![]() ![]() Buckett’s Wings & More at 6301 South Pointe Blvd. in south Fort Myers is linking arms with its restaurant brethren by hosting a series of Restaurant Benefit Nights.More Fort Myers, Cape Coral restaurants hosting hurricane relief events “I just think we all need to put our best foot forward now," MaryBeth Keslinger said, "and lend a helping hand."įor more on the restaurants mentioned, visit and. They are in the same boat as so many people: waiting on insurance adjusters, landlords (in Komatz case), and contractors. I worry most about them.”Īs for reopening, neither Johnson nor Komatz have a target date. “I’m humbled and honored,” Johnson said of the outpouring of donations. “It’s important we look out for each other, build each other up, and support our community so we can continue to be strong together.” “The restaurant community is a tight-knit community,” MaryBeth Keslinger said. However, when the opportunity arose to help the Johnsons and their crews, they jumped at it. Jay Johnson, owner of Bubba's Roadhouse & Saloon and Bert's Bar & Grill, removes pieces of debris from the front of his restaurant after Hurricane Ian passed through the region Wednesday afternoon in Cape Coral, FL., on Friday, September 30, 2022. With money tightly budgeted, the Keslingers said they dipped into their personal funds to float their employees until the restaurants got back on track. The storm destroyed all of High Tide's new furnishings, decor and more. Like Jordan, the Keslingers are also on the verge of opening a new establishment, High Tide at Cape Coral's Tarpon Point Marina. They rounded up seafood, barbecue and booze donations from local suppliers, breweries and distilleries throughout the area. ![]() Jordan and a host of local business owners, including MaryBeth and Chris Keslinger of Lobster Lady in Cape Coral, joined forces to help Bubba's and Bert's. Donations went to Johnson’s employees as well as those from the decimated Bert’s Bar, the iconic Matlacha spot owned by Johnson's father, Bernard Johnson. A second restaurant-relief event took place in Bubba’s parking lot Oct. Hurricane Ian coverage: A Cape Coral restaurant with big steaks and a bigger heartĪ week later, some of the same people Johnson helped came back to return the favor. However, when asked to help Cibo, Johnson gathered food donations, fired up his grill and began cooking. Still closed from Ian, his employees are also out of work. Johnson owns Bubba’s Roadhouse & Saloon on SW Pine Island Road in Cape Coral. One of those people who heeded the rallying cry was Jay Johnson. ![]() “It’s a great gift when people rally around you.” “Gloria and I have boundless respect for each other,” Komatz said. “I thought there is no better place to do something to help than here.” I know his servers well, and Cibo is my favorite restaurant,” Jordan said. Most of the rest of plaza was spared, but not Cibo's section of roof. The Italian restaurant sustained what Komatz called “intense damage” from the storm. While checking on her yet-to-open space, Jordan also checked on her Bridge Plaza neighbor, Craig Komatz, owner of Cibo. What happened next was a spontaneous outpouring of goodwill. On the verge of opening a new concept, Jordan’s Wine Bar & Cellar in The Bridge Plaza at 12901 McGregor Blvd., south Fort Myers, Jordan tapped that location for another food-distribution event. Hurricane Ian coverage: 137 island restaurants and how they faredįood for good: How restaurants from Lehigh to Bonita helped after Ian For days, the owner of La Trattoria Café Napoli in south Fort Myers gathered volunteers and food, distributing free meals from several Lee County locations. The restaurateurs who were spared did what they do best and went to work feeding those in need. ![]()
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