Today we’d like to introduce you to Jeremy Vincent.
Hi Jeremy , please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I had always wanted to own my own restaurant and bar. I had spent my whole life working in the industry and got a degree in hospitality management. Through my time in Cape Coral I had started doing some consulting and was working with local bars to improve their cocktail programs. The pandemic hit and a lot of places were closing, including the restaurant I was consulting for at the time. I approached the owner with the idea of letting me try out a concept I had been working on for a long time during the time they had planned on being shut down for covid. The temporary “lease” was set for 3 months. I quickly decorated, hired, and designed my tiki concept as fast as i could so we could get open. Jungle Bird opened with 8 cocktails and 8 food items as a “pop up” concept. The idea quickly grew and grew to the point that I knew the concept could work as a stand alone restaurant. I talked to the owners of the restaurant if they would be interested in letting me keep Jungle Bird going but knew i would have to purchase the previous business. I then sold a landscaping business that i had started 2 years prior to fund my new venture. Over the past 5 years we have had a crazy rollercoaster of ups and downs and have had a blast doing it. We just hit our 5 year anniversary and are planning to renew our lease for another 5.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
HAHA. Nothing about this business is smooth. There are your typical daily issues with customers, staff, etc. Those are always pretty standard. Then you have the building issues, equipment breakage, major hurricanes, flooding, city issues, economy ups and downs, and the list goes on and on. This business is definitely not for the faint of heart or for people who enjoy free time. It is definitely a lot of hard work but it is worth every second if you can do it right.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
We are the first authentic tiki bar in Cape Coral. Jungle Bird specializes in craft, tiki beverages and Polynesian fusion style cuisine. We were also one of the first restaurants to ever focus on small plates in the area. Our staff takes pride in the cocktails and food they prepare and focus a lot on their craft. I am very proud of my staff and how well they have worked to overcome a lot of the challenges that we have faced over the years. Its a lot of hard work to run a true tiki bar program but the staff handle those obstacles every day.
Any big plans?
My Chef, Nicholas Hartmann and I took our craft cocktail/small plate concept and opened up a second restaurant in downtown Cape Coral. Front Porch Social features a similar plating style and craft cocktail program but is more centered around “American Style” food and beverage. Someday we hope to open up another restaurant if we can find the staff to do so.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://junglebirdtiki.com/
- Instagram: @junglebirdtikibar
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/junglebirdtikibar/
