Hurricane bar, restaurant changes hands, will reopen

After a temporary closure, one of Marathon’s oldest and most popular restaurants is preparing to reopen under new ownership.

The Hurricane around mile marker 49 bayside could open as soon as Friday by co-owners Heather Hillcher and Christine Honeycutt.

Former North Carolina resident Honeycutt said she and Hillcher had been looking for a restaurant to purchase in Marathon and the sale was in the works for a few months. The new owners decided to buy the Hurricane to be closer to family in Tavernier and Fort Lauderdale. Heather hails from St. Petersburg.

“Our initial visit was in September so that’s when we started working on buying the establishment,” Honeycutt said.

The restaurant has been closed since Nov. 17 when former owner Michael Savinelli ran into trouble with the law.

“Unfortunately, it was closed and that actually gave us an opportunity to come in here and do some things to get it ready,” Honeycutt said.

A new sign has been ordered and plans for a grand opening are in the works, she added.

Fortunately, much of the staff will have the chance to get their jobs back and the new manager will be Hal Hillcher, Heather’s brother.

“Thursday wing night is what this restaurant is about,” Honeycutt said. “We want to bring in a band and we’re going to be running some great specials and hope to get everyone back in here.”

This story was originally published November 30, 2016 at 9:55 AM with the headline "Hurricane bar, restaurant changes hands, will reopen."