FORT MYERS
Finally opening its doors again almost four months after Hurricane Ian, City Tavern in downtown Fort Myers is now ready for customers.
The first word Meghan Fitzmaurice, assistant manager of City Tavern, used to describe being back was “Emotional.”
Seeing what the storm did to City Tavern and the rest of downtown was tough. So was making the necessary repairs, but that’s all behind them now.
City Tavern. (Credit: WINK News)
“Oh, my God, yesterday, you look around, you’re standing in there. And it’s, it’s the place like, it looks like city tavern and get and finally and we’re just so excited that it’s emotional. You know, you’re just like, oh, my gosh, we’ve been waiting for this,” said Fitzmaurice.
Fitzmaurice is thrilled the restaurant’s joining the others who again welcome customers after some trying times. “So we see everybody picking their heads, and they can’t wait to see us. We can’t wait till they’re back. We missed all of our regulars. We miss all the new people that we’re gonna meet, you know?”
“I’ve been coming in here on and off for years. So absolutely. Everybody I know comes down here eventually. So it’s right by the river. So everybody’s down here anyway. So it’s a very important place,” said Dunn.
Firestone. (Credit: WINK News)
Next to reopen is Firestone. Managing partner Nils Richter said he expects to be back in business by the end of the month.
“We’re just happy that we’re back open and that downtown is busy and all the people come down and enjoy it. And it’s great to see so many kinds of happy faces in the restaurant and on the street again,” said Richter.
While those restaurants are returning, the owner of First Street confirmed he would not reopen.
WINK NEWS