Tom Lewis formally named permanent Police Chief of Punta Gorda

Tom Lewis in center

City Manager Howard Kunik announced today that Thomas Lewis is the best choice for the Punta Gorda Police Department to continue to produce positive results in our community, formally naming him as the permanent Police Chief of the City of Punta Gorda. Thomas Lewis has served in this position as the Interim Chief of Police since the retirement of Albert “Butch” Arenal in September of 2015. City Manager Kunik referenced this performance, citing the dedication to community involvement demonstrated by Chief Lewis.

New Mexican Restaurant coming to Marion Avenue

Spotted new sign in the window of the old Chicago hot dog place for Isabel and Annabel's Mexican Restaurant coming soon.  When we find out more, will let you know.  

Punta Gorda Chef Owner of Perfect Caper Beats Bobby Flay

Chef and Owner of the Perfect Caper restaurant in Punta Gorda, Jeanie Roland, astounded  judges with her signature  mussels dish and beat celebrity chef Bobby Flay last night on the nationally televised TV show "Beat Bobby Flay."  

After defeating New York chef, Becca Richards, in a preliminary round Roland went head-to-head with her mussels dish complemented by her well-liked french fries cooked in duck fat.  Celebrity chefs Katie  Lee and Robert Irvine gave moral support to Jeanie as she cooked off vs. Flay.  

In the initial round against Becca Richards, Jeanie delivered a perfect rib eye steak over polenta.  While the polenta Roland chose to accompany the steak was a slight miss, the rib eye, the key ingredient was better cooked than her competitor's.  Irvine pointed out to Roland after she won the initial competition that she was chosen because it was felt she could beat Bobby.  

The show gave national exposure to Roland's restaurant in Punta Gorda.  

Perfect Caper Owner to Compete on Bobby Flay Show This Thursday night

Local chef and Perfect Caper, owner, Jeanie Roland, will compete on a Food Network Show for a chance to cook off against Iron Chef Bobby Flay this Thursday night, the Charlotte Sun reported this morning.  

Roland has had to keep secret the results of the episode taped in January until aired this week, but Punta Gordans can tune in to see if our local chef's cooking proess beats out chef Becca Richards.  The winner then goes skillet to skillet against Flay. "The Heat is On" episode featuring Roland will air on the FN nationally televised show "Beat Bobby Flay"  Thursday, August 6 at 10 p.m. and  Friday at 1 a.m.

Roland and her partner James have operated the Perfect Caper in Punta Gorda for 15 years.  The Caper first opened in 2000 as a small restaurant and deli counter on Sullivan Street in the building now occupied by the Orange House. Jeanie's cooking immediately drew raves and foodies came from a far to try it out.  The Caper quickly outgrew the 10-table venue and in 2004, moved into its present location on East Marion Avenue. 

Roland has been quoted as saying that perhaps, "she has yet to create her best dish!" We're rooting that she does just that on the Thursday night show.  

New Restaurant to open in Opus location on Marion in Punta Gorda

A new restaurant will open at the former Opus location around the beginning of September.  Bob Mulroy and Lee Richardson whose names make up "Leroy" of Leroy's Southern Kitchen and Bar. anticipate opening in the former Opus location on Sept. 1.  Leroy's will feature Southern specialties  for lunch and dinner, seven days a week

Turtle Club Closed for the Summer Back in October Purchased by Chris Evans

The Turtle Club after a successful relaunch this past season has closed for the summer while announcing that local Chris Evans has purchased the restaurant with a partner.  The restaurant, whose original owners had operated  the Club with Evans as manager with its tropical patio and courtyard, offered many menu features of the popular Turtle Club in Naples in its elegantly restored building at the corner of West Marion and Taylor Avenues.

Evans said in the Punta Gorda Herald today that  he and the staff attribute a great first season to their guests. “We are deeply grateful for the loyalty of Punta Gorda diners and all the nearby communities, fans, and friends who had been hounding us to get the old Turtle Club up and going again"

While its sad to see a favorite closed till October, we will look forward to a grand reopening in the fall.    

Orange House Wine Bar Gets New Owner

The Charlotte Sun reported today the sale of the Orange House Wine Bar  in Punta Gorda, the popular wine bar on Sullivan Street. Over the last two plus years, with careful attention, Bob and Ruth Wessel brought success to the cozy place known for great jazz, wine and unique small plates.

The new owner is Lisa Blanchard, owner of Landmark Realty, also on Sullivan Street.

