After decades of business, Capt'n Con's Fish House in Bokeelia has been demolished. The beloved restaurant, a staple of the Bokeelia community, was torn down following extensive damage from hurricanes.
Owner Luretta Wilson, who has been running the restaurant for 29 years, expressed her heartbreak as she watched her "second home" reduced to rubble.
"I knew it had to happen, but I didn’t know when," Luretta said, recalling the emotional moment she learned the building was unsafe.
The storm caused severe damage, including a compromised foundation and roof, making it impossible to restore.
Mark Penna from Imperial Development Group, the developers behind the demolition, noted the building’s unsafe condition and the need for swift action.
"It could have fallen at any time," he said.
The restaurant's sudden closure shocked locals, including frequent visitor Linda Raimondi.
"We couldn’t believe it," she said, still reeling from losing one of her favorite spots.
While the restaurant is gone, Luretta continues to offer her famous pies through the Captain’s Pie Shop, available at Salty Girls Island Cafe in Bokeelia. Though Capt'n Con's is no more, its legacy lives on in the community's memories and Luretta’s new venture.