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BILL BARNETT

t was strange this New Year’s Eve in Naples because, for as Gulfshore Playhouse has opened its doors and is a huge success.
long as I can remember, there have always been fireworks It is professional theater at its best. They will also be producing
Ion New Year’s Eve. They were set off on a barge just off our plays from scratch and, who knows, they could end up on
Naples Pier and people came for miles to see this spectacular Broadway and I’m not exaggerating! I could probably write pages
event. This year, there were none. First and foremost, our pier was about them, but you need to check out Gulfshore Playhouse for
destroyed by Hurricane Ian in 2022, and I can understand the yourselves, it’s worth it! I often smile as I see the changes taking
wisdom of realizing that it would have been a real mess if they place in Naples. 52 years ago when I moved here, I couldn’t have
tried to do a fireworks show. However, it was unfortunate the ever imagined Naples looking so spectacular.
way the mayor handled the whole situation. Last September at Speaking of boutiques, there are small groups of stores
a City Council Meeting, she announced that for many reasons, clustered together that we call strip malls because they were built
some mentioned above, there would be no fireworks on New on small parcels of land. At one time they made up a good part
Year’s Eve 2024. Council voted to approve her motion and that of the City, but were bought and became what you see as our
was the end of the discussion. The major problem was that this Naples today. One of these leftover little strip malls was recently
took place in September, and the City was basically empty as our purchased. One of the businesses that was there is a landmark
winter residents were not back in Naples and nothing else was of the City of Naples. It is named Pastrami Dans and opened in
ever mentioned about it. 1970 and hasn’t changed since. NY style Pastrami and Roast Beef
As we approached this past December, many were super Sandwiches, Tacos and Chili Dogs make up the menu and I can
excited about and expecting our New Year’s Eve fireworks. tell you that it is a part of my Naples History. It is still owned
Out-of-towners were making reservations to be in Naples for and run by the same family many years ago and even today you
Christmas-Hanukkah week, and, if they were lucky, they only will find a local resident who has lived here for well over 20 years
found out when they called that there would be no fireworks. having lunch there. It’s as good today as it was when it opened
Our locals as well were furious that there had been no publicity its doors. If you’re lucky and you are reading this article, see if
to let people know, and the Naples Daily News went as far as to you can go there for lunch before they close for good. Tell them
award The Naples City Council “The Grinch Award”. The very I sent you and you’ll get a big smile! I will miss them as it will
simple answer was for the Mayor and Council to take the time at leave a void for me each time I go by there. I have written over
that meeting to make sure that staff would follow up to let people the years about Cosmo’s Italian Ristorante, and Pastrami Dan’s is
know the situation through all of their resources and do it at least right next door. What will be built there is a chic boutique 18-
every month leading up to December 31. I guess that would have room hotel with a full restaurant. It won’t replace Pastrami Dan’s,
been far too easy. but it will be a real bonus for that spot!
Hopefully as we move into 2025 it will be a good season in See you in March, enjoy what we have to offer in Naples!
Naples. It’s certainly shaping up that way. There are many new All the Best,
projects on the drawing board from chic boutique hotels to some Bill Barnett, Former Mayor
phenomenal name brand top shelf restaurants. The brand new I do respond to e-mails at: mayornaples@gmail.com

8 www.LifeInNaples.net