2 Collier County restaurants closed in September, 1 in Naples, 1 Marco. What to know
September tends to be a time of social media rumormongering regarding restaurant closures. In fact, given it's the slowest time of year and when Hurricanes Irma (2017) and Ian (2022) hit, many owners take advantage of using the time for vacation and repairs.
But, sometimes rumors are true. Unfortunately for devoted guests, two local family-owned restaurants spanning Collier County have shuttered for good.
North Naples
The Pearl on Airport-Pulling Road, just south of Vanderbilt Beach Road, served its last pints, steaks and crustaceans on Sept. 16 to what looked like a full-ish house. The restaurant was best known for its midweek all-you-can-eat snow crab deal.
The Pearl received a decent review from JLB five years ago, a few months after it opened July 31, 2018.
As she described it, “The place exudes sophisticated tavern, with dark and moody woods, modern light fixtures and glittery menus organized into land and sea entrees. And it's a true family affair. General Manager James Miller and his sister, Jillian, are at the helm of the new restaurant, closely supported by their parents, Bob and Patti. Uncle Richie Miller, a Culinary Institute of America grad, is executive chef, and he's doing fantastic things in the kitchen.”
The Miller family previously owned Everglades City’s Oyster House for 30 years until Hurricane Irma in 2017 made repairs difficult.
It replaced Stonewood Grill & Tavern, which closed in January 2018.
Multiple requests for comment went unanswered.
A for sale sign outside was noticed on a third visit.
On Marco Island
Susan Ackerson, who alongside husband Tom and son Tommy owns Old Marco Pub on Bald Eagle Drive, confirmed the restaurant is closed having served its last supper on Sept. 23.
Its name was somewhat a misnomer; though casual in feel, the menu was more gastropub-ish with prices to match versus traditional pub grub.
A reader who attended the final evening shared that a good crowd stayed up late to bid adieu past the traditional 9 p.m. “Marco Midnight”.
The Ackersons opened their restaurant, among the Island’s oldest, in 2000.
What she’ll miss most?
“Our employees and the customers who became longtime friends,” said Ackerson.
That includes head Chef Faustino, known at the restaurant as Tino, who started working at the restaurant when he was in high school. He now has high-school-aged kids himself.
Snook Inn reopens Oct. 2: Luigi Carvelli says Snook Inn is a landmark that is special to Marco Island
This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: 2 Collier County restaurants close for good in September: What to know
