The Causeway, a unique dining concept in Bonita Springs, has closed effective Thursday, May 23, until further notice.
The modern, industrial food hall and bar opened less than six months ago at the longtime site of Causeway Lumber at the south end of Old 41 Road in Causeway Commerce Park.
The closure was sudden and unexpected.
“We found out about this on Thursday at 3:30 p.m.,” said Carl Smith, executive chef and co-owner of The Causeway. “We were in a partnership with another group. I owned the kitchen and they owned the bar. We were subleasing from them. They dissolved the partnership.”
The Causeway combines three restaurants (Smith Smithy’s, Orzo and Roast), a dessert bar (Dessert Lab) and a beer wall under one roof.
Smithy’s served street food from around the world, including Smith’s beloved British cuisine, Italian specialities like orzo, deli dishes from Roast, and, of course, desserts provided by the Dessert Lab, run by Karl’s daughter Natasha.
It remains to be seen what will become of The Causeway.
“I will be immediately no longer involved in this matter,” Smith said. “I do not know if it will ever reopen as The Causeway.”
Smith, who had built a following with his Brit Pit food truck prior to expanding to The Causeway, said he’s bringing the food concepts he developed at the restaurant to The Causeway.
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“We’re already scouting locations,” said Smith, whose wife, Carol, was also a regular at The Causeway. “Instead of four concepts, we’ll combine everything we sell into one restaurant when we reopen. Eventually, we’ll have four concepts together again, but not at first.”
There was one thing Smith was sure of.
“We have no plans to leave the area,” he said. “We plan to open in or near Naples. If the location we find is the right location for us, it’s the right location for us. Whatever happens, happens for a reason. If it’s destined to be, it’s destined to be.”
The Causeway is located at 28280 Old 41 Road, Unit 1, Bonita Springs. Follow them on Facebook for the latest updates.
Robin George is a food and beverage reporter for The News-Press. He can be reached at rhgeorge@gannett.com.
