FORT MYERS BEACH, Fla. – HM Restaurant Group, the owner and operator of Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille and Dixie Fish Company, has announced the acquisition of the iconic Bonita Bill’s Waterfront Restaurant & Bar. The beloved Fort Myers Beach establishment will soon be reimagined as Bonita Fish Company, a fresh take on a local favorite that pays homage to its rich history and waterfront charm.
Originally built in 1926 as Bonita Fish House, the restaurant holds a storied past as a gathering place for the Fort Myers Beach community. Its name and history echo the neighboring Dixie Fish Company, which has stood as an original fish house since 1937. Together, these establishments represent a significant chapter in the coastal heritage of Fort Myers Beach, one that HM Restaurant Group is proud to carry forward.
“We’re excited to embrace the tradition and history of this exceptional property and its reputation of fresh fish and seafood, great food and drinks and unbeatable views,” said Joe Harrity, partner with HM Restaurant Group. “So many people have fond memories of Bonita Bill’s and one of our goals with Bonita Fish Company is to preserve that, and continue to be a go-to place for tourists and locals alike.”
Bonita Bill’s has long been a popular place for community gatherings, featuring waterfront dining, live music and an inviting atmosphere that captured the essence of Fort Myers Beach. HM Restaurant Group will honor this legacy through thoughtful renovations that retain the rustic charm and character locals and visitors have come to love.
Bonita Fish Company will complement the neighboring Dixie Fish Company by offering a fresh, coastal-inspired menu, featuring local seafood, creative dishes, and a continuation of the warm hospitality for which the group is known.
Renovations are set to begin immediately, with the restaurant temporarily closing during this transformation. Bonita Fish Company is expected to open its doors in early to mid-2025.
“Our goal is to create a place that pays tribute to the cherished memories made at Bonita Bill’s and also invites new generations to create their own,” said Harrity. “Bonita Fish Company will feature the same gracious hospitality and exceptional food Doc Ford’s and Dixie Fish Company are known for.”
Bonita Fish Company is located at 702 Fishermans Wharf, Fort Myers Beach.
HM Restaurant Group is a family-oriented hospitality leader with Florida roots and a people-first culture. Established in 2003 with the opening of Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille on Sanibel, HM Restaurant owns and operates four Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille locations in Southwest Florida and St. Petersburg and Dixie Fish Company on Fort Myers Beach. With deep roots in Southwest Florida, HM Restaurant Group is dedicated to connecting people with great food, exceptional hospitality and legendary guest experiences. Its restaurants are known for their fresh seafood, innovative menus and relaxed, welcoming atmospheres.
HM Restaurant Group enjoys a tradition of award-winning restaurants with a loyal following of locals and visitors. A perennial winner of Tripadvisor’s top Travelers’ Choice accolades, Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille’s St. Petersburg Pier location was named the county’s No. 1 Best of the Best Restaurants for Everyday Eats in 2023. Dixie Fish Company is a 2023 Yelp Top 100 Florida Restaurant and Tripadvisor’s No. 1 ranked of 73 Fort Myers Beach restaurants.
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