Blind Tiger Restaurant at Fairhope Pier Seeks Further Financial Assistance

By Rick McCann
Blue RAM Media/Gulf Coast News

JUNE 13, 2025

FAIRHOPE Ala. Owners of the Blind Tiger located at the Fairhope Pier say that they have suffered a substantial loss of revenue since opening up because of the substantial renovations being done at the foot of their restaurant.

The major work began in August 2024 shutting down much of the traffic, limiting parking and at times causing the new business to be totally closed.

The Blind Tiger restaurant co-owner Brent Barkin sought financial assistance from the city previously and once again through his attorney is asking for further financial assistance due to the upcoming closure of the parking lot by the contractor necessary to complete the city’s waterfront renovation project in that area.

Back in February the city council voted to reduce the restaurant’s rent in half, from 3% of gross monthly sales to 1.5% for the duration, but now the owners say that more is needed to pay salaries and other miscellaneous losses during the proposed one-week shutdown tentatively set to begin Monday June 16.

The city council went into an extended executive session and has authorized the mayor to negotiate an appropriate agreement and bring it back to the council for approval.

A lump sum or possibly further reducing the future rent paid to the city were mentioned as options.
Losses have been estimated at $30K for the week that the restaurant must be closed plus about $4,500 for employee salaries, according to Barkin.
A future rent reduction or a lump sum of money may be options for the business but at this time
the owners are not sure if their business will be sustainable due to the year long losses that it has suffered.