Fishermen's Village Announces Plans for Major New Improvements - New Entrance, Center Court Remodeling, Beach, Harborwalk Connections, Much More

Fishermen's Village has been a focal destination and integral part of Punta Gorda since its birth in the late 1970s when it was repurposed from an old fishing dock built in the late 20s. Its waterfront shopping and boutiques, harbor view dining venues, live entertainment, marina, fishing charters, vacation rentals, military heritage museum and plethora of special events draw millions to our town, many of whom fall in love with Punta Gorda and stay, including this writer. The Village, a major magnet for the City with its premier location right on Charlotte Harbor, has been recognized by Gulfshore Business Magazine as the 2nd Top Attraction in Southwest Florida.

Wednesday, during the Punta Gorda City Council meeting, the new owners of the Village and General Manager Patti Allen announced plans for a two-phase $40 million makeover that includes an inviting new entrance, total revamp of the Center Court that will open it up for expansive views of the water, major marina improvements including the addition of a beach and endless pool, extension of the Punta Gorda Harborwalk to follow the shoreline and waterside of the village perimeter, a new mixed-use building to house more retail shops, restaurants, and new marina facilities, including a ship store, showers, laundry and community gathering space and much more. See below for the complete list and proposed schedule for improvements.

Patti Allen, long-time general manager of Fishermen’s Village, in describing the impact of the two-phased work plan to  City Council said: “Our improvements will create more than 100 new jobs and significantly increase revenues to the city from new sales, property taxes, and payroll taxes. We believe that our plans will help fuel ongoing efforts to establish Punta Gorda as a top-tier destination for tourists, snowbirds and year-round residents."

The renovation and development will occur in two phases. Phase one, scheduled to begin immediately and budgeted at approximately $8 million, includes:

• Constructing new main entrance: designed to be more welcoming.
• Renovating center court: removing plantings and infrastructure that block harbor views; raising the floor height to be level with the mall walkway; adding palm trees, new furniture, new decking for waterfront and sunset views, a moveable stage and retractable presentation screen; and adding beverage and food service.
• Creating additional parking.
• Extending the Punta Gorda Harborwalk: to follow the shoreline and waterside of the village perimeter terminating at Marion Avenue, providing spectacular sunset views and directly connecting Fishermen’s Village with downtown Punta Gorda.
• Opening Scotty’s Brewhouse restaurant in the former Oyster Bar location.
• Expanding and renovating restroom facilities.

Phase two, anticipated to be completed within five years at a cost of $30-35 million, will include:

• Building a new mixed-use building: housing retail shops, restaurants, and new marina facilities, including a ship store, showers, laundry and community gathering space.
• Constructing a parking deck: to accommodate approximately 150 additional parking spaces.
• Adding a sand beach with zero-entry and negative edge pool: overlooking the harbor.

The City Council on Wednesday agreed to sell two parcels of publicly owned waterfront property to the owners of Fishermen’s Village that will enable the above plans to move forward.

Scotty's Brewhouse - New Restaurant for Fishville in Punta Gorda

Along side center court in Fishermen's Village where the Village Oyster Bar resided for many years, a new restaurant, Scotty's Brewhouse, is moving in this coming Fall it was reported during the Punta Gorda City Council meeting this morning.

Scotty's out of Indianapolis currently has 12 locations in the mid-west according to their website.  Their menu  is mainly modern comfort food, i.e., burgers, wings, beer.

The addition was announced during a presentation at Council on the Fishville's owners extensive plans for modernizing and improving the Village (more on that later).  

Allegiant Air Announces More Flights into Punta Gorda

Allegiant Air announced this morning that they would be flying from more northern cities into Punta Gorda starting in February.  I guess the brrrrrrrrrrrrrrr weather is generating more demand for our warmer weather.  The cities are:

Non-stop service to Southwest Florida Beaches via Punta Gorda Airport (PGD) from:

1. Indianapolis, Ind. -- begins Feb. 11, 2015 with fares as low as $75* one way.

2. Pittsburgh, Pa. -- begins Feb. 12, 2015 with fares as low as $75* one way.

Other destinations from where and to Allegiant flies to Punta Gorda include:

• Allentown, PA
• Asheville, NC
• Bangor, ME
• Cedar Rapids, IA
• Cincinnati, OH
• Columbus, OH
• Des Moines, IA
• Fort Wayne, IN
• Greenville/Spartanburg, SC
• Huntington, WV
• Knoxville, TN
• Lexington, KY
• Moline/Quad Cities, IL
• Niagara Falls, NY
• Peoria, IL
• Portsmouth, NH
• Rockford, IL
• South Bend, IN
• Springfield, IL
• Springfield/Branson, MO
• Plattsburgh, NY
• Toledo, OH
• Youngstown, OH

Carolyn Freeland New Punta Gorda Mayor

Carolyn Freeland became the new Punta Gorda Mayor this Wednesday during the City Council Meeting.  

