Tony Dee is a local philanthropist and successful entrepreneur. He has been working in the Wilton Manors area since 1990, and many say he can be credited with starting Wilton Manors. Agenda sat down with him to talk past, present and future!

You have owned property in Wilton Manors for over two decades. What brought you to the area?

My ex-business partner and I were looking for a gay night spot, and we found the Palms which we turned into Chardees for 17 years. Named after my business partner, Charlie Mielky, and myself, we took the ‘Char’ and the ‘Dee’ and made Chardees.

How do you feel the area has changed over the last ten years?

Better than 200 fold! When I came to Wilton manors in the summer of 1990, it was a depressed area, but then, slowly but surely, gay men and ladies purchased these run down homes, fixed them up and turned Wilton Manors into what it is today.

What are the advantages to being in the area?

I’d have to say comfort. Wilton Manors is predominantly gay, just about everyone knows each other. It’s comfortable and I am ecstatic to be part of it.

What disadvantages do you see here?

One of the disadvantages are that many people are coming into the area to rent and don’t do their homework. They think that they just have to put up security, take a store with a few items right away and that they can just sit back and make a living. That just doesn’t happen, you need to know the area.

How is The Schubert doing? How was the season?

The Schubert is doing well; I had the best season in 3 years this past season. I give many thanks to all the gay resorts in the area that helped me get started in the first year when I turned the Schubert  from straight to gay. I worked with the publications who made it clear, when all the other gay resorts were full, try the Schubert, they are new and that’s how I built my clientele.

Do you enjoy owning the hotel? Do you have any plans to add more hotels to your portfolio?

Yes, I do enjoy the hotel; I enjoy meeting people from around the world, their personalities fascinate me, but I do not have any plans for more hotels.

There has been a lot of talk recently about landlords on and around the Drive raising rents. How do feel about this?
It’s a two edged sword. The tenants don’t want to pay more because of the economy. Landlords have to increase rents because taxes are so high. There will always be a clash there.

What do you think landlords can do to help?

We can hold back the increases, which I have done in the past to my renters who have got into trouble. There is only so much I can do, as it comes out of my pockets. I fight Broward County every year for all my shopping centers to keep taxes where they are, but because I’m 100% rented it’s hard to cry wolf!

Do you have any intention in raising your rents in the near future?

Yes, again it’s because of real estate taxes.

What do you feel is missing, if anything, from the area?

More key stores and more big name stores off the top of my head. The only big name we have here is Starbucks! I’d like to see a men’s store that has shirts, dress clothes, sport clothes, but a name store like an Abercrombie.

What do you see in the future for the area?

I really feel it will just keep growing.  There is a major parking problem; everyone addresses it, but it has not been dealt with as yet.

What would you advise to people considering moving or renting space here in Wilton Manors?

As far as renting, do your homework, have money in the bank that can carry you for a year. I had a soap shop come in once that sold bath soap for $10 a bar. They were in and out in no time!

Is there another local area on your radar for future development?

No. I don’t know of any.

You have been a landmark entrepreneur in Wilton Manors. What would you like your legacy to be here?

Tony Dee Started Wilton Manors! In the less than a year, Chardees became an international success. I was able to bring in major celebrities like Eartha Kitt and the Glenn Miller Orchestra that people could not have afforded to see!

Tony Dee is the Proprietor of  The Schubert Resort in Victoria Park. You can visit their website at www.schubertresort.com