Top Stories - East County: December

One of the first restaurants to open on Lakewood Ranch Main Street is changing hands.

Malcolm and Karen Ronney confirmed to the East County Observer Tuesday they are selling Scotland-themed MacAllisters Grill & Tavern, 8110 Lakewood Main St., to Lakewood Ranch residents Greg and Tina Bliss.

The Ronneys — who owned a hotel, bar and restaurant in Troon, Scotland, before opening MacAllisters in 2006 — said they have been discussing the possibility of selling their restaurant for the last year because they have two young children now.

“When you have a 4-year-old and a 2-year-old, operating a restaurant that’s open at night kills you,” Karen Ronney said. “Family comes first, and this allows us to spend evenings with our kids.”

The sale price is undisclosed and the transaction isn’t official until Jan. 1.

Karen Ronney said longtime MacAllisters patrons have no need to worry.

“They’re keeping the name and we’re working on making the changeover as smooth and seamless as possible,” Ronney said. “Every fry, burger and dish that comes out of the oven will continue to have the same quality. The only thing they have to work on is their Scottish accents.”

Greg Bliss, who with his wife, Tina, opened seven Italian restaurants in Vermont (two of which they still own) said he’s “very excited about the latest restaurant venture.”

“The concept, the name and the employees are staying the same,” Greg Bliss said. “It’s business as usual, and we’re looking forward to operating a restaurant in this great community.”

The Blisses have a 12-year-old son and a 5-year-old daughter. They bought a home in Lakewood Ranch six years ago and became fulltime residents in August.

The Ronneys, meanwhile, aren’t leaving the Ranch. The Greenbrook residents are even working on opening a future breakfast and lunch restaurant in the area.

“We have a few irons in the fire,” Ronney said. “We want to continue to operate an establishment in this booming area that fits our schedule better.”

The Ronneys said they will always have fond memories of the restaurant, which seats approximately 187 people inside and 50 people outside.

Ronney said they are proudest of the annual St. Andrews Scottish Festival they started outdoors in 2009, which educates the community about their Scottish heritage while supporting local charities like the Payton Wright Foundation and Wobbly Feet Foundation.

“We’ve raised thousands of dollars over the years for local charities, and that’s something we’re very proud of,” Ronney said.

The Ronneys will say goodbye to MacAllisters in style, with a New Year’s Eve party that will include more than 250 attendees.

“There’s a huge family of loyal customers and neighbors we will celebrate with and thank for sharing their baptisms, graduations and their overall memories with us,” Ronney said.