Profile
Gecko’s Hospitality Group Family of Restaurants
Founded in 1992 by Mike Gowan and Mike Quillen
MEET THE OWNERS:
Mike Gowan was born at Sarasota Memorial Hospital, graduated from Sarasota High School and attended Manatee Junior College on a tennis scholarship before transferring to the University of Florida. After college, he returned to work and live in Sarasota. He and his wife, Trish, have three sons.
Mike Quillen moved to Sarasota as a young boy, graduated from Riverview High School and also attended Manatee Junior College on a tennis scholarship before transferring to New College. He and his wife, Mary, have two daughters.
The two Mikes have been friends since 1970. They have been business partners since 1992. Their motto: “You can’t buy friendship but you can find it at Gecko’s….eat, drink & be merry!” The Gecko’s mission is to provide exceptional hospitality, fresh locally sourced fare with a gourmet twist, and a menu that is accessible to everyone. Gecko’s has long been a partner with Sarasota’s Honeyside Farms, a fourth-generation Florida family-owned organic farm, which coordinates their crop plantings to supply our restaurants with their delicious produce & fruit. The GHG family of restaurants also partners with family-owned Dakin Dairy Farm in Parrish which supplies our dairy products at all six Gecko’s locations and our sibling restaurants. Our Better Burger concept, Smacks Burgers & Shakes, joined the Gecko’s family in 2013 and was sold in 2020. In 2015, GHG acquired the Dry Dock Waterfront Grill, a local gem situated on the coast of Sarasota Bay on Longboat Key and in May, 2016 Dockside Waterfront Grill on Dona & Roberts Bay in Venice. In February, 2021 Tripletail Seafood & Spirits became the newest restaurant sibling in the GHG family. Mike & Mike’s Polished Casual and Local Seafood concepts are also joined by a legendary local tavern and package store, The Red Barn Bar which complete the Gecko’s Hospitality Group family.
Family and community-oriented…they have a passion for what they do. Their ties to the community run deep, as does their commitment to making our restaurants the most family friendly pubs in the area. When asked about their businesses, the Mike’s say, “The very foundation of Gecko’s was built on friendship and that remains a central tenet of how we run our business… enjoying longtime friends & making new ones every day.”
GECKO’S Grill & Pub
Following the success of the original Gecko’s “At the Landings” which opened in 1992 and relocated after 25 years to a new location at Stickney Point & 41, the Mike’s have expanded Gecko’s Grill & Pub to the following locations:
- Twelve Oaks Plaza (I-75 & SR 70) in 1998
- Braden River Plaza on SR 64 in 2002
- Palmer Crossing (Clark Rd. & Honore Ave.) in 2006
- Southside Village (Hillview St.) in 2010
- Fruitville Rd (Fruitville & North Cattlemen Roads) in 2014
- Stickney Point & 41 in 2017
Gecko’s Hospitality Group has been creating economic stimulus through job creation in within the family of restaurants and through our commitment to local sourcing and giving back to our community since 1992. We currently employ over 600 Floridians.