Sun sets on year-old JavaMoon

JavaMoon Cafe and Grill diners and coffee junkies in south Fort Myers will have to get their fix elsewhere.

The cafe, which opened in April 2007, has closed its doors at the Bella Rosa Shops on Daniels Parkway.

"There are a lot of variables. Mainly the economy and the building's poor visibility from the road," said Donna Magrino, one of three partners who owned the cafe.

The 5,080-square-foot restaurant offered an array of appetizers, soups and salads, including Solar Shrimp Tempura. It wasn't enough of a draw to customers, especially those strapped for cash.

"People have to pay their bills and restaurants are the first ones cut," said Magrino about the restaurant that was surrounded by a few gated communities. "If the big chains are closing and they have a lot of money behind them, we are smaller and have less of a chance."

Nicholas Dalin, CEO and president of the JavaMoon franchise, said the economy didn't help what was already a poor location.

"It closed because of a poor location choice and it's a shame because it was off a main highway," said Dalin, whose eight other restaurants in New Jersey are feeling the squeeze as well. "It just didn't get enough draw no matter how much we advertised it."

The only other JavaMoon in Florida was in Palm Beach Gardens but the owners want out of the franchise, Dalin said.

"It probably closed for a lot of reasons. The main reason is that she opened up at the worst time for restaurants in probably 18 years," said Sal Basile, who sold the building to the partners three years ago. "There is an abundance in restaurants closing right now."

The closing of JavaMoon also means the end of easily accessible food for neighbors and commuters in that area of Daniels Parkway.

"I'm sad that they weren't able to go because it had such fantastic potential," said Colbi Congress of Bradley's Fine Jewelers. "It'd be nice if somebody could pick it up and turn it into a fantastic restaurant."

Due to the cafe's closing, Congress was given the opportunity to host an after-hours event for the Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce recently.

"JavaMoon was supposed to do the bash but (the chamber) offered it to us instead," said Congress, who hosted an Independence Day barbecue. "The cafe location was cool because it was one of the only places in the neighborhood. It's too bad."

There are no plans to reopen another JavaMoon location in Florida, Dalin said.