More changes in Destin

Looks like a brief return to cold weather for Destin. Of course that’s relative as we will still be in the 60’s today getting back to 70ish by the weekend. Sunshine Cindy and I went out Tuesday to Hard Rock Café at the Commons. We have not been there in a while. I got a gift card from my brother so we decided to use it. The place was pretty much empty. For a while we were the only folks in there. We did cut up with the staff but then we always do that no matter where we are! LOL

The prices are high at Hard Rock for what you get. Draft beers were $4.95 each. Ouch. The atmosphere is cool with all the memorabilia on the walls but even that is getting dated as the Destin location has not changed its stuff in years. But it is still a neat place to visit and the staff there always seems to have a good time and they take good care of the customers.

Blake playing at the Boathouse

An iconic Destin night spot is closing. KJ’s on the harbor is shutting its doors this weekend. KJ’s is a late night place that does not even open till 10 pm. It is a small hole in the wall spot that has been going strong since the 80’s. In fact, Keith Urban has played there in the past. Okay, Keith actually lived in Ft. Walton Beach with Rusty and his wife. Keith actually went to high school here and he would play at some of the local spots before he hit the big time. I am not sure if someone else is buying the place or what might happen to it.

KJ's on the Destin harbor

One thing that could happen is it might be tied into a property a few feet away. The old Woody’s bar that sits right on the water and has been empty for a couple of years has been taken over by Alan Laird of AJ’s. The word is he is going to remodel and open a new restaurant there. I wonder if the KJ’s property might be a part of the deal. I will have to dig in and find out but it would make sense.

One last new opening is in San Destin. Elephant Walk restaurant is reopening. For years in the San Destin resort Elephant Walk was the best upscale restaurant in the area. It sits right on the beach and has great views. The resort a few years ago tried to make it more casual and renamed it Finz but it never seemed to catch on. New owners are going back to what worked and bringing the old name back too.

Elephant Walk in San Destin

With Elephant Walk coming back that reminds me of a story a friend told me a few years back. He was in the restaurant when a couple came in with a couple of young kids. The kids were kind of loud as kids are prone to be. The parents tried to keep them quiet and eventually they went to my friend to apologize. He told them it was not a bother then he realized the couple was Tim McGraw and Faith Hill. Yep, even stars have normal lives.

Enjoy the weekend and the Super Bowl. See ya Monday!