Bahama Breeze’s decades-long run in south Fort Myers is coming to an end.
The casually cool island grill has been a staple for visitors and locals since opening along U.S. 41, near Six Mile Cypress Parkway, in May 2000.
Known for its Caribbean-inspired menu, tropical drinks and easy, breezy, spacious porch, it is one of 15 locations in Florida and 28 in the country.
“We do well here,” manager Jami Stengel, who has been at the Fort Myers location since it opened, said. “We’re usually the second or third busiest of all Bahama Breeze locations. Tampa is the busiest.”
The fate of the restaurants was announced on Tuesday, Feb. 3.
Locations closing or converting
Darden Restaurants Inc., which owns the chain, concluded that Bahama Breeze was “no longer a strategic priority.”
“The company has now determined that it will permanently close 14 Bahama Breeze restaurants and plans to convert the remaining 14 locations into another Darden brand,” a news release read.
The Fort Myers location falls into the latter category.
The conversion is expected to take place “over the next 12-18 months.”
“(Locations being converted) are expected to continue to operate until any temporary closures are needed for the conversion,” the release continued. “At this time, the company is not disclosing the specific Darden brands into which these locations will be converted.”
Darden also operates Olive Garden, LongHorn Steakhouse, Yard House, The Capital Grille, The Capital Burger, Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse, Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen, Chuy’s, Eddy V’s, and Seasons 52.
The Capital Grille has a location 2 miles north in Bell Tower, which opened in June of 2024, and an Olive Garden is another half mile up from there. A LongHorn Steakhouse, in the Barnes & Noble and Target-anchored Market Square, is even closer. There’s also Cheddar’s off I-75, about 8 miles southeast.
Last May, Darden abruptly closed 15 locations across the U.S, including the 11-month-old one at the Naples Coastland Center.
What we know
When Bahama Breeze opened in 2000, it was the 13th one in the franchise.
“Only dinner was served back then,” Stengel said. “In 2004, we opened for lunch, too. We eventually added happy hours, too.”
This restaurant, which seats nearly 400 inside and out, is not like other ones, layout-wise, either.
“We are an open kitchen,” said Stengel, adding she has no idea what it will be converted into. “It’s an older style one. The newer ones aren’t like this. I don’t know what they’re going to do with it. We’ll have to wait and see.”
What she does know is the status of her staff.
“All staff jobs are secure,” she said. “Even with the ones closing, they will be relocated. They will still have jobs.”
And when it does close for conversion?
“They only want to be shut down for no more than 90 days,” she said.
In the meantime, there’s still plenty of time to grab some jerk chicken pasta, coconut shrimp, guava baby back ribs “and homemade Key lime pie.”
Wash it all down with a signature BahamaRita — a frozen margarita with kiwi, mango and strawberry flavored ices.
“Come and get your favorite foods,” Stengel said. “We still have happy hours. We’re still going to be here for 12 to 18 months.”
Bahama Breeze at 14701 S. Tamiami Trail is open daily beginning at 11 a.m. Happy hour is 4-6 p.m. Monday to Thursday and from 8-10 p.m. Sunday to Thursday. For reservations and more information, call (239) 454-9234 or go to bahamabreeze.com.
Florida Bahama Breeze locations closing
According to Darden’s press release, the following locations will be closed by April 5:
Jacksonville: 10205 Rivercoast Drive
Kissimmee: 1251 West Osceola Parkway
Miami: 12395 S.W. 88th St.
Pembroke Pines: 11000 Pines Blvd.
Sanford: 1540 Rinehart Road
Florida Bahama Breeze locations being converted
Altamonte Springs: 499 E. Altamonte Drive
Brandon: 805 Brandon Town Center Drive
Fort Myers: 14701 S Tamiami Trail
Kissimmee: 8160 Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway
Lutz: 25830 Sierra Center Blvd.
Orlando: 5620 W. Oak Ridge Road; 8849 International Drive; 8735 Vineland Ave.; 1200 N Alafaya Drive
Tampa: 3045 N. Rocky Point Drive East
Robyn George is a food and dining reporter for The News-Press. Connect at rhgeorge@fortmyer.gannett.com
This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Bahama Breeze restaurants to close; what that means for Fort Myers
Reporting by Robyn George, Fort Myers News-Press & Naples Daily News / Fort Myers News-Press
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