Miceli’s Restaurant on Matlacha reopens just five weeks after Hurricane Ian

A popular restaurant in Matlacha has rebuilt from scratch just five weeks after Hurricane Ian brought in 40 inches of flood water.

Miceli’s was a staple in the community, and on Tuesday, the restaurant reopened. The owners say they were motivated to help the community feel a sense of normalcy.

The staff at Miceli’s Restaurant ensured everything was ready as they opened their doors for the first time since Hurricane Ian.

“I’ve never had five weeks off in my entire life,” Vincenzo Miceli Jr., a co-owner of Miceli’s Restaurant.

Miceli Jr. and his family have been part of the community for 14 years. Like their neighbors, they had to overcome the storm’s fury that sent 40 inches of water into the restaurant.

“I definitely cried. The whole Matlacha like devastated,” said Nicole Presti, a server at Miceli’s.

“We lost every bit of our cooking equipment. All of our coolers in the back. Every wall in here had to be ripped out and fully rebuilt. Basically starting from scratch all over again,” said Joseph Miceli, a co-owner of Miceli’s Restaurant.

That work wasn’t easy. They began rebuilding just six days after the storm when they were allowed back, and everyone has worked non-stop to rebuild the restaurant and replace the equipment that was lost.

“As soon as we got water, we didn’t have power, but we were in here cleaning, just trying to get everything back to where it was,” said Miceli.

That work was worth it, especially for the people who love the restaurant, like Presti, who has worked there since it opened.

“It’s my second home. And people love this place it’s like their second home, too,” Presti said.

“It’s just the community feel of Matlacha. That’s how we are. We are part of this community,” said Miceli.

“We want to show our customers that everything can move on and we can progress forward as a community,” said Miceli Jr.

Miceli Jr. said they are back, fully staffed, with a full menu and outdoor live music.