A new miniature replica of Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille has been built by restaurant employees and donated to the train ride at Lakes Park in Fort Myers.
The scaled-down lakefront model captures the restaurant’s beach and waterfront vibe with an open-air interior, outdoor patios and signature neon green illuminated pitched roof, right down to its miniature white tables, chairs and food. Doc Ford’s volunteers also helped park employees rebuild the Fort Myers Beach Pier, recently reinstalled.
A fixture on Fort Myers Beach since 2009, Doc Ford’s celebrates its 15th anniverary in 2024.
“Our team is very proud to work on Fort Myers Beach and has been dedicated to help rebuild the community since the devastation of Hurricane Ian in 2022,” said Joe Harrity, a partner with HM Restaurant Group, the parent company of Doc Ford’s and Dixie Fish Company. “They were honored to donate their time and talent to this project and represent the resilient spirit of this special community.”
The miniature Doc Ford’s took a month to complete. It was donated to the park’s nonprofit Railroad Museum of South Florida. The new Doc Ford’s model joins real-life neighbor, Dixie Fish Company, an original Old Florida fish market dating to the 1930s. Nestled along a lake, the white-washed Dixie Fish building was built and funded by the Railroad Museum in 1937. Dixie and Doc Ford’s are among the replica Southwest Florida attractions and villages passengers see during the museum’s mile-long train ride.
Both buildings can be visitied daily at Lakes Park, 7330 Gladiolus Dr. Fort Myers. Train rides are offered Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Monday through Friday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 1 to Aug. 9.