The historic designation means Doc’s would not be demolished, but it is not clear when it would reopen. Photo provided
By Christine Davis
Doc’s, the beloved eatery that harkens back to the fast-food franchises that popped up across the nation after World War II, should be preserved for future generations, Delray Beach’s Historic Preservation Board decided on Sept. 1.
In a 5-1 vote, the board recommended that Doc’s All American be listed on the city’s Register of Historic Places.
If the City Commission agrees, Doc’s will be placed on the register and protected from demolition.
“We are excited that the board voted to designate Doc’s to the local register of historic places,” owner Steve Michael said. “We aim to celebrate Doc’s, its history and place in Delray Beach to bridge the western and eastern parts of the city as a place for everyone to meet and eat.”
Doc’s sits at the corner of Atlantic and Swinton avenues, in the heart of the National Register Old School Square Historic District.
Michael had threatened demolition of Doc’s if the city would not agree to rezone and reclassify two lots immediately to the west — a parking lot and a Dunkin Donuts shop — that he wants to redevelop.
Those zoning requests are pending, but then Michael changed course and filed an application with the city seeking historic designation.
Doc’s opened in 1951 as a Dairy Queen franchise and sold frosty cones, shakes and custards. A tall frosty cone cost 6 cents. Atlantic and Swinton were two-lane roads. It was owned by a retired dentist named Paul Krall and locals soon began calling it Doc’s. The name stuck and in 1963 Krall officially changed the name to Doc’s Soft Serve.
He sold it in 1980 and the new owners branched out to selling burgers, hot dogs, fries and chili in addition to frosty treats.
After the owner died, Doc’s closed in 1990. Development officials and residents clamored for it to reopen, which it did, under new ownership in 1993. The large neon sign revealed a new name: Doc’s All American.
When Old School Square Historic District was resurveyed in 2005, property owners of buildings eligible for inclusion as contributing structures were allowed to opt out. Doc’s owner, and many others along Atlantic Avenue, did just that.
Little except the size and the colors of the awnings has changed over the years.
Doc’s is a classic example of midcentury roadside architecture and echoes shades of McDonald’s golden arches of the 1950s and ’60s.
Sadly, Doc’s closed again early this year and it is uncertain when it will reopen, but when it does, it likely will be greeted with the same fanfare as when it reopened in 1993. But be warned. A tall frosty soft-serve costs about $4 today.
***
Each year, in honor of her husband, Glenn Thompson, who died at age 44 in the 9/11 terrorist attacks, Lang Realty agent Kai Thompson Hernandez has sponsored a search-and-rescue dog through the National Search Dog Alliance.
“Knowing that we are doing something positive and life-affirming together in Glenn’s honor on an otherwise dark and somber day brings me tremendous peace of mind,” said Hernandez.
This year, to support her cause and commemorate the 20th anniversary of 9/11, Lang Realty supported a second search-and-rescue dog sponsorship in Glenn’s name.
“I can’t thank the Lang family enough for supporting me to shine twice as much light in the darkness on this 20th anniversary of 9/11,” she said. “Our sponsorships will help others dedicated to helping others, as the human/canine teams that result from our support will help save lives and rescue people in danger.”
For more information or to donate, contact Hernandez at 631-276-6553.
***
1351 South Federal (FL) Owner LLC, an entity tied to New York-based investment company Blackstone, bought the One Boynton apartment complex in Boynton Beach for $171 million. The sale was recorded on Sept. 2.
The buyer, which lists several Blackstone executives, purchased the 494-unit apartment complex at 1331 and 1351 S. Federal Highway from Ch Realty Vii Psreg Boynton Beach Las Ventanas LLC, an affiliate of Atlanta-based RangeWater Real Estate.
The One Boynton complex, built in 2009, includes a swimming pool, a garage and 43,236 square feet of retail on roughly 12.5 acres, property records show.
RangeWater Real Estate, led by president and CEO Steven Shores, bought the complex in 2016, when it was called Las Ventanas, for $109.35 million. Blackstone, led by chairman, CEO and co-founder Stephen Schwarzman, invests on behalf of pension funds, large institutions and individuals, according to its website.
***
Developer U.S. Construction secured a $44.7 million construction loan from Madison Realty Capital on Aug. 3 for the Delray Beach oceanfront condo development 1625 Ocean, according to news releases from the borrower and lender. Jason Krane of Ackman-Ziff brokered the deal.
The three-story, boutique building at 1625 S. Ocean Blvd., designed by architect Randall Stofft, will have 14 units, including four penthouses. Forty percent of the project is presold. Delray South Shore Club, the development originally at this address, was demolished in August.
***
A trust managed by music instrument maker Hartley Peavey, and his wife, Mary, sold a 18,429-square-foot home at 1200 S. Ocean Blvd., Manalapan, for $25.7 million. The sale was recorded on Aug. 6. The buyer in the off-market deal is 1200 South Ocean LLC, managed by Nobel and Ruchi Gulati.
The Peaveys bought the 1.5-acre lot in 1989 for $1.9 million and completed the two-story mansion in 1997. Hartley Peavey is the founder and CEO of Peavey Electronics, manufacturer of musical instruments and professional sound equipment.
***
Jason and Newsha McCarthy bought the five-bedroom, 11,753-square-foot house at 379 E. Alexander Palm Road in the Royal Palm Yacht & Country Club in Boca Raton from David and Holly Meehan for $19 million. The sale was recorded July 30. The buyers borrowed $10.8 million from JPMorgan Chase Bank. Jason McCarthy is a professional race car driver. David Meehan is executive vice president of partnership development for GEO Care, a division of the private prisons and mental health facilities investment company GEO Group, according to the company’s website.
***
Michael Westheimer was recently added to the Million Dollar Advocates Forum’s groups of trial lawyers in the United States. Membership is limited to attorneys who have won million- and multimillion-dollar verdicts and settlements. Within the last year and a half, Westheimer, along with his co-counsel, has secured two verdicts of more than $1 million. His office, GED Lawyers, is at 7171 N. Federal Highway, Boca Raton.
Delray Beach’s Art & Jazz on the Avenue, put on by the Downtown Development Authority board and the Downtown Merchant and Business Association, will relaunch from 6 to 9 p.m. Oct. 27, featuring music, art, culture and promotions by retailers and merchants. This is the first of four events, with each offered during a different season at a different location, with the kickoff set on East Atlantic Avenue from Andrews to Venetian.
For more information, visit www.downtowndelraybeach.com/events/artandjazz; social media: @downtowndelray, @delraydda; or phone 561-243-1077.
***
The League of Women Voters of Palm Beach County will present free Zoom events this month. As part of its Conversations with the League program, “Cybercrimes: Prevention Strategies for Cyber Safety,” will be presented at 6 p.m. Oct. 6 by Kim Cascio-Palangio. She is program managing director of the Cybercrime Support Network. Her career includes 20 years of government service at the city, state, and federal levels. To register, visit https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85845235206?pwd=VDhac2V3b0lETGVjVk5pdDhqZ3p0QT09
At noon Oct. 20, the League’s Hot Topic Discussion will host Joseph Abruzzo, the clerk of the Circuit Court and comptroller for Palm Beach County. To register for this Zoom discussion, visit https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_AUBx-HYYRfCv4KUUuzddZw.
Send business news to Christine Davis at cdavis9797@gmail.com.
Comments