Fort Myers' Edison Tavern nearly done after 2-year renovation

FORT MYERS, Fla. (WINK) — The Edison Tavern is making its comeback, and the finish line is finally in sight.

The historic building has been under construction since 2024, when the city put $2.62 million into bringing the structure back up to code and giving it a fresh start.

But the road to reopening has not been a smooth one.

General Manager Kevin King said repeated hurricanes and storms left the building in rough shape, creating challenges that went far beyond a typical renovation.

"This building took some hits and took some damage. We did have a little bit of a structural issue... The city was on it. They fixed it. It wasn't a little job. It was a big job. We wanted to ensure that this was going to be something around for the next 20 to 30 years," King said.

King said most of the two years were spent securing the structure itself, and he has only been working on the interior for the last 71 days.

City council member, Lin Bochette, says the city completed its portion of the word on time, which would have been January 2025 based on the original renovation contract.

"It was not an easy transition. Change is always difficult," King said.

The total investment now tops $3 million, with King putting in more than $1 million of his own money alongside more than half a million from the city for additional repairs.

"There was an investment from both sides, and I was willing to do it if we could keep the tradition in everything that is around this whole area," King said.

King says he fought for a longer lease to make the investment worthwhile. The contract has a 10 year initial term with the possibility of two, five-year extensions.  

Long-time customer Dexter Kelman said seeing the space now makes the wait feel worthwhile.

"It's unbelievable what they've done to this place from what it was," Kelman said.

Katherine Dodge believes the updates will bring more visitors to Fort Myers.

"I think it's going to be a great investment for taxpayers. I think it's going to bring back a lot more people here," Dodge said.

The tavern is already opening in phases, with one bar currently open to the public and a banquet hall set to host its first wedding this weekend.

King told WINK News he hopes to be fully open in October.