Expect the same enchanting atmosphere and upscale experience at Euphemia Haye — the Longboat Key landmark that originally opened in 1975 — but with new ownership.

“Yes — we’re officially reopening Friday, May 23, at 5 p.m.,” said Georgette Young, guest relations manager, in a phone interview with the Herald-Tribune late Thursday, May 22.

“It’s been a whirlwind getting everything ready this week," she continued. "We’re treating it as a bit of a soft opening, but we’re thrilled to welcome guests back. Reservations are available on OpenTable under our new listing: Euphemia Haye Restaurant & The Haye Loft.”

Who are the new owners of the Euphemia Haye restaurant on Longboat Key?

Public records show that Jason and Rachel Ghormley are the new owners of Euphemia Haye. The former owner of the restaurant and its property, longtime local resident Chef Ray Arpke, declined to comment on the sale when reached by phone on Thursday.

A story by Kim Doleatto in Sarasota Magazine about the most expensive residential sales of 2024 featured the Ghormleys’ $13 million purchase of a unit at The St. Regis Longboat Key Resort.

Doleatto also reported that Jason Ghormley was a founding member of Hydrologic, a Tampa Bay plumbing supply company acquired in 2022 by Winsupply. At the time of the acquisition, the company reportedly had about $250 million in annual revenue.

"Yes, there are new owners, and while I can’t share too much about them, I will say they’ve been longtime fans of Euphemia Haye," Young said. "They love the restaurant deeply — it holds a special place in their hearts. They’re passionate about preserving what makes it special."

Why did Euphemia Haye close in April?

Euphemia Haye — the Longboat Key landmark that originally opened in 1975 but closed in April — is reopening with new ownership at 5 p.m. Friday, May 23, 2025.

Amy Whitt relocated to Florida in her early 20s and landed a position as an administrative assistant at Euphemia Haye. She reportedly excelled at the restaurant and, after seven years, became its bookkeeper.

Whitt worked side by side with the owners — Chef Ray and his wife, D'Arcy Arpke — and the close-knit staff in that role for nearly a decade, eventually learning the various aspects of running a fine-dining destination. By 2022, Euphemia Haye was hers.

Whitt did not respond to this reporter’s phone call following the April closure of the restaurant.

“Amy is no longer affiliated with Euphemia Haye,” Young told me emphatically on Thursday evening.

What can customers expect when they return to Euphemia Haye?

The peppered steak at Euphemia Haye.

Offering an eclectic mix of European and American cuisine with creative twists, signature dishes have for decades included the roasted duckling, prime peppered steak, and the prepared-to-order classic Caesar salad.

And then there are the famed desserts.

All of the pies and pastries have, for as long as I can recall, been made from scratch in-house and enjoyed either downstairs after dinner or upstairs in the Haye Loft — the lounge the Arpkes added in 1990.

The menu will be familiar to longtime guests when the restaurant reopens Friday evening

“It’s all the same — nothing has changed,” Young said. “All of our signature dishes are back. Our baker is still here. Even our dessert room is ready and waiting. It’s like the family we built here is back together.”

Yes, and expect to see many of the same familiar faces in the front of the house.

“The same leadership team that helped run the restaurant for the past 25–30 years is back in place,” Young said. “We cannot wait to bring all of our favorite guests back — it’s truly like reuniting with family.”

If you go

Euphemia Haye is famous for its signature desserts.

Euphemia Haye, located at 5540 Gulf of Mexico Drive on Longboat Key, reopens at 5 p.m. Friday, May 23. For more information, call 941-383-3633 or visit euphemiahaye.com.

Wade Tatangelo is Ticket Editor for the Sarasota Herald-Tribune and Florida Regional Dining and Entertainment Editor for the USA TODAY Network. Follow him on Facebook, Instagram, and X. He can be reached by email at [email protected]. Support local journalism by subscribing.