The Coconut Grove Restaurant and Lounge
Opening Day & Closing Day of The Coconut Grove
Go back in time to 1975 on Sanibel Island and sneak into the editing rooms showing the old 8 mm. tapes of the opening day of the Coconut Grove and Lounge, with owners John and Bella Kontinos. Then stay tuned as someone has filmed the closing day in 1989. You won't believe your eyes as history of the Island residents flash before you on screen. An honest and intimate look at a "moment in Time" on Sanibel Island.
In the 1950's, Mary Aleck, a sister of John Kontinos, owned the 25 acre parcel of land where Bailey's General Shopping Center sits today, 2024. She built her successful "Sanibel Beauty Salon" on this property, and eventually sold the entire parcel to The Bailey Family in 1990. This film, The Coconut Grove and Lounge, shares archived 8mm video of the opening day in 1957, and shows the closing day of the establishment in 1989. If you visited The Grove in her day, my wish is that you will enjoy seeing all your old friends, and if you missed it, you will witness two unforgettable days of Island history at this amazing dining establishment. I have loved creating it and I hope you enjoy watching a slice of Sanibel history.
Rusty Farst
Editor and Producer