Big Al's building sold but not going anywhere

The Big Al’s Restaurant building on U.S. 41 in Bonita Springs has been sold but the restaurant isn’t going anywhere.

Investor Joseph Boulos bought the 7,043-square-foot restaurant for $3,675,000 from Big Al’s parent company, Mel’s Diner.

Owners are hoping to take their all-American food menu, which features wings, sandwiches and burgers, into other areas such as Naples and as far north as Sarasota.

Mel’s Diner owners say they recently completed a sale leaseback in which the Big Al’s restaurant building was sold to an investor in order to free up money to expand the business.

“The Big Al’s concept is going to grow. It has been very successful so we are opening a story in Sarasota and looking for a potential location in Naples,” said Stephen Karakosta, the president of Creative Restaurant Concepts, which owns the Mel’s Diner and Big Al’s.

But Bonitans who are as passionate about Big Al’s food as the sports memorabilia hanging on the restaurant’s walls won’t have to find a new place to enjoy sports and a good beer.

Owners say the sale of the building won’t change anything about the restaurant that has been in Bonita Springs for more than three years.

“Big Al’s isn’t going anywhere. Nothing will change expect for the name on the lease,” said David Stevens, the broker who negotiated the transaction.

The transaction is a win-win situation for everyone involved, Stevens said.

“This gives Boulos another option to have investment property in the area and Mel’s Diner and Big Al’s get a chance to put the money back into the business.”