Bonita Bill’s final day: Celebrating 34 years of memories

At 8 a.m., the doors opened for one last time at Bonita Bill’s, a beloved restaurant that has been a staple for Fort Myers Beach since 1991.

While Bonita Bill’s will be missed, Sunday is a day to celebrate the past 34 years the restaurant has sat tucked under the Matanzas Pass Bridge on San Carlos Island.

WINK News Reporter Paul Dolan was at Bonita Bill’s on its final morning to witness the iconic restaurant’s lasting impression on the community.

Leah Brakefield, the general manager at Bonita Bill’s, shared what has made the restaurant special.

“We’re very laid back and low-key. You can come on your boat in your bathing suit. You can come in the front door in your church clothes,” Brakefield said. “This is another little slice not only of old-school Fort Myers Beach but also small-business America.”

Lorie Longo, a former employee, reflected on the emotional day.

“I cry. It’s just, it’s overwhelming,” Longo said.

While Longo shared a toast with friends and reminisced about her days working at Bonita Bill’s, a packed house enjoyed a music-filled Sunday afternoon at the beloved restaurant one last time.

“They’d have bands here, and they’d have parties for holidays. It was always just a fun place to go,” said Jerry Redmann, a longtime customer.

For many, like Diane Kralicek, Sundays at Bonita Bill’s were a cherished tradition.

“Every Sunday, we come here, and we pray. We pray before our mimosas. I don’t know where we go from here, but it’s one step back from what we’ve been through,” Kralicek said.

While customers inside smiled through the memories, outside, a sad face was etched beside Monday’s closed hours.

“My heart hurts,” Longo said. “I’ve known the family, and like I said, I’ve only been here three years, but I feel like I’ve been here my whole life.”

The restaurant opened at 8 a.m., and by midday, seats at the bar and tables were filled to capacity.

On its final day, Bonita Bill’s became a lightning rod for the community, drawing crowds who sought to soak in as much joy as possible, knowing that come Monday, they would need to find a new gathering spot.

“The people that come in here every day, that used to come here every day — the heart of it are the locals,” Longo said.

According to public records, the restaurant sold for $5.5 million.

The buyer is HM Restaurant Group, which owns Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille and Dixie Fish Company.

If you’d like to join us in saying farewell to Bonita Bill’s, the final call for drinks is at 7 p.m., with doors closing for good at 8:30 p.m.