FORT MYERS, Fla. — The Richards Building in downtown Fort Myers will be home to a new SPEAKEASY, an inviting establishment known as Escondido Lounge.
Watch below to take a look inside the speakeasy:
The Richards Building in Fort Myers will be home to a new SPEAKEASY called Escondido Lounge
“Thomas Edison, Connie Mack, Ty Cobb, and RC Richards were all in this building itself,” shares Brad Cozza, co-owner of Escondido Lounge, as he reflects on the historical figures who once graced these very walls. Their legacies, etched into the fabric of the building, inspire him and add a sense of gravitas to this new venture.
In a poignant conversation with RC Richards’s great-granddaughter, Whitney, Cozza learned of the emotional impact the building’s changing colors had on her family. Whitney’s heartache echoed through the community when the Fort Myers City Council decided to retain the new white stain, a decision that left her feeling detached from her family’s storied past.
“I want to hear the voices of the community,” says Cozza, as he contemplates how to honor the building’s history through Escondido Lounge. Merging historical homage with modern aesthetics is no small task, yet it appears to resonate deeply with him. “She brought all these original photographs and gave me the full picture,” Cozza recalls. The stories behind every image paint a vivid landscape of the past, showcasing the powerful influence RC Richards held in Fort Myers.
With this history in mind, the team at Escondido has decided to honor RC Richards with a signature cocktail, aptly named the Smoked Old Fashioned. “We’re thrilled to put his name back on this building,” Cozza says, his enthusiasm punctuating the weight of the moment.
The owners reveal they’ve poured their hearts and souls into this speakeasy for over a year. Yet, like any great venture, they faced challenges along the way. Maintenance issues and the backlash over the building’s color presented obstacles that tested their resolve. “We’ve had roughly about a 60-day permitting delay,” Cozza notes. Patience, it seems, intertwines with anticipation in this long-awaited endeavor. Now, they are on the brink of realizing their dream, awaiting final inspections after installing a new fire suppression system throughout the building.
At its heart, Escondido Lounge aims to transport locals into a space that’s reminiscent of the speakeasy era. “There are many eclectic rooms with various types of decor,” Cozza shares, describing an environment bursting with character. Each corner tells a story; it’s an eclectic homage to the past. They plan to showcase a glass case beneath the bookshelves, creating a cozy nook for a player piano, with a DJ occasionally providing the evening’s soundtrack. An inviting ambiance engulfs the venue with red-tinted lighting, Victorian chandeliers, and an atmosphere that feels like stepping into a vintage film.
Cozza remains committed to crafting an authentic speakeasy experience. “Our entrance is going to be a walk-in cooler,” he explains. Guests will embark on a little adventure, entering through Taco Works off of Hendry, wandering to the back as if they are heading to the restaurant. There, they must seek out the secret door, adding an element of thrill to their night out.
Despite the challenges, excitement fills the air as Cozza prepares to unveil this distinctive space in Southwest Florida. The grand opening is set for November 20, and plans for a second location in Cape Coral are already on the horizon, scheduled for early 2025. The journey has been long, yet with every obstacle, they have grown closer to their goal, their shared vision illuminating the path ahead.
