Low Key Tiki back in business
Like the Phoenix rising from the ashes, Low Key Tiki is back in business. Having been destroyed last fall at the hands of an arsonist, the popular St. James City establishment is again serving customers in its island friendly tiki bar overlooking the Monroe Canal.
“We are now calling ourselves the ‘hottest little bar in town’ and are very pleased to be up and running again,” said Barb Scott, tiki owner. “The community has been so supportive both during and after the fire and we can’t thank them enough for standing by us.”
The fire that claimed the business on Oct. 14, 2010 was the third such blaze to take place in the area that was labeled as arson by the State Fire Marshal’s office. The fire was set during the early morning hours and quickly consumed the tiki bar and eventually the entire structure containing a dinning room and kitchen which were both fully involved. The business was first opened by Barb and Scott Adams in November 2009 and soon became a popular spot for locals and visitors of St. James City to gather.
Low Key Tiki was closed for nearly six months while the Adams sifted through paperwork and began reconstruction of the business, however, this did not deter regulars from visiting what had become their second home. Each Thursday evening, a group would gather on the docks behind the tiki bar as a show of support to the Adams and the people who worked for them. According to Barb Adams, that is why it was decided to reopen on the day they did, on a Thursday.
Barb said, for the most part, getting the work done to reopen went smoothly thanks to the cooperation shown them by county officials as well as the contractor and architect.
“We owe a great deal of thanks to Thompson Construction, who had built the original tiki and returned to construct the new one,” Scott Adams said. “And we are especially grateful to Chuck Newman who came to us right after the fire to offer his service as an architect free of charge.”
Low Key Tiki re-opened for business on Thursday, March 24.
“In recognition of the devotion our customers have shown us, we felt it was appropriate to re-open on a Thursday evening,” Barb said, “As it turned out, our goal was to be open again by April 1, but things came together pretty smoothly so we were able to open less than six months from the day of the fire.”
According to Barb, while some of the original employees have moved on to other jobs, several have returned. Back at the Low Key Tiki are Kristen Hollway, Lisa Fries, Norm Mapes, Joe Verner and Chris Kennedy.
“I am so happy to be back at the tiki and am so very thankful to everyone who supported us while it was closed and I love seeing them all again, said Kristen Hollway. “Everyone was so wonderful. I even found a turkey with all of the fixings in a cooler on my front steps on Thanksgiving.”
As a show of gratitude, the Adams will host a grand re-opening party on Thursday, April 14, with music provided appropriately by the Burnt Out Band, which will play from 4 to 7 p.m. that day.
On entering the tiki, most will note that the new bar is nearly the same as the one that had been destroyed.
“Our goal was to re-build so that when people came in, they would feel like we never left and the timing couldn’t be better since we are now getting the perfect tiki weather,” Barb said. “Even though we were only able to salvage a few things after the fire, we were able to closely duplicate everything else.”
As for the menu, all of the old favorites are available once again yet, a few new items have been added.
“The only change to the menu is the addition to a few items we had run as specials that people seemed to really enjoy. Otherwise it is the same,” Barb said.
In addition to ordering food under the tiki, the Adams’ have now made the dining area inside available for those interested in hosting private parties, business meetings and other functions.
Low Key Tiki is open every day from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and for more information, call 282-8454.