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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-05-27 In survival mode, Mondo's to add outdoor seating (Palm Beach Post)e.,, .g> �_ rL.s Northern Florida MYSAVER Palm Beach County d FlaPennysaver.com Neighb�rhood ostp THURSDAY, MAY 27, 2010 A neighborhood-postweeklysectionofcomThe Palm Beach Post Keeping up with the times Mondo's, a North Palm Beach establishment for nearly 20 years, is adding outdoor dining to keep the locals coming. Story, Page 6 BILL INGRAM Staff Photographer THE PALM BEACH POST • THURSDAY, MAY 27,2010 In survival mode, Mondo's to add outdoor seating The move comes as the economy takes its toll on rival eateries. By BILL DIPAOLO Palm Beach Post Staff Writer NORTH' PALM BEACH — Squeezed by the competition from lots of eateries along the PGA corridor, Mondo's restau- rant plans new outdoor seating to keep the locals coming. "We're a small neigh- borhood place. We can't stay still if we are going to survive," said co- owner Gina. Mondanaro. She and her brother Jim, nicknamed Mondo, opened the res- taurant on U.S. 1 in 1991. Construction is ex- pected to be done by July 'to add a blue awning and about two dozen outdoor Mondanaro seats. Village officials granted a variance April 13 to allow the expansion to be 20 feet into the 70- foot setback from the west side of U.S. 1. Opposition to the plan was voiced at the meeting by Lee Collum, who lives just west of the restaurant. Collum told members of the zoning board of adjustment that he was concerned the expansion could bring too much noise to the neighborhood. But after listening to Mondo's plans, Collum said he was satisfied the new addition would not be disruptive. The variance requires that if Mondo's closes, the new operator must apply for a new variance to keep the outdoor seating. "My concern is this doesn't become a loud sports bar. I'm satisfied the village is being care- ful not to let this get out of hand," Collura said. Noting the recent dos- ing of other local restau- BILL INGRAM/Staff Photagraphe Mondo's American Bistro on U.S. 1 in North Palm Beach will undergo some remodeling, add- ing outdoor dining along the front of the restaurant. rants such as DeCesare's Place for Ribs, Mayor Bill Manuel said Mondo's outdoor seating should bring new customers. DeCesare's, a popular restaurant and watering hole, closed lastyear. The building was demolished and the vacant lot is just south of Mondo's. "It's a sign of the economy. If a restaurant is going to survive, it has to keep adapting," said Manuel. So intense has been the competition among local restaurants in re- cent years that Mondo's almost had to close its doors. Closing would have cost the jobs of the 35 full- and part-time em- ployees in the restaurant known for the intricate Peruvian mahogany carv- ing behind the bar. The carving is from a former speakeasy in Chicago. Discovered by Mondanaro's brother, the carving was taken apart in about 30 pieces and shipped to North Palm Beach. Employees reassembled the rich, reddish carving inside the restaurant, she . said, seated in her cluttered office on a recent Mon- day morning getting ready for the weekday lunch crowd. - "People think that you are immune to competi- tion," Mondanaro said. 'Well, it doesn't work that way. That's why we have 'to try something new." ©bill_dipaolo@pbpost.com