VERO BEACH —The iconic Patio Restaurant, which has been sitting vacant for the past year, appears to have gained yet another lease on life with an Orlando restaurateur hoping to have it up and running by New Year’s Eve.
Bill Brown, a partner in a hospitality group that a few years ago operated Tavern on the Lake and Sol River in the Orlando area, was still busy touring the kitchen and making plans for the Patio’s dining rooms when Vero News reached him Tuesday.
“I’m very excited,” said Brown, who said he has been in the hospitality business since high school. Brown said he previously was general manager for Mac & Ray’s Bistro in Harrison Township, Michigan.
He said his current plan is to offer a seafood menu with steaks much in keeping with the Patio’s roots, and added that he will keep the name as well.
Mark Tripson, grandson of Waldo Sexton, “asked him if he wanted to change the name, but he said there was no reason to, especially since it was so well known up and down the coast all these years,” said Chris Sexton, Ralph Sexton’s widow.
Brown wants to encourage a “seafood tavern” atmosphere where guests can come together and enjoy fresh Florida fare, fun camaraderie with friends and family and receive great service.
“This may not be a typical tavern and people may not envision seafood and a tavern together, but it is a great marriage,” said Brown. “Great service is the key. It has to be about the service, although great food is important, but we need to have a staff who enjoys taking care of people. That is the ingredient for success.”
The Patio’s property was bought by Waldo Sexton in 1945 and various businesses occupied it until the mid-1950s when it became a restaurant.
More than a few entrepreneurs have tried to make the landmark their home, but none did it for as long or as successfully as the Sexton family.
Tom Beaver leased the restaurant in 1984 and operated it until 2008, when he closed abruptly leaving staff and the owners without much notice. Chuck Lamm then made a run at it for a couple of years until Charley Replogle, owner of the Ocean Grill, bought out his lease and opened a Mexican restaurant, El Toro Tacos y Tequila.
El Toro gave up the fight and closed in 2011 having only been open for a year.
Chef Leanne Kelleher, owner of The Tides, then opened what she called the New Patio, but could not sustain both restaurants.
She closed the doors a year ago leaving owner Sexton (who passed away in October) and Tripson looking for a new tenant.
Tripson is president of Sexton Inc. and the property manager for many of the Sexton holdings.
“We are very happy The Patio will have a new tenant,” said Tripson. “It will depend on when they can get the place up and running but everyone can again meet at The Patio.”
“I really feel that Ralph is smiling down on us and gave this to us as a hopefully lasting gift,” said Chris Sexton. “Just in time for the holidays.”
Brown’s tentative plans are to open for a small dinner on New Year’s Eve with a portion of receipts to go to a local charity if he can get the staff properly trained by that date.
The menu is still evolving but he does not rule out some of the traditional menu items if he can get the exact recipes.
“Nothing is worse than ordering a favorite item and it does not taste like what you were hoping for,” said Brown.
He hopes to have a Prime Rib Night on Saturdays and offer some kind of Sunday brunch, but said everything is still in the planning stages.
Brown said that building a connection here is going to be one of his first steps.
“It is all about being part of the community,” he said. “The place is gorgeous, and with its decor and the menu we plan to do many things to promote the kind of place people want to go, hang out and enjoy a great experience.”
While the Fort Pierce restaurant 12A Buoy was until recently considering opening a Vero outpost in The Patio, the owners ultimately decided to stay put.
