Page 39 - South Mississippi Living - January, 2024

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119 N. Beach Blvd., Bay St. Louis | 228.216.2600 | theblindtiger.biz 265 Beach Blvd., Biloxi | 228.207.5240 | theblindtiger.biz
37330 Lakeshore Marina Dr., Slidell | 985.707.1082 | theblindtiger.biz
Left Photo: Libby Sudduth and Her Grandchildren. Top Middle Photo: Joey Nunez Bottom Middle Photo: Dee Schmelzer and Her Husband Austin.
Right Photo: Scott Sutherland and His Son Spencer.
has been with the company since its conception and said it's all about the patrons.
“We are very popular with the locals and without them, our business would not be what it is,” Sudduth said. “We have the same people come in week after week and we’re family. We need to get them some plaques made for their bar stools. And some of my employees have been here since day one. We have a very loyal staff who give our customers an experience because you're coming here for an experience.”
Dee Schmelzer, general manager of TBT Biloxi Beach, said the atmosphere is what drew her to work with the company in 2017.
“It’s an indoor-outdoor restaurant on the beach with
an amazing view that’s beautiful every day,” Schmelzer said. “And I have a lot of passion for my job, whether it’s training the employees or in the back cooking with my kitchen or talking with the customers. You just can’t beat it and it's so relaxing to come to work every day, see the people I love, and do what I love.”
As a five-year corporate chef at TBT Butcher Shop in
Pass Christian, Joey Nunez spends his days creating signature dishes for all TBT establishments. He concocts unique chalkboard menu specials such as a Smoked Brisket Philly Cheese sandwich or Cantina Cheese dip which includes eight smoked cheeses with freshly roasted red bell and jalapeño peppers.
“We’ve got a lot of talented chefs in-house in the restaurants who are amazing, and this is just a little extra,” he said, adding he also handles catering parties and daily menu preparations
at the Butcher Shop. “And our Smash Burger is by far the best hamburger on the Gulf Coast. Just try it, you’ll see.”
And now Genin and his leadership team are bringing new commercial life to Henderson Point in Pass Christian, gearing
up to open a one-of-a-kind seaside experience, The Blind Tiger Beach. Plans include a fishing lodge, a mixed-use development north of the boat launch, water taxis, and sunset cruises, along with charter boats and jet ski rentals that will occupy freshly built docks. The restaurant on the two-acre site will be the first on Henderson Point since Hurricane Katrina.
“I've been wanting to do this since 2008 on this exact piece of property and the stars just lined up,” Genin said. “It’s going to be built in multiple phases and it's going to be absolute dynamite.”
SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living | www.smliving.net
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