Ft. Lauderdale's Bimini Boatyard Closing This Week UPDATED

It's the end of an era for Bimini Boatyard. After 25 years in business it is closing its doors this Thursday, July 9, until Fall in order, "to undergo a modern upgrade and overall brand transformation."

Helping them with these "upgrades" are the The Restaurant People — the folks behind Ft. Lauderdale hot spots YOLO and Fork & Balls — along with the property’s current owner, Hudson Capital Group.

No word on what exactly this new concept will be, what it will be named or when it might actually open. All we know for now is that it will re-open sometime this October and its renovations will focus mainly on the waterfront property's outdoor patio and seating area and onsite dockage. Stay tuned for more updates.

UPDATE: We were right about the renovations' focus on the outdoor patio and onsite dockage. The reimagined space, now called Boatyard, exemplifies the city's title of "Yachting Capital of the world" with 120 feet of dockage space next to its 80-seat patio.

Boatyard's "Eat Local, Be Coastal" philosophy will bring daily local seafood catches to the menu, raw bar and shellfish options and even a raw bar cart traveling around the tables. Other highlights include a copper-top bar, fire pits and rustic lanterns, adding to Boatyard's rustic, but chic, boathouse feel.

Hours of operation are 11:30 am - midnight Monday through Thursday, 11:30 am - 2:00 am Fridays and Saturdays, and 11:30 am - 10 pm on Sundays (yes, there's brunch).