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New Owner Of Billy Jack's Burger Shack Has Plans

Mark Schantz/SUNCOAST

Michigan teacher turned Florida restaurateur Bill McLemore, right, new owner of Billy Jack's Burger Shack, in Palm Harbor, with Annie Irle, daytime bartender with a smile, and cook Hector Martinez.

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By Mark  Schantz | The Suncoast News

Published: October 4, 2008

PALM HARBOR - Many people still dream of relocating to Florida and starting a totally new career, wearing shorts, T-shirts and sandals for the rest of their life.

Bill McLemore, a former school administrator and athletic director in Burton, Mich., is now living that vision. He purchased Billy Jack's Burger Shack, in downtown Palm Harbor, from the owners of Peggy O'Neill's Irish Pub.

Now he plans to turn Billy Jack's into a major part of the community.

McLemore, who has never been in the restaurant business before, always dreamed of opening a sports bar where families could have a good time. He also wanted to escape the frigidly cold Michigan winters with his wife, Mary, also a teacher, and daughter, Allison.

After working in the Bentley Community Schools system for 18 years and with Allison in her first year of college, McLemore decided to put his plan into motion.

While vacationing in Florida, Bill and Mary looked at various places around the state and liked the Tampa Bay area best. The Suncoast came closest to the vision they had of neighborhood Florida, Bill says.

His first attempt to buy a sports bar, in Hillsborough County, however, failed.

Undeterred, when a friend told him a place called Billy Jack's Burger Shack was for sale in downtown Palm Harbor, he took a drive and instantly fell in love with the little eatery at the corner of Nebraska Avenue and 11th Street. He called his wife, who was back in Michigan for a time, to return to Florida to check it out.

Billy Jack's fit his idea of a neighborhood eatery on the Florida coast. It has an outdoor tiki-style bar area and plenty of seating to enjoy the beautiful weather.

Billy Jack's, which had previously been known as Hooker's Island Grill, also had an indoor seating area in which clubs or people could meet, he said.

When Bill and Mary bought the restaurant it suddenly hit him: he had reached his goal.

Eric Webber and John Egan helped educate Bill on the intricacies of the restaurant business, such as controlling food and beverage costs. Webber and Egan remodeled the former Demers Den, initially creating Hooker's Island Grill and then turning it into Billy Jack's.

"Eric and John have been a tremendous help," Bill said. "I couldn't have done it without their help. They are still helping me whenever I ask or stopping by to see how things are going."

Most of the Bill Jack's staff has stayed on and has been a great help at keeping everything running smoothly, he added.

He said the wants to build on Billy Jack's niche of being an affordable, neighborhood family place, and grow its loyal customer base.

Burgers range in price from $3 to $4.95 with three Baby Billy burgers going for $4.

Other businesses in downtown Palm Harbor have offered encouragement, support and help, McLemore said. "Everyone has been so welcoming," he said.

Now, he and Mary want to become a big part of the community life, McLemore said.

Many people don't realize they can sit in air-conditioned comfort and meet with clients, friends or groups. Billy Jack's can accommodate meetings, even before the usual 11 a.m. opening time, he said.

McLemore said Billy Jack's wants to focus on the affordability of its food. It's a laid-back, easy-going, family oriented eatery, not attracting the rowdy bar crowd, he said.

Kid's meals are $3.50 and a foot-long hot dog costs $3.50. On Wednesday's wings are 50 cents each for everyone, Thursday Baby Billy hamburgers are three for $3, and everyday they feature a dozen wings for $7.99.

Billy Jack's also serves fish, chicken, salads and a variety of appetizers, including corn dog bites, macaroni and cheese, fried green tomatoes and jalapeno poppers.

The Billy Jack's kitchen is open late, to 11 p.m. Sunday to Thursday and to midnight on Friday and Saturday.

McLemore brought back live music on Friday nights and will soon add a Saturday night performer.

Mark Schantz can be reached at 727-815-1075 or mschantz@suncoastnews.com.

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