According to recent reporting in Orlando Weekly, Longtime Ivanhoe Village eatery White Wolf Cafe has been sold to Shakers American Cafe owner according to co-owner Michael Hennessey.
“After 12,315 days of good times, hard work, laughter, tears, and unforgettable memories, the time has come for us to pass the torch,” Hennessey wrote in a joint statement with Anne Marie Hennessey, according to Bungalower.
“Our little café that we have poured our hearts into will begin a new chapter under new ownership.”
Running the establishment now will be Lee Pitts, a College Park-based restaurateur and owner of Shakers American Cafe.
“To the countless friends, guests, and regulars who walked through our doors and made the White Wolf Café a part of your lives — thank you for your loyalty, your stories, your celebrations, your families and even your sorrows. You made this place a living, breathing part of Orlando, and it has been the privilege of a lifetime to serve you,” Hennessey wrote.
White Wolf Cafe became popular for its “American folksy feel, eclectic decor and homestyle menu” which featured the award-winning Baton Rouge Burger.
“And while I may be stepping away, I will never truly leave. The White Wolf Café, and everyone who made it what it is, will always be part of me. So, this is not goodbye — it’s simply au revoir. Until we meet again, you will always be in my heart,” Hennessey added.
“There’ll be no major changes,” new owner R Lee Pitts tells What Now in a recent interview. “Just continue to innovate, especially in the evenings. The restaurant has only been open TH-F-S; I hope to create a more innovative dining experience at night.”
When asked about his motivations for acquiring the classic CFL establishment, Mr. Pitts lays out his vision.
“I’m starting a restaurant company. I’m looking for some very iconic restaurants that have been in the central Florida market for multiple years and that have a story. I acquired Shaker’s in College Park in August.”
“Shakers have been open for 31 years in the same location which I thought was a great story. White Wolf was owned by a couple for 32 years which I found was also a great story.”
“This is what I want to do,” Pitts adds “Find successful, iconic restaurants, purchase them, and make them even better than they were before I acquired them.”
So what’s next for Pitts and Co.?
“I’ll do more of these acquisitions if the opportunities are presented to me. I just love the stories behind restaurants like these. When a restaurant be so successful in a beautiful space for a long time—it’s like magic.”
