Mark Ferguson (businessman)

Mark Ferguson is a St. Petersburg, Florida based businessman and restaurateur.[1] He owns Ferg's Sports Bar and Grill near Tropicana Field and Philthy Phil's Waterfront Bar and Grill on St. Pete Beach.[2][3][4][5][6] In 2006 Ferguson purchased the Sloppy Pelican and reopened it as Ferg's Beach Shack.[7] In 2013, he entered into a 20-year lease with an option to purchase the Church Street Station (Orlando, Florida) with plans for a restaurant and bar called Ferg's in the 15,000 square foot space.[8]

Ferguson converted a former gas station and used car lot across from "the Trop" into a sports pub in 1992. He expected a Major League Baseball team to locate in the newly constructed stadium. A few years later his dreams were realized and the former middle-school teacher's quirky food and beverage location established itself in the area. Ferg's offerings include beer, burgers and wings. Ferguson wore a blue "Rayhawk" hairpiece to celebrate the Rays winning the ALCS in 2008 and the restaurant served as many as 15,000 people during the championship run.[9]

References

  1. ↑ Piece of history will be razed for 'progress' [STATE Edition] St. Petersburg Times - St. Petersburg, Fla. by Wilson, Jon Jun 2, 1999 Page: 1 Section: NEIGHBORHOOD TIMES
  2. ↑ [5 seek right to operate beach concession] (STATE Edition) St. Petersburg Times Aaron Sharockman November 17, 2004 page 1
  3. ↑ [THE NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK Despite baseball's problems, two more cities feel major-league St. Pete: After years of failure, there's relief and revelry] by Vicki Michaelis Denver Post Sports Writer June 12, 1995; Page D-1 Denver Post
  4. ↑ What do you think about Sam Wyche's firing? [CITY Edition] St. Petersburg Times Dec 28, 1995 Start Page: 1.B Section: TAMPA BAY AND STATE
  5. ↑ Ferg's owner set to buy Philthy Phil's; The St. Pete Beach restaurant will keep its tropical theme, the sports bar owner says. By MAUREEN BYRNE AHERN November 12, 2003
  6. ↑ [Philthy Phil's Waterfront Bar and Grill] St. Petersburg Times - Nov 3, 2006
  7. ↑ Former Sloppy Pelican site reborn as Ferg's St. Petersburg Times - Aug 8, 2004
  8. ↑ Florida Trend magazine October 2013 page 94
  9. ↑ St. Pete excited about AL champ Rays October 21, 2008 ESPN