Welcome to Wolfy's Waterfront Bar 'n Grill in Sanford Florida.

After three tries, a father’s recommendation and finding the right business partner, Chris Gardner is finally the new owner of Wolfy’s Waterfront Bar and Grill. For Gardner, the purchase is more than a business investment, it was his dad’s dream. Chris joined the Air Force in and left Sanford in 1978. When he was stationed in Japan, his father called him and told him there was a new special restaurant in Sanford called Fitzgerald’s that he must try when he returned home. Fitzgerald’s eventually became Wolfy’s.

“My dad said, ‘When you come home I have to take you to this place called Fitzgerald’s,” Gardner said. “He went further and told me ‘When you retire from the military we will buy it together.’ ”

Gardner left the Air Force in 1990, three years after his father died. He decided to still try to buy the restaurant in 1991, but decided it wasn’t the right time because of some tax implications. Instead of being discouraged, Gardner continued to be a regular customer at Wolfy’s. Over the years he became friends with the previous owner Frank “Wolfy” Wolf and told Wolf that if he ever thought of selling his business, Gardner would be interested in buying the restaurant. The sale was made official Friday.

“I actually get emotional when I think about it,” Gardner said of the purchase. “It’s really special. It’s like a dream. All of our family, my brothers and sisters, have always gone there [to the restaurant].” To Gardner and his father, who was an anesthesiologist in Sanford, Fitzgerald’s was the place to be in Sanford. “It was a crazy place,” he said. “They were like a five-star bar. When you walked in the door, you first saw a tank full of fresh seafood. With each drink you got a giant tiger prawn and cocktail sauce.”

Gardner said he doesn’t want to make a lot of changes before the beginning of the New Year, but wants to take it back to that old-style flavor and reputation his dad knew. He is even considering changing the name. “We don’t want to do anything drastic until after the first of the year,” he said. “I just want to try to make good food and get some type of reputation for something. We may have a contest where the restaurant patrons get a chance to rename it.”

While Gardner was stationed outside of London in the Air Force, he took classes to become a trained chef. He will tweak the menu to make it more “trendy” with wraps and salads and begin delivering lunch downtown.

Gardner’s business partner and now business part-owner is his wife, Linda, whom he met at Wolfy’s five years ago.

“The story itself is meeting my wife there,” he said. “I was sitting at the end of the bar eating a cheeseburger and asked Paula [the bartender] who a woman was at the end of the bar. She got up to go to the restroom and I asked her did we know each other. It took her a month and a half to go out with me.”

Linda graduated two years before Gardner from Seminole High School and had a lot of the same friends, but they didn’t meet until he saw her inside Wolfy’s.

Here is what some of our customers say.....

"Wolfy's is a great place to go on the weekend nites to unwind. You can sit inside and listen to a live band or sit out on the patio which hangs out over the water. Service is good and the waitresses are friendly. Prices are normal. Food is pretty good. It is a nice place with a mixed crowd so everyone fits in." - David O.

"This place definitely attracts the locals. Great atmosphere here. Food and service here is great as are the drinks. Very fun place to go and meet up with friends. Prices are fair." Laura H.

"Had a quick dinner at "Wolfy's" last night. She had the butterfly Shrimp basket and I had the fish bites basket. Both were above our expections, they were cooked perfectly and the seasoning was outstanding. Service was excellent and she really paid attention to any of our needs. And yes the view is still great." Chris M.

"Heard about the place from the radio (104.1) and we decvided to go over, Full Circle band was playing, great music, food was great (shrimp basket) and the beer was very reasonable, great time, great sunset over the lake, will go back for sure! :) - Tony

"What a Great Day we had. We just happened into this great place right on the water. The building is glass on three sides, you don't feel all closed in. The food was great and the musician was great. We stayed all afternoon, and it was relaxing and fun. Can't wait to go back." - Watergirl

"I love that Wolfy's is right on the water. It has a very laid back feel. All the servers and bartenders are very friendly. They make you feel welcome and part of the fun. The food may not be gourmet, but it usually comes out pretty quickly and their drinks are awesome. I would recommend eating at Wolfy's or hanging out there on Friday and Saturday night." - Yahoo Contributor

"We pulled up on the dock and decided to have a bite to eat, the service was fast, the food was great - typical bar food, I had the chicken Strip basket - not greasy, very good, and a cold beer :)- great to hang out in the patio in the back watching the boats go by, we will make this a regular place to visit - very satisfied" - Thomas & Linda M.