The cool breeze coming off of the Intracoastal waterways makes the outside patio of Hurricane Alley Raw Bar and Restaurant refreshing even in the scorching summer heat. This also makes it a prime location for the upcoming Summer Sizzle which will commemorate the restaurant’s 20th anniversary. While the landscape around the raw bar has changed over the years this staple on Ocean Avenue has remained consistent in providing patrons with a welcoming place to grab a bite to eat or connect with friends.
I recently had a chance to sit down with the Kim Kelly, owner of Hurricane Alley, to discuss what this monumental occasion means to her. At first encounter Kelly comes off as a no nonsense, tell it like it is business owner, which undeniable she is, but after speaking with the self-made woman for only a few minutes I realized that she is also probably the most genuine and humble business professionals that I have ever encountered. She attributes much of her success to her patrons, who she doesn’t call customers, but guests because they are an extension of her family. Kelly depends on her regular guest for their assistance, guidance, and support because she knows that she
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In 1996, following a trend out of California for coffee houses, Kelly began her journey as a restaurant owner when she opened Café Barista. While she gained some steam the first year, receiving the Nova Glass Ceiling award, Kelly quickly realized after being faced with a series of struggles and setbacks that being a restaurant owner was painstaking and incredibly stressful. After three years, Kelly realized that the café wasn’t going in the direction that she had envisioned and that something needed to change. And that’s exactly what happened when Kelly and two of her best friends came up with a new name and concept for the space, turning the café into a nautical