Tim Aten Knows: Restaurants continue to come and go

Q: Was wondering if you possibly knew when Havana Libre at Founders Square would be opening up? —Stephen Christ, North Naples  

A: A new local restaurant, Havana Libre Cuban Cuisine, plans to launch Friday, Aug. 23, in The Plaza at Founders Square, the Collier County retail strip anchored by Sunshine Ace Hardware on the southeast corner of Immokalee Road and Collier Boulevard. 

The new Havana Libre’s more than 4,000-square-foot space at 8850 Founders Square Drive, Unit 215, will nearly double the size of the original location with the addition of a full bar and outdoor dining. The Golden Gate City location closed this week for remodeling, but Madera is not sure if or when it might reopen. For now, he is focusing on his new restaurant space. 

“As a family, we have put our hearts and dedication into this restaurant and hope you and your family can enjoy our traditional foods,” he said. 

Havana Libre adds a little more Latin flair to the restaurant-centric Founders Square development, which includes Lake Park Diner, Oar & Iron Raw Bar & Grill, South Street, Outback Steakhouse, Tacos & Tequila Cantina, Skillets, Crisp & Green, Fuji, T-Yummi and Michoacana Ice Cream. Roadies Pit Stop beverage drive-thru is still under construction next to Kelly’s Roast Beef in an outparcel fronting Immokalee Road. 

Guru guide 

Q: Do you know anything about a new Indian restaurant opening up in the Prado plaza in Bonita? —Patty Sabotka, Bonita Springs 

A: Guru Indian Bistro launched Aug. 16 in the northern corner of Prado at Spring Creek retail center off U.S. 41 in Bonita Springs. 

The new restaurant at 25151 Chamber of Commerce Drive is operated by Harry and Sonia Singh, who have lived in Southwest Florida since 2018. Originally from India, the couple previously operated restaurants in Hamburg, Germany, and Lehigh Acres. 

Traditional dishes such as chicken tikka masala, lamb and chicken vindaloo, and chicken curry are expected to be the most popular at Guru, which specializes in northern Indian cuisine, said Sonia Singh. Guru’s menu also includes samosas, tandoori chicken and shrimp, biryani, roti, naan and many other vegetarian, seafood and classic Indian entrees. 

Habaneros Mexican Grill permanently closed this month in a freestanding space on the southern end of Prado. The Mexican restaurant had operated since January 2023 in a location that previously was Foxboro Sports Tavern, Buffalo Wild Wings, Stevie Tomato’s Sports Page and Rib City. 

Guru Indian Bistro is next door to a Dollar Tree store that is opening soon across the northern end of the Prado retail center. Meanwhile, Prado anchor Big Lots will close this fall when the national discount retailer shutters hundreds of stores nationwide. Big Lots, expected to operate there through September, opened that store in 2021 to replace Stein Mart, which closed all its stores in 2020. 

Wherefore art thou, Romeo? 

Q: What happened to Romeos Pizza? They are permanently closed after only being open for a couple of months. —Kristine Kenniston, Naples 

A: Romeo’s Pizza has not posted a notice on the restaurant’s door or social media regarding its closing this month, but the Estero location of the Ohio-based chain reports that the North Naples pizzeria is not reopening. The eatery had operated since late 2023 on Naples Boulevard in North Naples. The chain’s Estero location, owned by the same franchisee, continues to operate in The Shoppes at University Highlands, a retail strip off Ben Hill Griffin Parkway just north of Miramar Outlets. 

Other pizza places also are coming and going in the Naples area. 

Baci will open at 2740 Bayshore Drive in the same retail strip as I Love Curry at the end of August or in September, said Baci owner Frankie Garofalo, who launched his original East Naples 10 years ago at 2364 Tamiami Trail E.  While the old Baci had seating for only about 20, the new place will allow at least 80 people to dine in. 

Meanwhile, Tony’s NY Pizza recently opened a third location in Collier County. The local pizzeria’s owner, Antonio de la Cruz, launched his latest Tony’s NY Pizza in the original small space of The Crust in The Pavilion retail center on the northwest corner of U.S. 41 and Vanderbilt Beach Road in North Naples. The Crust vacated this smaller unit years ago but still operates its large, freestanding location nearby on Trail Boulevard. 

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The “Tim Aten Knows” weekly column answers local questions from readers. Email Tim at tim.aten@naplespress.com.