White Wolf Cafe sells to College Park restaurateur

Earlier today, Michael Hennessee, the co-owner of White Wolf Cafe (Website), announced that he has sold the Ivanhoe Village-based restaurant.

The restaurant, which is full of local memorabilia and architectural pieces that were rescued from old local buildings, including a former City Hall, has been serving for almost 34 years and was known for having one of the busiest brunches in town.

“After 12,315 days of good times, hard work, laughter, tears, and unforgettable memories, the time has come for us to pass the torch. Tomorrow, our little café that we have poured our hearts into will begin a new chapter under new ownership. Before that happens, I want to pause and say thank you.”
– MICHAEL HENNESSEE

Hennessee confirmed with Bungalower that he had sold the restaurant to College Park restaurateur Lee Pitts, the owner of the iconic Shaker’s American Cafe (Website) on Edgewater Drive. We’ve reached out to Pitts to hear what his plans are for the space and will share that update in a future post.

Scroll down to read Hennessee’s full statement, including a shout-out to longtime Orlando food writer, Scott Joseph.

Dear Friends, Loyal Guests, and Supporters of the White Wolf Café,

With a full heart and forward-looking eyes, I want to share some bittersweet news: after 33½ wonderful years, Anne Marie and I have sold the White Wolf Café.

After 12,315 days of good times, hard work, laughter, tears, and unforgettable memories, the time has come for us to pass the torch. Tomorrow, our little café that we have poured our hearts into will begin a new chapter under new ownership.

Before that happens, I want to pause and say thank you.

To the countless friends, guests, and regulars who walked through our doors and made the White Wolf Café a part of your lives—thank you for your loyalty, your stories, your celebrations, your families and even your sorrows. You made this place a living, breathing part of Orlando, and it has been the privilege of a lifetime to serve you.

To the incredible men and women of the City of Orlando—thank you for paving the way, both literally and figuratively. Your unwavering support, from city staff to elected officials to the everyday heroes of “The City Beautiful,” made it possible for a small café on Orange Avenue to survive and thrive through three decades of change. We weathered economic storms together—from Long-Term Capital debacle to the dot-com crash, the global financial crisis, the challenges of COVID-19, and today’s inflation and uncertainty. Through it all, you stood by us. We are deeply grateful.

To our remarkable employees, past and present—you are the soul of the White Wolf Café. Your dedication, talent, and heart made every cup of coffee, every plate of food, and every moment of service something special. You worked long hours, made countless sacrifices, and helped build not just a restaurant, but a community. Thank you for believing in our dream and for helping us make it real.

To our dear friend and longtime supporter Scott Joseph—I wanted you to be the first to know. Your loyalty and encouragement over the years have meant more than I can say. If you do share this story in your “Flog,” please let your readers know that nothing would have been possible without Anne Marie. She is the reason we defied the odds, beat them, and created something lasting. I don’t know what I did to deserve her, but I thank the gods every day that I did.

Now, with hearts full of gratitude and a deep sense of peace, Anne Marie and I are setting off on a new journey—to travel the world, discover its wonders, and connect with new people, cultures, and of course, cuisines.

And while I may be stepping away, I will never truly leave. The White Wolf Café, and everyone who made it what it is, will always be part of me.

So, this is not goodbye—it’s simply au revoir.

Until we meet again, you will always be in my heart.

With eternal gratitude,
Michael And Anne Marie