Junkanoo tear-down date still uncertain
It’s slated for demolition, but if Junkanoo On the Beach happens to be open for business on June 1 its patrons can count on things staying that way for another whole year.
“It would be business as usual,” restaurant operator Alfredo Russo said.
That’s because the establishment at 3040 Estero Blvd. is under a year-to-year lease expiring each May 31, according to Russo. He also operates the neighboring Fresh Catch Bistro, which has a lease signed through 2020. At that time, it too will be razed.
The land for both, totaling 3.49 acres, was sold to Persaud Properties FL Investments in October of 2014 for $8 million to make way for eight multimillion homes, featuring four on each parcel.
Construction of two other such Persaud Properties homes is already underway on a neighboring vacant lot, with foundations and some framing now in place, and their progress will dictate when Junkanoo closes the doors.
“The first houses are likely to take six or seven months to complete, so that will be cutting it close (with May 31 in mind),” Russo said. “We hope the timing will be just right. There’s not just the construction but the need to obtain different permits, so we’ll see.
“But If I had to guess, I’d say we’ll know in time hopefully in March or April and if so we’ll sit vacant for a while if we have to once the lease ends.”
That’s not to say Junkanoo won’t go out without a bang.
“I’m sure we’ll have a big celebration. We’ve had so many great customers and have made so many great friends,” said Russo, who first operated a restaurant at the site in 1987 named the Pelican.
Meanwhile, a Russo restaurant did meet the wrecking ball Nov. 13 when The Ship, which he operated beginning in 1995, was torn down in Bonita Springs after sitting vacant for nine years. In its place will be an assisted living facility.
Is Russo sad to know his eating establishments are falling one by one?
“No, they’ve had a good run and I’m getting to the age of retirement,” he said.
And he’s far from done, considering a new endeavor in Times Square called the Sunset Beach Tropical Grill, accompanied by the Playmore Tiki Bar, opened for business Nov. 6 under Russo’s direction.
“It’s off to a great start and I will always enjoy doing this as long as it’s still fun,” Russo said.
The remodeled structure, at 1028 Estero Blvd., has replaced the former Top O’Mast Lounge. The Sunset Beach Tropical Grill also is owned by Persaud Properties, with Russo in the role as operator. The menu will be similar to that of the Fresh Catch Bistro.