New York Firm Buying Whale’s Tail Restaurant

A New York-based concern has closed a deal to purchase the Whale’s Tail restaurant in Oxnard’s Channel Islands Harbor.

ARK Restaurant Corp. is paying an undisclosed price to former owner Michael Koutnik, according to Libby Wick, an ARK executive who has taken over as manager of the beach-area establishment.

“The deal hasn’t officially closed, but we’ve already assumed control,” Wick said. She said Ventura County officials must approve the ownership change because the restaurant is on county-owned land.

The purchase marks ARK’s first venture on the West Coast, Wick said. She said the company operates 26 restaurants, mostly in New York.