MA Press:Iguana's plans a move

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Posted by Desiree on July 17, 2002 at 00:10:10:

http://www.capecodonline.com/cctimes/iguanazxsplans16.htm

7/16/02

Iguana's plans a move
Restaurant gutted by fire to reopen across street

By PAULA PETERS
STAFF WRITER
FALMOUTH - In case you've been wondering what has become of Iggy since the 4-foot reptile was burned out of its home at the Iguana's Restuarant in February, not to worry, the lizard is living large in Newport, R.I.

The popular mascot of the Tataket Square restaurant named for its species had been living in foster care since the fire that consumed Iguana's and forced every business in Tataket Square to close during reconstruction.

Though rebuilding the two-story restaurant gutted by the Feb. 12 fire may take many months, owner Richard Cunha is poised to move Iguana's across Davis Straits to the former Bickford's Restaurant location. He also opened a new Iguana's in Newport last week, which has become Iggy's new home, at least temporarily.

"He has a brand new tank and a great view of the harbor," Cunha said.

Cunha went before Falmouth selectmen last night to request a transfer of the Bickford's all alcoholic beverage license. The board approved the transfer to Iguana's and also OK'd an entertainment license for recorded music.

Cunha will have to return to the board for a public hearing to extend the Bickford's license from midnight to 1 a.m. to accommodate Iguana's hours of operation.

Selectman Edward Marks said he consulted with police Chief David Cusolito and the board of health and found no objection to the transfer.

Attorney Mark Gildea, representing Cunha, said the timing for opening the new Falmouth Iguana's is unclear. He said they still need to seek approval from the state licensing board before proceeding, but he expects Iggy to be back on the Cape soon.

"Iggy is a Falmouth resident," Gildea said, "he is only summering in Newport."

Iggy was rescued from the three-alarm blaze that also caused smoke and fire damage to four other businesses in the retail and professional plaza.

Downwind of the fire, the ProCuts hair and nail salon suffered the most significant damage. Lynn Mangalo, business manager for 10 area ProCuts salons, said she expects the Tataket Square location to reopen in time for back-to-school haircuts.

Originally, business owners were predicting a much quicker restoration schedule, perhaps as short as two months. But Mortgage Security Inc. senior vice president Wesley Pena said establishing individual gas, electric and water service at each of the condominium units took longer than expected.

Iguana's was housed in the largest unit, the original structure built on the property as a residential home. Utilities for all the units added on were located in the basement of the restaurant, complicating the reconstruction effort.

Pena, who is also a trustee in the condominium association, said he expects to return to his Tataket Square office by late August or early September along with neighboring businesses, Tataket Dental and the law firm of O'Regan & O'Regan. The only business besides the restaurant that will not be returning to the plaza is the Kabloom florist, which closed in February because of declining sales unrelated to the fire.

Since the fire, Pena has been operating his business by appointment only from a temporary office at 70 East Falmouth Highway.

"We are anxious to get back in our offices, but we have been doing business as usual," he said.

Pena said the condominium insurance is responsible for reconstructing the shell of the Iguanas unit but Cunha is responsible for rebuilding the interior.

Cunha said he will rebuild in Tataket Square, and though he is not sure what will go there, it will definitely be some kind of restaurant.

"I am looking forward to rebuilding there," he said, "I have a few ideas."

Iguana's plans a move

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: http://www.capecodonline.com/cctimes/iguanazxsplans16.htm : 7/16/02 : Iguana's plans a move : Restaurant gutted by fire to reopen across street : By PAULA PETERS : STAFF WRITER : FALMOUTH - In case you've been wondering what has become of Iggy since the 4-foot reptile was burned out of its home at the Iguana's Restuarant in February, not to worry, the lizard is living large in Newport, R.I. : The popular mascot of the Tataket Square restaurant named for its species had been living in foster care since the fire that consumed Iguana's and forced every business in Tataket Square to close during reconstruction. : Though rebuilding the two-story restaurant gutted by the Feb. 12 fire may take many months, owner Richard Cunha is poised to move Iguana's across Davis Straits to the former Bickford's Restaurant location. He also opened a new Iguana's in Newport last week, which has become Iggy's new home, at least temporarily. : "He has a brand new tank and a great view of the harbor," Cunha said. : Cunha went before Falmouth selectmen last night to request a transfer of the Bickford's all alcoholic beverage license. The board approved the transfer to Iguana's and also OK'd an entertainment license for recorded music. : Cunha will have to return to the board for a public hearing to extend the Bickford's license from midnight to 1 a.m. to accommodate Iguana's hours of operation. : Selectman Edward Marks said he consulted with police Chief David Cusolito and the board of health and found no objection to the transfer. : Attorney Mark Gildea, representing Cunha, said the timing for opening the new Falmouth Iguana's is unclear. He said they still need to seek approval from the state licensing board before proceeding, but he expects Iggy to be back on the Cape soon. : "Iggy is a Falmouth resident," Gildea said, "he is only summering in Newport." : Iggy was rescued from the three-alarm blaze that also caused smoke and fire damage to four other businesses in the retail and professional plaza. : Downwind of the fire, the ProCuts hair and nail salon suffered the most significant damage. Lynn Mangalo, business manager for 10 area ProCuts salons, said she expects the Tataket Square location to reopen in time for back-to-school haircuts. : Originally, business owners were predicting a much quicker restoration schedule, perhaps as short as two months. But Mortgage Security Inc. senior vice president Wesley Pena said establishing individual gas, electric and water service at each of the condominium units took longer than expected. : Iguana's was housed in the largest unit, the original structure built on the property as a residential home. Utilities for all the units added on were located in the basement of the restaurant, complicating the reconstruction effort. : Pena, who is also a trustee in the condominium association, said he expects to return to his Tataket Square office by late August or early September along with neighboring businesses, Tataket Dental and the law firm of O'Regan & O'Regan. The only business besides the restaurant that will not be returning to the plaza is the Kabloom florist, which closed in February because of declining sales unrelated to the fire. : Since the fire, Pena has been operating his business by appointment only from a temporary office at 70 East Falmouth Highway. : "We are anxious to get back in our offices, but we have been doing business as usual," he said. : Pena said the condominium insurance is responsible for reconstructing the shell of the Iguanas unit but Cunha is responsible for rebuilding the interior. : Cunha said he will rebuild in Tataket Square, and though he is not sure what will go there, it will definitely be some kind of restaurant. : "I am looking forward to rebuilding there," he said, "I have a few ideas." : :

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