Bonita Bills Closes Forever This Sunday

After 30 years in business Bonita Bills, located under the Matanzas Pass Bridge, will close its doors for good. The property went up for sale shortly after the owner Bill Semmer passed away last year. A sale of the property is pending.

The rumor in the community is that the new owners will be the owners of Doc Ford’s. Owners Marty and Joe Harrity did not respond to an email we sent to verify or deny that rumor. Doc Ford’s marketing company Gravina, Smith, Matt & Arnold, sent the following statement: “We’re unable to comment on any specific restaurant transactions or plans. If there is any news to share in the future, I’ll be sure to provide updates directly.”

There are actually 4 properties listed as pending at $6.9 million. They are 700, 702, 716 and 718 Fishermann’s Wharf. 700 and 702 are where the restaurant is located. 716 and 718 are across the road from the restaurant. All 4 pieces of property are next door to Doc Ford’s. Some have speculated that if the owners of Doc Ford’s are the eventual buyers they will use at least some of that property to expand their parking lot. The future of the restaurant is unknown at this time. 

Semmer bought the Bonita Fish Company and Fish House in 1991 and changed the name to Bonita Bill’s Waterfront Cafe and Tiki Bar. The original asking price for the properties when they were first listed was $7.9 million.

Here’s a shot of K2 & The Unusuals playing at Bonita Bills on Wednesday night, January 1st for their very last time. The band had been playing every Wednesday at the restaurant for the last 11 years.