Cocoa Beach Pier Sold
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Cocoa Beach Pier. Brevard Times / file. |
COCOA BEACH, Florida -- The Cocoa Beach Pier has been sold to David Siegel, President and CEO of Westgate Resorts, and longtime business associate Jim Gissy.
The iconic Space Coast landmark was built by the Stottler family in 1962 and over the years
has evolved into a Central Florida beach destination for families. The pier
spans 800 feet in length and is currently home to five restaurants and
bars, and numerous gift shops. Siegel and Gissy plan to renovate the
pier and make it the premier family dining and entertainment destination
for the Central Florida/Cocoa Beach community.
"A large part of my family grew up in the Cocoa Beach
area and we have many wonderful memories of the time spent here," said
Siegel. "We are honored to become the custodians of this magnificent
landmark and we are fortunate to have the resources necessary to ensure
that the legacy of the pier is protected and renovated in a first-class
manner."
According to Gissy, "I'm very excited to partner with David Siegel on this amazing project. He is one of the most successful businessmen in the state of Florida
and it was my lucky day when I started working for him over 30 years
ago. I'm thankful to have the opportunity to work with him on this
iconic Florida landmark."
Members of the Siegel family have called Brevard County home since 1972. During this time, David Siegel founded one of Central Florida's
most popular indoor family attractions – the Mystery Fun House in Orlando, Florida – where
he and his family learned the hospitality industry. Siegel grew this
early business into Westgate Resorts, which is now the largest privately
owned timeshare company in the world. Siegel plans to utilize the pier
as a means to bring his children into the family business and learn the
art of entertaining families.
Mark Mrozinski,
Vice President of Retail, Dining and Spa Operations of Westgate
Resorts, will be managing the pier from the Orlando Corporate Offices. Brian Siegel, Vice President of Risk Management, a resident of Merritt Island, who also grew up in Cocoa Beach and graduated from Cocoa Beach High School in 1981, will also help oversee the pier.
Lori Stottler, daughter of the late Rick Stottler
and founder of the Cocoa Beach Pier, stated, "My father always had a
vision to elevate the pier to become an icon of the local tourism
industry. Our family chose David and Jim because of David's longstanding
family ties to the local community and the vision that David and Jim
shared with our late father. They are the ideal team to carry on the
legacy of the world-famous Cocoa Beach Pier."
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