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Haney’s Cafe is now open in new Microtel Inn

By Staff | Jan 12, 2009

By MEL TOADVINE,mtoadvine@breezenewspapers.com Haney’s Cafe located inside the new Microtel Inn and Suites became member of 2009 of the Lehigh Acres Chamber of Commerce. Officials with the Chamber, along with Vernon Haney and Brian Owens, a partner, the staff and volunteers of the Chamber were on hand last week to celebrate the grand opening. Inside were mid-morning diners having breakfast as the celebration began at the entrance. In addition to the new Haney’s Cafe, there is Haney’s Sports Pub and both have just opened in the new hotel on Broadway in downtown Fort Myers. “Food’s pretty good here,” said Mike Buff, who was enjoying a meal with friends, Inke Baker, Joe Cerra and Dick Groetchen. Joe Whalen, the new president of the Lehigh Acres of Commerce, read a proclaiming it Haney’s Cafe Day in Lehigh Day. Then followed the ribbon cutting with pieces of the ribbon being cut up to keep as souvenirs . Vernon Haney took the plaque inside and held it up on the wall. “That’s where we will put it. Everyone will be able to see it,” he said at the entrance of the cafe. The official address of Haney’s Cafe is 1320 Business Way, just off Beth Stacey Blvd. The restaurant and adjoining sports pub have its own entrance from the outside. You do not have to into the hotel to get inside the large dining room of the restaurant. Haney said the restaurant will seat 100 and the sports pub will seat 38. The cafe has both tables and booths for the comfort of diners,” Haney said. Haney said the restaurant can cater to any event such as banquets, weddings, anniversaries, family reunions and business get-togethers. Inside the hotel is a large meeting room and it can be used for large events where people will be served food. Haney owns another restaurant in the Preserve Plaza on South Tamiami Trail and been in the restaurant business since 1972. “I first learned from my dad up north. He ran three Howard Johnson restaurants and he taught me a lot,” Haney said. He is originally from Michigan but came to Florida because of the sunshine and to open up a restaurant. The restaurant is open seven days a week from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. And the sports pub is open to 1 a.m. Sunday on weekends. “We have had a nice upbeat clientele to come to our sports pub. We have large sized TV screens on the walls for our sports fan and a comfortable atmosphere. It’s the place to be in Lehigh, especially during the Super Bown next month,” he laughed. When he is finished staffing the restaurant and pub, Haney said he will probably have employed some 40 people. Haney’s Cafe offers meals throughout the day and Haney said if you want breakfast in the afternoon or evening, it’s available at his restaurant. “Anytime they want eggs and bacon or pancakes, we will fix it up for them,” he said. He plans specials such as an “All You Can Eat Flounder night on Fridays. On Wednesdays, he has all you can eat spaghetti and on Saturday, baby back ribs and chicken. “We’re going to try different things and our menu will change with special each day,” he said. Prices are good on the Haney menu. You get get lunch for as little as $6 and in the evenings, senior meals start at $7.99. Other meals begin at $9. And be sure to tell them that breakfast is under $3, something almost unheard of today. Haney has two sons who help their father and a daughter-in-law who also works at the restaurant. The dining room is decorated with the newest paintings and accessories hanging on the wall. “We have a good family atmosphere here in the cafe,” Haney said. He has been in Florida for 20 years. He once managed three Shoneys restaurant for seven years. He opened his first restaurant in 1005 in Bonita. “I like Lehigh and I think the people will enjoy dining here with us. We’re hoping that a lot of people will give us a chance and that we become the place to be in Lehigh,” Haney said. There’s a coupon for any omelet for for $4.99 in today’s Citizen. “Clip it out and bring it in and we will show you how good an omelet we can prepare,” he said with a big smile.