Adam Putnam Commission of Agriculture Visits Punta Gorda

Florida's Commissioner of Agriculture, Adam Putnam, spoke to a crowd of Punta Gordans gathered today at the Captain's Table.  He spoke enthusiastically about Florida and its future, noting that it would soon exceed New York in population.

Governor Visits Punta Gorda Today

Governor Rick Scott  pulled into Punta Gorda today and remarked on how beautiful the city was and how he loved our Halloween celebrations.  He congratulated the local government and citizens on the improvements in the City.  The Governor was at River City Grill this afternoon, shaking hands and talking to local business owners and government officials and Punta Gorda residents at the restaurant.

Mayor Rachel Keesling greets Governor Scott

State Senator Liz Benaquisto with State Representative Ken Roberson and the Governor

River City Grill To Get New Italian Sister - Italia Coming to Town

Just spotted (although I confess it may have been there awhile since we have been away from our hometown way too long), the new sign over the old Tavern, next to River City Grill -- Italia. What I am hearing is that this is the brainchild of Doug Amaral, owner of River City to be called Italia at River City. The restaurant is expected to somewhat mirror it's older brother with a modern bar like the City, with a Tuscan flare. The menu according to reports will be classic and modern Italian.  Italia is expected to open later this year. Can't wait.

New YouTube Channel Announced by the City of Punta Gorda

The City has just announced its new  YouTube channel.  The City YouTube channel will host videos of council meetings (at a higher resolution than available elsewhere), public service announcements, events, and much more.

Cheney Brothers to Break Ground Today in Punta Gorda with Governor Scott Attending

It was almost three years ago that we first announced in this blog that Cheney Brothers had made a bid on property out by the Punta Gorda Airport to build a new Distribution Center. Today the Center is becoming a reality as Governor Scott marks the groundbreaking of a new Cheney Brother's Distribution Center in Punta Gorda across from the Airport.

Expected to bring over 300 jobs, paying around $36,000 a year, to Charlotte County, Cheney's representative here has said that the facility which originally was going to be 250,000 square feet  has increased by more than 100,000 square feet, growing the total footprint of the center to 529,000 square feet. Cheney Brothers when it reaches capacity will  become one of the county’s largest private employers. Tricia Duffy, County Commissioner is "thrilled to see this job generator breaking ground in the County." She noted that Cheney has already hired some people for the new project.   

Governor Scott's office says this project represents a nearly $30-million capital investment. 

Cheney Brothers is the leading food distributor serving the southeast US. The new center will serve as a distribution hub for Southwest Florida.  
    

Looks Like Turtle Club is "Crawling" Back to Punta Gorda

Saw in the agenda of City Council this week that one of the used-to-be upscale restaurants along Marion, and a personal favorite of ours, may be crawling back to town.  There is a resolution on the City's agenda this week to approve a 5-year lease of the Herald Court space in back of the Club's facility for use for outdoor dining by the Turtle Club on reopening of the restaurant.  Looks to us that this is foreshadowing a return of the Turtle Club sometime in the near future.  Here's hoping.

Punta Gorda City Council Approves Moving Forward with the Loop and a Domestic Partner Registry

The City Council moved forward this week with two major initiatives.

The LOOP voluntary annexation agreement was approved and now the process moves on to the annexation application, land use and zoning phases. Once the City receives the required material from the applicant, the entire process should take 4-6 months.

Council also approved moving forward with a Domestic Partnership Registry, similar to what has been adopted in numerous cities and counties throughout Florida. Staff will review ordinances in place in other communities and modify the contents to fit Punta Gorda.

Deans South Won't Close with Opening of Hurricane Charley

Dean's reported on their Facebook page that Dean's South of the Border will not close with the opening of the new Hurricane Charley in the old Benedettos.   "We've been here 21 years and we don't plan to go anywhere! Hurricane Charley's will be an entirely new restaurant, the food will be different, new staff, entertainment and a gorgeous view of the Harbor," they reported.  

 Dean's  North will be closing to focus on the new restaurant with staff members including Kim, Michelle, Charlotte & Priscilla moving south to Charley's. The new restaurant at Charley's will have banquet facilities.

Allegiant to fly from Long Island New York to Punta Gorda

Announcing the best access yet to the Northeast, Allegiant said yesterday they would be providing new nonstop jet service between Long Island and  Punta Gorda Airport. The company,will offer introductory fares as low as $58* one way.  New direct flights to/and from Iowa were also announced.

"We are pleased to add the beaches of Southwest Florida as an affordable, convenient destination option for Long Island residents," said Andrew C. Levy, Allegiant Travel Company President. "We are confident Long Islanders will appreciate the convenience of flying out of centrally-located MacArthur Airport and the value that only comes with Allegiant's low cost brand of service."

The new flights will operate twice weekly between Long Island MacArthur Airport (ISP) and Punta Gorda Airport (PGD).