Punta Gorda restaurant owners vow to reopen after Hurricane Helene clean up. While some restaurants opened quickly, others might take longer.
Patrons at Celtic Ray Public House began to trickle into its outdoor bar and dining area Sept. 30, following flooding to Irish pub’s first floor.
“A light demolition” will take place, said bartender Cheyenne Lufkin, referring to the inside portion of the pub. Last week floodwater rose to the top of the first-floor bar, but the second floor was undamaged, she said.
Since the kitchen is on the first floor, food trucks will be available in the parking lot next to the Ray until its kitchen is restored.
Chef Jeanie Roland, who owns The Perfect Caper, was less fortunate. She posted on her Facebook page that the restaurant sustained substantial damage and will not be open until further notice, adding that a team of workers is performing the cleanup, and the building will be remediated. “We will be back in action before we know it,” Roland said.
Punta Gorda Mayor Lynne Matthews reported on social media that restaurants open Sept. 29 included Laishley Crab House, Burg’r Bar, Pizza Gorda, Fresco, Tamiami Tavern, Carmelo’s Italian Ristorante and Beef ‘O’Brady’s.
Harpoon Harry’s, Captain’s Table and Village Brewhouse at Fishermen’s Village were to open Sept. 30, and Ortigia Cucina & Bar on Marion Avenue is expected to open shortly, Matthews said.
Diane Amaral, who owns River City Grill and Italia restaurants with her husband Doug Amaral, was waiting for an electrician to arrive Sept. 30. The two restaurants are adjoined on Marion Avenue.
Amaral was home while her husband was out of town when the hurricane hit. Watching the live feed from the restaurants’ four cameras, she saw floodwaters seep inside. Within half an hour the water rose a few feet. “Chairs and tables were floating,” she said.
Amaral said she expects the restaurants to reopen sometime in October.
Keith and Stacey Meyer own F.M. Don’s on Marion Avenue. They were busy cleaning up from the 2 feet of water that flooded their restaurant. Keith Meyer said the big problem is that water covered electrical outlets. Renovation work including drywall and outlet replacements should take about a week, he said.
Other restaurants along Marion Avenue were closed Sept. 30, including Leroy’s Southern Kitchen, Toula’s and in the alley facing Sea Grape Gallery, remediation equipment was seen inside Wildwood Pizza that was also closed.
Along U.S. 41, Hungry Howie’s and CJ’s Tavern were flooded and closed until further notice.
Perch 360, a restaurant and bar atop Wyvern Hotel, opened shortly after the hurricane. The hotel was without power for about a day, and the downstairs 88 Keys restaurant was flooded with 3 to 4 inches of water, Front Desk Manager Scott Kurkowski said.
TT’s Tiki Bar and The Library Comedy Club, which also serves food at Four Points Sheraton Punta Gorda Harborside, were open for business, a hotel staff member confirmed.
One business that suffered extensive damage from Hurricane Ian on Sept. 28, 2022, and was rebuilt, was Nino’s Bakery & Cafe, established by William Levi.
“We had no damage from Helene,” he said. But the problem with Nino’s location, is that it is “in a bowl.” The bakery on the Cooper Street extension was surrounded by 3 feet of water, making it impossible for patrons to get through.
After the water receded, Nino’s was again serving patrons breakfast and lunch in addition to its bakery items.
Punta Gorda Assistant City Manager Melissa Reichert said Sept. 30, “Our building official has documented 50 businesses with damages, but there will likely be more.”
