Cutting the ribbon

May 26, 2011, was an auspicious day for Stonewalls Restaurant on South Collier Boulevard. The crowd began to gather shortly after 5:00 p.m., and an hour later there were about 250 attendees sampling the excellent food and awaiting the traditional ribbon-cutting ceremony of the Chamber of Commerce.

Food that had been piled high on tables in the center of the large dining room disappeared as fast as Islanders quaffed their wine, beer and soft drinks. Stonewalls is the newest in a line of Marco Island restaurants. It offers a diverse selection of reasonably priced dishes. Al Landers, who is well known to Marco Island’s food mavens, handled the evenings’ affairs with co-owners Tim Burke and Tom Garousi.

City Council Chairman Jerry Gibson joined officers of the Chamber of Commerce, the Realtors Association and other officials in the ceremony. Long after the ribbon had been cut the crowd was still enjoying the spread, drinks and amiable conversation.