In January of 1998 Merlyn Vandervort was cruising the Caribbean with his sister Valerie, and while relaxing at a cabana on the beach, dreamed about how great it would be to own a waterfront resort. One year later Merlyn made that dream a reality when he purchased a property in the 7-Mile Cove at the Lake of the Ozarks in Central Missouri.
The property was in dire need of repairs and the existing business’s had been struggling. Merlyn wasn’t interested in the property for what it had been, but for what he envisioned it could be; what has now come to be known as the Horny Toad Entertainment Complex at Toad Cove. Merlyn was eager to get started, and asked his sister to help manage the day to day business operations for him. Valerie was reluctant at first, and rightfully so, since neither Merlyn nor Valerie had any experience in the restaurant business. Merlyn had just sold his Construction Company to Inrecon/Belfor (an international restoration company); and was fulfilling a 4-year contract as the companies Regional Vice President; so having someone he could trust oversee the business was a must. Valerie accepted the challenge and was a big help in getting the business started; she eventually moved on to pursue her own endeavors.
The first year was a definite challenge and a learning experience to say the least. The Horny Toad started out in a sandwich shack that the previous owners called John Elliott’s Bar-B-Q. Additionally; part of the 7 Mile Cove acquisitions was a restaurant called Gregory’s (formerly the Old Trail House), that building was remodeled and renamed “Malari’s On The Lake” a fine dining establishment named after Merlyn’s daughter.
It took a hard year to figure out what customers at the lake were looking for and it didn’t seem to be fine dining. Fortunately it was the casual atmosphere that The Horny Toad provided along with great “fine dining quality” food. At the beginning of the second year, all of the properties were converted into The Horny Toad Entertainment complex @ Toad Cove.
Numerous other properties surrounding Toad Cove have also been acquired along the way. The 7-Mile Mini Mart & Tropical Sunsations, as well as Chateau Ave & Margarittaville are other businesses that adjoined the complex and have since been purchased. Chateau Ave was transformed from a fine dining restaurant into Jeremiah’s Night Club. The old “Barge floating restaurant” property and numerous residential homes have also been acquired and torn down to make the complex what it is today.
In 2004, Jeremiah’s building was torn down and started the next chapter of the Horny Toad; a new 30,000 square foot mega complex that houses all of the businesses that used to take up 4 buildings. The top floor is the new Horny Toad, gourmet dining in a fun relaxed atmosphere. The middle two floors are Jeremiah’s Night Club, the hottest nightspot in the Midwest. The lowest level includes the Frisky Frog sports bar and grill, the 7 Mile Mini Mart, and Tropical Sunsations (a waterfront convenience store and boutique). This new facility is unlike anything in the country. It truly gives a new definition to the term; “Entertainment Complex”.
The next phase of Toad Cove was to demolish the remaining old buildings and make way for phase 2 and 3 (“The Resort & Yacht Club @ Toad Cove”). Phase 2 was the Yacht Club Marina with over 100 covered boat slips plus numerous wave runner slips that can be leased out annually. Phase 3 was the luxury Resort Hotel/Condominium & Spa; the newest luxury hotel at the Lake of the Ozarks in over a quarter century. The Resort offers Suites that are available for purchase by individuals, and managed as a Resort Hotel. The Resort offers plenty of retail space, an indoor/outdoor swimming pool with a swim up bar, a spa & salon, fitness center, and even an indoor sand volleyball court. In the spring of 2008, after ten years in the making; The Resort & Yacht Club @ Toad Cove, and the Horny Toad Entertainment Complex were finally complete!
Toad Cove is the end result of many years of trials and tribulations, to make a dream become a reality; the dream that began on an island in the Caribbean, and the vision that Merlyn had the day he stood on the shore of the 7-Mile Cove. Today that cove is Toad Cove and the once dilapidated property is now the Horny Toad Entertainment Complex, and the Resort & Yacht Club @ Toad Cove, the hottest tourist destination in the Midwest. Visited by hundreds of thousands of guests a year, the complex is open year round and offers something for everyone.
If you like great old classic rock and roll, you’ll love the entertainment schedule, live music every night of the week during the summer and every weekend in the off season. The Horny Toad benefit concert series includes nationally known recording artists like; Willie Nelson, Styx, CCR, the Steve Miller Band, The Beach Boys, The Little River Band, REO Speedwagon, and the Charlie Daniels Band, just to name a few! You can check out the entertainment schedule at; www.toadcove.com. Concert proceeds benefit Kiwanis children’s charities.
In September The Horny Toad is host to the Offshore Super Series, National Championships! Upwards of fifty of the fastest boats in the world will race on a course for several laps in front of the Horny Toad Complex reaching speeds of nearly 200 miles per hour; all competing for the National Championship! The Horny Toad Complex was chosen in 2007 to be the permanent headquarters for this exciting National Event.
Whether your game is dancing, volleyball, pac-man or maybe just relaxing with a frozen beverage at the waterfront tiki-bar, The Horny Toad is sure to offer something for everyone. You truly have to experience it to understand our slogan; “No Other Dining, lodging, or Entertainment Experience Comes Close”!
In the spring of 2002, Merlyn purchased another restaurant, and Peckers Gourmet Grill was founded; previously Maggie Mae’s restaurant, the new Peckers restaurant is a great compliment to the Horny Toad. Peckers has a fantastic menu, and the same fun type of atmosphere as that of the Horny Toad, but with a convenient business highway 54 frontage location. In the spring of 2007 Peckers was remodeled and a large addition was added to accommodate “Peckers Gourmet Grill & Dueling Piano Bar”. Several Comedic Musicians entertain patrons every week, plus you can always catch your favorite game!
Stay tuned for the next chapter in the ventures of Horny Toad Inc.!
