FLEMING ISLAND – Since they were boys playing in Doctors Lake, twins Jeff and Jesse Jabot were always intrigued by Whitey’s Fish Camp.

Founded in 1963 by Whitey and Ann Ham, the iconic restaurant on the shore of Swimming Pen Creek along County Road 220 became one of Northeast Florida’s most-beloved waterfront destinations for a relaxed atmosphere, campground, live music on the deck, a cold beer or festive cocktail, its famous “All You Can Eat Catfish” and its variety of seafood choices.

More than six decades of family ownership came to an end on Tuesday, March 10, when the Ham family sold to the restaurant group Harry’s of America, led by Jesse and partner Justin Griffin.  

Harry’s of America also owns, Harry’s Seafood, Bar and Grille and Casa Reina Taqueria & Tequila with locations in St. Augustine.

Whitey’s co-owner Billy Ham said the decision to sell wasn’t easy.   But the family said they will take comfort knowing the restaurant’s history and legacy will be preserved with the new owners who appreciated Whitey’s place in the community.

“There will be subtle changes,” Jesse said. “We are going to keep the name Whitey’s. My brother and I graduated from Middleburg High. We learned to water ski in Doctors Lake. We understand the significance of Whitey’s to this community.”

Jesse said many of the changes will be made behind the scenes and along with a general refresh of the building when the restaurant is closed for about a week between March 30 through April 7^th.

Customers will still receive warm service, but they will gradually notice minor additions to the dining menu with some fresh new culinary dishes made popular at Harry’s Seafood, Bar and Grille, as well as new exciting cocktails from the bar.

“It’s not going to be an overhaul,” Jesse said. “It will still be 85% the way it is.”

Billy is planning to remain at Whitey’s with the Jabots and Griffin for another three years until he retires, Jesse Jabot said.

“Whitey’s has been a part of our family and this community for more than 60 years,” the Ham family said in a release. “We are incredibly grateful to our loyal customers, staff and friends who helped make it what it is today. We feel confident passing the torch to a group that respects the history of Whitey’s and shares our love for this special place.”

The new ownership group brings extensive hospitality experience and strong local ties. The other partners involved also growing up in the area and recall having visited Whitey’s over the years

“We’ve always admired what the Ham family built at Whitey’s,” a representative of Harry’s of America said. “It’s an iconic local gathering place, and our goal is to honor its tradition while ensuring it continues to thrive for generations to come.”

With its scenic waterfront views, casual atmosphere, and deep roots in the community, Whitey’s Fish Camp has long been known as “The Place to Be Since 1963.” The Ham family says they are confident that tradition will continue well into the future.

The morning the Ham family was going to reveal the sale to close friends, Billy said the gravity of the moment hit him.

“I woke up bawling my eyes out,” he said with a smile.

Elaine Cassala, one of five children of the founders, told a group of longtime regulars and friends at a private party on Thursday, March 5, how the fish camp started. It also provided the perfect opportunity to tell their closest friends first about the sale.

Including Billy, the other children are Luke Lawley, Greg Lawley and Cindy Sheehe.

“At the time (1963), it was only a fish camp,” she said. “As you know, in the wintertime here, the fishing (stinks). There’s not a lot of fishing, so my dad would catch catfish, and he’d do it with a trotline. If you don’t know what a trotline is, it was a long line with 500 hooks. We’d put little Camay soap balls on the hooks. Sometimes we’d use little balls of tin foil. Whatever catfish we’d catch, my mother would do fish fries on the weekend in what’s now the bait shop.”

The Hams eventually built a small dining room in what’s now the pool room. Years later, Whitey’s Fish Camp is a sprawling restaurant with two inside dining rooms, two outside dining areas, an inside bar, a Tiki bar, boat launch with a fuel pump, boat dock, pool room, bait shop and RV park.

A subsidiary of Harry’s of America now owns it all, with the exception of Billy Ham’s home.

“We could not find a better fit to take over Whitey's and carry Whitey's legacy on,” Billy said. “Whitey's will continue. There'll be more. We're going to have something bigger and better.

“The legacy will continue.”