By Attiyya Anthony Sun Sentinelcontact the reporter
• U.S. Congress
Boynton Beach to bring restaurants to historic homes on Ocean Avenue
After initial deal falls through, Boynton agrees to bring two new restaurants to Ocean Avenue
A new deal has surfaced to turn two historic homes into a restaurant on Boynton Beach's Ocean Avenue.
Last month, a developer opted to not purchase the Magnuson House at 211 E. Ocean Ave and the Ruth Jones Cottage at 480 E. Ocean Ave, after he couldn't secure the $550,000 to purchase both buildings.
But the Boynton Beach Community Redevelopment Agency hasn't given up hope and selected two new developers for the properties this month. City officials say that developing these properties are key to bringing life into Boynton Beach's downtown.
Richard Lucibella and Barbara Ceuleers will partner to purchase the Ruth Jones Cottage, also known as the Little House, for $325,000. Their plan is to lease the small restaurant to local restaurant owner Lisa Mercado, who owns the Living Room restaurant at 1709 Congress Ave. in Boynton Beach.
Developer Bruce Kaplan, of the Local Development Company, agreed to purchase the Magnuson House for $255,000 and put a brewery in that spot, according to redevelopment agency documents.
Turning the historic Little House into a thriving restaurant won't be a problem, Mercado told the redevelopment agency board on Tuesday. She plans to serve lunch, dinner and tapas from locally grown produce. She plans to also serve beer, wine and fermented tea.
"We'd like to bring the hipster crowd in," she said.
Kaplan plans to put a brewery in the Magnuson House, which is one of the city's oldest buildings. According to documents, Kaplan wants to lease to Three Horns Brewery. The owners of Three Horns Brewery live in Boynton Beach and want to use their business to attract young 'millennials' to Ocean Avenue.