Fort Lauderdale’s Historic Downtowner and Maxwell Room set to close in October

Fort Lauderdale is about to lose one of its longest-running drinking, dining and dancing venues — the Historic Downtowner and Maxwell Ballroom — which for decades welcomed patrons who sought to celebrate, commiserate or just chill out on the south bank of the New River.

“Sadly, I must announce the closure of the Historic Downtowner and Maxwell Room, effective October 6,” owner Roger Craft wrote in a Facebook post that took staffers by surprise.

“This decision was not made lightly,” he said. “I carefully weighed the hard facts and numerous complex issues against every possible solution and alternative.  In the end, there just wasn’t a reasonable or viable option to keep the business going at this location. I hope that the legacy of the Downtowner will live on through the fun times, the friendships, the happy guests, and the countless memories we’ve all created.”

The post said his “greatest joy” in owning the establishment was the “incredible people I’ve had the privilege to meet, and the friendships formed over the years. As this chapter of the Downtowner and Maxwell Room closes, I sincerely thank you all for your unwavering support, love, and the unforgettable memories we’ve shared together.”

The Labor Day announcement stunned patrons and staff members. The latter declined to comment for the record until they heard the news in person from their boss. He was not available at the restaurant Monday afternoon and did not respond to a voicemail.

But responses to his social media post quickly mounted, with more than 500 posts accumulating by 5 p.m.

“My first Hurricane experience in South Florida was in 2004 when I moved there and it was at the Downtowner,” wrote Dusty Wigmore. “I was amazed how the business stayed open to support the locals and be there when they may have not been able to go home, or didn’t want to venture out far from home. They were amazing and it was a great experience for just getting settled into the neighborhood. Thanks for all the great memories!”

But inside the restaurant,  one longtime customer, Brewster Knott, who said he lives in a nearby high rise, was not as charitable.

“I am upset because the staff of this establishment has made every day more powerful and happy for everyone,” Knott said. He vowed to mount a personal campaign to find a job for each employee.

The venue is nestled in a 23,000-square foot riverfront building at 10 South New River Drive E., just east of South Andrews Avenue, near a neighborhood where development has exploded with high-rise residential buildings. To the southeast is a familiar taxpayer-funded gated community, better known as the Main Jail, which is adjacent to the Broward County Courthouse.

Downtowner patrons who dine outdoors have a close-up view of recreational and commercial boats of all sizes as they ease their way along the New River. At one point Monday, one of the vessels represented another symbol of Fort Lauderdale history: a passenger boat belonging to the venerable Jungle Queen tour franchise stopped to wait for the Andrew Avenue drawbridge to rise and allow it to pass through.

To the rear of the restaurant, the Historic Maxwell Room with its wooden dance floor and a history that dates back to the Roaring 1920s, was empty and silent Monday.

A century-old history

According to the venue’s website, the ballroom was named after a developer, Fred Maxwell, and “opened its doors in 1925, showcasing the timeless elegance of Mediterranean Revival architecture. The hurricane of 1926 dealt a devastating blow to the Maxwell Arcade, damaging its iconic electric-lit sign, and much of the structure. Despite the destruction, the arcade endured and now houses both the Historic Downtowner and Historic Maxwell Room.”

The site notes the Downtowner has served the community for more than 30 years. The Maxwell Room hosted weddings, receptions and corporate gatherings while the Downtowner became “a cherished venue for various experiences such as Sunday brunch.”

In 2018, the building changed hands for $5.75 million, with the investor saying he was “just going to hold onto it in the short-term and mid-term and see what happens.” There was no immediate indication that another potential deal is in the offing this time.

One staffer who declined to be be quoted by name wondered Monday what the Downtowner’s customer traffic will be like through October, now that word of the impending closing has gone public.

There is one major event that could serve as a fond farewell for all: a “Craftober Fest,” a street festival with live music, craft beer and food.

It’s scheduled for Sept. 28, according to the restaurant’s Facebook account.