The Salty Crab gets approval for rebuild
The Salty Crab Bar & Grill, which was knocked down by Hurricane Ian in 2022, received unanimous approval from the Town of Fort Myers Beach Council on Monday for their plans to rebuild.
The restaurant and bar, an iconic beachfront mainstay on the island, was located within just several feet of the Margaritaville Beach Resort on property adjacent to Crescent Beach Family Park. The restaurant, which is owned by Clownfish Restaurant Holdings, will be rebuilt in the same location.
The owners are targeting late 2026 for the completion of construction. The project had previously been approved by the Fort Myers Beach Local Planning Agency.
The owners, Greg Powers and Clownfish Restaurant Holdings, were approved for a Commercial Planned Development rezoning to rebuild the restaurant with two floors along with a ground-level ice cream shop and beachfront outdoor seating.
Greg Powers, who is CEO of Beachside Hospitality Group, said “We’re thrilled to have received official approval to begin rebuilding the iconic Salty Crab Bar & Grill in Fort Myers Beach. Since Hurricane Ian devastated the original site in 2022, our goal has always been to return–stronger than ever–to the community that has supported us so deeply. This approval marks a major milestone, and with construction on the horizon, there’s finally a light at the end of the tunnel. We can’t wait to welcome our incredible guests back to the beach within the next year.”
He added, “We’re also excited to welcome back the dedicated team members who helped shape The Salty Crab into what it was before the storm. Anyone who worked with us prior to the hurricane will have a place here again, should they wish to return. This rebuild is just as much about our people as it is about the place.”
The Salty Crab Bar & Grill plans to break ground soon, aiming to reopen the restaurant next year. The restaurant is known for its seafood, laidback atmosphere and beachfront seating.
Julia Cassino, Director of Marketing for Beachside Hospitality Group, said that while architectural renderings submitted during the approval process focused primarily on structure and layout, the final design “will reflect the same colorful, coastal charm that guests knew and loved–both inside and out. The team is committed to preserving the inviting, beachy character that made The Salty Crab feel like home for so many locals and visitors alike.”
The rebuild required deviations from town zoning for an increase in floor area ratio from 1.2 to 1.96, a decrease in the street setback from 10 feet to 0 feet, a decrease in the side setback from 20 feet to 0 feet and a reduction in parking requirements from 58 spaces to no spaces. The property, which has been used a restaurant for decades, did not previously have any parking for customers though under the new zoning they are requesting they would technically need the additional parking.
The property, which dates back to the 1950’s as a commercial restaurant use, had been grandfathered into the town’s zoning code.
Town planning staff recommended approval of the zoning change and deviation requests.
The project had previously been recommended for approval by the Fort Myers Beach Local Planning Agency.