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Cherry's Attracting Hungry Crowds

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By LOIS KINDLE, The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 24, 2007

APOLLO BEACH - Although open less than a month, the new Cherry's restaurant in Apollo Beach is attracting large weekend crowds and building a steady lunch and dinner business during the work week.

'This is my kind of place. I like the atmosphere and the food,' said Jim Marceron of Englewood, preparing to place an order for the second time in the past few weeks.

Noting he works in the area, Marceron said, 'I came back because I enjoyed it the first time.'

After a two-month build-out, the restaurant had a soft opening Sept. 28, and a grand opening celebration is in the planning stages.

'If you know anything about the restaurant business, you just don't open up with balloons, bells and whistles,' said owner Jill Canavan. 'You let things settle first and then follow up with something special.'

The latest restaurant in a chain of eight franchises, Cherry's Apollo Beach is a family restaurant specializing in hamburgers, wings and other American food favorites.

Canavan said Cherry's also features a daily food special not offered on the regular menu. Recently, for example, her staff whipped up an open-face roast beef platter.

For sports fans, there are 11 high-definition televisions in the dining room and two patio televisions offering NFL and college games. There are video games for children and adults.

Canavan is especially proud of her 12 staff members, who have been with her for years. The restaurateur also is half-owner of the Cherry's Adamo, 10033 E. Adamo Drive.

'I'm very fortunate,' she said. 'They're worth their weight in gold.'

Cherry's Apollo Beach will have its grand opening at the end of November with live music on the patio.

Reporter Lois Kindle can be reached at (813) 865-1553 or lkindle@tampatrib.com.

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