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The Getaway at Maximo is closed permanently
Thirteen months after it opened to great fanfare, the Getaway at Maximo – conceived as a way to drive restaurant traffic to the sleepy Skyway Marina District – has closed its doors.
The news came via a cryptic posting on the business’ Facebook page: “We will no longer be operating out of this location. Please visit us at our Gandy Blvd location for wonderful waterfront views, boat docks and delicious menu offerings. Thank you for your support.”
Dave Burton, co-owner of the original Getaway on Gandy, as well as the Maximo location, replied to a text message from a Catalyst reporter. “At this point, we strongly feel it’s too premature for us to discuss the reasons behind our Maximo closure,” Burton said.
“There’s a lot we’d like to say, but feel it’s best we hold off for now.”
The Getaway restaurants are a partnership between Burton Holdings, and Scott Tashkin and Karina Tashkin. Burton Holdings operates several other restaurants in the bay area, including Gen X Tavern, Flock and Stock and the Tampa Pizza Co.
The Getaway’s appeal is a laid-back and low-key atmosphere, landscaped with beach sand and palm trees, with casual seating for both restaurant and bar patrons right on the water.
In an April interview with the Catalyst, Burton acknowledged that the Maximo location – constructed on the southern edge of the newly-refurbished Maximo Marina – was experiencing growing pains.
“We struggled a little bit finding the right team, getting the right staff in place,” he said at the time, adding that business had picked up in the early months of 2019.
“I always tell people it takes a good six months for a restaurant to find its footing,” Burton said. “Over there (at Maximo), it might have been more of a struggle because there’s a dynamic to that market we maybe didn’t understand as well as we should have. It’s a different customer base. It’s older, it’s a little bit more tourist. And there’s nothing wrong with that. It’s just that the expectations are different.”
Jeffery Roberts
August 28, 2019at9:11 pm
I was surprised GetAWay tried Maximo. The setting and visibility not a match needed like Gandy. Gandy seems open spacious great view. Maximo boxed in feel compressed and limited view. I reside six minutes away. Yes “older clientele” and long term tourist yes. Lack of live music a negative.
Rose Smith-Hayes
August 28, 2019at8:40 pm
Prices too high. Music draws people and shows. Festivals draw people. Just eating and drinking can be boring. Having fashion shows and other events would have helped this place. Monthly Birthday parties. Idea people were not in charge. The place is absolutely beautiful and the location is great.
Mario Farias
August 28, 2019at10:04 am
A super loss for the South Side of St. Petersburg. We lack restaurants already. Glad to hear Fortunatos is taking over The Hideaway on 6th St. and hope somebody takes over the Maximo Getaway location.
Evelyn Rhodes
August 27, 2019at8:59 am
Good! That’s not the only place over there that is not going to succeed!!
Lynda Kukla
August 29, 2019at12:27 am
Why do you say “good”? We need some good restaurants in the South side.
Ed Kopko
August 26, 2019at4:57 pm
Sorry to see them go.