While there has been a lot of change taking place in Grand Cayman in recent years, some mainstays have held firm, including West Bay Road institution, the Lone Star Bar and Grill.
Mike Flowers, left, and Kim Lund |
But while the Lone Star still stands, change is in the wind. Owner Mike Flowers has decided to sell the business to his long-time friend, real estate developer Kim Lund.
Opened by the friendly and outgoing San Antonio, Texas native 23 years ago on the site of the former Yorkshire Pudding pub, the Lone Star has been the scene of many a fondly-remembered social occasion for Cayman residents young and old.
And that, at least for now, won’t be changing once the deal goes through.
‘We want to reassure Cayman that we have no plans to close the restaurant,’ says Mr. Lund.
‘Although we will be doing some renovations to try to improve some of the facilities, the Lone Star will continue to operate as usual.’
Mr. Flowers, a well-respected figure in the hospitality business who famously founded the Taste of Cayman charity fundraiser event 20 years ago, says the decision was one of the hardest he’s ever had to make.
‘I opened the Lone Star right after I got here and had convinced my future wife to come down and join me, so it’s almost like our first kid,’ he says, his voice full of emotion.
Three more (real) kids came along soon after. Mr. Flowers has a daughter, 14, who herself works at the restaurant, and a daughter aged 11 and son aged 10.
It’s these young people, along with his wife, Bobbi, who played a major role in his decision to sell.
‘The restaurant has required so much of my time, I was here seven days a week, all day and night, and I came to the realization that I was missing my family life and my kids growing up,’ says Mr. Flowers.
He says the decision to sell, which he agonized over for months, was sealed when his best friend asked him what he wanted for his birthday, and he realized all he wanted was to have Thanksgiving dinner with his family.
‘But I’m here at the restaurant all the time, so naturally I’d be here on Thanksgiving, and something had to give,’ he says.
Mr. Flowers says the decision to sell to Mr. Lund was an easy one. The two have been friends for twenty-odd years.
Mr. Lund also has other restaurant interests on the Island, making him an ideal candidate in Mr. Flowers’ eyes to take over the Lone Star reins.
Like Mr. Flowers, Mr. Lund’s businesses actively support a wide range of charities, educational and sporting events and organizations, including Junior Achievement, Little League, the Lighthouse School, the National Recovery Fund, the RE/MAX Chamber Golf Tournament and the Lions Club Brenda Lund 5 K run.
And having been a Lone Star regular since he moved to Cayman himself some 25 years ago, the restaurant is near and dear to Mr. Lund’s heart.
‘All we are going to concentrate on is to undertake some upgrades to the property, throw some more fun events, and maybe do a little tweaking to the menu, maybe beef up the Tex-Mex menu items,’ says Mr. Lund.
‘But the place will remain the same, because that’s what people have come to like and expect, and I’m no different,’ he says.
‘The Lone Star has become a landmark for Caymanians, residents, and tourists on West Bay Road and we do not want to change that.’
Mr. Flowers says he’s extremely pleased Mr. Lund, given the choice, has opted to keep the restaurant open.
And although he’s moving on, Mr. Flowers is not leaving the restaurant business altogether.
He’s just signed the lease as part owner of Grand Cayman’s first two Dairy Queen ice cream restaurants.
‘As a partner in this new business, I’m really looking forward to my new life where I’ll have the time to spend with my family that I’ve always wanted,’ he says.
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