Steve’s Place under new ownership
Kennedy and Cook take over North Fort Myers restaurant
When Steve Sexton opened Steve’s Place in 2019, he brought to North Fort Myers a place where locals can enjoy comfort food in a welcoming atmosphere.
Sexton, however, is ready to retire. So, he sold the restaurant to two women who have aspirations of taking an already-excellent eatery to the next level.
Sexton sold the restaurant to hospitality professional Rachael Kennedy and business professional Angie Cook on May 8.
Sexton will stay on for a little while longer to ensure a smooth transition. But it’s not like he’s handing the reins over to rookies.
Kennedy, whose parents also owned a restaurant in Ohio, brings more than 30 years of restaurant and hospitality experience, including the last 15 years at the Pizza Pub in Fort Myers.
She said she had been looking for a place for a couple years when she found Steve’s and fell in love.
“I walked in and it was like the perfect little country, good-vibes place. Everyone is happy and Steve has a great reputation with the community,” Kennedy said. “I ate breakfast here the first day and said ‘This might be it.'”
Cook also brings more than three decades of experience in business operations, organizational management, and client relations.
The name will stay the same, as will the comfort food, warm atmosphere, and menu favorites such as the “Hoosier” pork tenderloin sandwich and the chicken for which the restaurant is famous. But the restaurant will undergo some changes. Most noteworthy is the plan to expand dishes and offer breakfast seven days a week instead of the three that Sexton had.
Kennedy said she is already trying some different things that she made herself.
“I made homemade Sloppy Joes and pasta salad and the other day I made Cream of Chicken over biscuits,” Kennedy said. “The items on the current menu are staying, but we’re adding our own touches.”
Their goal is to continue making Steve’s Place a year-round, community-centered dining destination in North Fort Myers, Kennedy said.
Sexton said after owning restaurants for 30 years, it was time to slow down after working this 24/7/365 career.
“I’m kind of helping out until they don’t need me anymore, which is coming pretty soon,” Sexton said. “They’re doing a great job. They don’t need me around. It’s been a great career, but enough is enough.”
Prior to Steve’s Place, Sexton was the owner of the Alva Country Diner from 1996 to 2017, where he built a reputation for southern country cooking, hospitality, and community connection over several decades in the restaurant industry.
There will be new hours starting July 1, Monday through Friday 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Steve’s Place is at 5781 Bayshore Road, North Fort Myers. For more information, go to Stevesplaceswfl.com or call 239-800-5051.
To reach CHUCK BALLARO, please email news@breezenewspapers.com