Fort Myers Beach couple not deterred by Hurricane Ian: Small business comeback

Amanda Inscore, Fort Myers News-Press
·1 min read

When Lisa Lahners and TJ Holzapfel opened their restaurant, The RUDE Shrimp Company, in March 2022 after moving from Nebraska to Fort Myers Beach, they did not anticipate the challenge that Hurricane Ian would bring six months later.

They lost their home, and the building housing their restaurant on floated away with the storm surge.

The RUDE Shrimp Company after Hurricane Ian hit

TJ Holzapfel sits on the wreckage of their restaurant, The RUDE Shrimp Company, after Hurricane Ian on Fort Myers Beach. The restaurant has reopened at Moss Marina.
TJ Holzapfel sits on the wreckage of their restaurant, The RUDE Shrimp Company, after Hurricane Ian on Fort Myers Beach. The restaurant has reopened at Moss Marina.

So, they scrambled and brought their shipping containers from Nebraska to set up a makeshift restaurant and bought a food truck to use as their kitchen. They were able to reopen on Jan. 7. After a few months using the shipping containers at their original location on Estero Boulevard, they decided to find a more long-term solution on the property at Moss Marina, where they have a waterfront setup. They opened there at the end of June.

The RUDE Shrimp Company owners TJ Holzapfel and Lisa Lahners at their original location on Fort Myers Beach. That building was washed away by Hurricane Ian.
The RUDE Shrimp Company owners TJ Holzapfel and Lisa Lahners at their original location on Fort Myers Beach. That building was washed away by Hurricane Ian.

The restaurant serves Hawaiian fusion cuisine, with a focus on local fresh shrimp. Their shipping containers house the bar and the framework surrounding the area where they have outdoor tables for their customers.

The RUDE Shrimp Company a year after Hurricane Ian

After Hurricane Ian destroyed their restaurant building on Fort Myers Beach, owners Lisa Lahners and TJ Holzapfel brought their shipping containers from their former home in Nebraska. Now they have settled at Moss Marina, where they serve their Hawaiian fusion food and host musicians to entertain their customers.
After Hurricane Ian destroyed their restaurant building on Fort Myers Beach, owners Lisa Lahners and TJ Holzapfel brought their shipping containers from their former home in Nebraska. Now they have settled at Moss Marina, where they serve their Hawaiian fusion food and host musicians to entertain their customers.

Sheri Villani, a regular customer at the restaurant said she loves the food and the waterfront location. “My husband and I love to come here. The service is great," she said.

Musicians Liz and Brady Smith, who perform as Briz and Lady, play at The RUDE Shrimp Company on Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2023 at Moss Marina on Fort Myers Beach.
Musicians Liz and Brady Smith, who perform as Briz and Lady, play at The RUDE Shrimp Company on Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2023 at Moss Marina on Fort Myers Beach.

The RUDE Shrimp Company is open Tuesday-Sunday from 4 pm-9 pm and Friday-Sunday from 11 am-9 pm. And they have live music from local acts most nights.

See more photos of The RUDE Shrimp Company comeback from Ian

This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Fort Myers Beach restaurant serving from shipping containers after Ian

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