Cafe Alma sold
Dwight and Catherine Watkins sold Café Alma in downtown St. Petersburg yesterday. The couple opened the restaurant in December 2002, and according to Dwight, “this is something that we’d been contemplating. Café Alma has been really good to us, but we decided it was the best decision for our lives.”
New owners Scott Vogel and Tony Harahan take possession immediately, keeping the Watkins on for 10 days for training purposes. Vogel, a CIA graduate, has 20 years of experience as culinary director for franchise brands of Raving Brands (Mo’s, Shane’s Rib Shack, Boneheads). Harahan has 18 years of experience with Hops and Bonefish (hey, what’s the likelihood of Bonefish teaming up with Boneheads?).
According to Watkins, the new team intends to keep the Café Alma name, concept and existing staff. "They respect the following that we’ve developed,” says Watkins. “And now it’s on to new things for us.” He intends to pursue a career in corporate event planning while Catherine will be pursuing a job in human resource management.
Time will tell what new ownership will mean for the restaurant.
"He who distinguishes the true savor of his food can never be a glutton; he who does not cannot be otherwise." 
Tony Harahan apparently got fired. he was only a gm.
Posted by: Lane | October 02, 2008 at 10:41 PM