Edison Restaurant to remain at Fort Myers Country Club

It was a win for locals and lovers of the Edison Restaurant at Monday night’s Fort Myers City Council meeting, as the longtime restaurant will remain at Fort Myers Country Club with some major renovations. 

After rankings for the solicitation of the restaurant space at the country club were tabled earlier this month, the Edison’s proposal was unanimously approved to enter into negotiations with the city as the top ranked firm.  

Locals showed up by the dozens to rally around the Edison and current manager Kevin King. Some speakers were long-standing community members and others Edison employees, many wearing yellow T-shirts with a capital “E” on them. 

Mark McGee, a fifth generation Southwest Florida native, spoke in support of the Edison during public input, which lasted nearly 40 minutes.  

“I really am here because the Edison restaurant represents the history and really the fit for the community,” McGee said. “I definitely think that Kevin knows what the community wants and will respect our wishes moving forward as long as he’s given the ability to do so financially.” 

King’s current lease was on a month-to-month basis, something that was consistently brought up by many when speaking of the renovations needed. 

“Take a look at the people who are here in the chambers in support of Kevin King and the Edison Restaurant in that building,” former Lee County Manager Roger Desjarlais said. “In 2017, Kevin King took a chance on this city. None of you would invest in a business with a month-to-month lease. You have to have a long-term lease so that you can recuperate your investment and do it right. He took a chance on you and stayed month to month, invested money in that restaurant, invested in new equipment that really was the responsibility of the city. And when you hear from him, you’ll see additional investments that he’s prepared to make.”  

King said he wants to partner with the city and work on many repairs and upgrades. 

“Following through and doing a pretty extensive review of the building, we have identified the following list in repairs and upgrades,” King said. “To ease the financial burden from the city, management wants to advance the fund of the following projects.” 

Community members expressed if anyone is to be tasked with upgrading the Edison, it should be the team that’s been there for years and has already established relations within the community. 

Many residents were prepared to speak against giving a big restaurant group, such as 23 Restaurant Services on McGregor Boulevard, but ended up not having to. 

Monday night’s win for local history and community longevity came after 23 Restaurant, the city’s initial top-scored firm, pulled its proposal Monday morning.   

“The financial commitment we were going to make would only make sense in an environment where we have universal support from both the local residents and community leadership,” 23 Restaurant President Marc Brown said in an email to the city. “Understanding that support is not where it needs to be has led us to this difficult decision to withdraw.” 

By default, Edison’s proposal, which was initially the second scored at 529 points, became the first ranked. Despite 23 Restaurant’s withdrawal, council member Darla Bonk said the turnout and public comment for the Edison would have changed her mind if they were still in the running.  

“Please don’t think your public input doesn’t matter,” Bonk said. “Please keep showing up to these meetings. Please keep challenging our thoughts.” 

In contrast to how Council handled the last meeting with this item, all members were in agreement about the issue with the city’s procurement process, with council member Liston Bochette noting the process is in dire need of improvement. 

He also pointed out the on-the-spot scoring that occurred at the initial meeting and how the council members heard talk of the current Edison Restaurant being in disrepair, on top of various other issues with this particular solicitation. 

“No economic study was conducted,” Bochette said. “No structural, electrical, hydro or design analysis was performed, and there were no traffic studies, no property tax analysis, no legal deed reviews, no comparables.”  

Bochette added there were no mold, toxic material, termite, air conditioner or roof inspections. “This is what you go through when you buy a regular house,” he said. “Council was asked to determine the fate of one of our greatest assets without proper information for the decision.” 

Council members weren’t the only ones critiquing the city’s process. 

“I am a bit disappointed in the process from a couple of weeks ago,” resident Gina Sabiston said, “but I am thankful that I have an opportunity to speak on it and that the vote did not go forward.” 

Despite critique of the city process, community members had something to celebrate last night. 

“It has so much potential to be something for our community, but also people who are not locals,” resident Gibson Eagle said. “Hurricane Ian took many places from us on Fort Myers Beach. I just really hope that maybe you guys will just come hang out with us on a Friday or Saturday and just experience what it feels like to be a part of a community.”