Frank Ski at his restaurant for his charity wine auction in December, 2013. CREDIT: Rodney Ho/rho@ajc.com
By RODNEY HO/rho@ajc.com, originally filed Thursday, February 26, 2015
Frank Ski, the former long-time V-103 morning host, has put his Buckhead restaurant and lounge up for sale.
He opened Frank Ski’s Restaurant and Lounge in 2011, a fulfillment of a long-time dream to create his own local version of Houston’s (which is right up the street.).
It’s for sale for a bargain basement amount of just $395,000 or for lease at $18,000 a month.
“You’re getting a fully equipped, gorgeous, stunning restaurant almost for free,” said broker Steve Josovitz. “Frank is selling at a sacrifice price basically to cover the remaining portion of a loan.”
You can read the listing here from the restaurant broker Shumacher’s website.
It opens with this sales pitch: “Buckhead “Atlanta” Full Service Restaurant, Bar & Lounge – Freestanding, Open, Equipped & Turnkey with sales that have reached [annual sales of] $4,000,000 with an absentee Owner who is selling to focus on out of state business.”
In other words, Ski is spending most of his time now in D.C., where he has worked at R&B station WHUR-FM as an afternoon host since the fall of 2013. Ski hasn’t responded to inquiries today but presumably, his ability to focus and promote his restaurant has been limited by the fact he no longer lives in Atlanta full time. He tries to fly back to Atlanta every weekend, which he told me last June was a major strain.
“It’s really a time issue, not a money issue,” said broker Josovitz, who said the restaurant is still generating positive cash flow, even with Ski’s relative absence.
Ski still has a desire to break back into Atlanta FM radio, perhaps through syndication, but has had no luck to date.
Ski was the No. 1 radio host in town on R&B/hip-hop station V-103 from 1998 until late 2012, when he left because he wanted to do a syndication deal that V-103 owner CBS Radio could not accommodate. He was replaced by Ryan Cameron who now works with Ski’s former radio partner Wanda Smith. V-103’s ratings have fallen since Ski left but the station remains top ranked in key demos most months.
Ironically, Ski uses Mo Ivory as his co-host at WHUR. Ivory was part of Cameron’s morning show in 2013 for a few months. His show airs from 3 to 7 p.m. on weekdays.
Frank Ski’s photo on the sales listing website.
The dining area. CREDIT: Shumachers
Ski has used his restaurant to host his Frank Ski Kids Foundation fundraisers and last year, Stevie Wonder serenaded Ski for his 50th birthday at his place. He did not hold his most recent wine auction earlier this month at the restaurant.
My coverage of the Frank Ski’s opening party in 2011.
Stevie Wonder (left) with Tanya and Frank Ski at Frank Ski’s Restaurant last June for his 50th birthday party.
Frank Ski’s has 8,000 square feet with seating for 400. There’s a 30-seat bar, two private dining rooms and a special wine cellar dining room which Ski takes special pride. It opens for dinner and late night Monday through Thursday and lunch, dinner and late night on weekends.
His restaurant/loung has an average of 3.5 stars out of 5 on Yelp based on 113 reviews.
On the restaurant website, which is still featuring a Valentine’s Day special, Ski describes the concept:
The restaurant serves classic American fare, offering such signature dishes as Fried Red Snapper, Braised Short Ribs and Maryland Style Jumbo Lump Crab Cakes, while the lounge provides a sultry and sexy ambiance for guests, while they listen to international sounds and lounge under the red LED lights illuminating the room, creating a relaxed environment.
The sign outside of Frank Ski’s soon after it opened. CREDIT: Rodney Ho/rho@ajc.com
