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NORTH MYRTLE BEACH | Signs of change dominate the landscape at Sante Fe Station.Red chairs in which hushpuppy-loving patrons sat are outside in the parking lot. A local church will get them. Signs and pictures in the restaurant are already gone -- they became souvenirs to those who have ties to an eatery folks recognize as a community fixture and fondly remember because of its food.
Sante Fe Station was that place, but its owner, Ed Cribb, has new plans for this cherished landmark, which began as the Side Car in 1979. In 1981, Cribb bought the eatery and changed the name to Sante Fe Station in 1982.
Chris and Gregg Lee became the owners of Sante Fe Station in the 1990s, and Cribb bought it back in February. By September, Cribb hopes to have the new eatery, Calico Jack's, opened in the very spot Sante Fe Station stands in now at 1101 N. Kings Hwy.
``We will be all things to all people,'' said Cribb, the restaurateur who got his start as a busboy in 1960. ``We will have a lot of seafood. It will be a general menu with steaks, ribs, appetizers and chicken. It will be very much like the Sante Fe Station menu was.
''Sweet hushpuppies with honey butter were of local legend at Sante Fe Station, and Cribb said the hushpuppy legend will live on at Calico Jack's.
Carrell Homes and Carrell Commercial Construction is in charge of the eatery's metamorphosis from what it is now to what it will be.
Last week, a giant track hoe looking as if it were a maniacal Transformer demolished rear parts of the restaurant. The work, which involves about 20 workers, will continue for a couple of weeks.
The historic train cars, three in all, will be removed and turned into scrap metal, said Grant DuBose, vice president of operations for Carrell Homes and Carrell Commercial Construction.
Mementos, including menus and beams, have been collected by former employees and friends of Sante Fe Station, which had a diverse base of fans.
``In general, we are sad to see them go,'' said Jennifer Prince, media and communications specialist for the North Myrtle Beach Chamber of Commerce. ``They had a great legacy in North Myrtle Beach. It was a wonderful place to eat.
''Cribb said prices at Calico Jack's will be that of your typical family dining restaurant on the Grand Strand.
Bruce Carrell, president and chief executive officer of Carrell Homes and Carrell Commercial Construction, said Calico Jack's Galley and Grub will be about 8,000 square feet and seat about 250 people.
``Inside and out, it will have a sort of warm and friendly feel to it,'' said Carrell, who added he probably ate at Sante Fe Station more than he should have. ``It will be comfortable and elegant at the same time.''
The Sun News - Local News
Posted on Mon, Apr. 07, 2008
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