valuable piece of land.
Speaker 4 (01:26):
Is the father looking to do something different?
Speaker 2 (01:28):
So what they want to do isn't clear, But they
are claiming that their father wrongfully sought to take over
the property to tear it down and make way for
a hotel. So I think there is interest from at
least some members of the family and developing that property.
Speaker 1 (01:41):
All right, now, let's talk about Big Storm Brewing because
the problems they just continue for that brewery.
Speaker 2 (01:48):
Right, So the Big Storm Brewing story, I mean talk
again to talk about drama, and it goes all the
way back to a story that's now a couple of
years old with the Center for Special Needs Trust and
Leo Gavoni, who was overseeing that trust, was accused of
swindling money out of it and basically robbing the trust
(02:08):
was set up for people with special needs.
Speaker 3 (02:10):
You know, if you get a.
Speaker 2 (02:11):
Settlement a car accidents, say, and then your money is
put in that trust to invest. And that's what Cavani
was supposed to be overseeing, and instead he funneled money
out of that, I believe to fund his own businesses,
what he's been accused of. So one of those businesses
was Big Storm Brewing went through a Chapter eleven bankruptcy
to try to save it after everything went down with
the Center for Special Needs Trust, but that Chapter eleven
(02:34):
reorganization was not successful. Usually that means they couldn't find
a buyer. So now its assets will be sold in
a liquidation auction.
Speaker 1 (02:41):
Do you find that interesting that they couldn't find a
buyer just because one time brewing was such a big
deal here in the Tampa Bay area. I still think
it is to a certain extent. And also Big Storm
Brewery it's a big name, you know.
Speaker 2 (02:56):
I think that it is a valid point that the
craft brewing industry is certainly challenge right now. I think
it got a little bit overbuilt, and we're seeing some
brewers pivot do more THHC. Type Seltzers, So I think
that is part of it, yes, But we're also seeing
other brewers that go out of business. We're seeing new
breweries pop up and use their real estate. So it's
(03:16):
hard to say if it's reflective of the craft beer
industry or if people are aware of that tie to
what happened with the Special Needs Trust.
Speaker 1 (03:24):
And what about another big name in the local brewery scene.
You've got Cigar City Brewing now heading to Ebor City.
Speaker 2 (03:32):
Yeah, so everyone knows Cigar City is really the kind
of that og micro brewery for Tamba. It's not a
micro brewer anymore, but craft brewing for Tampa kind of
started that movement here in the twenty tens. It was
always the signature brewery and it was founded by Joey Redner,
whose son of the Strip Club mogul and free speech
activist Joe Redner. And even though Joey Redner sold his
(03:54):
controlling share of that brewery years and years ago, the
brewery was still in a property owned by his So
it seems like their lease is expiring and they're going
to move to Ebor City, which is a good.
Speaker 3 (04:04):
Thing for Ebor.
Speaker 2 (04:05):
It's another destination there that's not a nightclub.
Speaker 1 (04:08):
And we've had a lot of bad news coming out
of Ebor City over the past two weeks, so it's
good to see something good happening in that area.
Speaker 4 (04:15):
All right, let's get to one final story.
Speaker 1 (04:17):
We're joined by Tampa Bay Business Journal Editor at large
Ashley Kreutzer.
Speaker 4 (04:21):
What's going on with West Chase Town Center.
Speaker 2 (04:23):
So, the West Chase Town Center, I think you could
argue it's an iconic suburban property, right. Usually we don't
refer to suburban retail properties as iconic, but the West
Chase Town Center, I think everyone can picture it.
Speaker 3 (04:35):
It's just a special property.
Speaker 2 (04:38):
And the original developer of that property, that bought the
land in two thousand and four has sold it off
after owning it, after building it and then owning it
for twenty years. And interestingly, it's staying in a local
the hands of a local company, which we don't often
see with big sales of these commercial properties. It's usually
some group out of New York or Atlanta, but this
group was out of Temple Terra's.
Speaker 1 (04:57):
Does that mean that it's likely going to stay as
is or could changes be coming to the town Center.
Speaker 3 (05:03):
I think this is almost certainly going to stay as is.
Speaker 2 (05:05):
It is a cash flowing, successful, well occupied retail center
surrounded by rooftops, there'd be absolutely no need to redevelop it.
But usually when a new owner comes in, they make
some improvements and look for ways to raise the rent,
So you could expect superficial improvements, but I don't think
anything like a redevelopment is on top.
Speaker 1 (05:23):
I feel like sometimes we talk so much about places
like Water Street or downtown Saint Pete, these different locations
that have a lot going on, a lot of cool
things at night, But like the West Chase Town Center
and just some of those areas around West Chase, there's
a lot happening there that like, if people haven't been
(05:45):
there in a long time, it's worth checking out because
it could be a really good time.
Speaker 3 (05:51):
Oh. I agree.
Speaker 2 (05:52):
In that Citrus Park area that's not too far away,
there's a lot going on there and there's development to
come after the Big Cat Rescue are our famous Carol
Baskin kat Rescue where they sold off some of that
land for development.
Speaker 3 (06:04):
So there is a lot going on.
Speaker 2 (06:06):
If you are one of those people, which sometimes I
have a tendency to be of not leaving that South
Tampa bubble. There is a lot going on north of
Kennedy these days, all.
Speaker 1 (06:15):
Right, Tampa Bay Business Journal Editor at large, Ashley Kreizer.
You can find all of her reporting and a whole
lot more at Tampa Bay Business Journal dot com, and
you can follow her on Instagram at Ashley Kreutzer.
Speaker 4 (06:27):
Ashley, thanks so much. We'll talk to you soon.
Speaker 3 (06:29):
Thanks for having me
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