Crawdaddy's for sale, but only to the right buyer

Crawdaddy’s is for sale, but only if a new owner intends to keep things the way they are.

Owner Keith Korsgaden said he guarantees that Crawdaddy’s is not going anywhere. His offer to sell is to ensure that the popular downtown Visalia restaurant and entertainment venue will continue as it is for years to come.

“If somebody came in and offered me $10 million to turn this into an ice cream parlor, I would not take it,” Korsgaden said. “I’m looking for somebody that wants to continue this amazing place."

Finding the right fit

The main reason that Crawdaddy's is on the market, according to Korsgaden, is because he is 66 years old.

“I have no family," he said. "I do this all on my own.”

A few of Korsgaden’s friends have died in the past year, inspiring him to take steps to ensure that Crawdaddy’s continues even after he is no longer part of it.

His brother, Troy Korsgaden, owns the three-story red brick building that houses Crawdaddy’s, which includes residential and office space. The building is also currently on the market, at a price of $4.2 million.

Keith would not disclose the asking price for Crawdaddy’s, only saying, “The asking price for the right person is near what you think it would be.”

Troy plans to leave California after he sells the building. Keith has no plans to leave the area – or even Crawdaddy’s – if that can be worked out with a new owner, he said.

“I don’t want to go anywhere,” Keith said. “I want to sell it to somebody that wants to keep me around. I never did Crawdaddy’s for the money. I want to be paid a nominal salary, but I’m not doing it for the money. I love Crawdaddy’s.

“I’d love to stick around and continue to do all the music, and all the shows that we do,” he said about planning and overseeing Crawdaddy’s live entertainment.

However, he is not interested in continuing as general manager.

“I’m looking for somebody that wants to be general manager,” he said. “I want a general manager in place that is young enough to have the energy to run this place because it’s a lot of work.”

A downtown Visalia favorite

Twenty years ago, Korsgaden started Crawdaddy’s on what had been an empty lot at the corner of Bridge and Main streets in downtown Visalia. He was the main builder, his brother Troy financed the project, and his brother Alan was the general contractor.

Since it opened, Crawdaddy’s has maintained its distinctive style.

“The menu has evolved over the years, but has remained basically consistent,” Keith said, noting that entertainment has always been on the schedule.

“The community loves this place,” he said, which is indicated by the calls he receives from people concerned about a potential sale.

He added that nothing will change for Crawdaddy's customers, and that if he can't find the right person to buy the restaurant he doesn't intend to sell it.

“If I don’t sell it, I don’t sell it,” he said. “I’ll keep running the place until my heart blows out on Main Street and they shovel dirt on me, saying that guy just worked himself to death, but he sure had fun doing it.”

This article originally appeared on Visalia Times-Delta: Crawdaddy's for sale, but only to the right buyer