FORT PIERCE – The operator of Crabby’s Dockside claims the “complete and accurate” story behind the closure of the city marina restaurant hasn’t been told, claiming unbilled property taxes, delinquent rent, a challenging downtown business climate and delayed talks with city officials spurred the shutdown.
But the city says it is owed nearly $194,000 by the now-shuttered restaurant at 2 Avenue A downtown.
Written communications between Crabby’s and city administration show the business was notified in July 2025, that it owed the city three years of past property taxes. Crabby’s responded in a September letter to the city, asking for a meeting and proposing an 18-month rent abatement “to stabilize our finances…”…