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The bar's location at 511 South [[Palafox Street]] (now known as the [[Trader Jon's building]]) dates back to [[1896]] and was previously occupied by such tenants as [[Samuel Charles]]'s shoe repair shop and [[Birgar Testman]]'s ship chandlery. It was already a bar when Weissman purchased it. | The bar's location at 511 South [[Palafox Street]] (now known as the [[Trader Jon's building]]) dates back to [[1896]] and was previously occupied by such tenants as [[Samuel Charles]]'s shoe repair shop and [[Birgar Testman]]'s ship chandlery. It was already a bar when Weissman purchased it. | ||
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==Naval hangout== | ==Naval hangout== | ||
[[Image:TraderJonWall.jpg|thumb|left|180px|Trader Jon Weissman by a wall of Navy photographs]] | [[Image:TraderJonWall.jpg|thumb|left|180px|Trader Jon Weissman by a wall of Navy photographs]] | ||
− | The bar was widely known for the eccentricities of its owner. Weissman did not set prices for drinks; rather, they varied depending on his mood and how well he knew the customer. | + | The bar was widely known for the eccentricities of its owner. Weissman did not set prices for drinks; rather, they varied depending on his mood and how well he knew the customer. He was known for wearing mismatched socks and offered a reward to any patron who caught him in a matching pair. He also exchanged drinks for bits of Navy memorabilia, which led to the bar's signature collection and helped reinforce his "Trader" moniker. |
[[Image:TJs.jpg|thumb|right|"TJ's" in ''An Officer and a Gentleman'']] | [[Image:TJs.jpg|thumb|right|"TJ's" in ''An Officer and a Gentleman'']] | ||
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Among the celebrities to visit Trader Jon's were [[Wikipedia:Prince Andrew, Duke of York|Prince Andrew]], [[Wikipedia:John Wayne|John Wayne]], [[Wikipedia:Elizabeth Taylor|Elizabeth Taylor]] and [[Wikipedia:Bob Hope|Bob Hope]]. In May [[1986]], Weissman was featured in Hope's birthday special, taped aboard the [[USS Lexington|USS ''Lexington'']]. | Among the celebrities to visit Trader Jon's were [[Wikipedia:Prince Andrew, Duke of York|Prince Andrew]], [[Wikipedia:John Wayne|John Wayne]], [[Wikipedia:Elizabeth Taylor|Elizabeth Taylor]] and [[Wikipedia:Bob Hope|Bob Hope]]. In May [[1986]], Weissman was featured in Hope's birthday special, taped aboard the [[USS Lexington|USS ''Lexington'']]. | ||
− | In | + | In November [[1991]], two 19-year-old women, [[Cary Higgins]] and [[Tonya Corrado]], were killed in an car accident after drinking at Trader Jon's. In July [[1992]], Weissman was fined $1,000 by the Florida Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco for serving alcohol to the underage women, and the bar closes for 18 days. In December [[1995]] Weissman settled a lawsuit with the families of the two women for an undisclosed amount. |
The [[Trader Jon's building]] was designated an historic site by the State of Florida in [[1992]]. | The [[Trader Jon's building]] was designated an historic site by the State of Florida in [[1992]]. | ||
− | ==Changing hands== | + | ==Changing hands== |
− | Trader Jon's closed in [[1998]], a year after Weissman suffered a debilitating stroke that kept him from work; he died on [[February 18]], [[2000]]. A group called the "Trader Jon's Preservation Squadron," led by former [[Blue Angels]] leader [[Bob Stumpf]] and Marine Corps Major Kent Bolin, raised $300,000 to preserve the bar and its contents as a restaurant and a kind of museum. Their purchase offer was rejected by Weissman's family, who wanted to see the club remain open.<ref>"[http://mysite.verizon.net/pitcairnsquadron/newjons.htm Navy pilot, wife plan to reopen historic 'Trader Jon's aviators' pub]." Associated Press, August 10, 2000.</ref> | + | Trader Jon's closed in [[1998]], a year after Weissman suffered a debilitating stroke that kept him from work; he died on [[February 18]], [[2000]]. A group called the "Trader Jon's Preservation Squadron," led by former [[Blue Angels]] leader [[Bob Stumpf]] and Marine Corps Major Kent Bolin, raised $300,000 to preserve the bar and its contents as a restaurant and a kind of museum. Their purchase offer was rejected by Weissman's family, who wanted to see the club remain open.<ref>"[http://mysite.verizon.net/pitcairnsquadron/newjons.htm Navy pilot, wife plan to reopen historic 'Trader Jon's aviators' pub]." Associated Press, August 10, 2000.</ref> |
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Navy flight instructor [[Matt Heckemeyer]] and his wife [[Kerry Heckemeyer|Kerry]] purchased the business for $465,000 on [[August 8]], [[2000]]. After spending an estimated $150,000 on renovations, they reopened the bar on [[September 1]] of that year — what would have been Weissman's 85th birthday. | Navy flight instructor [[Matt Heckemeyer]] and his wife [[Kerry Heckemeyer|Kerry]] purchased the business for $465,000 on [[August 8]], [[2000]]. After spending an estimated $150,000 on renovations, they reopened the bar on [[September 1]] of that year — what would have been Weissman's 85th birthday. |