- December 4, 2025
Flagler County is one step closer to finalizing a lease for the Bull Creek Fish Camp restaurant, placing a local family in charge after Hurricanes Ian and Nicole flooded the previous building in November 2022.
The restaurant is set to be leased to Pam White and her family, of Bunnell. During a Flagler County Commission workshop on Monday, July 14, White said she is planning a southern-style menu to cater to farmers and fishermen. She has already met with county staff, covering the kitchen layout and operational details.
The White family will lease the restaurant for $500 a month, with annual adjustments to follow. The family will cover all utilities and building maintenance, and the lease will be for a five-year term, with options for two more five-year extensions.
"We were very excited about the low rent because it makes us feel more secure, like we are not going to fail," White said. "I feel like you're setting us up for success with the lower rent, and we appreciate that."
The lease requires the restaurant to be open at least six hours for six days a week between October 15 and March 16, and four hours per day for at least five days a week between March 16 and Oct. 14.
During the July 14 workshop, commissioners still had questions about warranties and building disclosures. What protections, they asked, would the county offer regarding the brand-new kitchen and building? Before the lease is finalized, commissioners want all relevant warranties outlined in writing. Commissioner Kim Carney emphasized that the tenants should clearly communicate any known building conditions to the county.
Commissioner Pam Richardson also inquired about the monthly rent.
"Normally, if it's someplace ... more accessible, we would probably do a market rate study," Deputy County Administrator Jorge Salinas said. "In this case, there's not a lot of restaurants out there that we can actually compare, so we recommend the board to consider a lower rate."
Commissioners also discussed alcohol sales. The lease provides the option for a full liquor license, but White expressed she’s only interested in obtaining a license for beer and wine. Officials voiced concerns about liability, given the campground's location away from population centers.
"I would say because it's such a distant location from the majority of the population that there could be the need for some kind of security with alcohol," Richardson said. "... It was just unusual, because I didn't think there was any out there before."
One resident, Ron Long, spoke at the workshop, praising the county's work toward a lease. But, he did suggest they reevaluate the annual rent increase. A Consumer Price Index adjustment, he said, would raise the rent by about $150 in a 15-year time span.
"I just see that as not the best business practice in this," Long said.
The restaurant is just one part of a larger, $1.57 million redevelopment project which includes seawall repairs, new floating docks, and a septic system. With construction scheduled to begin this summer, the building and kitchen's delivery are scheduled for September. That timing allows for the interior buildout in October, all targeting a full completion and grant closeout in March 2026.
The updated lease is expected back before the board after legal review and revisions.
