SEBASTIAN — Paradise Marina and Tiki Bar will soon be reopened as Suzy’s Keg and Conch by new owner Suzanne Strahosky.
Suzanne and her husband, Mel, are hoping to be open for St. Patrick’s Day selling beer and wine from the former Tiki Bar location.
“We want this place to be like your backyard,” Mel told an interested passerby that walked onto the property Thursday. A sold sign and construction on the property slowed vehicles and drew inquisitive looks from people out for their daily walk.
“I think it’s awesome,” Andrea Cooney said as she watched the renovation with her son, Adam.
“My first redfish was caught off that dock,” Adam said.
The Strahoskys have owned property in Sebastian for 7 years while living in the Florida Keys. They were traveling around the United States looking for a location when they found the Paradise Marina property online.
“We’ve always wanted to do something like this,” said Suzanne. “When my husband and I met we always talked about a mom and pop style place.”
“We loved the view, loved the location,” Mel said.
Details are still being worked out before they open.
They are talking about being open for morning coffee and then serving beer and wine from 4 p.m. to sunset.
Mel, Suzanne, and Bessie, their black lab-golden retriever mix, will be the only employees to start. Bessie will have the job of chasing off birds.
People looking for employment have been stopping by on a regular basis, said Mel.
Plans are in the works to start serving food later down the line.
Suzanne wants to serve good, healthy food like stone crab and conch chowder, she said.
Other ideas include pig roasts on Sunday, kids days on Saturday with kayaking and fishing, and Suzy’s Regatta with boats made by their captains of wood, duct tape, and paint that will race around the dock.
Future plans also include the structure on the southern part of the property. Suzanne would like to make it an inside bar with a fire place, permits permitting.
