While Alan Sheppard and John Glen were blasting off into space, Rich Stottler was right nearby on Cocoa Beach setting up the
Cocoa Beach Pier so everyone could watch the launchings with a clear view of Cape Canaveral from his restaurant on the pier. He built the
Pier House Restaurant in 1964, and it received the Brevard County "Best Restaurant With A View" award. The restaurant is now called the
Atlantic Ocean Grille.
Held up with 270 pilings, that cost $150,000 a year to maintain, the pier has to be profitable so Stottler schedules money making events. Ads posted along the boardwalk informed us tickets were on sale for a concert that would take place on February 27th right on the beach, featuring the Beach Boys.
He also rents space to other restaurants. Marlin’s Good Times Bar and Grill serves drinks and light snacks on the boardwalk. It’s a delight to sit at the bar or a table and look at the waves coming in from the ocean, or watch the young people play volleyball on the beach. Every Friday they have a Boardwalk Bash with ribs, lobster and shrimp specials. Oh, Shucks, another bar and grill, that at first sight looks like a merry-go -round, is located next to the entrance of the pier. They have a reggae bash every night. The Tiki Hut, another bar, located at the very end of the pier, looks inviting but you’re expected to pay $1 to go that far out on the pier.
Families, with children, spending the day at the beach, can get everything from a hot dog to pizza at Dogone. Young people will be more attracted to Ricky’s Ice Cream Parlor and Arcade, with its dramatic front entrance, including life size three-dimensional sea creatures. It is located next to the metered parking lot and the entrance to the pier. They also offer clothing and gifts. There are other shops that offer tees and gifts, as well. Two, located on the boardwalk, are Oceanothions and one next to it called Seathings.
Parking can cost $.25 for 15 minutes or $5 a day depending on where you park.