(Exclusive.) Last week we broke the news that the owner of the Bubba Gump Shrimp Company, Tilman Fertitta, is in talks to buy downtown private members club Zero Bond. It was followed up by industry bible (and our new friends) Eater who advanced the story with a statement from Fertitta’s spokesperson. “There have been discussions, but there is no deal at this time.”
Part of the reason a deal has not yet been reached, we have been told, is that one of the dozen or so investors in Zero Bond is holding out. And not for monetary reasons. He was described to us as a financier who enjoys telling potential dates that he 'owns' Zero Bond (a claim that truly belongs only with downtown fixture Scott Sartiano) and is reluctant to give up that advantage in a tough dating environment. Fertitta, we were told, does not want partners.