There seems to be no end in sight for the temporary closure of a Holmes Beach restaurant.
Sean Murphy, owner of Eat Here, 5315 Gulf Drive, had planned to open March 31, but wrote in an April 2 text to The Islander that he remained “engaged day to day with contractor on gas details” with “no certain date” for when his restaurant may reopen.
He told The Islander April 5 that another inspection was planned for April 6.
The closure, which Murphy said was “devastating,” began Feb. 24 when city building inspectors observed William Keel — owner of the plaza housing Eat Here — undertaking unpermitted renovations in another unit of the building.
City staff and the West Manatee Fire Rescue District disconnected gas to the property and issued “cease-and-desist” orders to the plaza’s businesses.
The plaza currently houses Eat Here, the Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce, the Aqua Aveda and Beach House Real Estate and Vacation Rentals, which Keel co-owns.
However, Eat Here is the only business that needs gas to operate and the other businesses remained open.
The city also required Murphy to submit an updated site plan due to recent changes to the restaurant’s floor plan.
JT Thomas, the city’s code compliance supervisor, told The Islander March 26 that the city approved an updated site plan and was working with Murphy and Keel to reconnect gas to the property and lift a stop-work order for Eat Here.
“We’re working with them now,” Thomas said. “We’re trying to open Eat Here back up as soon as possible.”
