Cape Coral staple restaurant leaving its waterfront location

Writer: Drew Hill
Published: Updated:
rumrunners
Credit: WINK News

Rumrunners restaurant along Cape Coral Harbor is leaving its waterfront location. The owners of Cape Harbour are not renewing the restaurant’s lease, so Rumrunners will remain open until the end of the year.

Boaters and land lovers alike adore Rumrunners. It’s a crowd favorite no matter which route you take. Brad and Jennifer Diefenbach are two of those loyal customers.

“We go at least once a week. When we can get in because it’s so busy,” said Jennifer.

They live just across the street from the restaurant, in the Cape Harbour community. The restaurant is a reason why the Diefenbach family settled here.

“You don’t have to get in your car, you don’t have to worry about parking, you just walk down and take the elevator down and walk over and you’re right there,” Brad said.

Rumrunners’ regulars say they’re sad to see the 18-year-old restaurant leave its current location.

A representative with Realmark Development, who owns Cape Harbour, says that Rumrunners will remain open to the end of its lease, which happens to be at the end of the calendar year. Paul Tee lives in Cape Coral.

“It’s kind of sad because they do such a great job on consistency, food and pricing,” Tee said.

Dan Harris is another Rumrunners regular. “You’re able to pull your boat up here and go inside and eat and then leave on the boat. The food is good and the drinks are good and the people are good,” said Harris.

As for what will move into that space, Realmark wouldn’t be specific, but the development company did admit it will be another restaurant.

“I certainly hope something else goes in that’s just like them because it’s just so nice having them right there in our location,” Jennifer said.

“I think if somebody else comes in here like it. I mean Joe’s crab shack, let’s get somebody,” said Harris.

WINK News reporter Brea Hollingsworth attempted to talk to the owners of Rumrunners to see what their future plans may be, but no one got back to her.

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