Sadly, one of the grand Tiki Palaces of old is closed and in danger of never opening again. After tropical storm flooding closed Ft. Lauderdale’s iconic Mai-Kai Restaurant and Polynesian Show in October, the business is now up for sale. A business broker, Transworld Business Advisers, is representing Mai-Kai’s owners.
A statement from the restaurant said “the 2.69-acre property can remain as is or can be redeveloped into apartments or a mixed-use development, which could include a renovated restaurant. The Mai-Kai’s ownership is open to working with the buyer on reopening the restaurant — currently closed for necessary renovations — or opening an offshoot in a new location, complete with the registered trademarks for its famed cocktails.”
A message from the Thornton family:
The family is and always will be dedicated to the Mai-Kai and its legacy. The news stories you have likely read have been unkind, unfair and misleading. It is accurate that we engaged the services of a business broker to assist in finding a partner, or worst case scenario a buyer, to work with our family to ensure the long term success of the Mai-Kai and its legacy. It is not accurate to say that “everything is on the table.”
As you know, like the entire restaurant industry, covid had a devastating effect on the Mai-Kai. Add on a water pipe burst in our kitchen ceiling causing catastrophic damage. These combined events caused our family to go out into the market and seek a partner, while ensuring that the legacy of the Mai-Kai can live on. Rest assured, NO ONE cares more about the Mai-Kai than the Thornton family. Three generations have put our hearts and souls into the Mai-Kai and we are doing whatever we can to preserve our family’s legacy and this beloved South Florida institution. All we ask is that you be patient and allow us to work through this extremely difficult time. Again, please know that it is our hope and our desire to see the Mai-Kai reopen with all its original splendor. We will endeavor to keep you apprised and we thank you for your support.
What we can do
Although there’s not much can do (unless, of course, you’ve some deep pockets), there is a petition to save the Mai-Kai. It has over 10,000 signatures so far. If you want to sign, GO HERE.
Let’s hope this grand dame of Tiki culture survives. In 2015, Critiki, a popular site of Polynesian Pop culture hotspots around the world, named Mai-Kai Restaurant and Polynesian Show in Fort Lauderdale the number one tiki bar in the world for 2015. Long may she live!