News Summary
The Columbia Restaurant Group’s project for the Buccaneer Restaurant on Longboat Key remains unstarted nearly a decade after the purchase of the site. Despite hopes for a unique dining experience, necessary town approvals have not been secured, leaving uncertainty about the future. Residents are eager for new dining options, reminiscing about the previous local favorite, Pattigeorge’s Restaurant, which was demolished in 2018. As leadership transitions within the Gonzmart family unfold, the community looks forward to potential developments on the site.
Florida – The Columbia Restaurant Group has yet to make progress on its long-awaited development of a new restaurant on Longboat Key, nearly a decade after purchasing the property where Pattigeorge’s Restaurant once stood. The site, located at 4120 Gulf of Mexico Drive, was bought for $1.96 million in 2016 with plans to create a 200-seat dining establishment named the Buccaneer Restaurant.
Pattigeorge’s Restaurant, a local favorite that operated for roughly 40 years, was demolished in 2018, paving the way for the new venture. Richard Gonzmart, President of the 1905 Family of Restaurants, had indicated that the Buccaneer would feature a unique dining concept, inspired by his father’s guidance concerning waterfront properties in Sarasota. However, despite initial enthusiasm, plans for the project have not moved forward to gain the necessary town approvals, as confirmed by Longboat Town Planning and Zoning Director Allen Parsons.
The Buccaneer Restaurant was envisioned to be a significant part of Gonzmart’s legacy, intended as his final project before retirement. Nevertheless, with no advancements since the initial plans, uncertainty surrounds the future of the site. Town Manager Howard Tipton emphasized the project’s stagnation, suggesting that the ambition to complete it appears stalled.
As of July 25, 2023, Casey Gonzmart Sr. stepped down as chairman of the board of the 1905 Family of Restaurants, marking a significant transition within the family-run business. Although Richard Gonzmart continues to be active in the company, the departure of the elder Gonzmart has prompted questions about the restaurant group’s strategic direction moving forward. The restaurant group’s future plans for the Longboat Key property remain unclear, as a spokesperson declined to provide further information on the status or potential timelines for the Buccaneer.
Community interest regarding the development of this property remains strong, with residents eager to see what will eventually replace the former Pattigeorge’s Restaurant. As discussions about the future intensify, the Gonzmart family’s fifth-generation leadership, which includes Andrea Gonzmart Williams and Casey Gonzmart, will play a vital role in determining the next steps for both the business and the Longboat Key site.
The ongoing absence of a new establishment after the demolition has sparked conversations about the need for new dining options on Longboat Key. Local residents have fond memories of Pattigeorge’s and are hopeful that a new, exciting concept can replace it, reflecting Gonzmart’s original commitment to offering something distinctive in the area. Despite the challenges faced, the desire for revitalization and growth remains a focal point for both the business and the community.
As time passes, the future of the Buccaneer Restaurant continues to linger in uncertainty, leaving residents and stakeholders alike anticipating news on the potential development that could once again invigorate this notable location.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- Buccaneer Restaurant Longboat Stalls – Your Observer
- Sudden Closure of Iconic Longboat Key Restaurant – Suncoast Post
- CW Prime at the St. Regis Longboat Key – FB101
- Wikipedia: Longboat Key
- Google Search: restaurant development Longboat Key
Author: STAFF HERE FLORENCE WRITER
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